The Good Days

                                      Day -9 to Day -7

Me, spreading my wings!

Friday we went to the clinic and met with Dr. Priesca, and had an information consult with him, just seeing how we were doing, and he also told us what the plan would be in the coming week. We came back to our apartment and just ate dinner and rested! Dr.  Delgado Ruiz came to give me my Filgrastim shot, and do vitals. I did have a headache so was glad we could stay home!

Saturday, Javier, took us down to the old town! We just had fun sightseeing, walking around the market, and taking photos! We toured Puebla Cathedral! It was beautiful!!  Built in 1575! We also went to the central park with lots of people and gorgeous trees! Javier took us to a fancy restaurant for lunch. We had enchiladas. They were good! It was just nice getting out in the fresh air.

The doctor came later to give me my Filgrastim shot and do my vitals.(He's the son of Dr. Ruiz, and really cute😃, young enough to be my son!!)

Sunday, we slept until 7:00. The nurse came quite early to give me my Filgrastim shot, and do my vitals. They've always been good! Dave made a big breakfast- omelets, toast with jelly, and avocados. I feel good and have a good appetite.

Later, one of the drivers hosted a party for us, complete with a full Mariachi band. He cooked us an authentic Mexican meal with a wide variety of selections! Yum!!

We had fun getting to know one another better. We missed a few people who just didn't feel well enough to join us. I hope and pray they will feel better soon!

                                  Sarah and her mum from Liverpool, UK

                        Steinar, from Norway! His sister Cecilia was his carer.

Me and Javier! He is our driver and will do anything for you! He also translated for us. None of us spoke Spanish

I feel blessed as I haven't been sick at all!! I'm feeling pretty good! Thank you, Jesus, for helping me get through this! Thanks to all of you who are praying for me! The cards and Bible verses have been so encouraging!

Love you Mom and Dad!! Hope you are feeling well! 

Love you so much, Kim and Dave😘😘😘

Chemotherapy Days

                                     Day-11 to Day-10

                   The beautiful nurse giving me the anti-nausea meds in my IV.


I was dreading these days! I had mixed emotions about chemo. Fear, anxiety, worry, excitement, relief, doubts,etc...  The fear of the unknown of how I would react to the Cyclophosamide(chemotherapy)?


There are 4 people in my group 2. We are the Warriors 2. We are all fighting for better lives and praying for good outcomes! There is 1 guy from Norway, 1 lady from Canada, 1 girl from Liverpool, UK, and me from the USA! It has been good getting to know them and just supporting one another!

I also have to say that all of the carers, too, have put up with all of us! They are taking good care of us!!

I think so far we have all done pretty well in our group! A few issues like headaches, some nausea, but overall we've done quite well!! Yesterday a man in another group had severe nausea/vomiting and the clinic gave him IV fluids! They really take care of us! Today we heard of another girl was vomiting last night. My heart and prayers go out to them. It's amazing how close and concerned you get with strangers! But, honestly, I'm really praying for them, that they will feel better soon!

My friends and family who have been supporting me,encouraging me and praying for me: thank you!! I have had much encouragement from the Word of God through friends. 2 of my friends, Laura  and Kelly wrote the same verse! So I think God is trying to tell me:

So, do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 
Isaiah 41:10

So I will not fear for my God is with me, helping me, and strengthening me!!

Today, I got my first Filgrastim shot from Martin He makes house calls, nice!!
We also go today to meet with Dr. Priesca for an information consult to follow up after 2 days of chemo! Then we'll have the rest of the day free!!

I just want to say "I love you Mom and Dad! And I miss you! We are doing good, and don't worry about us!" We hope you both are well and mom, hope you're feeling better! Praying for you!

                   Paco carefully removing my IV! He is so helpful and kind!
                                                            Love him!!

Long, busy days of testing

                                                   Day -14 to Day -12
Hi everyone!

Yesterday(Monday) was very long and busy! There were many appointments and consults:

• Blood draws in apartment.(We had to fast for 8 hours). 
•  Urinalysis.
• Blood clotting test. 

