Who loves ya, baby!

Day 6

Very early morning wake up with alarm set at 2.45am so I wouldn't get a fright from my 3am injection.  No problem with that, nurses are lovely, only problem was getting back to sleep so I read until about 4.30am and then deep sleep until my beautiful cherrubs woke me up with a 6.30 FaceTime, they said mum go back to sleep which I tried for 5 minutes but had to call back - love to see their smiling faces whenever possible!

Very, very tired today, definitely not enough sleep to keep me going throughout the day - a Nana nap will be on the cards.  Check up from Dr Fedorenko, blood pressure, all good - always tell him how happy we are to be here and he smiles. 

Aaron let Paul cut his hair!

Aaron wanted his head shaved before moving upstairs to begin Chemo so Paul   offered to give it a go - he looks great..  It's a right of passage here as it's much easier to manage once your hair starts falling out in Isolation.

Steroids arrived around 11am, since I have the cannula in it's a pretty easy process, hooked up, relax for 30 minutes and then buzz the nurse when it's empty..

Feeling like it's time to shave my head, my short mop is driving me mad and the girls advised its good to get it done before you get the catheter inserted into your neck for stem cell collection.


My face says it all!

I really wanted to FaceTime the kids so they could watch and be a part of it but of course, Murphy's Law, the Wi-Fi went down.  Only time we've had a Wi-Fi outage as it's been excellent at all other times!  Emma is out of ISO and has moved downstairs so her mum, Libby and Jenny are here so I ask Jenny to do the honours so Paul can take photo's and video on I-pad.  It's quite nerve wracking - goodness know what my heads going to look like bald, I do have a big noggin after all!!  So it's all off now, Jenny took off the #1 and went as short as possible - bit strange to look at myself but I'm sure I'll get used to it.

I've found a scar on the back of my head which I think is from hitting my head on a rock when I leaned back on a swing when I was about 6 years old (would that be right mum?) and I also have this round red patch which looks like it may be a birth mark - I was born with a full head of hair so not sure mum and dad would even know if it was there!

No going back now!

 Still haven't seen myself yet

OMG!

So the video we had thought of showing a clip of won't be making an appearance as it seems the amazing photographer is not such an amazing videographer!  The video is from my nose down so shows no head shaving, does have some interesting commentary though! Offered the clippers to Matt but he's not quite ready to lose his lovely locks as yet!!

Who is that person in the mirror!

Shower, interesting with trying to keep the cannula dry, food needed and sleep!

More food - it seems to come fast in the afternoon/evening and watched the first episode of Breaking Bad with Paul - looks good, rave reviews from my bro!

A lovely walk in the gardens with Paul and can't believe it's 6pm already, don't know where the days are going..  I had to finish off yesterdays blog as I'd fallen behind with the internet outage.  Emma popped over and we Skyped with Irene which was great - along with our M&M fix! - it's great getting to know these girls, we will definitely have a life long bond!

My end of day predictable as usual with my tv series and staying up for my 11pm injection.  Bit of reading Game of Thrones and off to catch some zzzz's before my alarm goes off at 2.50am!

PS- The title of the post is in reference to the 1970's TV show Kojak - his catchphrase was "who loves ya, baby!" - Kojak was bald!

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! 

Waiting in Anticipation....

Day 4

Well there's probably no need for a big build up since you already no the answer but I'll go there anyway.........  Just pretend you didn't read our little blog post and you can go through it with me again!

Todays the day we find out whether I am approved to move forward into the actual treatment phase.  As I've explained up until now it was just testing and there is no guarantee that you will be treated as they want to make sure that you are healthy and your body is up to the challenge and has the strength to undergo HSCT.  I don't know of anyone who has been turned away at this stage but I have heard of other illnesses found that have been causes of concern.  The testing is so rigorous and most have found things they never new they had.

Dr Fedorenko had told us yesterday that he would see us around 10 or 11am.  We knew he would get to us at the best possible opportunity, we also knew he had to have a chat with Matt as well as Aaron and he also had another two transplants to do upstairs today - busy man to say the least!  We waited with baited breath!!  I hardly ever get sick, occasional sniffle, sinus infection, not much as all, I'm always saying to my Neurologist when he asks how I am, healthy as a horse apart from the MS!

