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My battle dealing with 'Severe Aplastic Anaemia'.
Written by Robin Wallace. ( Last updated 1st May 2020 )
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Introduction
In this introduction I would like to mention why I have written and published this webpage. When I was first diagnosed with 'AA' ( Aplastic Anaemia ) I did an Internet search in the hope to find out more about this rare and serious medical condition. I did come across lots of medical sites etc but no real people that I could chat with in forum form or even email.
If you have come across this page and have just been diagnosed, and sufferer like myself or had a successful recovery with 'AA' please read my story. If you want get in touch please email at my mail address at the bottom of this page. I will do my best in helping to answer any of your questions. I have no medical knowledge so I can't answer those sorts of questions. I will also bring to your attention this is a factual story and what happened to me so please remember that your body is different to mine and reacts in different ways to treatments and medication.
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I would like to give a special thanks to the following people
The doctors and nurses at The Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, Ward 207. Dr P. Johnston and Liz Smith of the Hematology Department of the Western General Hospital ( Edinburgh ). The staff nurses and their colleagues of Ward 8 'Unit', and the staff nurses and their colleagues too of Ward 1. A very special thanks to my wife Irene who was a real star to get me through all this along with my close family, friends and all the people who wrote to me and sent get well cards.
My sincere thanks goes to the 'Scottish Blood Transfusion Service' and along with possibly the dozens of people who donated blood and platelets. These donors whom I have never met nor likely to meet I thank personally as if it was not for the 33 units of blood and 65 pools of platelets I would not be here writing this story today.
Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Robin Wallace and live in Edinburgh, Scotland UK. Now 62 ( 48 when first diagnosed ) married to Irene and we have no children. I left school at 16 and after a 4 year apprenticeship I qualified as a motor vehicle engineer. Having worked for a local garage then our family business in the motor trade I branched out and started my own company 'Robin Wallace Garage Services' April 1996.
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Health wise I guess was fairly fit. I enjoyed walking, swimming and most outdoor activities.
In the mid 80's I was very much involved in motor sport competing at many local circuits in Scotland.
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In my younger years, yes I did smoke cigarettes more of an excepted social thing then. Sometimes not even smoking a packet of 20 during a week. I had my last cigarette July 1991. Like most people I did drink alcohol but always tried to keep with in the recommended unit value. Again more a social drinker 'few pints with the boys'. At weekends I always would have a few glasses of red wine with our evening meal. Very occasionally I would have a sprint, Gin and Tonic but that was really it.
Work conditions over the years were enclosed garages and there was exposure to most air born garage chemicals and vehicle exhaust fumes, petrol and diesel. During most of the 1990's and early 2000 I worked for various car clubs 'noise testing' competition cars. This work involves the use of a noise meter 0.5 of a metre from the exhaust outlet of the vehicle. Ear protection was always worn when doing these tests however no face protection. Often these vehicles use non pump fuels and additives which contain Benzene. High levels of benzene can be a possible cause of 'AA'.
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The story I am writing is how I coped and still dealing with Aplastic Anemia. For those of you who are about to read my story all events are as they happened and told as best as I can remember. However again I will say that everyone's body is different and responds differently to treatments and other medical procedures etc.
Dealing with 'Severe Aplastic Anaemia'
Was the weekend 18/19th March 2006 that I was aware of smallish blood blisters appearing inside my mouth and tongue. They were not sore in anyway but were bursting and bleeding inside my mouth. On the Monday morning the blisters were still there and somewhat worse so I made an appointment to see my Doctor. Overall health wise I felt great and I had a days work to get through, so it was a real pain having to see the doctor. Well having seen the doctor and having a blood test I had no idea what was about to change my life.
It was about 2.30pm when I got the call back from the doctor telling me the test results. All I was told that I was seriously ill as my blood counts were dangerously low and with a platelet count of 4. That did not really mean much to me but I gathered it was not good. I was told to get myself to hospital, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary ( ERI ) within the hour as a bed was waiting for me. Well I was shocked as I felt fine. I called my wife at work and she came home straight away then she drove me to the ERI. After the usual paperwork etc. was dealt with I was shown to a waiting room. I was asked wait for my bed which was ready and waiting for me !!!! Well after about an hour or so I was shown to my bed and the staff nurse said the doctor would be along soon. Again after about an hour or so wait the doctor saw me and gave me a check over etc.
