I had a great night’s sleep last night. When I woke up I had
an upset tummy. It was minor in comparison to
what I have had all month.
So the big news from today is that I am finally going home.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Wednesday 1 August 2007 and Wednesday 1 August 2012
Wednesday 1 August 2007 = THEN
I am a calendar month in hospital today. But hurray, I am
being allowed home for a few hours to see how I manage. I am nervous but really
looking forward to being in my own home again.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Tuesday 31 July 2007 and Tuesday 31 July 2012
[Okay so just to catch people up as I am posting this as my Blog Ireland Awards blogger challenge, using the words winning and help.
In January 2007 I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, an incurable form of bone marrow cancer. I basically took the year off and had a gruelling stem cell transplant in Tallaght and James's Hospitals in Dublin. The transplant process started on 4 July 2007 and I kept a journal the whole time. Now five year's later I am blogging what I was doing then and now as the days and dates match up! So you can see what I was up to on those days in 2007 as well as how I am getting on with things now. So here's what was happening on 31 July 2007]
Tuesday 31 July 2007 = THEN
I woke up coughing and spluttering. Because my stomach is so
used to vomiting, it just all kicked off and I felt awful. One step forward,
two steps back. The nurses gave me something to settle it. It is just all this
horrid mucus which has been lying on my chest from being copped up and immobile
for a month.
Dr Sean was in early and he was reviewing my results. I get
blood taken every morning – every morning since I have been in here, the
wonderful phlebotomist has been in and I am very fond of her. She is such a
lady. Anyway Dr Sean was looking at the results and looking at me and we were
chatting. Dr Sean and Dr Larry are my two registrars and even though I only met
them for the first time on 4th July, we have a great rapport
which is so important.
Dr Sean said I have a very practical attitude to all the
setbacks and awfulness I am having. I guess I am of the view that there is no point in
being hysterical.
The great news is that they are giving serious thought to letting me home for good at the
weekend. But they may want me to try going home for a few hours first maybe
tomorrow or the day after.
Nurse Emer was back on days today – she has been gone for a
week and she could not get over the improvement in me. She said it is just
wonderful to see it.
I went outside the hospital today into the fresh air for the first
time since 4th July. It was raining but the rain and the air just
felt wonderful. I feel dry and parched from being cooped up and it’s just
fabulous to be out again. I managed the whole trip from the ward to the front of the hospital without any help. Result!
On the way back to my hospital room I caught sight of my
reflection in one of the windows and I got a shock. I seem to have shrunk. I
look like a stick insect – like the character from A Bug’s Life. I guess not
eating for a month will do that.
Big News this afternoon. My central line into my chest was pulled out today
at 12.40pm by Dr Larry. Woo hoo. It’s gone. The line was put in on 21 May to
allow my stem cells to be harvested and then to give access for the transplant
and all the supportive treatment. It took a huge yank/pull to get it to come
out and I have a little hole where the plastic tube was. This will close over
in time. It will heal naturally. It was a bit gross though and I was very nervous during the procedure.
I am hopefully getting
home for a few hours tomorrow. My brother is collecting me as Bryan is
taking Emma to have some teeth out in the dental hospital. I am too weak to go and the team
here said no, that it is not a good idea for me to be in a dental hospital.
One of my friends called in this evening and she said that another friend of ours who called in a couple
of weeks ago was visibly traumatised by the way I looked then. It must have been horrific for people to have
to watch me. Perhaps I should have warned people better.
Fingers crossed. Downhill from here!
Tuesday 31 July 2012 - NOW
Today is my last day in work before my holidays and I cannot wait for the break. It has been a hectic year so far. We have lots of things planned. It is strange to be able to plan again. Back in 2007 there were so many unknowns. Even now, we can't plan more than a month or two in advance as we just never know how my health will be.
But it is a great feeling to know that I will be spending the holidays with family. It was pretty grim back in 2007 for the kids and my hubby, to not have a holiday and to be living under such a dark shadow.
Then just when we thought we could plan again, I was taken seriously ill on the first day of our Summer holidays in 2009 and instead of heading away in the car, I was being rushed by ambulance to Tallaght Hospital with the lights and sirens blaring. I developed a life-threatening blood clot in my lung. Another one of my nine lives used up.
So this year we have plans and time together which is great.
It makes me feel that I am finally winning, just a nose ahead, in this battle with cancer.
Happy Holidays. Here is the video I share every year as I head off on holidays. Enjoy.
B
xx
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Monday 30 July 2007 and Monday 30 July 2012
Monday 30 July 2007 = THEN
I had probably the best night’s sleep last night that I
have had, since I came in to hospital on July 4th. I didn’t feel
sick at all. I had breakfast but then I felt a bit sick so they gave me some
anti-sickness meds. We are trying to get the balance right between weaning me
off the anti-sickness meds and making sure I don’t feel sick or have to vomit.
I managed to take some of my tablets orally today for the
first time in weeks. That and keeping my breakfast down are all steps closer to
freedom for me.
I saw my consultant and she said that the thing worrying her
at the moment are the spikes in temperature that I keep getting. It may be the
line in my chest so she made a decision to take it out today. I am very nervous
about it coming out as it had to be surgically inserted. How can they take it
out here in the room?
But I will be glad to be free of it I guess.
The GOING HOME words were mentioned today for the first
time. Halleluia! I am nearly there.
The doctors need to be sure that all the toxicity in my gut
has settled so there is a little bit of a way to go yet. Boy has my gut been
toxic!
I have vomited so much and had so many visits to the toilet! Eugh. I have been on four different mouth washes to prevent me picking up a bacterial infection, a fungal infection, thrush [which I have anyway] and something to protect my teeth. It has been fairly rancid!