So we patiently wait our turn or should I say tried to wait patiently, I started to get a big anxious by about 1.30pm, I'd had an extra blood test that morning that Matt hadn't had so of course you start to think why - I know no rational to it but the mind starts wandering..  Aaron's had his chat, all good, so excited for them!.  Matt's had his chat, all good, so excited for them!  Waiting, waiting- mum & dad know we are waiting so they are messaging, Isabelle knows we are waiting so she keeps facetiming.  Seb is oblivious as he is with good friends having a ball which is great!  I think about 1pm Dr Fedorenko comes in and says I have to go upstairs to transplant and I will come down and see you in 30-40 minutes - I completely understand that the girls need to come first but tears well up in my eyes and he says are you okay, she's worried, Paul says, Dr F - nothing to worry about, it is all okay, results are all okay.  Big relief although we still need to have the chat to confirm but my hearts beating a little slower.

A distraction came through Facebook at the perfect time!  My new good friend Jane, who is on her way to Moscow next month, started live commentary for me on 'The Bachelor', with pictures and all!  (she'd also done it the night before and it was great, felt like I was watching, well not quite but a good second to not).  Yes I know it's rubbish but I just couldn't stop watching it at home and couldn't believe I was going to be away for the finale!  What - he's dumped Louise and it's down to Sam and Lisa, I had my money on Louise..  Oops have to tune out Jane, Dr Fedorenko is here for the chat which sorry but so trumps the Bachelor!!

Dr Fedorenko spends the next 40 minutes with us going through all my tests results, everything is really good as I said previously I'm healthy as a horse, apart from the MS.  He believes that I am transitioning from Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) to Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (SPMS), check out my MS page if you are interested in reading about the difference.  He also thinks I'm about a 5.5 on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), title might speak for itself, easily Googled if you are interested in what this means also.  The whole HSCT process is discussed and the different protocols around the world and why he believes in the one they practice here.  I don't have any enhancing lesions and a lot of other facilities won't provide HSCT to those that don't but Dr Fedorenko believes that if you are still progressing that there must be some enhancement and we just can't see it through the MRI machine.  He is very confident that I will have success - 70-80% success although if we work together we will have 100% success.  He very much believes in a positive attitude and says the key is "Good Food, Good Mood and Rehabilitation" so that needs to be my motto for recovery! (he liked my top that I was wearing mum!)  Very very happy we are..  it's funny you kind of think once you are here it's the beginning but once you start testing you realise that you really need to pass them and be healthy enough to actually start HSCT..  So very relieved we are - thank you for your prayers and positivity that's been sent out way xx

Time for a trip up to level 3 as there is another celebration for two ladies, ended up just being for Cheryl and Irina was far to exhausted to come out and wanted to sleep.  Such a special day for them!


Emma, me and Sam (left to right)

Sam and I popped in to say Hi to Emma, she's really loosing some hair now which is great.  It's funny I didn't think I wanted Paul to visit me while in isolation but it seems to be really nice for Emma having visitors even if it is through the glass so I think I'll be asking him to pop in once a day.  And giving him my shopping list for his spare time!!

I wanted to catch up with Irene so rugged up and headed outside to find her, last outside trip for her and Louise before they get locked up tomorrow (sounds like we're in a special facility when I put it like that!).  Felt a bit weird going out but then I realised that I haven't been out all week.  I think with waiting for testing and results and chats I haven't really known when it was a good opportunity.  Best I get out and explore the gardens tomorrow as they are beautiful - amazing that we have this surrounding us whilst in hospital, I'm sure my photographer will assist in doing it justice!

Not a lot more to tell, I think I've had enough excitement for one day, it's all action stations from here in, not sure if I'll be able to keep this up but I'll give it a good day..

A couple of phone calls from Isabelle, think she might be missing me a little so organised to Facetime at 7.30am Brisbane time so alarm set for 1.30am Moscow time..  Better not take that sleeping pill tonight!!  And since I didn't get back to read Jane's commentary yet, Isabelle was happy to be able to let me know who won The Bachelor - back to Jane's commentary to find out that it looks like there's scandals already!!

Finished the day with another Episode of Sex and the City followed by Arrow, enjoying my tv time!!

We're In!

