#hairycellleukaemia

One Hundred days ago I was diagnosed with Hairy Cell Leukaemia. 100 days… one .. hundred … days… Looking back, at times it seems surreal, almost like flashbacks from a novel I’ve read, film, documentary I’ve seen.. but no.. it was all real. The first 20 days or so were the “worst”. Reading about experiences of others my “worst” seems insignificant to the suffering of others with “other” blood cancers, remember we’ve learned that there are 137 types, and HCL…

Hairy Cell Leukaemia Recovery Week 6

September 18, 2017

An early morning call from the clinic at Chase Farm hospital informing me that I didn’t need to come in for a blood test that day was a great start to the week. My neutrophils were at 1.33 from the previous week and other vital components all moving the right direction. It was a busy week at work with 2 client visits. Fortunately I was able to travel to both outside rush hour, which for the next couple of weeks…

Hairy Cell Leukaemia Recovery Week 5

September 11, 2017

The week started as usual with my trip to the clinic for blood test. The good news this week was that my neutrophils were up to 1.33 so improving significantly each week. This was enough for me to decide that I was well enough to work from the office every day, travelling in at lunch time and returning home after rush hour. I’ve also started back practising trumpet on my pTrumpet to get chops back in shape. With 3 concerts…

Hairy Cell Leukaemia Recovery Week 4

September 4, 2017

At last a pretty uneventful week. Felt more fit and healthy than I have for many weeks. Monday’s blood tests show that Neutrophils are up to 0.73 which is really good. I have resumed daily yoga practice (a short 10 minute routine as I build up my strength) and trumpet practice on my pTrumpet. On Friday, I made an escape and went into the office for our monthly review meeting. It was great to get out and catch up with…

Hairy Cell Leukaemia Recovery Week 3

August 28, 2017

A short report this week (… and there was much rejoicing…) Sunday was pretty chilled, a relaxing breakfast and morning in our sun trap back garden. Health wise, feeling good after a restful few days after being discharged from hospital. Nothing much exciting to do as I was “focused on chilling” in preparation for returning to work on Monday. We did dip into the Royal Marsden Cookbook to make evening meal on Sunday, this time Angela Hartnett’s Pea and Pancetta…

Hairy Cell Leukaemia Recovery Week 1 and 2

August 19, 2017

I had intended for this to be a weekly blog detailing my recovery, but the unpredictability of being neutropenic put play to that. There is a very fine line between, “I’m doing grand…” and “Eh, temp is up.. time to go to A&E” – 1.5 degrees Celsius. Friday 4th August Waking up in my own bed for the first time in over a week, without having nurses wake you to attach you to a drip, without nurses lying through their…

Hairy Cell Leukaemia my Treatment experience

August 5, 2017