Today is Sunday 23rd and therefore day 17 since my stem cells were returned. It is remarkable to think that I was discharged on Tuesday and today I cooked breakfast !
Having arrived home, and since my hair had started to lose interest in my scalp, Margaret kindly shaved it all off ! I returned to the BHOC for a blood test on Friday which confirmed that my immune system was as expected, as was my platelet count (which had previously given some concern). Accordingly, my PICC line was removed - something of a milestone. Ever watchful, the doctor picked up that my potassium level was lower than ideal so I've had to take some as a supplement.
Little by little over the next few weeks I should fully recover. At the 100 day point I will be further reviewed and I will be randomised to either continue without further medication, or to receive the trial drug as maintenance therapy. I will just have to wait and see. I will also be attending the BHOC roughly monthly for treatment called pentamidine which is an antimicrobial, administered by nebulizer, and should protect me from pneumonia whilst my immune system gets back to normal.
I wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year
Stephen