Just a quick post to let you all know that we had the best of all possible news today.

We met with Dr Federenko this afternoon and he ran through of my test results.  To cut a long story short, I don't have any health issues that prevent me undertaking the transplant.

Phew...we start tomorrow!

Back soon with the daily digest!

Paul!

Good news from Dr F

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 

Testing and Food!

Day 2

Testing....

"No food my dear, no food, testing first in the morning" says Anastasia before she leaves the day before. 

4.30am Why am I awake!!  Not sure why as I'm very comfortable in my room (or should I say suite), guess it's just getting used to sleeping somewhere different and the anticipation of whats to come.  Oh and I never sleep well really anyway as I can never get comfortable.  Paul has wanted to get me one of those "fitbits" or the like so he can track my sleeping pattern as he reckons I never have a good nights sleep - none of these things help the constant fatigue but hopefully that is on its way to being kicked out the door!

Do I give you all the details or not??  Well I'm figuring this is a blog to share but also our record of our journey so detail is what you will probably get!  Feel free to skip over the boring and or too lengthy bits, okay I'll get on with it..  So yesterday I was told that I would have a urine test in the morning which I thought I was going to have a couple of bottles left for me so I could do it straight away.  Ummm bottles not here and I'm up at 5am - waiting, waiting - doesn't come until 7am, long time to hold on but I managed!  Also with that comes the "swabs"..  Some Russian spoken, a bit of charades and I figure it out - Nose, mouth and yes I told you I'd give details, the bottom.  So you might think the bottom will be worse well let me tell you it's not.  The nose!  The long swab stick (or whatever it may be called) goes quite a way up, it's quick but brings tears to your eyes!

Matt and I get our weight and height checked, the nurse and Anastasia laugh, chat and laugh some more when the nurse tries to do Matt's height as she can't reach above his head (he is 6ft2").  Aaron and Troy has been hooked up to the machines for Apheresis (collection of stem cells), refer to my HSCT page for more information, and we hope they get big counts today.  Matt and I popped in to see Aaron and it was amazing to see the machine in action - that will be us in a weeks time!!

Anastasia finds us and we are off upstairs, it's time for the tests to begin.  First upstairs for ultrasound on chest and abdomen, the Sonographer was lovely and spoke some English,  then x-ray (I think it was full body), the Radiologist was Russian and she position my body where it needed to go and pointed it I need to change it - Anastasia was behind the glass on the microphone to tell me when to breathe in.  Back downstairs, bloods - about 7 viles taken, back upstairs for a gynaecological ultrasound (yes girls we are lucky)..  The Sonographer was so lovely again, I struggled as I can't hold up my right leg and she touched my leg and said "this is difficult, you lean on me".  Back downstairs and finally got to see Paul - no eating yet I'm told.  Quick chat and then back upstairs for breathing test (I would call it a lung function) and ultrasound of the heart, 2 more lovely doctors!

The hospital buildings are connected via long, underground tunnels

Apparently we are getting through the tests quicker than usually, Anastasia seems impressed, just a lucky timing thing rather than any credit to us!  Finally some food, it's midday, and Paul has brought me in those ham & cheese croissants, yum I'm starving and my breakfast has come and gone so good thing he brought them..  Croissant's, cup of tea and a chat with Paul (finally) and Laura (Matt's partner)..  Feeling exhausted might try and have a nap, Paul says I look freaky with my mask on so will have to share a photo of that sometime.  Nearly get to sleep and the lovely nurse pokes her head in the door to whisk me a way.  Dr Fedorenko also pops his head in to see if I'm okay, I haven't seen him for any length of time yet but he checks in 2-3 times to make sure I'm okay and happy.  After trying 3 different wheelchairs we find one that works and I'm taken through the underground 'maze' of tunnels to the MRI department.

