Maybe or maybe not...Yes! EP0057-201 Phase 2A Trial - Cycle 5, Day 1, ninth infusion day - 17 February 2022

 This is setting out to be one of those uncertain weeks, although to state a truism, it gets increasingly certain as more of it churns behind in my wake, than lies ahead.

Bag of blood yesterday but sample taken immediately afterwards has come back lacking - Hb 85 when trial protocol demands 90 to have treatment today. This was phoned through to me this morning with a request to come in anyway - for a rapid full blood count just in case the Hb has notched up another 5 points and also for repeat cross matching as they've booked me a second bag of blood for tomorrow. This begs a question - I had cross matching done on Tuesday for a Wednesday transfusion - why isn't that good enough for a Friday transfusion? Hospital policy apparently - there has to be a clear 72 hours between cross matching and procedure.

Had been starting to think tentatively about going to Devon next week - mistake! If the treatment does go ahead today, it might still be possible, and then I'll have a second bag's worth of somebody else's red blood cells to boost me up a hill or two if I can get out of the house.  If it doesn't go ahead, I hope I'll get the treatment on Thursday next week, which will mean a one-week gap, rather than a two-week gap.

Well well well - I gave my blood samples and went off to the Living Room for hot choc and banana like the creature of habit that I am. I had missed two calls on the way in from the Enhanced Supportive Care Nurse calling back after our first conversation a fortnight or so ago. Now she called and we were able to meet in person which was nice, even though she's temporary and we probably won't cross paths again. No new insights but she promised to cross her fingers for my blood count and ting! and hey presto! Hb came back at 92 - good to go. It's going to be a long day as the EP0057 will have to be authorised and then it will take time to make etc. Tomorrow's transfusion will also go ahead, so if my guts can just submit to a semblence of discipline, there's a glimmer of hope that we can make it to Devon next week. There's apple trees to prune in the community orchard...



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