Torch's Counselling Thread (12 Viewers)

[Sky Blue Harry H]

Yay Torchy. Really good news. Hope things are progressing in the right direction and that you're immune system is coping ok. Hope you can get back up the City asap and back to work (expect you are going stir crazy). Good luck with it all mate.

 

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[torchomatic]

OK, a quick update.

It's been 12 weeks since the bone marrow transplant and I am finally starting to feel OK. For the first ten weeks or so I felt really nauseous most days and God it gets me down feeling sick all the time. There was a good amount of puking too, which is a bind. That seems to have improved now, so things are much better. Main issue at the moment is being tired and I mean like I've run a marathon the day before kind of tired. Apparently fatigue after a transplant is normal, it will either improve or it won't. Hopefully, it will.

Have to take 15 tablets every morning including anti-fungal, anti-biotics, anti-rejection drugs, etc. and a further 10 in the evening. Having B12 injections at my GP three times a week too as I have a vitamin B deficiency at the moment.

Had my hickman line removed the week before last and another bone marrow biopsy last week. First results of that were clear but will have to wait for a further three weeks for the genetic results. This is the biggie as it will indicate whether the leukaemia has finally been eradicated from my system and the donor bone marrow cells are working with my body.

I do have Graft Versus Host Disease too which has come on in the last few weeks, basically a rash over my stomach and legs, though it isn't too severe. Some people get it really badly and it can even be fatal. My consultant said it is good to have a bit of GvsHD as it shows that the donor cells are attacking my own cells and effectively taking over.

My blood counts are holding up nicely as are my neutraphils which fight and prevent infections though they fluctuate quite a bit. My spleen is also unusually large - caused by the disease - and they are keeping an eye on that and have regular scans to detect the size.

Have to go to Heartlands once a week on a Friday which is a pain as it is an all day thing. Usually leave at ten and don't get back until three. However, as my particular strain of leukaemia is "high risk" I still have to go once a week.

That's about it really. Things seem OK and it is nice to be at home all the time after spending four months of this year in hospital.

Anyway, roll on 5th August.

 

[Covstu]

good to hear you are battling on fella, chin up.

 

[clint van damme]

Fingers crossed for your next set of results Torch.

 

[Great_Expectations]

Sounds positive - I hope it continues!

 

[Mary_Mungo_Midge]

Totally missed this thread, dear chap. Anything that sees fit to be said has already been so. Words seem so worthless against a backdrop like this.

For about five years, I've disagreed with just about everything you've ever said; and I know you reciprocate that stance! However, it all goes out of the window in times such as this. At least I catch-up on this thread at a time your prognosis looks so very encouraging. For you and your family; you're in my thoughts and prayers. I wish you every health and happiness imaginable at times like this; and only hope last week's courtroom bitch-slapping for Team Joy won't dent your optimism too much! Much love, MMM

 

[chiefdave]

Sounds like its going s well as it can. Fingers crossed for the next test.

 

[skyblueinBaku]

Glad that everything seems good so far, Torch. Keep on rocking!

 

[vow]

All sounds v promising, Torch.
Will you be ok to get to City's first game?

 

[torchomatic]

Totally missed this thread, dear chap. Anything that sees fit to be said has already been so. Words seem so worthless against a backdrop like this.

For about five years, I've disagreed with just about everything you've ever said; and I know you reciprocate that stance! However, it all goes out of the window in times such as this. At least I catch-up on this thread at a time your prognosis looks so very encouraging. For you and your family; you're in my thoughts and prayers. I wish you every health and happiness imaginable at times like this; and only hope last week's courtroom bitch-slapping for Team Joy won't dent your optimism too much! Much love, MMM

Thanks MMM, appreciate that.

 

[wingy]

Soldier!
Best wishes Torch.

 

[torchomatic]

All sounds v promising, Torch.
Will you be ok to get to City's first game?

