I woke up absolutely drenched and sweaty again today but after a good nights sleep. I jumped straight through the shower and just as well as Dr Fedorenko came in at 7.35am to set up the machine for a second day of Aphresis. The machine worked a lot better from the start today and it was pumping out the cycles. I did have the same high blood pressure, flushed cheeks and urgency for the loo by the end as yesterday and all went well and it didnt require any meds. I collected 190ml of blood today and was able to get my line out of my neck after a couple of hours. Whilst skyping the kids my collection finished and my little Bianca definitely has an interest in the medical field. She wanted to stay on skype and watch them take the picc line out of my neck!! They were only unhooking it from the antennas then but she wanted see it all happen, Nonna had to look the otherway though.

Joe and I spent the arvo talking with Lucy and David about moscow and the sights as some of the other people who have just finished their testing stage are all passing and are able to continue with the treatment. It is wonderful to have this connection both for myself and Joe.

Two hours later they came to remove the large picc line from my neck. Yay! However, this part was very squimish and weird! I did ask Joe to video it for Bianca however I am glad now that it didn’t work but that also means I got no pictures. I felt a bit ill and pass outie (if you can understand that) as they did this with no numbing or anasthetic, but it was over in a few minutes and I then had to stay flat on my back for 30 minutes. I wad relieved that it was gone, but it means I have to have a new one in tomorrow eek! The wonderful Dr F came into advised that we have enough cells (was pleased about that as my line was now gone) and my total stem cell count is 2.7 million. A perfect number he says! Yay, so this is the end of the easy part though so bring on the next stage of chemo.

Again I am free to have a night out and back at the hotel, so we quickly packed up, got a taxi back for Joe to get changed. In all the rush I forgot my little pink tablet that helps the stomach cope with the steriods and my phone charger so sorry for the delay. At the hotel we asked about going to the ballet and getting tickets there at the last minute and we were advised we couldn’t do it. Then we asked for a taxi and that was going to take 1hr and cost 1200rub! So we decided not to worry but then a quick google showed could catch the metro so we decided to give it a shot. I got to take some pictures of the metro this time. The metro from right at the hotel said it was a 35 min walk when we got off but the theatre was literally right across the street! Glad we did the sight seeing earlier to know what it looked like, massive bonus. We were going to the Bolshoi Ballet!!! We walked over wondering how we could get tickets and sure enough there were scalpers out the front. The tickets seemed dodgy with stuck on bits and we really took our chances but once through the building doors and then security check point inside we were in and all was ok and we had 7 minutes to spare before the show started. The show was Lady of the Camellias, we knew nothing of the storyline until interval when we purchased a program and the seats were not the best but we could see. The actuall ballet was so beautiful and they are very talented dancers however the story line was boring and Joe said he loved seeing men in tights! The theatre was sooooo freaking amazing, huge and beautiful I am so glad I had the opportunity to go and see it. I guess it depends on what is on when you are here and who is performing but I didnt think $70 aud for both tickets was expensive at all.

We were absolutely starving after the ballet and we ended up at Jamies Italian for Dinner. It was in a ‘mall’ and there is no waiting times or pre booking required here. The menu is pretty much exactly the same in moscow as it is in adelaide and so was the set out. We couldn’t believe how many people were out and about at 10.30 at night and that the shops were just closing. I thought that I was starving and that is why my stomach was aching/burning and uncomfortable but after eating I was no better. We got the subway home and lucky for us the hotel was as far as that train went and everyone had to get off lol. I was still clamey and sweaty and starting to not feel so flash so once we were back in the hotel I couldn’t wait to sleep. I am feeling fantastic with everything so far and besides this sweating we are ready for the next stage!

And one last little appetiser for you all! 😙