After examination and more blood tests I was told that I most likely had ITP ( Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura ). It was over the next few days I was put on a large doses of steroids. A couple of days passed and there was no real change in the platelet level. However I was now aware that I was starting to bruise very easily and had signs of bleeding from my back passage after bowel movements. Was the same day that I had my first ever nose bleed since I was a child. I have to admit it was one of the most frightening experiences I have ever had as it would not stop bleeding. I think it was after about 4 or 5 hours I was given a pool of platelets and the nose bleed stopped within about 30 minutes or so. It was a this stage I was aware within myself that I was unwell. It was decided by the doctors that I was given treatment 'Immunoglobulin'. This treatment was administered by a intravenous drip and from memory took a few days. Once again the days went by and there was no improvement in the platelet count and also other blood test result counts were starting to get low as well. It was decided then by the doctors that a bone marrow ( see note below ) test should be carried out.
Testing of the bone marrow itself is not done at the ERI but at the Western General Hospital ( WGH ) again in Edinburgh and can take anything upto a week to get the results back. It was soon after this towards the end of the month, March that myself and my wife had a meeting with the consultant. It was discussed that the treatment I had been under going had not worked. It was discussed that there was now no possibility that I had ITP and this was when Aplastic Anaemia was mentioned. Again bone marrow results would confirm this. It was the 30th of March, a Thursday and was my birthday that Saturday April 1st.HAHAHA !!!! and I so wanted out of the ERI and back home again.
Well it was the Saturday morning, my birthday 49 years young !!! that I got two pools of platelets and I was allowed to go home again for that weekend. I was told to be aware and watch out for any bleeding. Checking my temperature 3 or 4 times a day had to be done as if I felt unwell and my temperature went over 38 I had to get myself back to the hospital as there was a high risk of infection. All went well that weekend and was good to be back home again.
I had to go back to the ERI the following Monday for more platelets but I was discharged then as the ERI could do no more for my condition and I was referred to a specialist the WGH.
For that week I had to report to Ward 1 of the WGH for firstly a blood tests and have platelets as required. It was the Friday of that week that I had my first appointment to see Dr Johnston of the Hematology department. On that Friday and after getting back the blood test results that day I had my first ever blood transfusion. From memory I received 3 units and 2 pools of platelets as my levels were very low. It was that afternoon that myself and Irene saw Dr Johnston. It was then discussed there was a very strong possibility that I had 'AA'. The plan Dr Johnston advised was give it about 2 more weeks just to see what my blood levels did before he decided what treatment to administer.
Well it was a long day that Friday, 7th ( the Friday from hell as we called it ) we got back home about 8pm was then I felt a bit unwell and with a temperature a touch over 38 degrees. Well after about an hour of checking on my temperature was now upto 39 degrees and it was straight back to the WGH. Well that night I was admitted with a high temperature and fever like symptoms. Again more blood tests during that night revealed I had caught an infection. Well it was after a weeks course of anti-biotic's I got the all clear to go home the following Saturday, 15th. Having lost a week due to the infection It was back again everyday to ward 1 for blood tests, blood or platelets as required.
It was Tuesday 25th when we saw Dr Johnston again and he had confirmed that after seeing the bone marrow test results that I had contracted AA. Advising to start the treatment sooner rather than later. It was Monday 1st of May and later on in the afternoon that I was admitted to Ward 8 special unit of the WGH. Again more blood tests another chat with Dr Johnston and he told me what was to happen the following day, week and months.
On the Tuesday morning I had to fast as I was having a Hickman Line ( see note below ) fitted in the afternoon. All went well and when back in the room I had a few hours rest. Later on early that night I was giving the first 'test' dose of the ALG Horse Serum treatment. All tested ok and with no side effects or reactions. Was agreed then by the doctors to start the full dose that evening as it takes approximately 10 hours to administer though the Hickman Line. The ALG treatment is done over 5 days if I remember correctly. Over the course of the treatment I suffered no real side effects other than a high temp. and slight shakes at the end of the daily dose.
