There there Jason...That's it then...all done! It's been six months now since I finished my 48wks Hep C treatment. The blood has been taken and will now be looked at under a giant microscope very soon and no doubt tasted by the Royal Frees finest professional virus tasters and then spat out (obviously) into a giant silver metal bucket in the corner of the room upstairs where they do these kinds of tests. I'd Love to see this bucket. I bet they don't even have to empty it as the hospitals moggy probably gobbles up all the blood as it sets into a Lovely bucket shaped black pudding jelly...MMmmmm!!
As you can tell from the title of this post it was on July 4th that I gave my blood to them at the Royal Free Hospital in London. It was a pretty quick visit and I was quite happy to get out and back on the train with my thoughts.
Debra (Haemophilia Clinical Nurse Specialist) took my blood...about seven or eight vials full in total (I asked for the whole works as I'd like to know what my CD4 count is etc...plus I don't want the cat upstairs to go hungry;) I have known Debra since she first started at the Haemophilia Centre as a trainee in 1991. I've been going to the RFH since 1976! I see em come and I see em go...they all know me up there and some have known me since I was a lickle boy of five. As you can imagine...they absolutely adore me up there;)
I had meself a little circular plaster to cover up the hole that the needle made in my vein...not so much to stop the bleeding as more of something to photograph when I got home for this post. I never go for plasters normally as a minute or so with a bit of cotton wool or in my case a square of (fresh) bogroll pressed on will do the trick.
On the train home I fell asleep listening to my ipod and had this very strange dream where this Swan was swimming away from me and all I wanted to do was to put my arms around the beautiful birds feathered body and fly away if & when she took off into the sunset. I must have been so tired to have dreamed that on public transport! As much as I tried I never did catch the swan and will probably never know if I managed to get hold of her. One day mebbe?
Then that night when I got home I went for a paddle up the Thames all on me tod to wake me up a little and even had my own firework display at 10pm...bloody hell was it loud & long! I couldn't actually see it as I was so low down on the water...just the amazing sound. Was it for the Fourth of July?...or were they all for me? I like to think they were put on speshially for me. I've beat this virus...big time...and somebody already knows so;)
Like I said...all done and dusted & out of my hands now...actually it was my left arm;) No more than a fortnight for the result I was promised by Debra. And it will be in a letter that I will get posted through my letter box...can't wait:) I hope it says either 'Yes' it has gone...or 'No' it hasn't. Simple and in Lovely B&W. We'll see...we'll see.
Jason
P.s. I just reached the 2000 mile mark tonight with my overall mileage since Jan 1st this year. Another 1600 by the end of December to go to reach my target and I'll be laughing...or crying from all the pain in my right elbow!!
(C) JPT 2007.........2000 miles.
10 comments:
Whoa Ho Ho!! 6 month test here we go!!! Wow. 6 months already? Crazy. My fingers are nonchalantly crossed. Major positive thoughts heading your way :)
Still dreaming of swans, huh. What is that about?
So you guys celebrate the 4th of July as well? With fireworks too. What do you call the holiday?
Hi Amps:) It is crazy! The last six months have gone by like electricity through a puddle! I wonder what the next six months will be like?...Just the puddle?
Yes I'm still dreaming of swans. My brain can't seem think of anything more serene & beautiful to dream about I suppose.
We don't officially celebrate July 4th here as a national holiday in the UK but I imagine there are a few Americans who live here and that do celebrate it. It isn't even noted as a 'Notable' date on my 'Family Guy' calender! I've decided though...those fireworks were all for me...They know something I don't know;)
Jaex
Yep, no doubt you're right 'bout the fireworks - and soon you, too, will be 'in' on the great news! Keeping everything crossed and sending lots of +++ energy across the pond for ya, Jason.
I just had an oppty to read through your blog tonight after dinner. YOU are SO amazing. I'm going to be stopping by here more often to be inspired! I tagged your blog on mine - hope it's okay! XXX
You are fantastic, Jae.
Hi Jae
I have got everything crossed for you, even my eyes, ;-)
Hugs
Miss Poppy x
Hard to believe it's been 6 months already, I thought you finished in late January? - well, I'm sure those fireworks were for you. I'm holding my breath for you.
(Thanks for answering one of life's burning questions: Do the Brittish even have a 4th of July - yes, it's the day between the 3rd and the 5th of July! I was in Suva, Fiji (a former Brittish colony, which also does not celebrate the holiday) on July 4th 1976, at a party with other Americans and someone fired off a boat flare gun, the best improvised firework they could find. A neighbor called the police and the incident made the local newspaper!)
Thank you everyone for the good wishes on me getting a Lovely big sopping wet SVR;)
Ample/Denise...Me? Fantastic? Amazing? We're all fantastic & amazing here:)
Btw Denise...that's fine...Tag away my dear...Glad you like me blog:)
Miss Poppy...That did make me laugh...but don't cross your eyes for too long or they might stay crossed;)
UC...I did finish in Late Jan but I thought what difference could a few weeks make. And what with the two extra shots that I took...I got this thing well & truly slapped in the chops;) If not...C'est la vie and all that game...I did my very best and there was nothing more I could have done to get rid of these 'Ants at a picnic'.
Actually, can anyone answer this? Is it against the law to leave your American flag out in the rain on July 4th?
Jaex
Wowee - six months just like that! I am willing you the right result Jae. Can you feel the positive vibes??
You do know my dear that if you go around trying to embrace swans you might get sent to the Queen to have your head chopped off?? However, did you know that they're building a Swan Sanctuary at Shepperton? So I'm sure if the urge gets too much you could go and volunteer there ;)
Let us know when you get the results Jae.
Btw I know Debra too - she's lovely!
Over here it's always "against the law" to leave an American flag out in the rain, or touch the ground, or burn it up, or whatever anti-patriotic thing someone may say you are doing (is my sarcasm showing through enough?!) Over the top it is. So were there flags unlawfully getting wet over there? :)
re us flags. Yes, it's an actual law, but I don't know that it's really paid much mind. I'll have to take note if the government bldgs take them down before a rain. These days with all the rain we're having, it could be a full time job for someone :) You do see lots of worn and frayed flags in homeowners yards all the time.
There was just something about them banning U.S. flags that were not made in the U.S. Seems most of 'em are made in China and that's ruffling some feathers. Geez - like we don't have more important things to be outraged about....
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