Hi Maple Thank you for your experience and information. How are you now 2 years down the line? Doing well I hope 
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Hi Maple
That’s so good to read. I am going in with an open mind, I’m resigned to being 8n their hands and what will be will be. It is good to hear that the ward and staff are good, as that can make all the difference.
Will keep you posted
X
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Hi ChrisCKW
Sounds like I will be following not far behind you. Please keep in touch. I am going to Addenbrookes next wk for a dental review then have appts in Aug at lung function clinic, then radiation clinic and the pre transplant clinic so I feel it’s getting closer now.
Do you know if Addenbrookes are allowing visitors atm?
xx
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For in-patient, visitors have to ring and make appointments- I’ll check on this again on Tuesday. They are still asking for no accompanying unless official carer is required or limited mobility etc.
Wow really sounds like it’s coming together for you 
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Great thanks. What date do you go in?
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On 3 August. 
27 July having central line (Hinkman line) fitted.
On 26/7 and 02/8 I have to have Covid swabs and blood tests
All getting very close now!
Xxx
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Oh I bet you feel a mix of fear and excitement, I know I do. Do you have ALL?
Are you having chemo just before infusion of new stem cells or radiation plus chemo?
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Hi @ChrisCKW, hope all is well with you. I’ve had the lung function and cardiac tests this week so 
. They were such lovely people today. So unfair on them that covid is threatening to overwhelm them all again. I do worry that it might affect our admissions too. 
Back to hair, or lack of it, I tried a cap today as it’s been so hot in a wig and it was ok. Better than a beanie as I hate not having a fringe and you can hide a little bit under the brim! I felt a little less like an obvious cancer patient and more of a fashionista 
I also bought my own clippers as the hair left grows quickly and you need to have something to manage it in hospital. Have you seen the ear crawlers? I have invested in a couple of pairs and they make you feel a bit more feminine and quite trendy when bald…I’m lucky so far that I still have eyebrows and eyelashes which does help but these are destined to depart with the chemo in hospital. I guess we won’t be too bothered about appearance in hospital as we will be focusing on managing the medical issues and getting better but I’m doing my best now to feel as good as possible before admittance. 
xxx 
xx
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Off to google ear crawlers sounds like ear wigs on steroids!
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Ok @Lyn99 far less awful than I had imagined - very pretty in fact.
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@Summertime yes I have real blend of anxiousness and hope; like @Lyn99 says I just hope the new surge in Covid won’t affect our treatments.
I have CMML2 - one of the rarer blood cancers. I am on a clinical trial so I will have an extra drug thrown into my chemo and no radio.
I’ve been on 4 cycles of Azacitidine to reduce the number of leukaemia cells down, before they then zap my bone marrow. It will be a week after the chemo starts that they then transplant the donated stem cells.
At moment all my blood levels are low again but if necessary they’ll transfuse when I’m admitted as I’m coping at the moment.
@Lyn99 my hair still intact though I’m vacuuming every day or else lost hair lays on floor like pet hair!
I’m hoping to get a semi decent photo taken before I go into hospital so that I have something to aim to get back to.
Xx
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Oh @ChrisCKW and @Lyn99 I don’t feel so bad now as I had to google ear crawlers too !!! They are absolutely lovely and definitely a very fashionable accessory.
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@ChrisCKW and @Lynn99
I am now going to have to google ear crawlers too as I have no idea what they are 
.
I started to lose my hair about 3/4 wks after starting chemo in May, so my friend took it all off for me. I got a really nice lightweight wig from Scruffs in Cambridge and I have lived in it since.
@Lynn99 are you at Addenbrookes too?
I really hope the increase in COVID cases will not impact us after all this prep.
Looking forward to being the other side of all this
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Hi @Summertime , I’m going into the Great Western Hospital in Swindon and I am having my own stem cells back rather than donor cells so slightly different. I’m in at the same time as @ChrisCKW so we will be comparing notes all being well.
Glad you found a good wig, it’s funny how soon you get used to not having hair. I was really upset when it was coming out but once it’s gone it becomes much easier! 
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@Lynn99
It’s so interesting all the different transplants that can happen. Amazing how quickly you can learn about something when you are faced with it. I knew hardly anything about leukaemia before my diagnosis but now I read everything I can to learn more.
Good luck, will follow your updates too if ok?
xx
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Hi @Summertime, it’s great to know that there are lovely people supporting us on the forum so please do follow us through our transplants. I just hope that I can get connected to the hospital wifi 
it’s not my strong point!! Xx
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Hi Guys wishing you all well going forward. I’m off to google ear crawlers too!!! 
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Hi Lynn. Simply wigs do a power piece to wear with a cap or beanie if your interested. They give a very good overview of what it looks like. You find it under hairpieces. Just a thought
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Hi @Danmar, thanks for that tip I shall have a look x
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I didn’t notice my hair falling out, I just used to find loads of little hairs all over my bed every time I got up. Still the bed changers got to earn their keep 
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