Day +1 and I'm Neutropenic

Well the good news is that I am alive and living the dream... I had a relatively good night sleep as my body was drained from the transplant yesterday and even though the nurse arrived at 05.30 to take my bloods and hook me up to my morning iv antibiotics, I still got back into bed and pulled the duvet up and over myself - I just needed to sleep a little more.

Not a great deal has happened today other than I have suddenly become Neutropenic! How did that happen?? So no more running up and down the ward corridors, no more kissing the staff and no more contact with people directly for the foreseeable.

I have seen the big boss man today (Head of Haematology), various doctors, consultants, coordinators, nurse specialists etc, etc all of which have said how well things appear to be going and how well I have taken all the treatment so far. As you will see I am now looking like one of Darth Vader's fighter pilots and in need of wearing a face mask when in the company of anyone other than myself. However, the good thing I found out is that at the moment I can still pop out for a walk along the ward corridor so long as I have my mask on.

I was also told that although things appear to be going well, I am to expect a decline over the next 7-10 days with possible infections, fevers and changes in my multiple sclerosis all of which are linked. So I need to maintain my personal hygiene and two hourly mouth washes to help prevent the decline.

Assuming all goes well and there is no need to intervene with further antibiotics etc, it is expected for my white blood cell count or neutrophils to increase steadily until they reach around 2 (whatever that means). Once at that level in around 14 days it is hoped that my discharge papers will begin to be drawn up with a view to be discharged mid January 2017. So no New Years Eve or Hogmanay parties for me this year and as not a great deal will be happening with me over the next few days, I will give you all a little rest from my journey but will update you if anything significant happens... Like I win the Lottery!!

Until next time..

Mark xx