•  Welcome presentation, we got to meet the whole team.
• Watched videos that explained the process. 
• Paperwork.
• Spirometry test.
• Chest X-ray.
• Consultation with Neurologist
• EKG.

•  Consultation with Cardiologist.

Today(Tuesday) we did our:

• Medical history.
• Hematology Consult- with Dr. Ruiz
• Information Consult about procedure with Dr. Priesca-a hematologist and internal medicine doctor.

I just can't say enough good things about everyone here!! Everyone in so kind, considerate, and caring! The level of care has been excellent! Far better than (sorry to say, the USA). Everyone from the drivers to the maids, to the doctors!! We are being well cared for! If we need anything, someone comes right away!!
Javier, our driver, will do anything for us! He even helps with grocery shopping if needed! He's the best!!

Andreas giving Spirometry test! So cute!

Just take a deep breath and blow as hard and long as you can!

(Photo taken by another girl in another group)

I did talk to Dr. Ruiz about my sinuses ?infection. He gave me the go ahead. They will be giving me antibiotics. That should help!

So, tomorrow I start chemo!

Just drink 3 liters of water/day. Easier said than done! I'll try!

Pray for me:

• That my sinuses will get better.
• That I can drink 3 liters/day, to stay hydrated!
• That I won't get sick from the chemo.

Thank you for all of the encouragement!and prayers!

Love,

Kim😘

We're off to Puebla and Ominous clouds/weather!

Well, we had a great flight to Houston and then to Puebla! Each flight was about 2 hours and 15 minutes.
But, when we landed in Puebla, there was a bad thunderstorm that started, with thunder/lightning, and heavy downpours of rain! And, we had to deplane outside in the dark!It was pretty chaotic! Everyone was given an umbrella.

Of course, we were the last ones off the plane, being I was the disabled one.

(Jane, this is for you!)
They gave me a choice to be carried in a wheelchair, or to walk down the steps.
I didn't know what to do, but they really wanted to get us off, so I said I would walk down. But, it was pouring rain, and the steps and railings were wet and slippery!
I managed to walk down hanging onto one railing! (The railings were too far apart for me to hang onto both of them!) Dave was right behind me hanging on to me.

When we got inside, Dave had to fill out the immigration forms and customs forms.
Then we were whisked to the next room where Dave had press "the button" to randomly get a green or red light. Of course, we get a red light! Which means they comb through all your bags to see what you have  or looking for anything suspicious.

Thankfully, we got the okay to go the next room, where Javier and his wife were waiting for us with a sign with our names and our pictures. It was about 30 minutes to our hotel. Ah...

Then, bad news. Dave started having severe kidney pain!! I gave him a hydrocodone and he took Renavive, which is supposed go help dissolve or break apart stones.
He got about  hour of sleep. I got a little more, and then at 5:30 am, he finally passed it!! Yay! He felt 100% better,but was exhausted! I spent most of the night praying for him! Thank you, Jesus!

We got off to a bumpy start, but, it's all good now! We were taken to our apartment by Javier and Paco. Its very nice! Tonight they will take us to Wal-Mart to buy food and anything else we may need.

They are all so nice and can't do enough for you! They will bring you anything you need!!

 The Ferris Wheel at night! Beautiful!!

Popocatepetl active volcano! We had a room with a gorgeous view!!


Please continue to pray:

• My cold to improve!
• Dave's kidney stone to get better!
• Tomorrow's tests to go well! 
• Strength for me tomorrow, Monday, as it will be a long day.

Thank you so much!!!

A Huge Thank You!

Hi everyone!

I just want to take this time before we go, to thank each one of you for helping to support us, whether financially, physically, or prayerfully! We are so humbled by your love, friendship, and your generosity! I hope I don't let any of you down.

The women at Sisterhood prayed for me last night and I know many of you are praying as we go to Mexico on on Saturday! God has led me here and I'm trusting in Him! That's not to say I have not been fearful times, but He has given me the peace I need! Thanks to you, I have a card to open that will encourage me every day!!

Whether it be my Wellspring Bible study, my Sisterhood Bible study, my Chronic Illness Group, my MS swimming group, or just friends and family, I am so blessed and grateful to have all of you in my life!! Thanks for praying and believing God for great miracles!