After the ALG treatment was finished I was put on a course of steroids. Again from memory 5 days I think. Was during this period and was a Sunday afternoon that I suffered the first time from the Serum sickness ( see note below ) that I was told may happen. After the 5 days and still on the steroids it was then I was put on the Cyclosporin. The Cyclosporin doses did vary from the start and were taken twice a day. By now it was about 2 weeks since I had been admitted. Now it was really a waiting game as to how my body was going to respond to the treatment. Everyday there was a blood test and on the results from them I would get 'Blood Products' as required. 'Blood Products' being a unit of blood or a 'pool' of platelets. To be honest I had really lost count with the amount of these products that I had received. Temperature and blood pressure were taken 2 or 3 times a day. Dr Johnston or one of his colleagues would see me every morning on the doctors rounds. I was always pleased to hear them say that I was doing well and looking good. Or were they just saying that ??
The days were long but I soon got used to the daily hospital routines. As mentioned above and also getting to grip with daytime television. The room that I was in was really ok and as good as hotel room. On suite bathroom and stunning views over Edinburgh. So along with the TV, newspapers and regular banter with the nurses was not that bad as I thought it would be. Anyhow I was there to get better and it was my goal and to get back home again to recuperate. During this period other than the Serum sickness I felt ok other than the odd nose bleed which often required a 'pool' of platelets to stop. The bleed sometimes lasted for a few hours till the platelets did there work and clotted. Again tell tail signs of low platelets were the blood blisters inside my mouth and rectal bleeding. Fitness wise I was feeling a bit weak as I was getting no exercise what so ever. This did give me a few problems with my walking. Being in a isolation room I could not leave let alone open a window for fresh air. Well as the days went by and turned into weeks it was the 24th May's doctors round that Dr Johnston gave me the all clear to go home the following day. Well it was great news and was the longest 24h hours of my life.......
The following day, mid morning when Irene arrived to pick me up and drive me home. Before we left I got my instructions from the Staff Nurse on what medication I was getting away with me and how and when to take it. Also the do's and don't's now is was being allowed back into the free world again. Just to get the taste of the freedom and fresh air after nearly a month was wonderful. Well getting home again and knowing that I was still unwell I did have to take care of myself. Temperature and any signs of bleeding or bruising etc. However I was shocked when I saw myself in the mirror for the first time after many weeks and having lost nearly 2.5 stone. Looking a touch on the thin side its was obvious there was some work needed to build me back up again. I was still taking the same medication as in the Western. One Cyclosporin 100mg in the morning along with a Magnesium tablet and another 100mg Cyclosprin at night. If you have been prescribed to take Cyclosporin hear what the doctor has to say regarding any side effects that you may get. Also read the instructions in the box regarding the side effects etc. Going back a few weeks I was not really aware of any side effects as I was taking allsorts of medication at that time.
Well everyday for the next few weeks I had to attend Ward 1 ( day centre ) for a blood test, blood pressure and temperature etc. Again depending on the test results I would receive blood products of some type. This to be fair was ok and had to been done but it was like being back in the hospital ward other than the fact I went home to eat and also sleep in my own bed. Well as I have said before, these days and weeks then turned into months. But it was good news. The blood tests and results were now showing positive results and led to the reduction of daily visits and blood products. During these weeks I think I was fairly lucky and did not pickup any infections, cuts or knocks.
Again from memory it was around August time that my temperature did creep up over the maximum of 38 degrees. I gave it a hour of so and still stayed up there so it was a phone call to ward 8 and packed an overnight bag. Well I had my temperature taken and was still at 38.4 ish but within myself I felt ok. Blood tests again were taken as well as 'cultures'. After a wait of a couple of hours my temperature had gone down to the other side of 38 and I was sent home along with a weeks course of antibiotics. Well after a few days I was back to normal again and nothing was found in my blood cultures.
