The Drip Trolley – My Best Friend

Day +6

All blood counts have dropped. I am now neutropenic, which means I am at high risk of infections. My platelets have dropped but not to the point that I need a blood transfusion so I’m just hoping they don’t drop much further. Apparently it’s not uncommon to need a transfusion so I’ll just wait and see.

I have started the GCSF injections which stimulate my bone marrow to produce new stem cells and bring my white blood count and neutrophils up. I think that 8 will be allowed to go home once my neutrophil count is above 1. I know from previous use of the GCSF injections that it causes bone pain but that can be managed with paracetamol and I guess the saying is, ‘no pain, no gain’. At least I will know they are working.

So far I don’t seem to have had any sickness from the chemo and my throat is still ok. However, I am still apprehensive that I will get some side effects. I just keep taking the medicine and hoping for the best; we’ve moved on from broccoli soup, it’s now carrot and coriander!

I’m seeing nursing staff less and less now. Having obs checked every 4 hours and then they come in to give medication about 4 times a day. But it’s ok, I’ve still got the company of my drip trolley which I’m still trailing around wherever I go – well I should say to the bathroom and back – which is the full extent of my exciting excursions! It’s mainly just for antibiotics now but they leave a slow drip of saline running all the time just to keep the line open. This stops them having to open and close the line for each infusion and therefore reduces the risk of infection in the line. After picking up the line infection previously I’m more than happy to pull my drip trolley around if it stops that happening again.

On the plus side I have lost 6lbs in weight in two days. I have no idea how as I am eating three meals a day! But I’ll happily accept it. I’ve lost more from when I was admitted but I can’t remember what I was when I was admitted to work it out fully.

Starting to get a bit of cabin fever now and used 50gb of mobile data in 3 days! There is WiFi but the only tv app that seems to work when linked to that is bbc I player.

I did get a head and neck massage the other day from a complementary therapist that visits the ward weekly and offers massages to patients. It was a lovely surprise and she said she will put my name down for the reiki and reflexology therapist that also visits.