Update Day +14: A Light at the End of the Tunnel

Day +14. Great news today. Professor Paul Browne came in today with his hand outstretched to congratulate me. Yes, the goal of getting the neutrophil count up to 0.5 was achieved. It is way ahead of schedule. He was more pleased to see the platelets up above 50, which means that the ‘new workers’ have got the factory working and starting to produce the new blood cells. The white cell count (wcc) is at 0.9 and they are talking about my going home soon. I had to say, wait a minute, we have only just crossed the half way mark, I am not ready to leave this ‘safe’ environment. It was an emotional day to hear the good news. Strange to say, when the time comes, it will be difficult to leave the hospital. It is difficult to express what I mean by this, except to say that while the picture I painted may have been a bleak one, I was never lonely depressed or sad at any time. The only negative emotion was one of fear, which is also the one that makes me want to stay here for as long as I can. I am in a public hospital as a public patient and the treatment and care here is second to none.

The next two hurdles to overcome are to avoid infections and the GvHd (Graft versus Host disease). Anyway, one step at a time and we will have to deal with it as it comes. It is time to start preparing for my return home.

The Sri Lankan cricket team did very well today getting the South Africans all out for just 168 runs. It was good news all around. I am looking forward to the match tomorrow.

That’s all for now folks!