Thursday 19 April 2012

Day Four..

The Prof called in to see Gail this morning. It was his first visit since she began the treatment. He was genuinely surprised when he noted that she hadn't yet skipped a dose... Six on the bounce. A consultant accompanying the Prof picked up Gail's toothpaste tube that was lying on the top of her personal effects cupboard. She was particularly interested and impressed by Gail's choice because of the natural anti-bacterial properties of the propolis contained in it. This discussion lead onto Gail's favourite subject... She went on to talk about how she's trying to complement her treatment by eating the foods that would be most beneficial to her while she's administered IL-2.

Then, in all seriousness, the Prof suggested that Gail might like to write a guide to help patients through the ordeal of this treatment. Knowing Gail as we all do, we know that she doesn't need a second invitation when it comes to helping others.

Gail's father and brother came to visit today. They were on their way back to Gloucestershire from a working trip in Scotland. And coming to Manchester was only a small detour in their 1,000 mile round trip. It was a welcome visit and one which I think gave them real encouragement on how brilliantly Gail's coping. And this isn't just my observation; another nurse not directly involved with her care had to double-check that Gail was the HDIL-2 patient. She'd seen how well Gail was looking and had begun to wonder if she'd got it wrong. When she checked Gail's Observation Board at the end of her bed, she couldn't believe it.

I might be a bit biased about Gail's amazing ability to deal with this, but now I know that she really is amazing. I sat with her when she had another one of those rigors earlier today. It's tough to watch. Her lips go blue and her fingers are a pale yellow, drained of any colour. She convulses uncontrollably. Until the Pethidine cuts in, she gives way to her body's natural reaction to Interleukin-2 penetrating her core, its receptors programmed to search for its brothers-in-arms, the white blood cells, specifically the T cells, then to instruct this gallant army to differentiate between the good and the evil. With this, now innate, knowledge the T cells give the power to the immune system to seek out and negate the bad guys, while minimising the impact of friendly-fire. Well that's the theory, told in a rather swashbuckling style. I know that the outcome isn't always a perfect ending, but right now I am feeling very optimistic.

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Tonight, I left the hospital comparatively late. The nurses don't seem to mind too much that I'm staying behind well after visiting hours is over. I'd been quietly sat in my armchair right beside my wife, writing the blog. We'd talk about how things were going and I'd listen intently to her account. Although it's always an honest account, it's never a negative one. "I'm here to do a job" she says. And she's going about it in the most professional manner.

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3 comments:

  1. Well done, Gail. It looks like you're doing really well. We had our Women's Day today and we all sent you healing. It felt really powerful. I've also put you on several healing/prayer lists. You can do it!

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  2. Hello Gail,#
    we have been packing up this evening ready for the 'off' tomorrow morning. It has been a really good week and we have spent an hour looking at all the art. Amazing collection !
    I'm impressed to have got a photo from Franco and to read his 'up-beat' report. It all sounds as though you are battling on just as I expected you would. You are more that half way through the first week now and still in pretty good shape considering so you must be hopeful of a good end to the week.
    Good luck tomorrow and all my love, Patricia

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  3. Hi Gail

    Yes, Well done Gail. Your strength is nothing short of ....well I don't really know what to write, or how to describe it, suffice to say, that you are in our thoughts each day. I read the blog each night and find it really comforting to know how things are progressing. Keep up the fight.

    All my love, Emma

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