Watchin’ Windows – Roni Size
Today’s only event is to move from my shared room to one on my own. I think this is better – it will certainly bring more peace of mind as my neutrophils go down. The NHS has its own peculiar concept of time – they decided the best time to move me was 5:45am.
Apart from that… I have my blood tests. I have my ‘obs’ (blood pressure, pulse and temperature) checked. I pee in my jug and record it. I take my pills. I eat my breakfast. I brush my teeth and use both my mouthwashes. I pee in my jug and record it. I get up and shower (removing my anti-embolism socks, making sure not to get my pipes wet as I wash, and then putting the anti-embolism socks back on). I have my ‘obs’ checked. I do my exercises, as instructed. I talk to the boys on the phone. I watch a bit of Top Gear on Dave. I pee in my jug and record it. I open my laptop and do a few minutes of work. I eat my lunch. I take my pills. I brush my teeth and use both my mouthwashes. I go for a walk to the front door of the hospital, in order to see the (grey) sky, buy a decent coffee and prove I can still manage to climb the stairs. I play crib with my brother. I have my ‘obs’ checked. I watch some pretty poor rugby between Ireland and France. I pee in my jug and record it. I eat my supper. I brush my teeth and use both my mouthwashes. I take my pills and have my injection. I chat with a friend (I am lucky, and grateful, to have visitors). I have my ‘obs’ checked, and my weight. I pee in my jug and record it. I spend an hour catching up with Marisa. I take my pills. I brush my teeth and use both my mouthwashes. I watch a bit of “Made in Dagenham” on TV. I pee in my jug and record it. I go to bed.
It’s a funny existence – sitting in hospital waiting to be ill. I feel fine. But my neutrophils have more than halved in the last 24hrs – evidence my bone marrow has been suppressed, and an indication that I will feel different soon.
