Bernadette

 Sorry it has been awhile. After my last little stint in hospital I managed to get out on Monday Dec 4th on the condition I started on Neupogen injections. Unfortunately they did not quite agree with me and made me very sick (severe head spins) and I was in bed for most of Tuesday. Wednesday was my birthday and the day did not start well. My head was reeling and the nausea was pretty severe. I was trying to get myself ready for going to my wednesday mum’s group christmas party when Jess called to say that Tim had locked his keys in his car. It was the incentive I needed to get out of my misery. I picked her up and drove to the place where Tim had supposedly locked his keys in the car. When we got there it looked a little strange as it was a suburban streeet with a fire station at the end of it - no office buildings in site. Jess asked if I wanted to come for a walk but I said I did not feel well and would wait in the car. Well a few minutes later a group of my friends arrived and at that point it dawned on me what they had planned - a surprise birthday morning tea at the fire station!!! They knew I have always had a thing for firestations (and firemen!!). It was such a lovely surprise. We had a cake and the kids all got to play with the fire hose and sit in the fire truck. Just as the morning was finishing they were called out to a fire and the kids got to see the fire engine roar off with sirens blazing. It was the best birthday morning ever. Then we had our Christmas party at Kylie’s and then we went home. Unfortunately whilst at Kylie’s I started to go downhill and by the time I got home I was feeling pretty revolting. Cam and the kids and I were supposed to go out for afternoon tea and pick up my present but I was having trouble being vertical at all. Luckily Cam had already picked up my present and he and Tiernan gave that to me (a lovely bag and an Elizabeth Arden makeup set that I have had my eye on). I lay down for a few hours but did not feel any better. Then my temp started rising and after a few calls to the doctor and hospital it was decided I needed to come in. They thought I may have had a small infection on my port. The did some tests but none of the results would be ready until the next day. My Neutrohils were very high and that is usually the main concern. Given it was my birthday they allowed me to go home as long as I went to see Kerry the next day. So at 10.30pm the four of us truddled off back home (Tiernan thought the whole thing was quite an adventure especially as he loves seeing anyone take blood out of me because red is his favourite colour). I saw Kerry the next day and it was concluded that the Neupogen injections were the culprits and I would not be having any more.

The week went without incident and once off the Neupogen injections I was feeling better than I have felt in a long time. I had energy and very little nausea. I came in for chemo on Tuesday and by then my Neutrophils had dropped but were right on the border of allowing chemo to go ahead. So go ahead we did. I am feeling quite off this time around. I am not managing to get much food in and nothing wants to stay in for long once it does get in. None of this does too much good for my energy levels!! I want to go home as I feel miserable being here and miss Cam and the kids but I will have to see what Kerry says. As I am not going to be on Neupogen I am not sure what the deal will be with being in contact with people and potential for infection risk.

Update - Kerry has just been to see me and my levels are not good. Haemaglobin is at 85 (normal is above 115 and I dont think I have ever dropped below 95 before) so I am in for a blood transfusion today - explains why I am feeling so, so tired!! My neutrophils are up the creek to at 0.4 (below 0.5 is severe neutropeania and effectively no immune system). Oh well I should plan on staying in here a little longer!!

Here are some professional photos we had taken of the kids - aren’t they adorable (I know I am biased)

One Response to “Round 15 over and done with - only 1 more to go!!!”

1. Tiel Says:
   January 2nd, 2007 at 1:47 pm

   the photos are adorable. T is going to grow up to be a real cutie/heartbreaker.

   what a lovely birthday surprise. The fireman on the left ain’t bad.

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