I've passed 200 days now, which is just over six-and-a-half months. I'm feeling very good at the moment both physically and mentally. My strength has been improving steadily since leaving hospital, and now my endurance is returning as my squash buddies will testify. In fact last week, everyone gave up leaving me no option but to call it a day. The improvement in fitness was borne out in some encouraging haemoglobin results today of nearly 12 [Normal range is 12 - 15]. That's a marked improvement and at last I've had some serious improvements in that area. It's taken half-a-year for my haemoglobin to start producing well. My white cell count is also in the normal region. Basically my bloods look almost normal. The only count that isn't up to full operating strength is the lymphocyte count, but as I mentioned last time that takes up to and over a year to get back to its full strength.

I had my first big engagement on Saturday since leaving hospital, being best man for my friend's wedding. It was the first time I'd been around that many people, but I managed to take things quite easy. Luckily the best man's speech went well, and so did the wedding, no last minute objections to the marriage. I've put some photos in the gallery if you're interested. At the wedding I met the bride's great aunt (her mother's aunt) and learned that she was recently diagnosed with CLL if I'm not mitaken. She wasn't sure which one she had, and was interested knowning that she wouldn't lose any hair through the chemo. She was a very pleasant lady, so if your reading this, hi and good luck.

My interest today at the appointment lay in the PCR (leukaemia) count. It had creeped up to 0.9, and although another reading is required it means that DLI (Donor Lymphocyte Infusions) may be necessary. In three weeks time at the next appointment I'll have a better idea if I'm relapsing or if the count is just fluctuating. A relapse isn't uncommon at this point due to the treatment protocol used for the transplant, and in the vast majority of cases, a DLI top up sorts things out, so there is no need to get to anxious or excited just yet.

I went up to the new Dacie ward to see what it looked like and to say hi to the nurses. Two of my favourite nurses; Denise and Ulrika, were there and it was great to see them. I think as a patient you build a bond with those people who help in your the treatment, but they were also great people to know too. Denise introduced me to a couple of BMT patients, one at day +1 and the other at day +20. I really enjoy talking to others in the same boat and I suppose it can also give some encouragement to those in hospital to chat to someone who has recently been through the same. I also saw Richard, who had a related BMT transplant at the same time as me back in February. He was back on ward due to some annoying GVHD with his stomach, which meant that he has lost even more weight. It was great to chat, and I'm thinking of you Richard and hope that you get this GVHD under control.

Of slight disappointment was the fact I shouldn't really go back in the sea until around Christmas time. For those you don't understand why I'm disappointed, it's because I'm a kitesurfing freak and this is my main addiction. It gives such a rush, but there's a higher risk of infection from the sea so it's just sensible to leave it for a few more months. There's little point in jeopardising a good recovery with a silly whim. I've now got to start preparing mentally for going back to work. It looks like if things are still the same after the next appointment then I'll be off to work again. Having spent so much time off, you get used to the freedom and time available to you, but I've got to get back to the real world. It'll be great to get back to normality and start the rest of my life.