T+34: A taste of golf

This morning Rose and I went to play golf on the par 3 pitch and putt at our golf club. I am not strong enough to take a full swing, but I chipped onto the green from about 35 yards using an 8 iron, and then putted. Also, I still needed a buggy, even though the distances are much smaller. It was really great fun, but I overdid it a bit and was very tired when we got home. We had a small competition, Rose starting from the tee, and me starting with a chip; Rose won by two shots.

On the way home we visited Bryan Lewis (our golf pro), to congratulate him on his son's performance at the Open. It was nice to see him but I was keen to get home so we did not stay long.

After my clinic visit on Monday, the doctor told me that I must drink three litres of fluid a day, rather than two, otherwise the immune suppressant drugs will become too concentrated in my blood. It is a real struggle to drink this much, but I am doing my best to comply. I am not sure how long I have to keep it up - maybe for the next two months (although I hope not).

I am pleased that more then a month has passed since the transplant. Just two more months to go until I am supposed to be past the worst of things.

T+29: A day at the golf club

Today our very good friend Howard came to play golf with Rose at our club, and like before (with Kevin) I followed them round in a buggy. It was quite ambitious, as I am nowhere near as strong as I was at Easter, which is the last time I did this, but I was keen to get out of the house and do something.

Here are Howie and Rose on the second tee:

and here I am inn the buggy

I had a great time, and both Howie and Rose played well, especialy Rose who shot gross 83, one of her best ever rounds. I managed to attend the pin on most of the greens, but it was quite tiring. We had a coffee in the clubhouse afterwards, and we have just eaten fish suppers from the chippy. So right now I am tired and full up!

Health wise, my worst complaint is that I still have very little appetite; I long to be hungry! I think it is the cicolosporin (immune suppressant) that causes this, so I have to put up with it for 2 more months at least I think. However, my strength seems to be returning little by little; last week I could not contemplate doing what I did today.

T+27: A nice surprise

Today I got a nice surprise delivery

Not the cat, but an "edible bouquet". It is a beautiful arrangement of strawberries, some covered in white, dark and milk chocolate. It is a lovely gift from Hilla and Yaniv, so many thanks to them. We shall enjoy eating them I hope.

Clinic on Monday was a very long day indeed. I had my normal meeting with the doctor at about 10am, but then we had to wait until 3pm to get a pentamidine nebuliser treatment (breathing in the drug) that stops lung infections. So 5 hours of waiting around. I also got a unit of blood as my haemoglobin was a bit low. And they removed my PICC line, on the grounds that it is just an infection/clotting risk, and I don't really need it anymore.

My health is improving I think. Today I went for a walk to the shops with Rose. My appetite is still not good though, but I am not as weak and tired as I was. I have a mild rash on my chest, which is GVHD related, but the doctor says it is OK as long as it remains mild.

I have started (re)reading Catch 22. It is just as good as I remembered. It is a bit of a boys book, but if you have not read it, I strongly recommend you do.

T+24: Steady progress

I don't have much to report, but it is Sunday afternoon so perhaps it is time for an update.

I am still feeling a bit down, time still dragging slowly. It has been a pleasure to have the golf and the tour to watch, especially the golf. The young amateur Tom Lewis is the son of our golf pro Bryan Lewis, so it has added extra excitement. The afternoons will not be the same when the golf is over.

I am managing to drink the 2 litres I need each day, but it is a constant struggle. My appetite is still poor, but my taste is OK. This means that when I eat, I can get some enjoyment, even if it is a struggle to get started. I have not had any wine since the transplant; I don't have much desire. Perhaps strangest of all is that I have no desire to eat bread (previously a favourite of mine). Toast is OK, but bread just seems to stick in my mouth.

I am wary of visitors, because I am afraid of getting a viral infection. I would like these three months to pass as uneventfully as possible. The doctor says that things are going very well, and I want to keep it that way. I am hoping for some improvement in my health during the course of the three months, the sooner the better!

T+20: A long slow process

On Monday I had my first clinic appointment. The hospital sends a car to fetch us, and take us home afterwards. Clinic is just giving blood, and a chat with the doctor, so not much to it. I have been told I must drink at least 2 litres of fluids every day, and this is quite a chore. The consequences of not doing it can be quite severe though, so I am doing my best. Basically it means 10 glasses of water or cups of tea across the day, plus some extras.

I am still very tired, and spend much of the day in bed. I have been enjoying the Tour de France; some very exciting finishes. Tomorrow the Open starts, which will cause a clash, but since Bradley Wiggins retired I am not so bothered about the mountain stages and the GC. I hope Cavendish hangs on to the green jersey.

My stomach cramps have subsided, so although I have no specific complaint, I feel generally lousy most of the time. Thanks to all of you who have wished me well. Pete popped round for a visit, and Babs and Nick gave us a nice present; it is good to know people are thinking of me.

Tomorrow I have another clinic appointment. This is going to be a long slow process ...

T+17: even more tired

I think I will stop posting every day, as my days are rather dull. Tomorrow I am off to clinic.

It is a struggle getting through the day. I hope things will improve rapidly.


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T+16: Tired

I am constanly tired, and my day consists of some periods up and about followed by a lie down! They did tell us I would feel like this, but it does not make it any easier. Time drags out across the day, and especiallty the night. I am still carrying excess fluid, which means I need to wee approximately every hour, night and day. The interrupted sleep pattern does not help with the overall feeling of tiredness.

I spent some time lying outside in the sun, which is very pleasant. The weather is quite variable at the moment but a few minutes of hot sun is like a tonic.