Good morning all, I hope you’ve had had a lovely evening.

I slept well and awake at 6am.

No time for stretches, breakfast eaten and after a quick shower, layered up with winter clothes, I was scraping the ice from my car while Dr N was getting our bags ready.

Journey in took an hour, the sat nav taking us around the houses as there must be issues on our usual route.

We’ve arrived, checked in and now waiting to be called. I’m feeling a bit apprehensive as I know what’s about to come.

I’ve been called and the procedure has been carried out. In the room, the nurse ran through the procedure and possible side effects, I signed the consent form. Next, shoes off, the nurse said just unbutton your jeans and lay on your left side on the bed, a few adjustments and I was told to bring my knees up to my chest into a foetal position. The nurse could see the mark from my previous biopsy which helped her to pinpoint where she would go in. The area injected with a local anaesthetic and after a couple of minutes she went in with a needle to get a sample of bone marrow and then she went in again but this time into the bone. My bones are strong and she was having problems getting into the bone so she asked a colleague, they finally managed. I could feel the pushing and tugging and what appeared to be something being screwed into my hip bone. The first piece of bone was too small so they went in again. Second time round the sample was fine, luckily this was confirmed by a senior nurse who just happened to be passing. All done, the wound patched up, I had to lie on my back for 5 minutes to make sure no blood was coming out. I was then allowed out. Time for a bit of lunch, I’ve checked in for my appointment with the consultant. I now have to wait until my name appears on the large screen.

I’ve been summoned!!! Off we go to the 4th floor!!!

Weight taken and another wait.

I’m called in to see the consultant. Lovely gentleman, he’s accompanied by one of the senior nurses who I’ve spoken to before. The consultant explains the stem cell transplant process and the different stages. He’s very clear and articulate and friendly in his approach. From my angle, this is going to be the hardest few months. After the consultant, we’re taken to another room by the nurse who explains the procedure of giving injections at home to stimulate the stem cells a week before the harvest. We’re then taken to another nurse who checks my veins to make sure they are healthy, a green light is given, next is to give blood, today 7 tubes have to be filled. Finally it’s to the pharmacy to collect the injections and other tablets and then we can go home.

It’s been a tiring day. Once I’m home and all of the information and day has been digested, I’ll add more.

We’re home, journey was just over an hour, we left just before 4pm so had to contend with parents collecting their kids and people returning home from work.

We had a late dinner today, I haven’t eaten at 8pm for months, I usually finish eating at 6.30pm.

So, today has been a long day, painful at times, I’m now feeling the soreness. It was good to hear that my hip bone is very tough. I have trust in the consultant, senior nurse and the nurses carrying out the stem cell harvest and transplant. It’s going to be scary, it’s scary now because I’m not going to know what to expect, how I’m going to feel, how my body will react, how long recovery will take, all these questions are constantly going around in my head. I know I’m strong enough, being as positive as I can (at times it is difficult), and above all, I know I have Dr N by my side for the journey ❤️.

Now it’s time for bed, not sure if I’ll be able to sleep but I’ll try, just too many thoughts.

Tomorrow is a new day!!

Good night all, sleep well.

❤️🙏🏽

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