The summer was really good weather wise and my ward 1 visits were down to twice a week. Again the bloods test were looking good and next to no blood products were required. By this time I was now seeing Dr Johnston once a month at his clinic. It was at his clinic towards the end of October he said it was now time to start to lead a normal life again and he arranged to have the Hickman removed Thursday of the following week.
Well by chance it was that weekend that I felt unwell again with a high temperature. Saturday I woke up early and got up as we had tradesmen doing some work in the house. That morning I did not feel my normal self as I had been the past few weeks/months. I did feel hot and my temperature was in the high 37's degrees. Was later on that night the temp hit the maximum of 38. Being bed time I took a hot drink for bed and thought I would sweat it out and would be ok in the morning. Well during the night I woke up 3 or 4 times and my temp was still 38 and a bit more !!! Again back to sleep and I woke about 7.30 am and to my relief the temperature was at the other side of 38. After a shower and getting dressed I went out for the Sunday papers and I felt great. It was after lunch I checked my temperature again and was in the high 38's !!!! but I still felt ok. However I knew this was not rite so it was a phone call to ward 8 and I was told to make my way there soon as possible. Well again it was another blood test and blood pressure check etc. By this time my temperature was high 38's - 39 degrees. After a check over by the doctor the decision was made that something was not quite rite. I was admitted that evening and I gave the doctors and nurses as they said 'cause for concern' as my temperature was now in the high 39's-40's however I still felt ok !!!!!
It was the following morning that it was discovered that I did have an infection and a strong possibility the Hickman line may be the cause of the infection. A discussion was made that morning to remove the Hickman line sooner rather than later. I was given a pool of platelets and was prepared for the removal. Ironic the fact it was due to be removed the following Thursday. The removal is done by means of a local anesthetic and was really not as bad as I had thought. Maybe much the same as when it was fitted. It was a few hours after the removal of the Hickman line that my temperature was starting to drop back down and heading for normal. It was later on that night that the temp. was mid 37's and I got a unit of blood. After a fairly good nights sleep my temperature in the morning was near normal I was given another unit of blood. It was on that mornings doctors round I was pleased to hear that cause of the infection had been in the Hickman line and all being well I would get home the following day. Well I did get home that following day again with a weeks course of antibiotics I was rite as rain. I was asked to report to ward 1 the following Monday for a blood test. Test results were still low but they were happy with those results. It was then I was told to stop taking the Magnesium tablets in the mornings as these levels were now ok but to still continue with the same dosage of Cyclosporin. As I mentioned earlier about the side effects of the Cyclosporin. The only effects they have on me are slightly sore joints, more so in the cold and damp weather. Slight nausea, the shakes mostly in my hands and also excessive overall body hair growth. Also fairly bad cramp and pains in my calf mussels and feet arches. Not often but can be unpleasant.
Well by now it was the end of October beginning of November and I was feeling great. Having no blood products and also having a 'Flu' jab to be on the safe side. Eating well and getting my body weight backup to 11 stone where it had been for a good few years. Everyday was a better day but with the odd bad day in between but now I could see light at the end of the tunnel after all these months. It was now down to seeing Dr Johnston once a month at his clinic and again he was very pleased with my progress. The only problem was now the build up of iron level inside me after all the blood transfusions. ( However this was going to be a problem to reduce these levels but I will write about it later on. )
After seeing Christmas and new year out of the way the way it was at the end of January a felt unwell again. High temperature and fever like symptoms. This condition I have to say I was nervous about as I had done so well and faced going back to see my friends at Ward 8 of the WGH. I gave Liz Smith a call and she put my mind at rest to say it was properly just the Cold Virus that was going about. She said as I thought just keep an eye on my temperature 38 being the magic number !!!! and drink plenty fluids. Well the temperature was higher than normal and I am sure went over the magic number as I sweated heavily for a few nights but in the mornings was back down to normal. Well as she said let it run its course 10 days and I was so back to normal and rite as rain again. I guess after having the Cold Virus then possibly showed that my levels were back up again and the 'Immune System' doing as it's meant to do.
Well its now February 16th 2007 and still feeling ok here and now wondering what the past year was all about.
