Friday 24th of Apr – Blood Check

This morning, they drew my blood and asked for a urine sample. I kept my eyes closed and felt a tiny pinch (for the blood not the pee). I can’t help comparing Italy to the Netherlands. Here, they call you into a room and while one nurse draws blood, people walk in and out. Doctors, other patients wanting to greet the nurses…They’re all very friendly and familiar with each other and there’s a general buzz. One nurse offers me a juice because she’s worried that I’m looking very pale…Afterwards, Mar and I go for our first cappuccino of the day. Here’s to the little pleasures in life! It only costs 90cents around here.

It’s now 12.15 and we’re free until Monday. Mar will then have another bone marrow puncture and Dad and I will probably continue with our tests. I think we’ll take it easy. Take a bus to town and be tourists. After all we are grateful to the Perugians.

After lunch in town we go for a walk, do some groceries and head back “home”. I understand they have wireless in the Chianelli complex. Marcello, Elenora and Guiliola all help me set up. I am overwhelmed by the kindness of these people. They joke with me and both ladies hug me. It’s a simple yet very genuine gesture and I like it. While typing away in the little office, a little girl walks in followed by Guiliola. Her name is Chiara. She’s 3 years old, has big brown almond shaped eyes with very long dark eyelashes. She’s wearing a mask over her mouth and has no hair. She had her transplant in February. She seems momentarily taken by me or rather by my laptop and Guiliola’s efforts to coax her away are useless. At one point, Guiliola threatens to leave, then leaves. This doesn’t seem to worry Chiara. Quite the opposite. She very confidently closes the door! So I place her on my lap and we Google some animal images. Finally Guiliola comes back and tells her that her Mommy is leaving by car. That has the desired effect and Chiara jumps off my lap crying after her Mom.