After six days in hospital, it looks like we have a plan! My blood test results are slowly returning to a stable level and with no other immediate challenges, we are starting to look at the longer term management of the ulcerative colitis. There still seems to be some reluctance from all of the doctors I’ve spoken with to make an open call for one path over another (medical therapy vs. surgery to remove my large bowel), but their preferences are not well hidden.
I wasn’t imagining it!
Well, I guess it wasn’t the biggest surprise. After requesting more blood tests to make sure nothing else was causing my worsening symptoms, I’ve been called back into hospital. It turned out that my red and white blood cell counts had dropped to their lowest recorded levels, and I was going into acute kidney failure.
Biologics – The Super Drug
After what has felt like an endless wait, I’ve started on biologics. If you remember from a few posts ago, biologics are meant to have the best chance at getting me into remission. I’ve had two IV treatments in the past four weeks, and have another treatment in a fortnight. After my fourth dose, my specialist team will reassess me to see whether there have been any clinical signs of improvement.
DonateLife Service Of Remembrance 2018
This past Sunday was Brisbane’s Annual Service of Remembrance, held by DonateLife Australia. These events are an opportunity for transplant recipients to show their respect and gratitude for donors and their families, who’ve ultimately saved our lives. It was a moving service, with donor families and transplant recipients telling their stories of survival and resilience in the face of truly tragic circumstances. Some of these people have gone through unimaginable pain and suffering, and still manage to give so much positivity back to the world. It’s honestly incredible.
Priorities
Looking after yourself can be difficult when you have conflicting priorities. I am usually someone who enjoys my independence, and with it the freedom to make the choices that create my future. Sometimes however, making the right choices at the right times when there are certain influences outside of your control can be harder than you might expect.