The March visit to the clinic all went well and the blood tests did show a slight increase in my levels. Health wise I am still feeling good considering. Only problem being is sore knee joints and calf mussels. I am trying to get back to more regular short walks and exercise. I did ask the consultant if it was ok the go back to swimming again. There was no real reason that I should not go as my levels were in such a way that infection was low.
Well May 17th again Dr Johnston was happy way things were going and levels on the increase. I did again have a bit of a cold virus a few weeks ago but I fought it off ok. Now feeling ever better apart from the cyclosporin or AA side effects. I still have to go back to my swimming now as its been over a year. I am trying to do more walking now but still have my limits. So all in all I can't complain that much. I will let you know how I get on on the 28th of June my next appointment.
Well no problems this clinc all is well other than platelets much the same. The red cells are up !!!! So I guess that why I have been feeling really good the past month.
We did have our first caravan holiday away since I was ill and was great. No problems and even burnt the candle at both ends. We spent a week away at a small village in the Scottish Highlands, Killen. Weather was wet and rainy !! So nothing new there
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I wrote this next part sitting in our caravan at Peebles ( near Edinburgh ) in the rain weekend 11/12th Aug.
Well that's yet another 6 weeks past and I was at the clinic Thursday, 9th August. Again good blood test results. Much the same as last month but 'platelets' are on the increase. Now 55 !!! Better than 18 months ago !! Over the past few weeks I have been feeling so much better. Now more energy and workwise more hands on stuff. I still watch what I am doing as I do bruise quite easily. However with the higher platelets the bruising takes about a week to go away. Being honest I cant remember how long it took before the bruising went away before I took unwell !!! I have now accepted the Cyclosporin side effects. Sorry to repeat myself !!!! Side effects are, slightly swollen gums inside my mouth and a tickle in the back of my throat. The cramps can be the worst. These happen most days and at anytime mostly in my leg areas. Now and again in my hands or fingers. For those you who have been watching my progress I do watch my diet !!! Well sort off..........I enjoy all the food they tell use not to eat...High fat content and lots of chocolate. I do eat veg and fresh fruit everyday as well. Also a can of Redbull, glass of red wine most days. My walking is getting so much better now providing its on the flat as I struggle with stairs and hills. Sadly no way can I run. I tried the other day to catch a bus and I thought I was going to die.........I still have to go back to swimming again and this I think I will do in the next few weeks. Hoping this may improve my walking.
It's now nearly the end of September. Since my last entry I have now re-joined my swimming club and have a swim there at least 3 or 4 times a week. I always try to do a minimum of 20 lenghts of the pool. I feel that I am now starting to get back the strength in my legs and appears less cramp attacks. Last week my wife and I returned from a week away in our caravan.
We were not that far away from home, Stirling here in Scotland. Home of the famous Stirling Castle as filmed in the war series Colditz. Also my name sake the 'Wallace Monument'. I thought I would add some pictures to give you something to look at to stop you from getting bored with my journal. In the first two pictures is the Wallace Monument. In the second picture you can see the spiral staircase to the left of the picture. There are 246 steps to the top of the tower inbetween three floors. Well with not much effort I managed to climb to the top. At the top I felt great and better than I though not even out of breath. The veiws from the top were stunning allthough I did feel a little bit unhappy about the height !!! In the next two pictures is yours truely...haha....As you can see I have more weight to carry and hair on my head other than my bald patch.
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All went well last Thursday, 4th October. Clinic visit was ok and with no real problems. However I was a bit disappointed as bloods reseults were a shade lower than the last count and the plateletes staying the same. Possible cause was the day my blood was tested I did not feel 100% and had a slight cold and sore throat. This would make my imune system work a little bit harder I guess !! Other than I slight cheasty cough and tickle in the back of my throat still feeling ok. Sorry to repeat myself but still have the same side effects caused but the Cyclosporin and the AA. I am going to follow up again to get another winter flu jab for myself and Irene. Weather here in Scotland has been mixed the past few weeks. I am dreading the colder temps. as I do feel the cold more so now in my joints. Hands and fingers are the worst and I find myself wearing gloves most of the time. Even sometimes in the house when I get in till my hands warm up. Well thats it for the time being.
