Poll Day...

Did you go to Blockbuster and rent a whole collection of DVDs to escape todays politics - or did you actually go and vote? We did both!

It was my day to go to King's for a consultancy and blood tests, and to see if anything had shown up on last weeks tests.

I don't mind travelling to King's, or being there in fact. It was a little daunting when I first had to start travelling there post transplant 3 years ago - the sights, the smells, the sick people...the heat! When you've not been sick before and have to spend so much time in hospital, you can really feel out of your depth!

Now of course, I just arrive, pootle about, see who I need to see and go home again... I don't wallow in what I could be doing at home or fuss about wasting time - just do what needs doing and move on! I'm sure most people are like that.

I have been really suprised (in a happy way) at people's reaction to this blog. I suppose I set it up to show that a liver transplantee can overcome anything and everything thrown at them, and remain positive and enjoy life. Work - play - etc etc.. Being told my liver disease was back really knocked me for 6 last week, but overnight I had put everything into perspective, had questions answered and was ready to continue as normal. So I was quite flattered to find out that King's wanted to send out a press release about me, and so met up for a brief "interview" shortly before today's appointment in Liver Out Patients Dept (LOPD).

Once on LOPD, I was really pleased to see two of the LISTEN committee whom I hadn't seen for a few weeks, and we discussed two of our current projects - getting more people to come to our LISTEN Mid Summer Ball - Saturday 26th June £60 per ticket (everyone welcome)... and the new brochure about LISTEN (our King's charity supporting pre and post liver transplant patients). Rarely does a day go by when I'm not in contact with one of the LISTEN team, but it is always much nicer to actually "see" people, don't you think?

So, to the results. I am very happy to say that no viruses were picked up from any of my blood tests, the AST (main liver enzyme) started to drop dramatically with the increase to 40mg of steroids (that is good), and the CT scan was also clear showing a little left over from the pancreatitus but nothing that would not clear in a short period. I am to remain on 40mg of steroids for another week (at least) and will be returning to King's again next Thursday for results of todays blood tests (8 test tubes taken in all I think) - and to discuss any changes in my drugs again. I have been told that it is doubtful that I will ever be on 2.5mg of steroids again, but may be in a few years, down to 5mg.

With regards to the hair loss, I need to see my GP to be referred to dermatologist. I know this is something I am fussing about (I'm a girl!!), but you wouldn't notice the difference I'm sure. It isn't falling in chunks, but needs to be tied back or I look like I've been hugging a blonde bear!!