Good Morning @Spangleystar, @Byrnebaby,
I have had a little catch up on this thread and I just wanted to say to both of you that I am here today on the phoneline, if either of you would like to talk things through , you can call through on 0808 2080 888. The line opens at 10am.
There was quite a few questions raised over the weekend which I think have been answered but just to reiterate blood product transfusions can form a normal part of the process. The therapy that you will have can’t differentiate between cells so it tends to reduce everything right down. As your bone marrow takes time to recover you might need some ‘top ups’ of blood or platelets. Your medical team will discuss this with you if it is needed, sometimes having a blood transfusion can really pick up your energy levels if you are particularly anaemic. I do understand your concerns around this but everything will be discussed with you if and when it happens.
You will be given an leaflet about irradiated blood products from the hospital, this includes a card to carry with you. Again you do not need to do anything as the hospital will sort this out. If you are ever admitted to another hospital though you can flag it to them or show your card.
I hope this is somewhat helpful, but I am here if I can answer any other questions. Give yourselves lots of time and space, you are both going through a lot, and this level of anxiety is very normal. You have a whole community here behind you!
Sending gentle well wishes,
Heidi J (Support Services Nurse)
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No need for any apologies @Byrnebaby, the stress you must be under is bound to emerge in its own way. From a certain angle anxiety can even be helpful, or at least for me it can show what I’m feeling vulnerable or ruminating about in the background. Like I say around the forum, if we didn’t feel anxious about situations like these illnesses then our survival instincts are probably not entirely working!
Also I want to acknowledge what you said about our medicines also affecting our moods and how for me that can feel pretty scary, like where do I end and the illness begins? To feel one’s emotions changed by a treatment can feel a little out of control. Not pleasant, on top of the more physical aspects, right?!
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Thank you @Heidi-J-BloodCancerUK really appreciate the info xx
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Morning all, I’m in! I have a very comfortable room and I’m being well looked after. There’s a little roof garden I can see out of my window so I’ll get some fresh air (well, as fresh as London air can be 
) later.
I go for my PICC and Melphalan this afternoon- for now I’m off to the shop to stock up on ice lollies, because I don’t fancy plain ice chips and they’ve shown me where I can store them!
@Byrnebaby how are you feeling about your upcoming Apheresis tomorrow? I hope the GCSF is not giving you gip and it all goes well. They set my machine for about 3.5-4 hours I think, so hopefully you’ve got something to watch, listen to or read. I got my room nice and warm and had a snooze!
Here’s a little Katy Perry in case you need a strength boost.
Hope everyone else is doing well today. Thank you for being such a supportive understanding forum family xxx
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Morning @Spangleystar I am pleased to hear you are in and that you have a pleasant view of the roof garden. You are very much in my thoughts. Willow x
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@Spangleystar what a lovely view
All will go well today
@Byrnebaby how are you doing today
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Ooh @Spangleystar a room with a view! That’s brilliant and will hopefully help with the coming weeks, a chance to see (hopefully) blue skies and the world will be comforting x yes, the ice chips don’t sound to appetising do they! And we need so many, keep chewing my lovely x you are strong, you are loved, you have got this! 
I’m ok thanks, but if a tender tum, and a bit of backache, nothing major, so don’t know if it’s working as it should, I guess I’ll know tomorrow! 
I’m planning on being as still and quiet as possible, sleeping and getting through it , throw into the mix, Keith went for a walk this morning, booked this week off to get me to Manchester daily, sprained his ankle!! So he’s on RICE for the day, otherwise I can’t get there x 
Keep us all updated sweetheart we are here for YOU xx
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@2DB lower back erupting slightly I think thanks lovely x generally ok, but nervous, bit very Peed off as hubby sprained his ankle?! As if! How are you lovely? X
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Sounds normal, if you get what feels like little electrical shocks that’s ok too. They made me laugh 
It’s the stem cells mobilising
Oh bless hubby both of you have a rest day today.
I’m ok thank you 
Oh No Keith!!! Honestly the timing 
hopefully he’s all ok for tomorrow and you have a bumper harvest on day 1 
@Byrnebaby the back pain is a good sign of mobilisation.
We’re ahead of schedule here, my PICC line is in 2 hours early and the Melph is en route!!
Getting a touch of the jitters, but am sure it will be fine! Xx
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That is the big question the nearest shop was M&S but a large part of it’s freezer section was broken and all they had was something called super loop and the valencia orange juice. The super loop are quite small but nice and the orange just taste like concentrate, but are bigger so I’m mixing it up!
If they had them I would have got the pineapple lime coconut ones - they are really nice! Xx
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You sound well on your way BB! @2DB the shudders made me laugh too when they caught me off guard! This is good @Byrnebaby those stem cells will be sitting in a freezer near you soon! Xx
@Spangleystar my mouth is watering at the thought of them!!! So was it right? 20-30 mins before, during and after? X. Hope it works for you sweetheart xxx
So pleased you have a nice room with a view and are being well looked after.
Good luck with everything today and on the next steps on your journey.
Sending a few photos from walk this morning and some virtual fresh air to keep your spirits up.
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Exactly this I didn’t like to say earlier
@2DB thank you for looking out for me! it’s stopped again now for a while x
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one more step to better days 