Well thats about 8 weeks now and all has been well since my last visit to the clinic. Best clinic so far !!! Got the car parked no problem and was in and out within the hour. Great news was the best blood results so far. Looks like the light at the end of the tunnel is getting so much brighter now. Guess I must be doing all the rite things.
28th March 2008.
Doesn't time fly !!! The weeks and months are passing by at a great rate of nots since I last reported to you all who are following my progress. Things have been good and with no real problems other than the Cyclosporin side effects which I always seam to tell you about !!! so this time I won't bore you all to tears this time. Clinic visit again was good this time and blood counts all about normal other then platelets still low. I am now to reduce the cyclosporin by 20 mg's a day which is great news.
I think I have been so lucky over the past few months not to pick up any nasty winter bugs as there have been many this winter here in the UK. My life I feel now is as good as it's going to get. I take everyday as it comes some good days and some bad. Sometimes of my own doing by tring to work to hard. However I know what my limits are. With my business I work it in a different way now as I sub-contract most of my work out to others. This works well most of the time but can be a bit stressfull.
I do enjoy my own time now to relax. I am back to my swimming and relax in the hot tub or steam room. I always reward myself with a pint of dark beer after. Diet wise I am eating just as normal but I try my best to stay away from spicy and hotter foods as my mouth and throat are a bit swollen and often get irritated and well send me into a coughing fit and can bit a unpleasent. I eat friut every day and veg. when ever I can. I enjoy all salad produce as well. i water most days just to keep the system flushed.
As I said I enjoy a pint of beer and a large glass of red wine. However I keep well within the safe unit value. If I do have a blow out its at the weekends. ( Not sure what the Dr's would say !! so our secret ) I drink tea, Earl Gray but not a real coffee drinker.
I have a can of Red Bull energy drink most days. Again I dont know if any of these are helping me getting on the mend.
10th July 2008.
Well it's been a few months since I wrote and told you of my progress. Things are really ok now and getting my life back to normal again. Since April Dr Johnson is gradually reducing my Cyclosporin. I am now on 70mg morning and 70mg at night. The side effects are still there but not as bad nor to often as before. My blood test results over the past few months have all been near normal however the platelet count is still a bit low. Only halfway till back to normal, around 150ish. I am very carefull when it comes to cuts, bruises and watch out for infections. I have had to odd cold and headcold over the last few months but only lasts for a few days.
24th October 2008.
It's been a few months as you can gather since I last updated my journal but I have been feeling really well. My life seams to be at long last getting back to normal. My blood counts are near normal other than platelets still low at 85. I try to live my life as best as I can as I did before I took ill. However I do know the do's and don'ts now. So I have to except it and just get on with it.
I am now down to 60mg of Cyclosporin per day. I do still have a few side effets from the Cyclo but nothing like at first.
8th January 2009.
Wow ! But what can I say ? The months go by so fast and its been an age since I last updated you all !!
Well all was well untill mid November when I managed to get this cold virus that is doing the rounds here in Scotland and most of the UK. I did floor me in many ways !!! Would clear up for a few days but then come back in a different form. This went on well upto xmas. It was about a week before xmas I did feel unwell and it was back to the 'WGH' for more tests. These tests proved all was ok with the 'AA' but the cold virus had taking the toll on my blood counts. As you can see in my chart. Well all is ok now and feeling so much better starting a new year.
Now my only problem is the iron overload ! So I and now giving one pint of blood every two weeks till mid Feb, 09.
28th September 2009
Well it's been a good few months since I have updated you all on my progress. Over these past few months I am now living a near normal life as I can. I visit the clinic now once a month for a blood test. For the past few months all have been all near normal other then the platelets still low but getting better month by month. I have now been off all medication ( Cyclosporin ) for 4 months now and now on remission. I have got my iron overload levels down as well. This is controlled but have a unit of blood taken off once every 3 months. Over the months I will update my blood test results as I have done in the past.
February 6th 2012
I would like to personally thank all people that have left messages and also visited my webpage over the past few years.