MRI - if you've never had an MRI the main things are 1. It's "very" enclosed and 2. Very noisy!  I think I'm pretty tough and I've never really had a problem, don't get me wrong, I don't love it, but it's a necessary evil that I have to do..  I can usually fall asleep or drift off if I know my head is secure and won't move so that makes it bearable.  At home I think I'm only in it a total of 40 minutes, this one was a bit longer.  You don't have to get changed to go in they just said "no metal?", I was thinking no, showed him my rings and they were okay.  Get strapped inside and realise I've got my watch on so I press the button madly and wave my feet, take my watch off and it tries to fly up, shit I think I'll get in trouble - no problem it's okay.  So then I'm waiting for it to start and maybe 5 minutes go by and I'm thinking either these are really good "noise cancelling" earmuffs, the machine is super quiet or it's not happening..  It's not happening, they bring me out, tell me it's not working, then try again.  Another 5 or so and I'm out again, it's definitely not working.  Thankfully they have another so the wheel me around to the next machine.  Into that one, maybe 40 minutes in then they bring me out to give me an injection gadolinium, which gives contrast to the MRI, back in for maybe another 15 minutes then out to change bases that you lay on and back in for the spine.  Probably another 30+ minutes, had an almost panic near the end as it went quiet for a good 5 minutes and I started thinking I'd been forgotten - almost pressed the panic button but restrained myself and it started again.  Once I came out I could see 2 ladies on the screens behind the glass, I think they actually do a lot of assessment whilst you are in there rather than just taking the pictures and doing it later - now that's why it takes a bit longer.  Two nurses, that I hadn't seen before collected me and we are off down the halls to the tunnel again - they seem to talk a bit about which way to go (I'm sure you could get lost for weeks down there), hoping they know!  We get off the elevator and I recognise we are close - there is a conference room at one end of our floor which I had been through a couple of times this morning when empty, one of the nurses opens a door wide, realises there is a conference in progress shuts the door and they chat and laugh and laugh and look at me and laugh and I laugh, it's really funny.  Back up the elevator to the other side and down to our other entrance.  One of the nurses still can't stop laughing, it's quite infectious!!

I think I was gone about 21/2 hours, Paul was ready to send out the search party.  Lucky he didn't try as I'm sure he would have got lost through those tunnels..

The food comes at set times, 9am - breakfast (which is late for us early risers!), 12 - like morning tea, 2pm - lunch (seems to be the biggest meal) and 6pm - supper (a smaller dinner type meal).  I think I've eaten most thing so far, some needed a little salt and pepper, but otherwise tasty. Oh I didn't eat the cabbage (below) although the stew part was tasty.  Plenty of bread, it's served with almost every meal, boiled eggs are common and slabs of beef and cheese.  Nothing to complain about as even if you don't like something there is really more than you need.  Haven't wrapped my head around tasting the boiled apples yet, I've been told they are nice but they don't really look particularly appetising and look like they need a scoop of ice-cream with them!

The rest of the day a bit of a blur, I know we spent some time with our new friends here chatting a bit, such a great supportive bunch of people here, but I was pretty wiped out from the busy day, early morning - fatigue sucks!!.  Just made me think of Dan & Maz on B105 (radio station in Brisbane) they have this section that Seb & I listen to sometimes where people ring up and say things that annoy them and they don't want anymore, it's called "STICK IT IN THE BIN" - we often say MS - STICK IT IN THE BIN!!!  You have to say it loud and with a deep voice!!  Say it with me: FATIGUE - STICK IT IN THE BIN!!!

Sleeping pill action tonight - lets hope it works (oh, actually it did, woohoo, since I'm writing this the next day!) Wait till you see what's on the menu tomorrow!!!!

Dinner time - Day 2! Stew & cabbage

So it begins...

Day 1

Lets start at the end of the day first, it feels all a bit foggy as I was so exhausted by the end of it I could hardly read let only begin to blog so instead, in a daze, I watched 2 episodes of a TV show called Arrow (came highly recommended by Isabelle) and collapsed into a somewhat restless sleep which is to be expected on your first night in hospital in a journey of a lifetime only to wake up super early, so then it's time to blog about the day before as it's still all fresh in the mind, stop for a quick shower, come back and it's all gone, I could swear but I better not!  I'd written heaps and I'm sure it was "laced with a hint of humour and a lot of heart" - that's what I'm going for so let me know if I succeed.

Okay lets go back to the morning (and I'm sorry but this may be briefer than was originally intended but you may be sick of my ramblings by now anyway!)

