Engraftment

Good news. I'm engrafting,

My neutrophils are 0.5. My whitecell count is 0.6.

In order to go home I need to stop having temperatures and for my  blood counts to be normal. Five to ten days, the doctors say.

I've been in hospital for three weeks now.

I think I've been a cooperative and self-contained patient. Actually, it has been quite nice to not have to make any decisions.

I've had all the expected side effects. Mucasitis which means mouth ulcers and a sore throat and blood blisters on my tongue. I was taking morphine for the pain. I've had diarrhea,  a rash and daily temperatures.

My hair is growing back. A soft grey fur.  My eyebrows came back quite quickly.   But now My hair is falling out again from the chemo I've had this time. But I've had my last chemo today.

I've been embracing boredom. I have my little routines and zones. I've been watching dvds and reading online and doing crafts for the school fete. I've just got tv.

I spent Mothers Day here on my own. I reckon I've had a month of what most mums want: peace and quiet and meals in bed!

I'm looking forward to going home. I won't miss having a tube in my neck and injections in my stomach. I might miss being offered doses of morphine. And I'm keen to eat a good hamburger.