On Tuesday afternoon Room 4 in the haematology unit became available and I had just enough time to set up my lovely space before I was allowed to go home for the night. It's a pleasant room and I'm lucky I don't have to share it. Surprisingly part of me would've liked to have stayed Tuesday as it looks so lovely! I spent Wednesday night in it but there is word that I may be moved into the Isolation Ward today.
Apparently, in the past, patients were based at home for the first week while taking the pre-conditioning medication, busulphan, but the dose and blood test times were so rigid that it was hard to enforce that discipline onto the patients (especially with the midnight and 6am dosage times) and now the hospital only lets patients out at very structured time slots. It reminds me of when I was at school and had to get the Matron to sign my absence slip. It's imperative that the blood tests are taken at the exact minute every half hour for three times, and then the blood is couriered to Christchurch to assess that the proper amount of medication is given, taking into account the height and weight of the patient. There are quite a cocktail of other drugs to be taken four hourly, six hourly, eight hourly and even some 24 hourly. The lovely nurses and their hyper-vigilance make me feel so well looked after.
I've had two wonderful surprises from overseas. My sister-in-law, Deidre (who lives in Sydney), sent in a parcel with six presents for me to open all at once or to savour over the whole time period while I'm in hospital. I felt completely spoilt with her thoughtfulness but have restrained myself with opening of just one present for now. I may open one a week! The photo above features Deidre and Grant's brother, Ross with Grant and I. It was taken quite a few years ago in our wild and free days before kids came on the scene.
The other surprise was from my stepson's, (Matt's) girlfriend's (Chrissi's) parents who were here from Germany touring NZ at Christmas time. They are following my blog and we are emailing photos back and forth. This is impressive considering we didn't actually get to meet them as we were away at xmas holidaying in different parts of the country. It is lovely to make that connection, fun to hear about the goings on in Germany, and also they seem really nice people. Chrissi is a gem so I'm not surprised to find her parents such caring people.
Grant has a heavy workload with me being away from home. He is the main parent, chief photographer, accountant, head chef, careful shopper and most prevalent wife visitor. Of course he is very busy but Subway has been doing a great trade with him recently. Neri is visiting often and together with Grant, they provide a ray of sunshine in my life. So far they have been able to work out schedules without too much bother.
My donor sister, Robyn (from Waihi), arrives soon to collect her growth-factor injections and start the three days of injecting herself twice daily in order to mobilise the stem cells from her bone marrow into the blood. She has had no experience around hospitals in the past but is stoic about her part in the process. I am eternally grateful to her for her pivotal role in my cure.
I've had the company and support of a nice round of visitors while I'm feeling well enough. Until now I've felt quite good, although sleep deprived. Just a slight feeling of nausea and not too much enthusiasm for hospital food. I'm getting my head around being in the ward and trusting to the process. On Friday the full on chemotherapy process starts which should be kicking in by Monday.
