Day +145 I’ve generally been a pretty social person and happy to mix and mingle, that was until MS turned up in my life. I had to pick and choose and prioritise. Fatigue would get the better of me and I’d need a nap at least a few times a week and I’d always be the...

It’s been 120 days since my stem cell transplant. Woot!! Recovery for me has been what I think is pretty smooth. Becoming a neurotic germaphobe with OCD has served me well with no cold, flu or infection. It’s been a slow and steady process, one day on (appointments...

I had an appointment this morning, nothing new with that but it’d been a while since I’d been to this particular clinic. Making light conversation with the Receptionist and discussing what I’d been through she said the old adage, “Well everything happens for a...

Day +61 (61 days since my transplant) I don’t think I really covered what it was like when I left Moscow and the care of Dr. Fedorenko and his team December 24, 2015 at 11:50pm. While Moscow was very good to me and has given me another chance, my sister Kate and I...

Home (Mum & Dad's): 2 Weeks Today New Stem Cells: +29 Days 2 x Weeks back from Moscow – TLC at Mum & Dad’s. 1 x Outing (Haematologist)  1 x Jigsaw Puzzle Complete (500 pieces) 1 x Lego Mouse (eleventy billion hours) 5 x Visitors + Family (all HAZMAT...

I’ve now been home 5 days and I’m +20 days transplant. I feel good, if not great. Yes, I’m anticipating a *crash* but as with everything so far I’m just taking it day by day by day and listening to my body and we’re communicating pretty well right now. If I need...

Day #31 It’s quiet. Really quiet. Not church mouse quiet, but still quiet. I’ve now been an inpatient at the he A.A. Maximov Department of Hematology and Cellular Therapy, National Pirogov Medical Surgical Center, Moscow, Russia under the care Dr. Denis Fedorenko...

Another day, another reality check for some. The HSCT forums have been going a little cray, with quick questions and last minute requests. We and me (an almost HSCT vet) are happy to help. It’s a BIG DEAL. HOWEVER. Stop. Check the forum pages and...

I’ve been asked for a few recommendations for travel to Moscow in winter. Some of this may adapt to year round – just use your judgment. My attempt at humor gets in the way sometimes, so I’ve tried to tone it down. This is in no particular order, just thoughts as they...

Day #15 Isolation Day  #5 Since I’ve now been technically in isolation for a few days now I think 5 they’re all running in together, and there’s a few emotions running rampant, all mentioned above by the eloquent Brené Brown. It’s worth noting it’s not a bad...

Day #15 (I think. I think I missed one). I’d like to start this post all settled in to catch you up on what’s been happening here in Moscow in my HSCT bubble, but as I snaffled my Movenpick wish Chocolate Ice Cream from my stash, I discovered some Moll stole my spoon...

Day #13 It’s not very often you get to celebrate an entire new birthday.Today I did. This’ll jus be a synopsis, as I’m pretty tired from everything that’s happened.I promise more details and pictures at some point tomorrow. It was a busy day, may not seem like much....

Day 9 Today was a long day. It started with an uncomfortable sleep, no pain just weird having a couple of tubes sticking out your neck.With the help of some drugs, I got some sleep albeit form the beauty component. Woke early at about 7 as I was informed that...

Day 13 I’ve just finished watching the Steve Job’s film.Kind of pointing, kind of poignant. “Design is a funny word. Some people think design means how it looks. But of course, if you dig deeper, it’s really how it works.”Steve Jobs After passing through my final day...

So I’m a bit of a procrastinator by nature, it’s a fact. Anyone who really knows me, knows that’s true. I’m not being a debbie downer. I get stuff done and love doing stuff for other people, I like being useful and helpful. I’m just not great at doing stuff for...

Day #11 My Mother’s Daughter. The windows are open, well they’re ajar anyway. It’s always annoyed me, my Mum’s quest for fresh air. Travelling and sharing an apartment while I was a teen and it snowing outside. I guess I’ve just grown into it and it’s like her way of...

Post #XYZ (lost count) I know it’s been a few days, but I’ve been waiting on all the above and the days are blurring. I had a small meltdown yesterday, totally over the waiting game, damn Hope, Faith, Humanity and Grace et al.. and all I was just wanting my numbers to...

Calvary have arrived and by that I mean my sister Nicole. She has brought supplies in the form of magazines and Arnott’s Mint Slices to sustain me! And a hell of a lot of love and moral support too. Today also saw the central line come out of my neck that was used for...

Hello Wall, Hello tears, I wondered when you’d come in force? Not in a blabbering way, just in a fearful teary way… I just knew you wouldn’t be far. After a good and drug induced sleep I woke up a bit lots with the anticipation of my neck line being placed at a...

Day 6 Last night I was “sleepless on steroids”. Due to yesterday’s infusion I was awake till 1:30am then awake again around 7:00am after being jabbed at 3:00am. Pft. No major problem with that though, it’s not like I had to get up and had anywhere in particular to go....

Day #1. I made it, I’m here at the AA Maximov Department of Haematology and Cellular Therapy, National Pirogov Medical Surgical Centre. Moscow, Russia. Started the day with a few tears but soon got myself sorted and ready to depart the hotel at 10:30am. The...

The last couple of weeks have been full of “for the last time” moments. Last time with MS moments I mean. Last day at work. With MS. Last night in my own bed. With MS. Last drive of my car. With MS. Last Big Mac, Ben & Jerry’s, Pad Thai, Cheesecake etc…. With MS....

Day 4 Let’s just start this post with getting the big news out of the way… At about 2:00pm today I got the official approval that I can have the HSCT. Hurrah!! It’s hard to believe that I only initially planned to come for testing. Now let’s back up to the...

Day 5. Day 5 in hospital, and Day 1 of actual treatment. This morning I woke at about 7:00am, which is the latest I’ve slept since arriving. It’s also a little frustrating as the sun as what there is of it doesn’t rise until 9:30am. There was a little dusting of snow...

The final countdown is on. Dr. Fedorenko stopped by mid morning to check on me and to confirm that only the 2 tests would be performed today and that he would come by tomorrow *for discussion*. The *discussion* is when he meets with me to discuss my MS diagnosis,...

Last week I spent some time on Struggle Street. I was snappish and sad and angry at everthing and pretty much everyone and not for any particular reason. In particular I was sick of thinking about HSCT, talking about HSCT and counting down the days It’s also an...

I never did Brownies or Girl Guides, never learnt an instrument so I wasn’t part of a band either. I wasn’t particularly into sports and so no club there and haven’t had kids so no Mother’s Group for me. God I sound boring and or deprived. Since I embarked on the...