Half Time

Last week I passed +50 days since my stem cell transplant. Once I get to +100 the consultant will start to reduce the immunosuppressants.

So here is my Half-time MEDICAL REPORT, after an in depth consultation last week.

My consultant is very pleased with my progress. Why?

• The numbers are good. On January 3rd a chimerism test was done to assess the proportion of my sister's new stem cells against my old diseased cells. 94% were my sister's (+/- 7% margin of error). I watched the consultant read the result from his screen (it had just arrived) and as he read it, he grinned, 'this is exceptional ' he said, 'I was hoping for 75%'.

• I asked, What does it mean? Answer: the graft of Caroline's new cells is taking. They are engrafting well because of the close match of my sister's cells.

• Two out of three of the main constituents of my blood are now being produced effectively: my White Blood Count (including neutrophils, which ward off infections) and Platelets are normal, or better. My Haemoglobin (Red cells, carrying the oxygen that gives me energy) is still low, for now. Last week it was down at 64 (normal range 130 - 170) so I had a blood transfusion of 2 units at Bart's.

• The consultant said this is normal, because it takes time for new stem cells to fully engraft, and produce ALL the different blood cells are needed. Meat Loaf sang, '2 out of 3 ain't bad', but the consultant said that at this stage, 2 out of 3 is VERY GOOD!

• From the way Caroline's cells are engrafting, he said that he expects my haemoglobin to eventually return to near normal, hopefully c120. This would be tremendous. I feel quite good at 80-90; over 100 and I will be jogging along the beach again!

• Despite low haemoglobin, and therefore low energy, I am in good general health and feel well and look well. I just completed a 50 minute walk along the sea front (and got to see Mary hit a fabulous drive off the 5th tee into a strong wind! Her first round of Tuesday Women's golf in 3 months, the floods having finally subsided).

The view from the Day Ward in Bart's, where I get most of my transfusions. Not bad.

So, it's Halftime and we're winning. In footballing terms, it's like being up 2-0. In rugby terms, it's like England being 14-0 up at le Stade de France. In cricketing terms, it's like winning the first test of an Indian tour.

We are doing well, but there's no room for complacency. Things can still go wrong (bad infections; and Graft Vs Host Disease is likely to hit me at some point). But right now, there's so much to give thanks for, and many reasons to hope (and start thinking about the future).

Our prayers now:

• Thank you for a successful Transplant and engraftment (& good stem cells, Caroline)

• Protection from infections and severe Graft Vs Host Disease.

• A full recovery, with Haemoglobin of 120.

• What next? Where do we live? What do we do with our Extra Time?

In Philippians, St Paul, facing the real possibility of an early death, said, 'if I am to live in the flesh that means fruitful labour for me'. So what kind of fruitful work does the Lord want us to do, at this stage? We have some ideas, but we don't know. We are open to God's call.

The result of staying in Frinton, for more than a year, is that we are beginning to 'engraft' here. People have been very welcoming and supportive - family, Frinton Free Church, golf club, and the people Mary has known over the years (she was born and went to school in Clacton, was a GP in Frinton twice, and we got married here). Is this God's leading, into a community where we are already known?

In Paris we had thought we'd move nearer to Edward, either to London, or to the Reading area, where Ed lives with Kate and our 2 eldest Grandchildren, Izzy and Freddie. Now we are thinking again. Frinton is a good place to visit, especially in summer, and good for children (great beach and swimming, also golf, tennis and cricket as they grow up). It may be further away from family, but you do get good quality time when they come and stay for a weekend, or in the summer, for a week or two.

So, as the Lord seems to be healing me, we would really value prayer for clear thinking, and the Lord's overruling, as we plan our next steps. Thank you.

PS below is a Bar Chart, taking the results of last week's blood tests (24/01/24) and working out for just 4 of the main blood constituents what my score was as a percentage of the median of the normal range:

PPS I did not give the raw data to Edward so he can check my workings! Pretty colour coding don't you think?