This is the end of the first week of treatment for my CLL. The week started off with a quick COVID-19 swab test on the Monday morning. This was not a nice simple exercise like shown on TV. The swab was pushed right to the back of my throat and moved left and right 5 times. If that was not bad enough, it then went straight up my nose and wiggled was around. Anyway, it is better to be safe than for our brave NHS staff to be unprotected.

All was clear and I could attended the Musgrove (Ward 9), where the staff were amazing and very caring.

Day 1 in hospital was me being set-up with a cannula, bloods taken for checking (all six tubes full) and general house keeping. So no major issues. A injection in the stomach and then it was onto a drip all night to ensure I was well hydrated and for ready for treatment.

Day 2 in hospital started early 6.30! What sort of time is that!! So… more checks and balances to make sure I was all OK; a chat to my consultant and when everything was ready I started. Two small tablets, no big deal! I was now being closely monitored and water in and out was being logged :), while also still being on a fluid dip… Interesting. More bloods were taken for checking. All was good. So off to bed.

Day 3 in hospital…

I woke up and looked like I had been in five rounds with Mike Tyson! My eyes where all swollen; especially my left. This was not part of the plan and was not listed has a side-effect of treatment (from memory anyway). However, no one told my face that. A bit of concern for staff trying to work out what it was and if I was OK etc. More bloods taken for checking that treatment was going ok. Doctors checking that my vision was fine and debating if I could go home or not. Anyway, no issues on the treatment side, that was all fine. One final check on eyes and I was given the all clear to go home with a bag full of meds, mainly for my eyes.

Now it is Friday and apart from my eyes being sore, all is well and I am now looking forward to starting the process all over again next week… or maybe not!