Author: Phillip Branch

It would appear my blood levels are increasing so I may be out soon, maybe in 6 days time.

It also appears my PICC line was the source of the infection.  I still have a slightly elevated temperature but I am afebrile.

My temperature spiked as expected it would do at some point.  This was on sunday evening.  I was put onto IV antibiotics  of various forms and some blood taken from my PICC line and straight from a vein.  The sample from the vein is used to determine if the PICC line is the source of the infection.

The next day I was shagged and slept for a fair bit of it.

On tuesday I had to make sure I kept taking panadol every four hours otherwise I would get the rigors.  Brought back memories of the leg infection.

Then on wednesday I get a stinking headache which would not go away.  No idea what caused it but it was not much fun.

I stopped taking the antifungal medication a couple of days ago and my liver returned to normal very quickly.  They have now put me on a different antifungal medication.  It is an interesting effect – a chance of hallucinations.  I haven’t had any yet although I did turn the lights off last night and it was as though someone had turned a strobe light on somewhere, the whole room was flashing at a rapid rate between light and dark.  Even more fun with my eyes shut.

BTW: The antifungal medication is to prevent fibrosis of the lungs.   Nasty.

I have also moved rooms due to renovations and the ‘superbug’.  I picked up the superbug during one of my previous visits.

I will post a photo later of my new room.

Hi, this is Clare blogging for Phil. He is not feeling the best at the moment as he is running a temperature. He is on antibiotics and panadeine to keep it under control, hopefully should come down in a couple of days. Unfortunately his liver isn’t coping too well with the Anti Fungal medication so he has to come off this for probably a couple of days. Other than that he is coping very well. Keep sending emails and comments, he appreciates all your thoughts. Thanks

Not much to say really as everything is moving along normally.

I finished the chemo drugs a few days ago.  The last few days have been a bit more comfortable as a result.  I was feeling a little bit sick from the chemo drugs so it is a good thing they are finished.  There is nothing worse than feeling sick, think of seasickness.

My blood levels are dropping as expected.  Platelets are below 20 so I will be getting a transfusion of platelets tomorrow.

The white cell counts are also getting low.  It is only a matter of time before I get a temperature and require IV antibiotics.  Nothing unusual.

Now to play a few games and listen to some music on my IPod touch before bed.

Almost finished the chemo drugs.  Last day tomorrow.  Have felt OK so far.

Here is a photo of my PICC line, a bit blurry but it is hard to take a photo ones own arm in this position.