Early morning as I was nervous, excited and every other emotion you can imagine..  Packing up of my bags was the to do!  Paul found me a lovely ham & cheese croissant from the café downstairs, he received a strange look when he asked for it to be heated but managed to get it done.  Might be asking for those to be delivered to the hospital for breakfast as I believe porridge is the main menu item for breakfast if I'm not interested in eating the porridge in hospital.


Pirogov Hospital - impressive buildings!

So of course I was ready early and we were downstairs to order a taxi a little before 10am, due to check in to hospital at 11am.  Paul asked the concierge for a taxi and said we were going to Pirogov, I got out the address to show her and she said "yes you are going to meet Dr Fedorenko"!! The taxi driver was there within a few minutes, he had been told where to take us but once we started driving he said quite a few things in Russia then ended with 'airport', we think he was confused since I had a bit of excess baggage for one heading to hospital.




Grounds look awesome, especially in Autumn

We said no and showed him address and all was good.  Within 20 minutes we had arrived - wow, we are here!  The hospital facility is completely fenced and fully secured with guards and there are two gates at the front, now which one do we go through??  Looks like the one on the left by the way others are coming and going - funny enough we can't read the signs.  So we head in, funny looks at our excess luggage again, the admin lady asks me lots of questions which I have no idea what she is saying so just say, Anastasia and Dr Fedorenko and she understands and we pass her our passports.  She fills in our details passes us some cards which I assume is for entrance and says "please sit down".  We only wait about 10 minutes and the door opens and there is gorgeous Anastasia "in the flesh"!  I nearly burst into tears as it feels like I'm greeting a friend, a friend who I know is going to help me, big hugs and she says "my dear no tears no tears"..  She talks to everyone and is so bright and bubbly, an amazing energy and we just love her instantly.  Off we go through the other gate and to the main admin for the paperwork and to pay our fee for 'testing'..  All is good and we are on our way to find my room.  Very impressed with the room!  There is a bed, couch, table, huge windowsills (for all my crap), a kitchen area, bathroom and it's all mine on my own  (previously rooms have been shared when necessary so we weren't sure if I would need to).

My room for the next 2 weeks

The Lucky One ! - my own dining area and ensuite!

Quick chat with Anastasia and she will be back later to do some more paperwork.  Big hugs from Samantha to welcome us and we head out to the lounge area to finally meet Aaron, what a lovely guy he is, and it's so great to finally meet him after all these months.  Aaron also gave me one of his "Azza straps" which is a piece of tyre tube to use to lift your leg, amazing feeling and it works!  Whilst sitting in comes Dr Fedorenko and I think I'm going to cry again - this is the man I have come to see!!  He greets us like we are old friends and I'm feeling special already, I'm getting so excited.  Just a quick chat and he will come and see us a bit later.



My new friend Aaron lends me a walking aid

The rest of the day was really settling in, a quick EKG in the room, some more chats and paperwork with Anastasia and another quick chat to Dr Fedorenko.  Tomorrow will be a big day of testing, no breakfast please, swabs will happen around 7am and lots of testing to follow.



All stocked up!

Samantha took me upstairs to level 3 which is where you move to once ready to have Chemo and also stay for Isolation time.  You have to gown and mask up if you are a visitor but not once you are staying on the floor.  Again it feels like I'm meeting old friends, first a chat with Irene, she was just finishing her last bottle of chemo so that was interesting I've been chatting to Irene and Emma for sometime so it's so nice to finally meet them.  Got to chat to Emma through the door in her ISO room, need to yell but at least she can still have visitors which is great!  Also got to meet Louise and Cheryl who are on a similar timetable to Irene.

Got to experience the big meal of the day which comes around 2pm and then the dinner meal (smaller) which arrives around 6pm.  Interesting to finally see, will maybe talk about food tomorrow but I will say I think I ate it all - off to a good start! 



My room is behind the tree on the right - 2nd floor

Also got to meet Troy and chat to Neil & Marilyn (his carers) and late in the day a young English guy, Matt, arrived with his partner, Laura, they seem lovely and hopefully we'll get to chat to them more tomorrow.  I'm feeling a bit blank about the rest of the day, I didn't do much but it was exhausting - may have already said that!  It's all begun - I'm here, how exciting!!!!  Hope I pass all the tests with flying colours, should find that out by Thursday or Friday!!

Oh - Can you tell who took the beautiful photos???