Robbie: What year is it?
Me: It's 2022.
Robbie: What month?
Me: December.
Robbie: Which city are you R in?
Me: Wellington.
Robbie: Which hospital?
Me: Wellington Hospital.
Robbie: Can you hold up two fingers on your left hand?
Me: Like this?
Robbie: Can you count backwards from 100 to zero in 10s?
Me: 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10, 0.
Robbie: Can you tell me what is in this pottle?
Me: This is a 50 cent coin, this is a die (or dice), this is a key from a small lock.
Robbie: Can you type your name?
Me: My name is Michele Leggott.
Counting backwards is hard enough for the numerically challenged, but typing while everyone watches makes clumsy thumbs of my fingers. Dr Robert Fyfe, clinical research fellow for the Malaghan Institute's CAR T-cell trial, has been asking these questions twice a day since my T-cells were returned to me as cancer-killing cells 18 days ago. The team at Wellington Hospital has allowed me to be an outpatient for all of this time as long as there are no problems with the reinfused cells, which are now hunting down and destroying the lymphoma that has beset me for almost three years.
The questions, the same every day, along with standard blood pressure, oxygen saturation and temperature checks, are designed to look for the leading edge of any neural confusion, or an overreaction of my immune system, that could produce a dangerous fever. So far, so good, and just 10 days to go before discharge and return to Auckland. A few days later, I come down with Covid and have to be admitted to the isolation ward. By the time I'm discharged, my husband Mark has the virus, too. The hospital team supplies him with antivirals and we do an epic drive next day straight through to Tamaki Makaurau, stopping only to pee and staying clear of all other human life on SH1. Home never looked so good.
Denne historien er fra April 15-21 2023-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra April 15-21 2023-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Lost in the labyrinth
New Zealand was once one of the world’s most prosperous countries but it’s been mainly) down hill since the 60s. Dany. McLaucuLan identifies what’s gone wrong and the changes needed to keep us afloat.
A never-coming-of-age tale
Across 14 chapters, we chronologically follow the fortunes of George, from age 12 through to almost 40. George is an unlikeable character and we should be thankful that he is a fictional creation, because in real life no one would tolerate his deliberate and calculating cruelty.
Past glories
Debut novel takes a leaf out of the book of modern Irish writing, hurtling classical antiquity into the present.
A touch of flamboyance
Miki Magasiva fell in love with film at an early age and has finally launched a debut feature that takes a tragi-comic look at grief and families.
Pushing all the buttons
The fourth film in the hit romcom series arrives with familiar charms and fresh blokes. But it would be a good place to stop.
Gone to ground
The Te Aroha-filmed detective series that blends Irish and Māori cultures is back.
Refinding the self
Strokes and brain diseases can radically change our personalities. But with more understanding of how brains work, a leading neurologist says sometimes, our old selves can be restored.
In the cross hairs
Danish actor Claes Bang's late-career boost shows no sign of abating, as he moves from TV villain to big-screen hero.
Fabric of time
Tapa cloth samples collected from Polynesian nations on Cook's voyages have made their way into our museums and libraries.
Let's dance
Kiwi dancer, teacher and choreographer LEILA LOIS visited one of Manila's innovative dance companies as it celebrated its 10th anniversary.
