Being locked up, and unable to get out and do his work, there is so much that St Paul could have moaned about. But instead, he chooses to rejoice as he writes to his great friends in Philippi. And this is my choice. Today, Tuesday 28th November, is my sixth day in Barts Hospital (6/40), and I have so much to be thankful for:
a room with a view (though I am being moved tonight)
I can go out in the morning and walk round the Hospital quad, getting fresh air and some steps in.
great staff, and very international (someone tell the Government that this is good). You can imagine how I enjoy getting them to talk - some more, some less, sometimes too busy, but not always
time to read and pray. I have a routine, doing some physical exercises and praying 4 times a day.
great treatment, this is what I am here for after all, and I know how privileged I am to be here, in good hands, benefiting from amazing medical advances, and the NHS.
in my sister, Caroline, I have a donor who is the best match possible, which gives me a much better chance of a successful transplant. We were able to spend last Thursday together, as she was in Barts for more blood tests on the day when I was being admitted. That was a sweet time, me and my sister.
the Chemotherapy is working well. I am having Fludarabine intravenously, through the PICC line that just stays in my arm, and is very comfortable. My blood levels are all dropping gradually, as they should.
Mary is staying in a basic but good hostel in Whitechapel, which is dedicated for families of patients, and from there she is visiting every day.
I do not feel alone. I feel very connected to all of you, and to my family across the globe; this is part of what prayer does. Thank you. I know I am in your thoughts, and you are in mine.
So far, so thankful. But, of course, there is another side to it; and if you read St Paul's letter closely, you can see the challenges and troubles that he faced.
So, yesterday, Day 5, was a tough day. For the first time I felt sick. I'd done my morning exercises, and was in the shower, when I suddenly felt overwhelmed by nausea. There is a plastic chair in the shower, so that you can shower when you're too weak to stand. Yesterday I needed it. I sat still for 10 minutes, feeling like death; and then, the moment passed, and I got dressed. But I was fragile and nauseous all day, lying on my bed and eventually vomiting.
In the evening my Nurse gave me an anti-emetic tablet, to control the nausea, and I had the best night's sleep. Today I feel well; but I was a bit gentler with my morning exercises! I am getting weaker as the chemo drops my blood levels, so I need to pace myself, and rest. And in their ward round today, the doctors made it plain that the Chemo was going to get tougher in the days ahead.
At 12 noon I stop for my second prayer time of the day, when I say the Lord's prayer - and think of all of you, as you go about your busy lives - praying that your work would be fruitful and beneficial to many people, and that God will extend the knowledge of his love everywhere, and bring justice and peace on earth.
I am experiencing the grace and peace of God every day. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you too.