It’s been a crazy few weeks and honestly my head and heart have been all over the place. I’m currently in a car en-route to UCLH where I will be checking in for 6 nights and I know they don’t have a mini bar! It will be the first of 2 treatment sessions over the next few months. All I could think about yesterday was that it was last day of normal life for some time. My emotions were all over the place. The more time you have to think about things the worse it gets. Wish me luck!

For this type of treatment (ESHAP) I need to have a PICC line inserted. I don’t know why, but this was the one the worried me most and I was dreading it. The procedure consists of threading a catheter tube into a vein in your arm which gets as close as possible to the heart. Delightful ! It consists of 3 tubes of different lengths so they can administer 3 drugs simultaneously without any issues etc. They can also use it to take blood samples and for hydration. Now if they could only figure out how to get vodka in that drip! On the positive side you don’t need to have to be pricked every time they need to take blood or administer treatment. I have decided to call it my USB and it will be with me for the next few months. To be honest it was almost a painless procedure. I had the A team on the case. Once they have read you all the risks you just need to sign your consent and pray it all goes to plan!

Everything treatment was delayed since the 10th of January due to my run in with Covid! Not sure if you realise that Covid can stick around for some time and get picked up on PCR tests for months sometimes. Last week after getting a negative result I had my USB inserted and then straight to hospital. I was as ready as can be. Blood tests, meet the nurses and doctor. Everyone amazing as always. I also realised I had never had to stay in hospital overnight in my life so this was definitely going to be a new experience! Apart from the crap internet and mediocre food everything was on track…. Until the result of my on the day PCR test came back in early evening. I was still testing positive! FFS! Being a Covid guru myself I ask what the viral load is and the answer is we don’t get this type of information! Really!?

So the nurse opens the door to announce this and says he has to go and change his mask now. Just say someone has Covid and see the change in behaviour lol. He then tells me they are waiting to see if I need to be transferred to the infectious ward or be discharged. No thanks honey I won’t be going to the infectious ward to get a new dose of Covid! I text my Dr to see if we can talk about this. Dr Kyriakou is awesome and called me straight away. I was certainly not infectious at this stage but no one had access to the viral load! So it was decided that I should go home and we try again the following week once I have a few more negative PCR results.

I just wanted to thank all of you for the lovely comments and messages. I had forgotten how many people were following my posts and apologies for the bluntness at times! For me it’s all about getting it out of my head and on here. It’s my own therapy. You are welcome to join me on the journey and I won’t be offended if you don’t either. We all have our own battles in life.

To my hubby Nathan I would not be able to do this without your love and support. To my boss and friend Kirsty this would not be possible without you. To my work family you all rock! Sorry you will be living this with me on TEAMS 😂

Much love ❤️ Mark xx