Yes, I'll be there. As long as my neutraphils are above 1.0 I should be OK. They are 2.5 now but have been as high as 7.5 but as I said they fluctuate. There is all this stuff in our bodies which we don't know about (or care about) until something like this happens. I'm a bit of an expert now on my blood counts, platelets, red cells, hemoglobin levels.

Also, it is an idea time for recovery at the moment for me as the weather is warm and there aren't a lot of coughs and colds around.

 

[torchomatic]

Oh, consultant has signed my off until 1st March 2018 too, which isn't any good for me unless I want us to start living on a bench in Jephson Gardens. I've been off since October as it is. Consultant says that people are usually off 9-12 months after a transplant, but he said as long as I looked after myself, was well, then we could "negotiate". My goal is to goal back at the beginning of November really as that is when my salary from work runs out. I had six months full pay now I'm on half pay until mid October. Anyway, I'm a bit fed up spending every day at home now.

 

[vow]

Yes, I'll be there. As long as my neutraphils are above 1.0 I should be OK. They are 2.5 now but have been as high as 7.5 but as I said they fluctuate. There is all this stuff in our bodies which we don't know about (or care about) until something like this happens. I'm a bit of an expert now on my blood counts, platelets, red cells, hemoglobin levels.

Also, it is an idea time for recovery at the moment for me as the weather is warm and there aren't a lot of coughs and colds around.

That's pretty damn awesome. I'm assuming it'll be the first game since your illness started?

 

[Liquid Gold]

Sounds optimistic. Hope it all fucks off in time for the season and you're well enough to do the shit rain 0-0 in the middle of winter that the rest of us have to endure.

 

[torchomatic]

That's pretty damn awesome. I'm assuming it'll be the first game since your illness started?

I went to the first game in January and then I slyly went to the last game of the season, but yeah only two this year so I'm having serious withdrawal symptoms, which is why I really can't wait until August 5th. It'll be nice to go to games again. Regardless of how shit the season was I really missed going and was gutted to miss out on Wembley too, of course.

 

[vow]

I went to the first game in January and then I slyly went to the last game of the season, but yeah only two this year so I'm having serious withdrawal symptoms, which is why I really can't wait until August 5th. It'll be nice to go to games again. Regardless of how shit the season was I really missed going and was gutted to miss out on Wembley too, of course.

Sly ol' fox you.
You'll be there to see Doyler's 20 yard winner.

 

[Sick Boy]

So glad to hear that everything is going so well and hope it continues!!

 

[vow]

Sly ol' fox you.
You'll be there to see Doyler's 20 yard winner.

Ha, Perhaps "Fox" is a bit strong!

 

[Brylowes]

I only discovered "off topic chat" a few weeks ago, and this particular thread just now, So pleased
things seem to be moving in the right direction for you and your family.
Keep fighting the good fight mate and hopefully the worst is behind you, I have everything crossed
for you.
Should I ever be faced with such a situation myself, I can only hope I would be man enough to face
It in the same positive, dignified manner as yourself

 

[Otis]

Bloody hell, Torch, all those tablets? Do you rattle when you walk?

Keep on fighting and keep on getting healthier. You will be fully fighting fit then to run alongside the open top bus down the hight street in May to celebrate our promotion and league title.

 

[covcity4life]

Oh, consultant has signed my off until 1st March 2018 too, which isn't any good for me unless I want us to start living on a bench in Jephson Gardens. I've been off since October as it is. Consultant says that people are usually off 9-12 months after a transplant, but he said as long as I looked after myself, was well, then we could "negotiate". My goal is to goal back at the beginning of November really as that is when my salary from work runs out. I had six months full pay now I'm on half pay until mid October. Anyway, I'm a bit fed up spending every day at home now.

for some reason i always felt like cancer patients didnt have to worry about money whilst being treated.

how naive

hope improvement continues btw

 

[torchomatic]

for some reason i always felt like cancer patients didnt have to worry about money whilst being treated.

how naive

hope improvement continues btw

Yeah know what you mean. I guess if I was retired or didn't have a mortgage then it wouldn't be too bad but I'm not lucky enough to be in that position.

