Nearly there!

Remember last week Dr Shaw said he really didn't need to see me for a week? Well, that's where we are now up to, except that on Monday I am having my first bone marrow biopsy since transplant. In case you've forgotten, that's where they give me a general anaesthetic and insert a fine needle into my pelvis from the back and aspirate a sample of bone marrow for testing. It usually takes about half an hour, and I'm usually asleep for about 45 minutes to an hour. Ever since I arrived in November, there has not been one bone marrow biopsy where they have been able to aspirate a big enough amount to get a reliable test. Now that I have a new bone marrow, which is working better and better every week, we are all hoping that they will be able to acquire enough sample to test. Assuming that I'm ok after that, and assuming that I don't need to go to clinic next Wednesday (because I'll have been there on Monday), then I'll be going home to Forbes. That means I'll be going home to Forbes for more than just two days. It means I'm going home. I'll still have to come to the Oncology Clinic every week for a while, but fingers crossed, I will get to fortnightly visits soon, then monthly, then 3 monthly.

It's really weird. The thing I want to do the most when I get home, is to go back to school, but unfortunately, that will have to wait a few more months yet. I will have to be so careful when I get home that I avoid possible sources of infection. The rules are pretty simple, and some may seem a bit extreme, but they are all there to help me stay well until my bone marrow is producing enough white cells (in particular cells called T cells) to fight infections. I'll be able to have visitors, but not in big groups. I can't wait to see my friends, but here are a few simple rules to follow that will only help me. If you have a cold, or a runny nose, you shouldn't be near me. If you have not had chicken pox, you shouldn't come near me. If you have had chicken pox, you should be immune, and will most likely not be carrying the virus. If you haven't had them, you could be carrying them and not even know. If you have been exposed to someone who is unwell and you're not sure, you should wait a few days before getting too close. You will need to wash your hands before you visit me, and this is one of the simplest things you can do to help me avoid any problems. Best thing to do, will be to call first, and if you're worried about something, just ask Mum or Dad. They've been drilled on all this for so long now, they probably know as much as doctors anyway.

On Saturday, Mum and I went to an art and fun day at Ronald McDonald House which was hosted by Westpac. Dad went with his brother, Uncle Nige, and his mate Murf, and rode their bikes up to the Hunter Valley and back. After that, we went home to Forbes with another load of stuff we've acquired over the last 6 months, and arrived about 9.30 pm. On Sunday, Mum and Dad did a few chores, and I went for a fish at the lake with Kristen and Tom, and had a kick of the footy with the Hemmings on our front lawn. Apparently, while I've been away, Rhys and his mates have started a new "tradition" of kicking the footy on our front lawn every Sunday. Since it's so long since I did this, my foot is really sore now. On Monday, Dad was at work, and I just hung around at home, although I did sneak down town with Mum to get some things at the newsagent. Then, on Tuesday morning, we came back to Sydney, so that I could be here early on Wednesday (today) for my blood tests. My results are a little better again. My haemoglobin is still hanging in there at 87, and my WCC was 3.6, with the neutrophils at 2.5. My platelets on the other hand were up to a whopping 105. My doctors are pleased with these results.

So now, all I have to do is work on getting this NG tube out. That could take a while. Today they've changed one of my drugs. The anit fungal drug, Voraconizole is being substituted for another drug that will hopefully stop me feeling sick each day.

Today we made the presentation of the trike (on behalf of Forbes Rugby Club) to the Physio Department. Remember how I said the Rugby Club wanted to get me a trike to help me get mobile again, well they raised the money, and we managed to get two trikes for only a little bit more than one was supposed to cost. We have given one to the Physio department, and I'm keeping the other one until I'm better.

(This is me with the trikes at Physio with Bronwyn and Jenny)

Then, just as I was going home, I ran into none other than cricket legend, Max Walker.