I've been reminded that I haven't updated you all on my condition for some time, sooooo....
I've been home since early November following the transplant and things have been going well. I currently effectively have the immune system of a small child, so very susceptible to bugs etc (not VW's
).
I had a bit of a set back early January, probably my own fault as I'd been outside doing a little work on the 800 to prep it for MOT, came down with what I thought was a cold, but with a chesty cough.
Currently visiting hospital every week, so they took a throat swab to test.
I also had my "100 days" (after transplant) bone marrow test, to determine whether the cancer was still in remission and to what extent the transplant was working.
Had to wait a week for the results, but fantastic news the bone marrow test came back totally clear, and the "chimerism" (how much of the marrow is mine and how much is the transplant) came back at 100% transplant, so that has been successful.
Unfortunately at the same time they had the results of the throat swab, and I had RSV virus, basically a respiratory virus which everybody gets from time to time, and normally wouldn't be treated for, (if you get a cold and cough that seem to drag on for weeks, it's probably this), but due to my reduced immune system they admitted me back to the ward for anti viral drugs and also antibody infusion. This meant a week locked in a room again, the antiviral is given by nebuliser 3 times a day 2 hours at a time for 7 days, plus nobody is allowed in the room for an hour after (dangerous to other people
) So it wasn't a fun week.
Anyway, that was a couple of weeks ago, and testing showed that the virus was dissipating, so they sent me home. I'm feeling much better now, just a bit of a cough and my ears are gummed up, but I don't feel ill at all, even managed to attend our local club meeting last week.
It's taking me longer than I expected to recover physically, the weather doesn't help, don't feel like getting outside and pottering around when it's -5 and snowing
But I'm getting there. Was hoping to start going back to work a bit by the end of January, but the virus has set that back, maybe by the end of Feb I'll start doing some part time.
Anybody who's had cancer will know that it's never truly over, they never tell you you're cured, just in remission. So it's just a case of getting on with life and hope the tests keep coming back clear.
I've just about finalised the plans for my extension / garage, so that's the next big thing.
Many thanks to everybody for the support, this forum has been one of my main supports through all my time in hospital, and I hope to get to some shows this year and meet up with some members.