With just 5 and a half weeks until my trip to Russia, my travel plans are coming along nicely. My flights are booked and all necessary paperwork has been sent to the hospital ahead of my treatment. My transfers between the airport and hospital are booked and family are ready to transport me both ways at this end. The hospital is processing my visa invitation and I am hoping to receive this very soon.
I have started buying bits and pieces I will need whilst in hospital and when I get home and it really feels as if things are coming together at last. When we get a bit nearer to my departure, I will post my packing list, in case it’s of use to any fellow MS Warriors in the future.
When I get home after my treatment, my immune system will still be very low and it will be necessary for me to take precautions to avoid infection. I will be asking friends and family to stay away if they are unwell and will be avoiding certain foods such as soft boiled eggs, blue cheese and sushi. I will also be keeping the house scrupulously clean. Niamh and Sophie have volunteered to do a “deep clean” shortly before I come home and we will need to be obsessive about wiping surfaces, light switches, handrails etc to lower the infection risk. We will use anti bacterial hand gel regularly throughout the day and most importantly of all, I’m going to try really hard to keep my hands away from my face (the number one way in which we catch infections).
Arrangements are in hand for my blood levels to be monitored by my GP on my return (with support from Haematology if needed). My GP will also be providing “fit notes”, which Niamh will collect and pass on to my employer while I’m away.
Something I Have had to give a lot of thought to, is how to avoid any risks from my two cats, Ziggy and Luna.
Thankfully neither of them are biters/scratchers and it’s fine for me to touch and interact with them, provided I wash my hands afterwards. We have already ensured that their immunisations are up to date and I will make sure to avoid cat litter duties for the first few weeks. The biggest cat problem I envisage is keeping them off my bed and out of my bedroom 😼
I love having plants and flowers in the house but both soil and flower water are potential sources of bacteria and fungal spores. I am going to send all my houseplants to Connor and Sophie’s house for a while and will be politely requesting visitors don’t bring flowers.
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As you are aware, we have been fundraising to pay for my treatment for some time now. The cost of treatment is 45,000 Euros and with the value of the pound so unsteady at the moment, I find myself anxiously watching the financial markets to see where it is up to. There was a big dip earlier this week, which sent me into a bit of a panic! I’ll be so glad when I’ve made the payment and can stop worrying about this so much!
Our GoFundMe appeal has raised £21,181 so far … thank you to each and every one of you. We have a few fundraisers in the pipeline and will continue after my treatment, until borrowed funds are replayed. If anyone has any fundraising ideas or would like to do a sponsored event, please get in touch with one of us.
At this point, any and all donations will be gratefully received via the GoFundMe page linked below.
Thank you for all your amazing support over the last 18 months …I can’t believe we’re almost there at last! 😘