Neutrophils 1.4 - so out of the danger zone! White blood counts on the up too - but may need blood transfusion on Thursday. Everything looking good apart from frozen shoulder - which has got worse and moved down my arm and into my fingers. Had
a physio appointment today - they say could take up to 2 years to clear up - have been given exercises to prevent "muscle wastage". All things difficult to do: dressing/bathing etc, cannot drive or use etching press. A right old pain; quite literally.
Last few visits to the Day Unit - hope to have picc line taken out next week, and my final bone marrow done... then I will just have to turn up once a month (for a year) for a blood test to check that everything is doing what it should be doing. If I can get through the year intact, the chance of relapse gets less. So now its just onward and upward...
This is such great news and sitting at my desk in the middle of a hectic work day it has brought tears to my eyes.
ReplyDeleteShoulder sounds like a pain (as you say, literally) though sure it will be nothing compared to everything you've already been through these last 5 months.
Made of tough stuff aren't you!
Lots of love x
...everything is moving Tessa!
ReplyDeleteeven your frozen shoulder went down to your arm and fingers...is getting away...out from your body. yes, they said 2 years but they don't know how strong and determined you are.
It will be less.
...and remember that you have a lot of friends who could help you to spin the wheel of your etching press. One step at time and you'll be back on track...sooner than you think.
College still crazy! It's a permanent construction site. They are continuing building up walls... as we didn't have enough problems with communication!
XXX B
We just spent the weekend in Lismore with Steve and K. Took the dog too.
ReplyDeleteHe sends his love and has some news that I'll let him tell you. Rained most of the time but we still had fun. Visited Al who is living in Queensland near Surfers and is about to become a dad for the first time.
You've got through a tough time with your spirits still intact. Keep it up.
Much love.
Kerry
Kellie's got a new flat by herself in a brand new development in Peckham. We went to see it – very nice. Kellie over excited and has virtually moved in. She has sent round her pressie list for moving in. Already has one of the walls painted purple and is worry about curtains or blinds for the window. The man showing us around deferred to me about things such as plumbing in washing machines. Also wanted to talk about local pubs and stuff – real men's issues. I struck a blow for equality and presented my hands and bravely stated 'these are artistic hands!'. We went to The Victoria afterwards. I had Chicken Kiev with Fries, two glasses of red wine and a sambuka. We all shared a toffee apple crumble with ice cream. Then out into the freezing cold air. We all had a real good laugh which raised the spirits. It's important to remember to go out and have a good time. As far as the construction at college goes, I've asked Les if we can have a re-enactment of Pink Floyd's The Wall. It must be the 30th anniversary.
ReplyDeleteHello Tess. Kerry sent me the link to your blog. I didn't know what you have been dealing with. I will follow you on your journey through all of this from now on.
ReplyDeleteYou probably travelled through Lismore when you came to visit all those years ago. I live there now with K (coincidence, eh?)to whom I have become engaged. We plan a little get together with family and friends for a very low key ceremony. We are not sure how or where we will do it. We will just wait till something seems right.
As you may know, Simon and Tash have a little girl called Dasiy K, in honour of her grandmother and Alex and Karen, who married last year are due to have a baby in January. I love been a grandad. I am Poppy Steve. I will send a photo and a little movie soon. K has a granddaughter, Ciara. To her I am "My Stevie". So all is good down here.
Thinking of you.
Steve
Don't worry B is right I am very happy to turn that wheel on the press and so is Martha !!!!!!! Driving could be a bit trickier but am happy to be your taxi & help with trips to vet etc. It just so good you are getting stronger and can look FORWARD after all you have been through.
ReplyDeleteLx
Good news for the most part Tessa, and I agree with the other people who have posted that your shoulder has met its match in you and your determination. With a little help and a little time I'm sure you can coax it back into working order!
ReplyDeleteI'm in Mobile right now at my family's house. The Thanksgiving weekend was spent at the beach, which was very nice. We had never spent Thanksgiving there in all the years we've had the place. It was warm on Thanksgiving day, so we went swimming. The water was lovely! It got cold after that, but I wanted to swim again, thinking that the water couldn't have gotten too cold in a couple of days. Big mistake! It was absolutely freezing. I still enjoyed the swim, but it was a very short one!
Back to Cleveland tomorrow, and back to reality. I am looking for a a job and trying to figure out what I WANT to do. Wish me luck! And as always, I wish you luck. I hope you stay well, and begin to feel some sense of normalcy again, or at least whatever passes for normalcy these days...
Much love,
TM