Day +13 Home sweet home

Where do I start? Since my last post not a fantastic amount happened other than the normal observations, bloods and taking of meds.

My neutrophils continued to climb gradually along with all other blood levels, then practically over night my neutrophils jumped to 11 which was amazing. The reason they jumped so high so quickly was due to the GCSF injections I had been having since day +4. The GCSF was started early due to a mixture of reasons but the biggest I guess was it would help boost the building of my new immune system to help fight against the main infection I had, of which it was doing.

So now I was no longer neutropenic I could go home...but I couldn't. If you remember back in one of my previous posts I had to be put on an iv antibiotic three times a day to kill of this Gram Negative Bacilli also known as Klebsiella pneumoniae so my stay was going to be extended for another week.

Then good news came flying through the door in the shape of Dr C... Dr C is one of the Ward Doctors and the one who primarily looked after me. He was the one who had to break the bad news to about the bug and the flu and after discussions with his team was the one who decided to remove my picc line which saved my life. A lot of love there for Dr C!!!

Anyway back to the good news. Dr C came in and said "Goes what Mark... we have spoken to microbiology about your infection and the antibiotic you are on and think we have found an oral antibiotic you can take which means you can go home." How taken back was I. Putting aside the infection and flu virus I had caught and looking at the primary reason I was here, all the Dr's and medical team were happy with how I had taken the treatment and how well I had responded that they felt it was time for me to go home. This was amazing and I could not wait to call home to let Olivia and the boys know that Daddy was coming home.

So Tuesday came and Olivia arrived to collect me having not seen me since the day she dropped me off due to picking up various colds preventing her from visiting. We sat and waited for hours for the pharmacy to dispense my drugs then finally at 3.30 I was officially discharged, cannula taken out and medications handed over, it was time to say good bye.

I really did not expect it to be such and emotional moment. First the nurse that had spent so long trying to lower my body temperature during infection and rigours then to Dr C. Both Olivia and I had tears joy, thanks and sadness all rolled into one. These were just some of the amazing people I had the privilege of spending the last 3 weeks with, the people who had cared for me, treated me, trusted me and at times where I needed it gave me strength to fight it. They had become very much part of my family. I can honestly say that without every single one of them; the people who cleaned my room every day and brought my meals to me through to the nurses and Dr's, I could not have got through this transplant as well as I did.

So what now? Well... I have to return next week for a full blood count and an appointment with the big boss Haematology consultant who will check the blood results and go through my entire journey step by step. From then on it will be regular full blood counts along with follow up appointments with the consultant until he feels happy to discharge me from his care at of Hammersmith hospital and transfer me back to my ms neurologist at Charring Cross.

Until then I have three antibiotic drugs to take and one anti sickness drug if i need it. There are:

• Aciclovir to help protect against infection whilst my immune system grows

• Ciprofloxacin to help kill of the remaining Klebsiella pneumonia

• Ribavirin for the flu virus

• Domperidone for if and when i feel sick

I also have some physiotherapy to arrange and a body that needs building back up in strength but this part of the process is all about time and not trying to rush things. I have to remember what I have just been through and how hard my body is currently working without me actually doing anything.

MS wise I can't say I have notice a difference yet as it is very, very early days other than I walked into hospital needing my waking stick and walked out without it? I will leave that for you to surmise.

Since being home I am feeling very tired and drained but thats not unexpected. I have walked to the end of my old and back again a couple of times very slowly and yes using my stick but on as I feel so tired and weak not because of the ms.

Its funny how Harmony, courage and goal were the three words I saw in that puzzle New Years Eve all of which I put to the test unknowingly during the rigours.

And now I think it is time for me to sign out but thank you all for reading my blogs, for your messages and support that has helped me through this journey. I will update you all next week once I have been given my debrief from the consultant.

Oh by the way... the reunion with my two boys... was amazing!

Until next week... Big Love

Mark xx