Having passed the initial blood tests – apparently we needed six positives and one specific negative – another set of tests were scheduled over two consecutive days. The hospital were really accommodating about this as normally the tests arent all done together, but its a 4 hour drive each way to the hospital.

Day 1 involved a session with the consultant, the surgeon and blood work. My doctors are seperate from my sister’s, so that one team focuses on what is best for her, and the other (my) team decide what is best and safe for me. It seemed a little strange at first, but I understand the logic and there have been cases in the past where one person has been coerced into donating.

I was very impressed with my consultant. He was a kind of posh speaking, but very down to earth and very straight with me and had a sense of humour too.

My surgeon was completely different, but not in a bad way. Asian, he had been to the Olympics the day before where everyone had been in a “happy bubble” – his words. He confessed to feeling a little worse for wear, but still instilled complete confidence, a completely different character to the consultant and I am sure he will be tip top for the operation itself.

More blood was taken (I thought the practice  of leeching stopped in Victorian times) and I was done by just after lunch time. Result!