27th>29th August

^{Saturday 27th}

I spend several hours searching Google for good information on Stem Cell Count numbers, essential for an efficient and effective transplant …

And find that the US Virginia Cancer Institute’s website indicates that: _{^{“An optimal number of stem cells to support rapid bone marrow recovery and blood cell production after treatment with high-dose chemotherapy is approximately}} 5 _{^{million cells/kg patient weight”}}

That’s the sort of information I’ve been looking for, and it seems to be as rare as Fish Fur.

I also find a scientific paper:

^{_{Jillella AP, Ustun C. What is the optimum number of blood stem cells for an autologous transplant? Stem Cells Dev. 2004 Dec;13(6):598-606. doi: 10.1089/scd.2004.13.598. PMID: 15684827. …}}

which includes the statement:

^{_{“It is generally agreed that a minimum dose of}} 2.5 ^{_{million cells is necessary for success”}}

So 2.5 is the minimum for success, and I have 2.8 !!!

For now, I’ll settle for these numbers.

^{Sunday 28th}

Still a bit achy, slow and sleepy after the slight battering of Apheresis.

But, light has dawned. Could my sleepiness be partly due to the Co-Codamol pain-killer tablets that I’ve been taking?

They each contain 30mg of codeine, which becomes morphine, inside our bodies.

A (not very) cunning plan emerges …

I’ll take no more Co-Codamol unless my pain is at level 5 on the “Richter” scale. 

My positivity increases … and on we positively go!

I think I’ll have this as my flag 🧐😂

Later, in the afternoon, I see a neighbour Gavvin outside and open a window to say hello.

I recently sent him a link to the Hubble Bubble blog website.

We start talking, and Gavv says “Sam, I feel as if I know you much better” (because of Hubble Bubble)

I vaguely wonder if I’m giving away too much here. But feel that some of this may help others. That’s what I’m hoping.

^{Monday 29th}

A Bank Holiday here, in England.  So really lovely to have a day off 🤣