Needles and Neutrophils: The Hobnob Chronicles

[biscuitsandbandages]

Four weeks today I woke in my own bed with my 8 week old daughter in my arms and waited for the inevitable sounds of approaching 4 and 6 year old boys. I had everything I had every dreamed of. Life was difficult and tiring but we were getting there and I had plans for the summer and dreams for our family's future together.

Twelve hours later I was on CCU plugged into a monitor with fluid around my heart secondary to a diagnosis of adult T cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. I've not been home since.

Statistically my chances aren't great but statistics don't apply to individuals and leukaemia hasn't met me before. My personal survival statistics calculated by me and based on stubbornness, amazing support from family, friends and my mumsnet backup crew and the healing powers of 3 small children are 100% and I won't accept less.

I have superpowers. I have grown three entire human beings. Piddly little leukaemic cells haven't got a hope.

But.....at times I am very scared. This should not be happening to me. It's was not how I planned to spend my maternity leave. My precious year when I was just going to be their mum and nothing else.

This is my second thread but I'm not going to link back as I'm moving forward. Thank you for moving forward with me.

Biscuits x

Fingers crossed for bone marrow bx today Biscuits.Have finished the Novena but still tacking an intercessory prayer on the end of my daily Rosary for you and your family.

Crossing fingers for you both

Fingers (and everything else) crossed for you today biscuits and weebarra!

Good luck Biscuits. Be brave!

Thank you so much biscuits and everyone. Admission at 1, have to fast from 11, so about to tuck into last night's leftover chinese before getting DS2 from nursery. Biscuits, hope you have a positive day.

Enjoy the leftover Chinese weebarra. Always tastes a bit better the next day!

It never ceases to amaze me how it's often "life as normal" for women/mums, even around difficult & major life events such as the ones you guys are going through. I know we often have no choice but - to me - it's both a real leveller and a sign of huge personal strength. You are an inspiration.

Warm thoughts heading your way.

Thank you everyone and good luck weebarra!
I'm fasted too as the sedation is slightly risky given the fluid around my heart so they are taking no chances. By tonight weebarra the worst of today will be over and we can both move onto the next challenge! Xx

Good luck biscuits and weebarra - will be thinking about you both.

Thinking of both biscuits & weebarra & wihing you all the best for today.

Thinking of you both biscuits and webarra

Hand holding and gentle cwtches to you both x

Glad I found the new thread - I don't post much but I have been thinking of you. Wishing you lots of strength and serenity to both Biscuits and Weebarra for today's challenges.

Good luck biscuits and webbera!

Slightl stoned biscuit dunked in midazolam but I love my medical team and my nursery and my husband and all my support crew here and in real life and it's over and I've had a shees toastie and I feel like the Kellogg's frostie tiger.......

You did it! Well done!

And you sound great biscuits - glad this bits over for you! x

Heavens I want a sheesh toastie! Glad you are good biscuits. All done for the day .....

Thinking of you weebarra

Sending positive thoughts to you and weebarra today

Glad you got through that! Sheesh toastie would be nice, am v hungry. In my gown, just waiting for consultant now.

Well done on getting through the worst of today, biscuits & weebarra.
Have had you both in my thoughts all day.

Another step along the way; another hurdle behind you. Pat selves on back, rest up & take it easy.

Oh my goodness- what a thread! Delighted all has gone well Biscuits - you are a true star!!! It's over, you're feeling fuzzy and your update certainly captures your elation! Wow!

Weebarra- hats off to you! you are so matter of fact and funny in the face of your predicament that you deserve a sheesh toastie as soon as it is possible. If a speedy recovery depends on attitude, you've certainly got that covered!

Heartwarming to read of the courage of two amazing women- thank you xxx

Biscuits - so glad that you got through it xx

Weebarra - thinking of you xxx

This thread really makes you stop and be grateful for what you've actually got. We never appreciate things until something goes wrong!!

biscuits - glad everything went OK for you. Fingers crossed for weebarra. After you mentioned the sheesh toastie I made cheese (and onion) toasties for DH and me. When your treatment is finished we should have a big toastie party round the country.

Shees toastie sounds good, midaz is brill, hey?
Weebarra, all good with you?

(I am not going to admit it again, but I did google shees toastie, thinking it might be a regionalism for something. Then the midaz penny dropped. Thought you might like that)