 

[covcity4life]

Yeah know what you mean. I guess if I was retired or didn't have a mortgage then it wouldn't be too bad but I'm not lucky enough to be in that position.

government should pay

they pay for lazy people who choose not to work after all

 

[chiefdave]

government should pay

they pay for lazy people who choose not to work after all

The way things are these days torch would probably be assessed fit to work as soon as he was out of hospital.

 

[Brylowes]

government should pay

they pay for lazy people who choose not to work after all

The way things are these days torch would probably be assessed fit to work as soon as he was out of hospital.

Yep, and probably judged as lazy for not doing so, by some idiots.

 

[Mcbean]

keep at it Torchy - your music collection has a long way to play - see Music thread for todays suggestion

 

[RegTheDonk]

Oh, consultant has signed my off until 1st March 2018 too, which isn't any good for me unless I want us to start living on a bench in Jephson Gardens. I've been off since October as it is. Consultant says that people are usually off 9-12 months after a transplant, but he said as long as I looked after myself, was well, then we could "negotiate". My goal is to goal back at the beginning of November really as that is when my salary from work runs out. I had six months full pay now I'm on half pay until mid October. Anyway, I'm a bit fed up spending every day at home now.

I suppose the good news there mate is he thinks you'll be OK until next March, so there's no major fear now over your health? You're probably champing at the bit to get back into work, but you have to make sure its not detremental to your well being. Appreciate you have bills to pay, I struggle and I'm full time ffs, but can't your employers keep you on half pay after October, worse case scenario? Money asside, really pleased to hear things are OK at the moment

 

[oakey]

You are enduring this boring bastard of all illnesses with such tenacity. We all salute you sir.
Keep kicking it in the nuts ,Torch.

 

[phildownunder]

To my shame, haven`t been keeping up with this thread on developments and the success so far of treatment. This doesn`t mean I haven`t frequently thought about you. Like everyone else, I`m delighted that things are going so well.
Don`t know if I mentioned this before, but my brother in law "beat" Leukaemia 13 years ago with no remission since, and although I can`t recall the particular type, it was said to be the most aggressive variety and one which often affects children. I wonder if this is the same or a similar strain. If it is, this points to a very real possibility of you making a complete recovery. I know all of us on here are very much hoping that you do.
Good to learn btw that you will be at the Ricoh to cheer on your "hero" M. Doyle. :happy:

 

[bawtryneal]

Glad to here everything sounds positive.
Like several others have posted I often think about your situation and really admire your positivity and attitude to this terrible illness. Sounds like you may have won the battle.
PUSB and will soon be 1st game of the season. Let's hope we are all celeberating come May and another Wembley trip as well.

 

[torchomatic]

Glad to here everything sounds positive.
Like several others have posted I often think about your situation and really admire your positivity and attitude to this terrible illness. Sounds like you may have won the battle.
PUSB and will soon be 1st game of the season. Let's hope we are all celeberating come May and another Wembley trip as well.

Hope so. Just one important genetic result to come which will tell me if I've definitely beaten it.

Feel pretty good at the moment. Just have an issue with the steroids I'm on making me look like a spotty chipmunk. Looking forward to stopping those.

 

[Nick]

Ask them for some steroids to get the muscles growing instead

Are you going to be ok for the Notts County game next week?

 

[olderskyblue]

Hope so. Just one important genetic result to come which will tell me if I've definitely beaten it.

Feel pretty good at the moment. Just have an issue with the steroids I'm on making me look like a spotty chipmunk. Looking forward to stopping those.

Don't know what dose you're on Torch, but take it easy coming off them. ease off them slowly.

 

[torchomatic]

Ask them for some steroids to get the muscles growing instead

Are you going to be ok for the Notts County game next week?

Oh yeah. Fine for the footy. Will have to seek advice when it starts getting cold but fine for the first few months.

I've been on steroids for a couple of months but in the last week or so my face has expanded and got a bit spotty! I'm not happy so when I see the consultant tomorrow I will ask him if I can cut down the dose to see if that makes any difference.