This week it was the turn of Dumfries Infirmary for my Monday visit; blood test and check-up. The only slight problem with the appointment was that it was at 2 pm; the very time that my body usually has a shut down that only an hour or two asleep in bed seems to sort out. However, a couple of wee power naps got me through the rest of the afternoon which was rather long and drawn out.

Tuesday morning was my time for the swine flu injection (part one) - that should give my newly emerging immune system something to think about ! Christine had quite a sore arm for a couple of days when she had the vaccine in the autumn but it didn’t cause me any problems, however I was feeling like quite a hypochondriac the remainder of the day and took things very gently. Putting my feet up suited my furry friend perfectly.

March has begun like a lamb this year instead of the usual lion; quite settled weather with very little wind. Wednesday’s sunset was glorious and well worth the walk up the edge of Moyle Hill. The trees just glowed.

The following day I risked a gentle mountain bike expedition to the Muckle above the village to meet up with Allie and Christine who were doing a much bigger loop on their bikes. The tide was well out, beyond Rough Island, and the play of light in the estuary was impressive.

Spring at last !

That 6 mile cycle ride on Tuesday left me completely wrecked for the next two days. Twice up that hill in the middle was maybe a bit much. Fortunately spring has arrived this week.



















A gentle time wandering around the garden watching the crocus open to join the snowdrops has helped me recuperate. I can see that a little more patience may be required for my recovery.

Once a fortnight now (T.132)

Yesterday’s visit to the Beatson Cancer centre in Glasgow was the last of the weekly visits. From now onwards instead of Glasgow on a Monday and Dumfries on a Thursday the visits are switching to alternate Mondays for the two units. That feels like real progress and a lot less of a bind. The French stem cells appear to have bedded in nicely and the anti-rejection medication (Ciclosporin) is being reduced by 5 mg each week and so far there has been no major signs of Graft vs Host Disease (GvHD). The only major problem is that the donor’s blood group was type A and mine was type B. Apparently it will take a year or more for my body to become fully adapted to being a type A. Meanwhile my haemoglobin levels are likely to remain below normal until it all settles down. So I’ll just have to carry on puffing up the hills. The bicycle muscles seem to have withered away and are going to take a while to build up. Christine is having to wait at the top of the hills while I catch up.
ps. maybe 6+ miles up that hill twice was over doing it..... I was a complete wreck the next day !!