Goodness me what happened today!

Day 3

It's really weird as the days seems really long in some regards but then the next morning it's like where did that go already.  I think I'm having some blank moments on what happened.  Still tired..  I had a great sleep aided by a sleeping pill, must be stronger than the ones I've had at home as I think I slept from 9.30pm to 4.30am without hardly moving - that's a huge feat for me..

A bit of Sex and the City with a cup of tea to start the day - no peeps, not Paul and Moscow, the TV series, ha ha ha, I crack myself up!!  I'm not sure how many times I've watched the whole series but it's quite a few and it never gets old, I love it the same, laugh and cry in all the same places.  Here's my first quote, it kind of reminds me of how I was feeling earlier this year and where I am now.....

"As we drive along this road called life, occasionally a gal will find herself a little lost.  And when that happens, I guess she has to let go of the coulda, shoulda, woulda, buckle up and just keep going"
- Carrie Bradshaw

Since I wake up so early it's a long time till breakfast comes at 9am.  I had a boiled egg left over from yesterday so that along with a sweet biscuit with my cup of tea saw me through while I blogged about the day before and watched tv, oh and then I had a shower, came back to finish my blog and it was gone!  Not sure what happened, couldn't possibly have been anything I did, dam that ipad, won't be using you to blog, give me my trusty old dell!!

Breakfast arrived, mmm porridge, I'll have a little taste, never eaten or liked it in the past but maybe I should - mmmm no confirmed I definitely do not like porridge - I think it was the buckwheat kind, others eat it with lots of sugar and like it but not for me.  Also with it was two pieces of bread and a boiled egg so I warmed the bread and spread the egg out between the pieces, salt & pepper, yummo!!!  Paul arrived - so happy to see him, it's quite weird that we are both here in Moscow together but not together.  I can't wait till he gets here each morning.

So Matt & I only have two tests to do today and that's it for our testing.  One of the nurses comes to get us to take us for, we think, an eye test.  Upstairs she points so we head for the elevator.  Paul comes and so does Laura and Matt's brother, Bryn, who arrived late yesterday.  The conference room is busy so we are waiting outside what looks like a service elevator.  When it comes the nurse gets in followed by myself and Matt, sorry no room for the other three they will have to stay..  But no, they attempt to follow us having no idea where we went or what floor, only that we were going for an eye test.  Little did they know it was actually an ultrasound on the veins in our legs.  Apparently they had quite the adventure going up and down floors trying to find the "eye test" department.  They didn't find it as it is in another building through the tunnels - might have to get Paul to tell the story as it sounded hilarious!!

So the ultrasound on your legs is to check there are no blockages in your veins (I think), pants down, lay on the bed, ultrasound goop squeezed the length of your leg - cold without pants, really cold with the goop!  Doesn't take very long, I think wiping off the goop takes longer!! 

Back down the service elevator to find Paul, Laura and Bryn laughing about their adventure through the hospital!

Bryn, Laura, Matt & Anastasia in the tunnels

Pretty quiet day as we are waiting to go to our final test - yes this will be the eye test!  Irene and Louise will have their 'birthday party' this afternoon after they have the reinfusion of their stem cells.  Very exciting day for them!

Anastasia comes to tell us that we will go upstairs for party at 3.15pm and then after that Matt & I will go to have our eye test.

3pm we all head upstairs to level 3 and gown up.  The girls are still in bed as they had to laydown for at least 2 hours following the reinfusion, I'm feeling very excited for them as this is really the big day..  Samantha and I popped in for a chat to Emma behind the glass, she is getting some bald patches which is a great sign.

Dr F & I - sounds like a movie title!

The girls are out of bed and stand in the hall with Dr Fedorenko and Anastasia.  He gives a beautiful speech about "New Life" and it's hard to hold back the tears - you feel such emotion for what the girls have been through and the significance of this event and Dr Fedorenko's words are so precious - also thinking that this will be me in a couple of weeks time I hope..  Photo's, singing, a little dancing by Anastasia and then it's time for Matt & I to head off for our eye test.

Before we go Dr Fedorenko says, (not exact words but something to the tune of) Matt and Natalie, once eye test is done all your testing is complete and I think we can have our talk tomorrow - now that's exciting!!!!!!!!!

Dr F & the beautiful Anastasia

Thank goodness I've got access to a wheelchair to go to the tests through the tunnels as it's a long way.  Paul, Laura and Bryn manage to get in the elevator this time (easy since we're in the big one) and Anastasia leads the way.  Quite a bit of a wait but it's great getting to know each other and also have time to just chat with Anastasia, she's always busy looking after us all.

I go first and have tests on 4 pieces of equipment, then a normal eye/reading test - think my eyes are not as good as I thought they were, then drops (sting a bit) and keep eyes closed for 15 minutes for next test.  I think I have my eyes closed for about 30 minutes by the time Matt's finished and the doctor goes awol for a minute.  it's very disconcerting sitting in the hallway, eyes closed, not knowing what's going on, I was fine it's just a weird sensation, plus fatigue, legs really not happy..  Anyway all was good and I had one more test - eyes dilated and I looked a bit freaky!

Eye testing

 By the time we get back it's nearly 6pm.  Another great day and I'm exhausted again.  I think all the emotion of it adds to the fatigue although some of my symptoms seem to be worse of late.  Paul and I were talking as I've been complaining about my left leg getting worse which is usually the better one, it's just numb..  I was on a drug called Tysabri (which I had to stop 3 months before coming) and although we don't think it was working as I was deteriorating you never know if it was working some and that I could of been much worse without it these past two years.  It's interesting as you just don't know!!

The tongue!

That's about it!  Hang on I forgot to tell you about the tongue!!!  Yes, I had my first tongue delivered for lunch (2pm) meal.  It smelled okay and I thought I might try it but after closer inspection and seeing the little nodules on the side and the way it flopped when I picked it up I just couldn't do it!!  

More Sex and the City and Arrow and bed - exhausted!!

Exciting day tomorrow as we will find out if I'm approved for treatment - fingers crossed and lots of positive thoughts my way please xx