January 20th 2018
Once again many thanks for looking at my webpage and my blog. Things have been great health wise and not really much to report. Again I will keep all my followeres updated.
October 24th 2019
I thought I would update my AA followers.
Past few years been feeling great but just getting a bit older. My blood counts hold there own and have done past few years up and own a little bit but nothing to worry about I am told. I wish I could get my platelet count a bit higher.
May 1st 2020 - COVID -19
Sad times we are all going through with COVID-19.
Next clinic appointment : Can't confirm due to COVID-19.
Thought you may want to see the difference in my 'smile' over the past years.
 October 2006
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 XMAS Day 2006
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 March 2007
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 April 2007
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 September 2007
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 October 2007
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 November 2007
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 XMAS Day 2007
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 April 2008
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 June 2008
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 October 2008
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This was me 24th June 2009 .
A visit to the Edinburgh Blood Donor Centre to meet the staff and platelet donors.
 July 2010
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 August 2009
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 January 2010
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 November 2010
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 November 2011
Buckstone Golfing society
Dinner Dance
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 Irene November 2011
Buckstone Golfing society
Dinner Dance
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 November 26th 2011
Scottish Sprint & Hillclimb
Dinner Dance, Pitlochry
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 November 26th 2011
Scottish Sprint & Hillclimb
Dinner Dance, Pitlochry
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 February 4th 2012
East Ayrshire Car Club dinner dance.
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 February 4th 2012
East Ayrshire Car Club dinner dance.
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January 26th 2019
Irene's birthday at The Marine Hotel North Berwick.
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Here are a few random pictures.
Irene's new car Mercedes Benz August 2019.
Irene and myself xmas 2017
Note.
I prefer not to go into to much detail regarding the paragrahps below. However I will briefly describe them as what happened to me. My advice is to do a internet search on these items as well.
As I said earlier that everyone's body is different and responds differently to treatments and other medical procedures etc.
The Bone marrow test.
Listen to what the doctor or nurse has to say as he or she will make it as comfortable as possible for you. The test itself is straight forward and only lasts a few minutes. I have to say it was unpleasant and slightly painful for only a few seconds. After the test had been done it was like a very dull tooth ache pain for about an hour or so and all was ok after that.
Hickman Line.
Again listen to the surgeon and nurses what they have to say. I have to admit I was nervous and a bit scared about this getting done. However from what I can remember at the time there was no discomfort what so ever. Even after when I got back to my room. After the anesthetic wore off I was aware of the line inside but after a day or so it did not really bother me.
Serum sickness.
This as I said earlier was the worst part. Again this can effect everyone in different ways. It was the Sunday afternoon that I started to feel uncomfortable. Firstly it was my jaw bone. It was getting very painful opening my mouth to talk and later on wide to eat and chew. A few hours later that evening that all my joints stated to ache and was getting sore when moving. During that night I started to get the shakes then a high temperature. However after a pain killer I was more relaxed and did get a few hours sleep. I woke early that morning and I was the worst for wear. Being honest I did feel unwell however I will not go into to much detail but this condition lasted till the following morning. By lunchtime of that day the sickness had gone but did leave me a bit weak.
At the end of July 2006 I started recording the blood test results taken on my clinic visits.