Cathal was on the phone to me first thing this morning,
telling me he is better and that he is coming to collect me very soon [I was
crying]. He went on to tell me how much he is missing me. Gosh I can’t wait to
hold him in my arms and to hug him and just see him. It has been very hard to
be away from him for almost a month.
I have been lucky to see Emma a couple of times
but I can’t wait to spend time with her too. She is at the dentist today. It’s hard not being there for
her. She has overcrowding so will have to have some teeth out later in the
week. Yikes! Another thing I won’t be able to be there for and that is very hard.
I saw the Counsellor this afternoon and we had a good chat.
I was a little bit angry because I felt that I had not been prepared for the
utter awfulness of the last few weeks. I would have liked to have spoken to
someone who had already been through it, but I guess that wasn’t possible.
There isn’t even a Myeloma website or organisation for Ireland.
My wonderful hubby Bryan came in – he has been a knight,
amazing and supportive and a real test of the in sickness and in health part of
our marriage vows. He passed with flying colours.
Tired tonight.
Home is on the horizon.
Monday 30 July 2012 = NOW
In work just for today and tomorrow and then annual leave for three weeks. I can't wait. It has been such a hectic year so far and I have done so much. Still on a bit of a high after my wonderful results at the hospital last week. Long may they keep stable and steady.
Three appointments arrived for me in the post today - one for my next haematology visit in September for bloods etc. The other is for my renal consultant in October. The final one kind of caught me off guard as it is for an ultrasound of my kidneys. Why? There was no reference to this at any of my recent visits. Have they found something on a recent test? I wish they would explain things better in letters rather than freaking patients out! Flip sake. I hope it is just routine.
The medical stuff just doesn't go away. It's always there hanging over me. Anyway, for now I am well and that will do me for the next couple of months.
For now I am going ahead and making plans for the next couple of weeks - relaxing, visiting, chilling out.
B
xx
Nominated for the Blog Awards Ireland
Taking time out from my Then and Now blog to let you know that I am on the longlist for the Blog Awards Ireland for Best Personal Blog and Best Healthcare Blog. Really thrilled. All the details about the Blog Awards are at the link below, if you want to have a read.
http://www.blogawardsireland.com/category/blog-awards-ireland-long-list/
The shortlist is being announced in September so keep an eye out. You never know, I might just make it.
B
xx
http://www.blogawardsireland.com/category/blog-awards-ireland-long-list/
The shortlist is being announced in September so keep an eye out. You never know, I might just make it.
B
xx
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Sunday 29 July 2007 and Sunday 29 July 2012
Sunday 29 July 2007 = THEN
I spoke to Cathal on the phone this
morning. He sounds so grown up. I am desperate to see him. I doubt I will get
out today for a few hours. I just want to hug him and to kiss him and to feel
his warm little wriggly body in my arms.
It has been so tough for
him. Bryan took a pic of me on his mobile and he showed it to Cathal
and Cathal said ‘ make her talk to me’. It’s heart wrenching really when he
asks me ‘Do you not want to come home to me Mammy?
Bryan and Emma came up to see me. Emma
looks so beautiful and I am just so frustrated at not being able to spend her
summer holidays with her. She is an amazing girl - Cathal and her are the two
greatest achievements of my life.
Sunday 29 July 2012 = NOW
Amazing day today. Mass in St Colman's Cathedral in Cobh, Co Cork first thing and then a walk home.
We decided to take a trip around the harbour in Cobh and to follow the Titanic tour.
Neither of the kids had ever been on a boat like that before so it was a big deal for them. We have been to Cobh so many times but we just never got around to doing the harbour tour.
We were blessed with the weather - the sun came out and the clouds moved off to reveal a beautiful blue sky.
I took some great photos - have a look at them at the Facebook link below:
This is me channeling my inner Kate Winslet in Titanic as we steam away from Cobh......
Great day.
B xxx
Saturday 28 July 2007 and Saturday 28 July 2012
Saturday 28 July 2007 = THEN
BREAKFAST REQUESTED BY ME FOR THE FIRST
TIME!!!!!!!!!!
I was awake very early this morning and I asked for
breakfast for the first time since being admitted on the 4 July. The catering staff were stunned as I had all trays banned from the room for almost a month now.
I had some
rice crispies and some orange juice. The juice tasted like heaven. It was the nicest glass of juice I have ever had. It stayed down all day.
My stomach is very
swollen, it looks almost distended.It is very strange to be able to think about food again without retching.
Bryan came up and he thought that
I looked so much better. I am improving slowly each day.
I didn’t get home
today for a few hours as I developed a temperature so they held onto me. I was
disappointed at not being able to see Cathal. I haven’t seen him for weeks and
I miss him. I feel very jealous of the people who are getting to spend time with
him!
I got sick again this evening- came on very suddenly. It’s
deflating when it happens. Just when I think I am past it, it happens again. It
was probably the orange juice which is way too harsh for my tummy. I should
have known better.
[For those just tuning in - this is a then and now blog about my stem cell transplant in July 2007 to treat myeloma and a catch up with what I am up to five year's later in July 2012].
Saturday 28 July 2012 = NOW
Road trip today down to see the inlaws. We were also trying out the new car. Just an overnight so one bag each was the limit for all passengers and it worked.
Al was going well and then BANG - a blow-out of a brand new tyre on the motorway. Very scary. Put the heart crossways in me. We wer very lucky that we were able to control the car. Hubby was the hero of the hour.
We made it safely to Cork after changing the tyre at the side of the motorway.
All was well.
God is good
B xxxx
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