Addenbrokes update 5th December

 

So a busy morning at Addenbrokes. First the blood tests, of which they need plenty. All those tubes in the tray are mine. 

Next the ECG, but the tags won't stick to my hairy chest so it's off for an NHS razor. When that is successful it's time for the bone marrow biopsy. Consent signed, and I've had one before and know the routine. Same as last time: lie on your side with knees bent and hip exposed. Local anaesthetic then a quite forceful probe to get through the bone and extract marrow. Took three vials full and showed me some on slides at the end. Quite odd to see what's inside your bones. Then another corer type device to take a bone sample through my hip. Saw it in the jar and it's about 2cm long. 

Then up to ask any last questions of the very helpful consultant and transplant nurse while signing up for the clinical trial. 

Hair? Probably lose it all. Definitely a lot of it 

Alcohol? Not a good idea because your liver has it's work cut out expelling all the pharmaceutical residues 

Visitors? Yes, if you're up for it, but no colds or sniffles 

How long do you feel crap? (I had heard a week or two). Four to six. But Melphalan rough and old-school chemo, because it needs to be. 

Outcome? Optimistic as all my organs in good condition and my health is good 

So that's my last visit before I go there in earnest on 16th December to start it all. And now I feel like a beer; while I can.