Another wake up time of 3am, after the stimulation shot I was awake and couldn’t go back to sleep. I was writing yesterdays blog and was struggling to get the post and then pictures to load and getting very frustrated. I found that soon enough time had passed and I could skype mum, dad and Dominic but had missed Bianca before school. Then finally my post loaded and I actually layed down to close my eyes and of course then I had visitors,  Dr Fedorenko came in to explain that today I was getting my picc line put in and would receive todays steroids through that this afternoon. Then Anastasia comes in to say Hi and check that all is still ok with having my new room mate Lucy J Clarke from Scottland share the room and of course it was.  These are some pics and cards etc I have up in my room to keep me focused and loved.

The morning dragged and I was able to go and say goodbye to Lyn a fellow south aussie who left today as her treatment was finished. Once I had done this all that was left was to sit and wait for this picc line insertion. This was the part I was most anxious about of the whole treatment. Just the thought of the cut and pressure of this long snake being pushed in to your jugular was enough to make me squirm. My time came just before lunch, I was sweating and nervous but the Dr who performed the insertion was lovely and talked me through it with her perfect English. I was sterilised, given a local anesthetic which was probably the worst part along with sticking the tube in and the pressure that went with it. All in all it felt like an eternity but it wasn’t really that bad. It is hard to move my neck and sore to eat and cough etc and I cant stretch my back or crack it but it is an essential part of the treatment and is bareable for the outcome needed.

When I came back to my room it wasn’t long before Lucy arrived. I actually was excited and looking forward to meeting her as we had been in contact through fb as we were preparing for this journey. And what do you know she is lovely and chatting with her has made the afternoon pleasant and her companion David is a port supporter! Great timing for the showdown this weekend, Joe and David have already planned watching it together.

The bone pain hasnt been too bad today except in my jaw but comes on stronger at night, and a pain killer through the line is nicer than the butt jab and will help make sleeping easier with my friend as its surprising how much you use your neck muscles to roll over or sit up etc.

So now I am off to hopefully get a full nights sleep before my big day of stem-cell collection tomorrow at 8am moscow time. I cant believe it is here already! Come on stemmies!!!