Update 27th June

Dear All,

Today has been a fairly routine day with Steven doing more of the same kind of stuff – eating and drinking still featuring heavily as a highlight. His blood sugar is back within normal parameters so this might mean the welcome return of chocolate and cakes, as Steven was very quick to point out.

This was a chemo free day. However, the insulin and blood pressure medication did continue and a new product called cyclosporine was introduced. Cyclosporine is a very strong immunosuppressant drug which Steven will now need to take for the foreseeable future. Naturally, it has its own range of potentially awful side effects, but Steven seems to be tolerating it very well. It will operate to limit any negative response of the immune system towards the new stem cells, which could result in graft rejection.

Feargal arrived last night, as planned. It was great to see him as it seems like ages ago already since we left Brussels. When he arrived at the hospital at midday, I think he was a bit dubious about what Steven's condition might be, especially after he was instructed to don a sterile gown, hat, booties and face mask before he could enter the room. He was quite relieved to see that Steven is very much himself and really looking as healthy as ever. He took the afternoon shift with Steven at the hospital which freed up a few hours for Matthew and me. It was great for Steven to have a young person to keep him company for a change as I think he's beginning to be sick of the constant presence of one or other parent – or worse, both at the same time!

Tomorrow, of course, is 'D Day'. Apparently, the cord bloods are already here in the lab where various procedures need to be done to them before they are transfused. They should be delivered here to Trèfle 3 sometime in the afternoon. There'll be more about that tomorrow night. Until then …….

Evelyn, Matthew, Steven and Feargal