Today is the first day of four, where I’ll be infused with steroids and given drugs to stimulate production of stem cells. The steroids are to manage the effects of the stimulation drugs, but it’ll be interesting to see the effect they’ll have on my walking. And water retention, it is highly likely I’ll blow up like a balloon.
I am sitting here, on my rather comfortable hospital bed, with crochet and Vivaldi’s Four Seasons playing and weak autumn sunshine coming in, so it’s not a bad way to spend a few hours. I asked how long the infusion will take, but we hit a Russian/English barrier. As long as it takes, I guess.
For the stimulation, the injection is done at 11pm and 3am for the next four days ! With the steroids my sleeping will be badly impacted so I think it’s just a case of go with the flow and sleep when possible. The afternoons are free so I’ll make sure I get out of the hospital, even if only to the gardens and hospital church. The yellow flowers I used as yesterday’s header image are beside the church.
Talking to a couple of people today, patients at different stages of the process, we’ve likened this process to climbing a mountain. Everyone’s path is different, everyone struggles at different places, but it’s a journey to the summit.
My Longest Journey 
Hi Jen, wonderful photos and reflections that help us to be there with you on this journey. I have just been re-reading ” the Right Mountain” by Jim Hayhurst.
He is writing about the lessons learnt while climbing Mt Everest. It is inspiring and thought provoking, and that is how I feel as a privileged observer of this journey you are on climbing your mountain. I am in awe at your ability to see the beauty around you, while at the same time tackling this huge challenge. There are so many inspiring quotes in the book but this one seems to call to me today when thinking of you. ” Body and Mind. You need then both. Mountain climbing, like most things in life, is 80% mental and 20% physical. Your attitude is the real determinant of your ability to achieve your goals.
Take care my friend.
Cheers, Heather
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Heather, interesting as a post about the journey being akin to climbing a mountain was beginning to shape up in my mind. The quote you sent is perfect, and may appear somewhere ! I am glad the blog is good to read, it’s very valuaufor me, writing it.
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