Day 15 – Wed

Despite the second anti-histamine last night, the omnipresent rash continued to irritate in both senses of the word overnight. Not much kip to be had.

First question that shoots straight in my head as I groggily woke up, of course, is 'will I be able to go home tomorrow?'

I could argue Absolutely Yes, in that as there is a longish road to recovery, I might as well do this now at home. I could equally argue 'No, Give It 1-2 Days More', as I'm hardly leaping out of bed, ready to shower swiftly, dress easily, pack myself up and go. And there's also a safety factor of being in here – the emergency button is right next me. But we do live bang between Parkside and St. George's, depending on the nature of any problem, so I need to mentally winkle myself out of the cocoon as well.

So, it's going to be very much a case of seeing how today goes. Temperature and first obs have been done, and are fine. Big one will be 'are my bloods good enough – red cells, platelets, neutrophils etc'. Should know that by lunch. Then the vagaries of Prof – Chelsea drew 1-1 with Liverpool last night, so he will hopefully be neutral in mood today. I need to find a pyjama top that reflects my eyes and makes me look well (he did actually comment favourably on the warm blue one I had on yesterday).

I need to finally leave this room, which I've been enclosed in since last Wed. With the physio, to see if I can walk the corridors and manage the stairs. Now that's going to be interestingly wobbly.

And who knows if there are other spanners to go in the works as well.

It's 7am now, will update this as the day unfolds.

11am: bloods are still looking pretty ropey, bit less improvement than I thought there would be. Arse.

12.30: Jo Close has just arrived, and has saved me from the young Inexperienced physio, top bit of timing. Good to catch up, has been ages.

2pm: left the room for the first time in 8 days, to walk up and down with a nicer physio. Was asked to wear a face mask as my numbers are still very low. Managed to go up and back twice. Couldn't try the stairs as attached to an IV.

3pm: lovely reflexology lady gave me a foot rub. Can't tell you just how nice this simple little treat felt.

4pm: my IV stand is bleeping incessantly. The bag of blood is blocked and takes 3 hours to deliver as it is, so needs sorting. Got two bags of platelets to come too. All part of turning my blood into something a bit more fortified and protective..

8pm: I am bored titless. They is absolutely nothing on TV to watch, I've tried researching presents for a couple of upcoming birthdays, been to the loo, prepared my hospital table for the night – drinks etc and cannot bear being trapped any longer on this goddam bed that you end up sliding down while your pants and pyjamas somehow alŵays go the other way…

Very, very, very hopeful that will be allowed to go tomorrow. Roll on being able to physically and mentally wash off these 16 days in my tub, and that Feb is kinder than Jan has been.

Catch you tomorrow folks – keep humming that tune to The Great Escape… x