Nine lives?

Day +9. I wonder if like a cat SCT patients need nine lives? It certain feels that way considering how many times they seem to go to the brink of death only to return (hopefully!) It doesn't feel like there is much to report. Mike is obviously still alive and seems a bit brighter than yesterday. The doctor said something showed up on the right side of Mike's chest on the x-ray, but of course the antibiotics will deal with it. The runs continue to be a problem, not helped by Mike's usual reaction to antibiotics. We are desperately trying to find a balance with all the drugs, some cause diarrhea which obviously need changing to try and reduce the chances of it happening.  He's not eating properly which I know is a common problem too. Over the last hour he has managed to eat a 150g tub of rice pudding, normal time would be 60 seconds.

Mike's hair has yet to abandon him. I wonder which will go first?

Me time

I had a bit of a wobble at the hospital yesterday. I was around about the time they came to give Mike his platelets and I reckoned as they were waking him, it would be a good time for Mike to take the tablets they had brought in a couple of hours before (yes I had tried to get him to take them but he was just too sleepy.) I made sure he'd got fresh water and handed him the cup, only for him to pull a face and say "I need fresh water to take them not that horrible muck." Hey, it had been a long afternoon and I burst into tears OK?


Well a couple of the staff took me to one side and made me a cuppa. They started to tell me that I needed "Me time" or I wouldn't cope and I realised I don't really get "Me time" anymore. I get up and do stuff for everyone in the house including Mike. I then go and get Mike's shopping, there is always something he needs. Then at 11:30 am off on the bus, train, train and short walk to see Mike. Sit with Mike. Then walk, train, train and bus/taxi home. Arrive 9:30 pm. Have some food. Go to bed. It's been a long 10 days.

Mike mentioned once that his holiday in May would be good practise for this one and he was right, sort of. I'm not 20 minutes walk away from the hotel, it's not Summer and I just haven't the time to fit in all the other stuff I have to do.