Countdon to Stem Cell Transplant

Have been in for almost a week now and the chemo has been quite gentle. I am managing to work on my book every morning, Nick and I go for a walk in Regent’s Park or out to lunch at midday and then the chemo starts at 2.00 and lasts about six hours. Apart from a nasty rash, I am feeling well. All change tomorrow, though, when the much stronger stuff is delivered to prepare for the transplant on Thursday. The bad news is that I am told that one of the side effects will be nasty mouth ulcers and a painful throat. The good news is that the hospital freezer is filled with ice lollies which I am obliged to suck. Sounds good!

Have a new view. A shame it is so cloudy today and not a good day for photo taking but, if you look hard, you can see The London Eye on the right and the Shard on the left.

The staff here have been so wonderful – welcoming me back like an old friend. All my favourites are here – Juan from Spain, Antonia from Portugal, Lito from the Philippines, Maria from Ireland and Emily from Essex. My sister is filling my walls with pictures – I have the Dalai Lama, Breughel and  Velazquez prints and a picture of Diogenes in his barrel with an invitation to enter a caption competition. Mount Everest and Leonardo de Capri to come. A cousin in France has sent me crystals – a white one that allegedly cures cancer and a pink one that takes away fear. (So, I guess, I could just grab them and go home!) And my daughter has brought me a teddy bear to cuddle.

So the stage is set for Day Zero, as they call it, stem cell transplant day. Wish me luck!