Good news...I had a really interesting day, today.
Bad news...I had to say adieu to a good friend who I will miss (but I hope she will return in 6 months)...
Good news...I went to a very interesting talk at King's given by pharmacy.
Bad news...I've been told I can't run the London Marathon (but I was starting to come to the same decision myself, but it was taken off of me).
Good news...Saw lots of people that I haven't seen for an age..
Sad news...A good friend had a very sad day today. My thoughts are with her and her family xx
Happy news...I am aiming for the London Marathon 2012, with the main goal in the meantime, to stay out of hospital this year and have lots of happy blood...
Bad news...not for me, but two poor consultants at King's who had to listen to me having a bit of a rant about the ongoing discussions regarding national v local transplant list...
Good news...I think I was preaching to the converted..if you get my drift!
On the last Thursday of every month, LISTEN runs a Group Support Meeting for pre and post liver transplant patients at King's. Every second month a hospital professional comes to the meeting to talk, and today was pharmacy. We usually have 3-5 mentors attending (me included) but today we were to say goodbye to Jacomi, the Liver Unit Social Worker, so we were joined by many more - a brillant turn out. Jacomi has been a fantastic support to LISTEN for many years and has become a very cherished friend.
The talk by Pharmacy, bascially (for the interest of any Liver Transplant Patients reading this blog), was to advise us that a number of generic drugs have been introduced recently. There are now generic Tacrolimus and generic Microphenolate. As you would expect, King's are asking that we stick to the drug brands that we are currently on and NOT change to a generic brands. So keep to Tacrolimus Prograf (or Advograf) and Mycophenolate CellCept unless King's advises otherwise. There is a chance that some GPs may prescribe the generic brands as they are cheaper, but the variable between the known brands and the generic brands is too wide to guarantee the generic brands effectiveness. So for now, avoid. The Tacrolimus is a particular concern; the Mycophenolate, I was told by one of the consultants after the talk, we will almost certainly be told we can accept the generic brand..but not yet.
After "Group" was the official opening of the Todd Ward Relatives Room for which LISTEN donated half the funds. Todd is the main liver unit ward at King's and this family room was a dull, dark uninteresting box; now it is in the process of becoming a lovely butterfly. The nurses made lots of fantastic dishes, and I'd have to say there was around 60+ people coming and going to have a look.
From Todd I went to Liver Outpatients and it was lovely. Yes, being in OP was lovely!! lol.. It felt like we were continuing the party as so many patients and mentors had blood tests too.
Met and spent time with others not mentioned. So for me, a very sociable and happy and sad day. But a good day. Always a good day xx
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