Oh my lord - its two months since I posted an update! I know there are still people out there who read this - so my usual apologies, once again, for the long silence. But pretty much, no news is good news. Bloods are all behaving themselves, and sitting happily bang-in-the-middle of normal. Except for my platelets which have been dropping over the last few months. No-one knows quite why. Unfortunately, I do have a virus shunting round my blood system at the moment. Its called Epstien Barr virus - linked to chicken pox and all related poxie-type things. Its not so hot for bone marrow transplant patients though, as it can kick off nasty stuff. However I have no symptoms of anything, which is a good sign. The hospital are doing are regular two weekly blood tests to monitor the virus levels. Hopefully my baby immune system (well, teenage I guess by now) will sort it out. But its taking its time! Maybe the drop in platelets is linked to the EB virus... I am also struggling with very painful bones. Me and early mornings aren't the best of friends! Have recently had tests and X-rays done for arthritis - so waiting to see if these produce any evidence. However, despite these hic-cups things are on the up. My immunisation programme has started. I even had a flu jab last week. Overall, I have much more energy, though probably will never recover to my pre-transplant level of zoomablity. Still easy-as-pie to get exhausted and then I have to shut down for a couple of days and recharge.
I have had a couple of late summer visits to the caravan. The brilliant and beautiful Indian summer has been a good excuse to get down there for some long weekends. Some great dusk walks along the shoreline. Watching the sky as it moves through the gears of sunset: to the west where it glows hot and loud, fire red and orange. To the east where it is brushed with hushed colours. Goose grey, pistachio green and pale blue. Out on the nature reserve there is a 360 degree view of this sunset. It is stunning. And the nights are deeply dark. The millions of stars which are so crisp and clear, really do shine like diamonds in the sky. My caravan was a good move!
Two really great pieces of news: One is I have started my animation course. This is very exciting. First exercise was to cut out and make an articulated puppet. This was then filmed. I had an aardvark (of sorts) doing somersaults! Its a 30 week course, designed to teach a selection of animation techniques. I hope at some point to combine this with my printmaking. Anyway, I am a student again, one day a week (and flop-out-flat when I get home after an intense 10 hour day) and really enjoying myself. The second even-better-news is that I have managed to secure a new studio back in Havelock Walk. For those of you who know me, you will know that this is a major step forward, on all sorts of levels. I am thrilled that I have another studio space back in the street. This means I can start work again. This means too that my life is starting to feel like mine again. I am functioning without the constant support of hospital. Though I will never completely rid the medical ties that bind me. But hey, small price to pay for my life back and pretty much in once piece. Thanks to the amazing advances in modern medicine, the dedicated work of the Antony Nolan trust and our amazing National Health Service, I am still here today. High Five indeed!
On that affirmative note I am off to cook myself supper! Hope all is good for everyone, everywhere. Not happy times around the globe I know. Lets hope peace prevails. Will be drawing this blog to a close in the next couple of months. I hit two years since my transplant on December 11th - so probably a good time to wrap up and say goodbye. Until then, love, high fives etc etc
back soon, tch x
ps. LVG still got to make a miracle at Old Trafford.
pps. photos of my beach-side retreat
