Having a stem cell transplant is a messy thing. It's not like going in to visit someone with a broken leg, who will more or less be in the same condition every day, as chatty and up for visitors as they always are.<\/p>\n
I don't yet know how ill I will be while my immune system is closed down and what other effects, like the dreaded mucositis, the chemo will (or may not, hopefully) have on me. Last time I was ok for the first 3-4 days of being in (before the chemo was given and then fully took hold), and ok for last 2-3 days as my system rebuilt itself and I began the recovery process. But the middle 10-12 days or so is quite a blur, mostly involving me being asleep, moaning and groaning and feeling dreadful.<\/p>\n
I did still have some visitors during this time, for shorter visits, when I was feeling up to it. People can't come if they or family members have coughs\/colds\/flu or any infections that could be passed on. You have to be gowned and gloved, and can't touch me. For these days, I may have to cancel visits at short notice if I'm just not well enough, or something's gone wrong. Sorry now if I do – as they say 'it's not you, it's me'.<\/p>\n
So if you'd like to pop in any day from 19th Jan to about 7 Feb, let me know and I will start to build a little list, so I know who is around and when people might kindly stick their heads round the door. Either book in if you'd like to, or text me nearer the time if a diary space emerges and you fancy doing your Florence Nightingale.<\/p>\n
I will need to spread visitors out a bit so I get a little bit of joy each day, so if you have options on when you can come, let me know.<\/p>\n
Visiting is allowed at any time of day so no restrictions there. Don't worry about bringing anything as flowers as various other things aren't allowed for transplant patients, just your good selves will be more than enough. I will be on the 3rd floor of Parkside Hospital, 53 Parkside, SW19 5NX. Will confirm room number when I'm admitted.<\/p>\n
And of course I will be at home for a month or two after, hopefully recovering post-transplant, so visiting much appreciated then too.<\/p>\n
Thanks guys, look forward to seeing you.<\/p>\n
x<\/p>\n
(Remember I will have no hair after the first few days, so just to warn you in advance)…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Having a stem cell transplant is a messy thing. It's not like going in to visit someone with a broken leg, who will more or less be in the same condition every day, as chatty and up for visitors as they always are. I don't yet know how ill I will be while my immune […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-754","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n