Now I feel like a patient...

Day 5

Early morning, actually it was a really early morning as I had set my alarm for 1.30am so I could FaceTime with Belle..  Had a lovely chat, she was going to be out for the day so wanted to see she was happy after the late night phone call last night, all happy which makes me feel good.  Alco FaceTime Seb as well and we had a quick chat, he was staying with friends as well, and he said mum I better let you get back to sleep - gorgeous but pretty sure it was that he had better things to do, bless him!

Awake again at 5.30am, ready to get the day started as the real action (treatment) begins today.  Shower, breakfast, Paul arrives and not long after Dr Fedorenko arrives - big smile on his face as always, makes you feel at ease instantly.  Checks blood pressure, stomach, glands and explains what is going to happen now.  Shortly I will have a cannula placed in my arm and a steroid infusion, I will receive some tablets to protect my stomach that I need to have before dinner tonight and breakfast tomorrow, also stimulation injections, to begin mobilisation of those stem cells, will begin tonight so I will be woken at 11pm and 3am to have those (think alarm setting might be in order so I'm not terrified by being awoken to a needle in the arm!)

Steroids going in - and so it begins!

Steroids came pretty quick, cannula in and so it begins.  Now I really feel like a patient and this is happening!!  Have you ever heard someone so excited about being in hospital like this, wanting steroids, woken up for injections, chemo, immune suppressed - well its all about a new life and that is what the aim is here..  Halting this dreaded disease will be amazing (stopping it in it's tracks - that's the main aim) and the chance of improvement oh how exciting that prospect is!!  Halting it is the first step, anything in addition to that will be a huge bonus..  Lots of rehab will be the key so I'm looking forward to that!

Lots of resting during the day, I think I did get a bit of a steroid high at one stage, I was even funnier than usual, if you can believe that, how funny must I have been and without alcohol!!. 

A big win was had when I was chatting to Emma through Facebook - I was talking about getting my hands on Woman's Day so I can get the big story on The Bachelor, yes I was still banging on about that, and Emma said "can't you download it" - well isn't she a genius of course there is a Woman's Day app and I've got it for $9.99 for the month..  I know desperate times, I never get the Woman's Day but need to catch up on my trash!

Decided to finally get out for a walk.  It's so beautiful in the gardens here, of course the cameraman was on hand to capture some great shots - it's just so lovely to be able to get out in the fresh air in the beautiful surrounds, don't think we have any hospitals at home that have such beautiful gardens.  And gardeners everywhere, must feel like they are bashing their heads against a brick wall blowing and raking up the leaves, they are never-ending at the moment, sure do look beautiful though!



The Church in the Hospital Grounds

 Irene has now gone into Isolation on Level 3 so we had a catch up on Skype, I'm sure we talked over 2 hours getting to know each other which was just lovely!

Now, will I or won't I stay up for my 11 o'clock injection??  After watching an episode of Arrow & Sex and the City - yes my fav's at the moment it's after 10pm so I may as well wait up for it now.  Right on 11pm I heard a nurse coming down the hall.  I was worried about the size of the injection as I had no idea but it was just a regular needle.  Didn't hurt initially but it is slowly injected and stings a bit, made me cringe but easily bearable.  Better try and sleep now as it won't be long till 3am - alarm set for 2.45am..

 Just wanted to share a little story that my friend Kylie told me this week which I found quite touching....  Her daughter (Miss P) and friend (Miss Z) were lying in her camper bed, Miss Z asked who the lady is on the phone screen. Kylie said that's my friend who is having some medical treatment in RUSSIA.  When Miss Z asked what was wrong Kylie said that her friend has a disease called MS. Miss P pipes up "Wait. You took us to someone's house who has a disease?" Kylie says "Miss P, Nat has a disease of her nervous system."  Miss P shrugged her shoulders and said, "huh, Nat never seems nervous to me!!!" - Miss P is 9, how cute!