Five minutes of fame - Day +57

So what has been going on?

Well… since I last posted back on 23 January (Day +27) I have been going from strength to strength. I have started physiotherapy which appears to be heading in the right direction and I am beginning to feel more mobile again. I just have to keep reminding myself that small steps are better than gigantic leaps!!

I have had a few infections since leaving hospital, one being conjunctivitis (probably caused by not having any eyelashes) and the other a chest infection related to the cough I developed after catching the flu virus whilst in hospital. Having a slightly weakened immune system does make it harder to fight these infections. The good thing though is that even though I have had a couple of infections it has not caused me to relapse unlike many of the infections I had previously so maybe this could be a sign?

Other than the normal ms related fatigue, there doesn’t appear to be any changes in my ms symptoms, which is a good thing - nothing has got worse pre-transplant. The physiotherapy does take it out of me though and I do have a few more cramps/spasms in my legs than normal but I am putting it down to over working those muscles.

I have also been back to work? Yes work… I just couldn’t stay away. I have been in the office causing a nuisance of myself just reminding people that I am still alive. I was also there to discuss my return to work, which will start next week, initially working a few mornings before building up to a full return in April - although I don’t think Olivia thinks I am ready for it yet? Work have been amazing over the years in supporting me through my MS and certainly bent over backwards to help me through this transplant journey – thank you GH and CVQO

What now? Well… I had a phone call from the MS Society (after emailing them back in December about my MS stem cell journey) and they wanted to run a case study on me and of course I was more than willing to take part. They also told me that an MS stem cell research report from America was about to break into the press and if the media were interested, would I take part in any press coverage? "Yes of course" I said? Then before you know it the BBC and Daily Mail were on the phone interviewing me and within minutes of the phone going down I was receiving texts and emails from friends and family telling me that I was on the news! I did find it quite funny when I was told a press photographer would be with me within the hour to take pictures for the Daily Mail paper which was printed yesterday?

Well I guess my little blog had the desired effect and achieved national and worldwide credible coverage? I just hope it helps others the way it has helped me?

The following are links to the various media channels that were interested in my little journey and the stem cell transplant:

Risky treatment can stop multiple sclerosis for years

By Michelle Roberts

Health editor, BBC News online

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-39026117

Radical stem cell treatment for MS could stop the disease in its tracks for 5 years and even allow some sufferers to walk again

By Ben Spencer

Medical Correspondent For The Daily Mail

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-4242636/Radical-treatment-MS-stop-disease-tracks.html

BBC Radio Surrey – Breakfast news, Thursday 23 February 2017

Interviewed by Suzanne Bamborough (begins at 1:53:17)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04rf931

Get Surrey

By Isabel Dobinson

http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/stem-cell-transplant-gave-second-12641370

I have had my second appointment with Dr G my hematology consultant at Hammersmith hospital since my discharge in January. After having bloods taken for a full blood count, Dr G appeared to be quite happy with my progress and with my bloods – other than a small increase in one of the infection markers that needs to be kept an eye on. Dr G requested I have another full blood count next week and start a different course of antibiotics (Co-amoxiclav) to try and clear this chest infection up. If it doesn’t then I will need to have a chest scan and possible hospital intervention? Otherwise… back in four weeks for a final check over and discharged from Dr G’s care which will be a sad but happy time.

In the mean time, I have already received two head and spine MRI appointments for early March along with an appointment to see my neurologist in mid April. I guess this will be the telling time where we see if there have been any changes? Good or bad!

So finally, whilst I get over my five minutes of fame I hope you enjoy the informative media coverage links above and will keep you updated with any further developments.

Big love to Dr G, Dr C and all the staff on Weston Ward

Mark xx