We had a bit of a detour on this one. After about 7 days following my last treatment I ended up at Emergency with severe abdominal pain and after much testing and probing, found that my white cell count was at a dangerously low level so I was admitted to hospital for 6 days to keep an eye on things. I was in semi-isolation so gowns and masks all the time and pretty much confined to my corner of the wing. The nice thing though was that being a new hospital, furniture and rooms were all clean and shiny and I had a room to myself with a window. Mind you, my room was also close to the helicopter landing pad and the first night at least 3 helicopters brought in patients in the wee hours of the morning. Helicopter rotors are pretty loud at 3:00 am and at first I thought it was a tornado! Thankfully, my heart still works well.
White counts bounced back to normal, never did find a cause for the abdominal pain and chemo was delayed a week to let me catch my breath. So my latest round was on April 4 and I am happy for the delay as this round hasn't been too bad (touch wood).
My next chemo will be Apr 25; this will be my last as we prepare for the transplant which is now scheduled for May 28. I have several tests and consults to undergo throughout the month of May - some here, some in Vancouver - before I get admitted on May 21. The general plan for post-surgery is: 3-4 weeks in hospital, then another 4-6 weeks out of the hospital but staying in Vancouver as I will have to report in every day. We have secured an apartment rental near the hospital for the months of May, June and July for our stay.
I expect this will be my last blog until after the surgery or unless something changes before then; will keep you posted. Wishing everyone a great summer and/or vacation.