Moments later, two burly Russian fellas and a tiny producer girl walk in, draped in hospital protectors. Apparently, this is for Russia’s major news station Russia One. (I keep thinking of The One Show theme.) I believe they were after a positive piece on Dr. Fedorenko, his work, and the international recognition it’s been getting. At least that’s what their questions seemed to be about. “Why Dr. Fedorenko? Why Russia?” and so on…

I think I spent the rest of the day editing my Day Zero video. Just another regular video studio – my hospital room.

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Thursday – Day +02 – Full Isolation Time

Woken up bright and early for some fluid deposits. I barely even notice them anymore, which is nice – the benefits of being on-tap for blood with a chest catheter, I suppose.

Then Dr. Fedorenko pops in – “Good news!!” he beams. The leukocyte numbers have dropped low enough to officially enter full isolation mode.

Now, being told you’re about to be locked in a room without any real comforts shouldn’t bring much joy – it’s a bit reality TV show-esque – but this one did. A proper chance to rest, to let my body properly recover. I might even get round to using some of the gadgets I brought with me… they’ve barely left the bag. Still not sure how I’ve made myself so busy?

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In comes a small nurse I haven’t seen before, armed with all sorts of alcoholic scrubs and scary-looking Russian bottles. I’m shown the vodka bath I’m to have – a handful of cloths for wiping down after a rinse shower. One cloth for the full body, another for the more delicate areas.

(No one wants the reminder of that one time you sprayed deodorant down there.)

Then she brings in some clothes. Woah – no thank you, it’s okay! I tell her the Doctor’s already seen my cupboard full of clean clothes and underwear. But this is met with a storm of finger-wagging and a cacophony of under her breath noises from her stern little Yoda-esque appearance, as she strutted around the room in full fluster mode.

I lift the clothes up to the light and sigh. All white. Badly cut, under-length pants and the boxiest top I’ve ever seen. I fear I’m about to look like a very bad background artist on Tenko, or some oddball in a John Lennon sit-in.

I relent – I’ll do the pants. No harm there. But I’m wearing my own t-shirt and underwear. No more film crews, I hope.

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Meet Wilson

So, since I’m going to be alone in this room, I figured I’d better fashion myself some company. Meet (Castaway-inspired) Wilson, my companion for the week ahead. Some of you on Facebook might already be acquainted with our little miserable friend.

“Wilson didn’t like my successful blood scores this morning. He’s now stuck within these four walls with me. It’s #isolation time!”

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Friday – Day +03 – Minor Wobbles

Didn’t start too brightly today. As fine as the chemotherapy has been, it does leave your internal digestion needing a bit of care. So, annoyingly, there was a bit of a quick hop to the loo this morning. No big deal – but I think it had a bit of a knock-on effect for how I felt the rest of the day.

The good news came from the good Doctor himself – leukocytes more than halved again on yesterday’s score. Normal numbers in the blood are between 4–10. Mine were down to 0.14. So the remainder of my previous immune system really is now hanging by a thread.

Blood pressure check – all good. Or so I thought.

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A Bit Toasty

Around 2pm, my usual check-up nurse arrives. Blood pressure reasonably fine, but I do say that I’m feeling the heat a bit. Sure enough, my temp reads 37.6°.

Quick as a flash, Dr. F returns – I thought he’d already left for the day!

“Okay, your body is a little high – it happens in about 1 in 3 patients and is easily remedied,” he says. “We’ll put you on a course of steroids and antibiotics just to be sure, and we’ll monitor you regularly. But you’ve got nothing to worry about!”

I felt calm anyway – just a bit warm – but his reassurance is always welcome.

Very quickly, in come the drips and I’m hooked up. Ten minutes later, I’m feeling cool and comfortable, with a fan in the room to boot.

They checked in on me pretty much on the hour for the rest of the day, my temp hovering between 36.8 and 37.1°. Dr. Nikolai came in later to say they’d thoroughly reviewed my morning bloodwork and found nothing concerning. The earlier upset stomach probably just triggered things.

The nurses today were absolutely brilliant – always smiling, always on the ball, bringing all the fluids I needed.

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I uploaded my Day Zero video – just a few thoughts from the day (bit gushy, I’ll admit) – but people have been so lovely about it. Thank you!!

As evening rolled in, still feeling comfortable, I figured I’d make the most of it and aim for a nice early night. Head down around 9pm. Let’s hope for a better start tomorrow.

Today had another minor hiccup on the road to Getting Rid. If it’s not me out gallivanting for a ‘coffee’, I’m raising my temperature just to give you something to read. You didn’t want a boring blog now, did you?

You’re so welcome. 😉 

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Saturday – Day +04

“That’s the third time this morning Wilson has done this. We need to talk… just not now. #isolation”

I’m pleased to say a good 11 hours sleep last night really helped. Feeling good, carrying on from where I left off yesterday.

More checks this morning from the nurses, all good. Another update from Dr Fedorenko about my blood test – no infections and my Leukocytes have halved yet again. Down to just 0.07. It’s believed that this will carry on for the next couple of days, dropping off the scale before the stem cells kick in with their new party piece.

And nothing really more to add today – it’s a day in isolation, but a good one. Again the nurses have been extra attentive, but not quite with the previous frequency as needed before.

Maybe just one more from Wilson today.

I snook this picture of Wilson earlier on and threatened that I’d upload it if he didn’t stop walking in on me. He didn’t listen, so here it is then. #isolation