Way Out?? (19th March to 25th March)

When I wrote the update last week the was a hope that I may get released early, or at least get allowed some time out. While these hopes have not disappeared my chances are looking a little slim at the moment. Over the weekend my temperatures have fluctuated between 36.2 and 38.8, blood pressures have been extremely high then an hour later dangerously low. During all of this I generally feel fine apart from getting extremely cold and shivering almost constantly. The doctors are very confused to what is causing it all. As a precaution they have removed my drugs line as these are frequently the source of infection. It had no effect. The latest development is a rash covering the majority of my body. This could be graft vs host disease (which in a way would be a good sign) or it could be a reaction to some of the drugs that they have given me. At present I am in no-mans land waiting for test results to come back. Until then I'm stuck waiting.. is it a quick fix changing some of my drugs or something more serious?

It is day 35 of isolation now. I am starting to really miss my own flat. However I need to wake up my legs again, at present I wonder round my room for 5 minutes then have to sit down. I am some way of been able to fend for myself at home. I am doing daily exercises to build up the muscles slowly. I don't want to have to depend on others to look after me so it is important I start to get my strength back as soon as possible. The sooner my strength returns the quicker I can get back to relative normality... I must be one of the few people who really wants to get back to work. It will be awhile before I can get back to rugby I need to put on another 20k again and make sure its in the right places. It will happen .. I just have to be patient.

Thanks to those who have got in touch. I am on skype now if anyone wants to see what I look like with no hair and I could give you the tour of my spacious isolation room. Look me up by my email.

Cheers

Robbie

Turning Corners

First of all apologies for not updating the blog sooner. The treatment really took it out of me and I have had little energy to move out of bed, that combined with high dosages of morphine has made life a little difficult. The side effects are harsh to say the least I will fill in gap in the blog at some point but wanted to let everyone know I was OK first.

However a corner seems to have been turned. Towards the end of last week I stopped the morphine and began to feel a little more human. Initial signs are that the transplant has taken and I am producing some of my own blood. The is a long way to go and I am still extremely weak and vulnerable to infections. Isolation is a nightmare.. I have been in the same room for a month now. Keeping sane is quite difficult..

Well done to all those who ran the Bristol half marathon on the weekend & thank you to all those who sponsored Ben & Dean. Between them over £2,000 was raised for leukaemia research. Fantastic result!!

Iain has also taken up the challenge and is going to cycle from Bristol to Paris. Please give generously ( www.justgiving.com/iainstuart ).

Thank you all for your support and hopefully the updates on the blog shall return to normal again now.