Date
July 31st 2006
August 7th
August 15th
August 21st
August 25th
August 29th
August 31st
Sept. 4th
Sept. 13th
Sept. 18th
Sept. 25th
October 2nd
October 10th
October 16th
October 23rd
October 30th
November 7th
November 16th
December 7th
December 22nd
January 04th 2007
January 23rd
January 29th
February 1st
March 8th
April 5th
May 17th
June 28th
August 09th
October 04th
November 29th
January 24th 2008
March 27th
May 7th
June 5th
July 10th
August 7th
September 11th
October 16th
November 27th
December 13th
January 08th 2009
January 22nd
February 19th
March 05th
March 19th
April 02nd
April 16th
April 30th
May 14th
June 25th
July 24th
August 21st
September 17th
November 09th
December 10th
March 03rd 2010
May 25th
August 19th
November 11th
February 3rd 2011
May 3rd
August 4th
November 11th
February 2nd 2012
March 1st
May 3rd
June 12th
July 26th
October 18th
January 10th 2013
August 12th 2014
November 13th
February 5th 2015
May 13th
August 13th
November 11th
February 16th 2016
May 16th
August 10th
November 16th
February 12th 2017
May 17th
August 22nd
November 21st
February 6th 2018
July 30th
October 25th
January 17th 2019
April 18th
July 23rd
October 23rd
January 22nd 2020
April 17th
Unsure COVIT 19
|
H/B
98
94
92
84
86
82
105 (T/F)
101
94
95
94
91
94
95
106 (T/F)
108
106
98
94
100
103
103
105
107
115
115
119
123
123
121
127
133
134
134
134
136
139
134
136
143
141
140
141
139
132
129
143
137
130
139
151
147
150
154
153
156
154
156
162
150
157
162
163
149
169
164
152
165
155
159
161
160
164
161
166
169
167
160
157
157
168
164
162
162
159
169
154
149
141
160
141
158
157
COVIT 19
|
W/C
2.3
2.3
3.3
2.2
2.9
1.8
3.4
2.3
2.4
2.1
2.4
2.1
2.5
2.6
2.0
2.5
3.3
3.3
2.9
2.0
3.6
2.5
2.4
3.5
3.5
4.1
3.7
3.7
4.6
3.7
4.9
3.9
4.6
4.8
4.7
5.4
4.7
4.4
5.1
4.0
5.3
5.0
4.8
4.6
3.9
4.1
4.9
4.4
4.3
4.0
4.6
3.5
3.7
5.0
4.7
4.8
5.1
4.1
4.9
4.7
3.7
6.0
5.3
5.7
4.3
4.3
5.2
5.7
5.1
4.6
5.4
5.2
5.7
6.0
6.2
7.0
5.4
5.2
5.5
5.6
6.4
5.6
5.0
4.9
5.9
5.3
5.1
4.1
4.8
4.4
4.2
4.8
4.2
N/A
|
PLTS
15
16
15
16
19
15
14 (T/F)
29
23
28
20
22
24
23
21 (T/F)
22
20
24
23
20
26
23
25
24
29
38
47
46
55
55
62
66
68
74
76
82
76
79
85
54
72
82
88
80
79
90
93
87
86
83
88
83
98
99
91
104
109
126
102
109
107
105
103
106
89
123
118
124
109
114
112
119
130
99
112
99
124
102
110
117
141
108
111
116
106
103
108
111
122
114
93
98
107
N/A
|
N/F
0.75
0.93
1.68
0.93
1.10
0.89
1.82
1.14
1.14
0.87
1.14
0.9
1.16
1.20
0.58
1.13
1.63
1.49
1.40
0.95
2.79
1.03
1.07
2.25
1.91
2.14
2.12
1.96
2.77
2.19
2.65
2.1
2.68
3.22
2.68
2.93
2.71
2.20
3.04
1.94
3.70
3.33
3.06
2.72
2.48
2.44
2.88
2.91
2.68
2.39
3.08
1.78
1.97
3.23
2.73
2.97
3.38
2.40
3.30
2.70
2.20
4.12
2.80
3.63
2.09
2.33
3.26
3.65
3.42
2.80
2.99
2.98
3.80
3.99
3.58
4.58
2.66
2.82
3.47
2.89
3.80
2.68
2.45
2.10
2.40
2.92
2.63
2.30
2.41
2.04
2.17
2.30
2.09
N/A
|
If you have entered this webpage from a search engine please use your back browser to exit.
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May I take this opportunity to personally thank you in taking your time in reading my story.
Also to the many of people from various parts of the world who have taking to time in writting to me. I hope my replies and help I have offered have put your minds at rest.
Whether you suffer from AA or one of you close family.
I hope it's been of help and interest to you. I would be most obliged if you could take a few more minutes of your time and leave a message in my guest book.
Not only for my own interests but for others with Aplastic Anaemia to read and maybe share experiences.
Robin J. Wallace
16 Swan Spring Avenue
Edinburgh, EH10 6NJ
Scotland, uk
0131-447-5694 & 07885-691-816