God has truly blessed me with so many friends/ family who care so much about me!! We just want you to know that you're going with us on this journey! Hang on! It's going to be a wild, bumpy ride! But, in the end we are praying for stopping the progression of MS and we boldly are asking God to restore my body and help improve my symptoms!!

I know we have big expectations, but we also have a BIG God who works miracles everyday!!!!

Prayer requests:

1. Safe travels on the plane!
2. For me to stay healthy before my treatment.
3. For Dave to get over his cold/flu before we leave on Saturday!
4. For Alex, as he lives at our house and cares for our dog, Gus!
5. For me to continue to gain weight before treatment begins.
6. For me to keep trusting in the Lord for everything!

Thanks again and much love to you all!

The Mexican Method- The Plan!

                                             


                                                   The Mexican Method!

The "Mexican method" to autograft MS patients uses Cyclophosamide (chemotherapy) that kills T cells, and Rituxumab, a monoclonal antibody works on the protein CD20, which is primarily found on the surface of immune system B cells. When it binds to this protein it triggers cell death.

The method is started on an outpatient basis and ends on a outpatient basis for most patients.We will be living in a fully furnished apartment and transported to the Clinic when having treatments. Only a small fraction of people require hospital admission sometime during the treatment process.(Hospital Angeles de Puebla) is used.

                                                            Conditioning Regimen


1. Day -11 Cyclophosamide
2. Day-10 Cyclophosamide
3. Day -9 to -2 Filgrastim every 12 hours sq(this help stimulate your stem cells).
4. Day -4 First stem cell collection/harvest
5. Day -3 Second(if necessary)stem cell collection
6. Day -2 Third(uncommonly necessary) stem cell collection
                 Cyclophosamide, MESNA(to decrease the risk of bleeding in the bladder)
7. Day -1 Cyclophosamide, (MESNA)
8. Day 0 Transplant of the collected stem cells apheresis CD34+ cells (stemmies B-day).
9. Day +30 or before Rituxumab infusion

Available Medical staff 24/7.

Total stay is 4 weeks!!

Recommended maintenance therapy of Rituxumab IV following HSCT: every 2 months for 12 months.

Outpatient Service:

1. Patient MUST have a carer for assisting patient in preparing meals, personal care & assistance.(Dave is my carer).

2. Transportation to/from airport.

3. Transportation between apartments and Clinica Ruiz.

4. Fully furnished apartment to accommodate 2 people. Includes 2 bedrooms, kitchen, microwave, crockpot, telephone, TV, internet service, washer/dryer.

5. Daily apartment cleaning and surfaces sanitizing during neutropenia.

6. Pre-packaged processed food suitable for consumption during neutropenia(7-10 days)

7.Available wheelchair, walker, shower chair, and other assistive devices.

8. Available on-site treatment facility English/Spanish translator.

What Is HSCT??

What is HSCT??

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant. Hemato=blood. Poietic= the formation of cells.

Hematopoietic=formation of the cellular elements of the blood, including the red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets,which in adult mammals takes place chiefly in the bonemarrow;formation of the cellular elements of the blood.

HSCT is being used in the prevention and treatment of autoimmune diseases with favorable clinical responses in many patients. It uses high dose chemotherapy, which almost knocks out the immune system, followed by hematopoietic stem cell rescue. It resets or reboots the immunological dysfunction through the control of autoreactive lymphocytes and lymphocytic clones, followed by restoration of immunological tolerance after immune reconstitution.

HSCT stops the progression of MS in 70-80% of cases. It is not a new procedure.  The 1st HSCT specifically for autoimmune disease (uveitis) was done by Professor Shimon Slavin in Israel in 1985. The patient remains "cured" today. It has been used to treat cancer since the 1960's. The 1st HSCT for MS was done in Thessaloniki, Greece in 1995. However, there were many observational cases that were transplanted for cancer, who had their MS halted unexpectedly.

Dr. Richard Burt of Northwestern Hospital in Chicago, started HSCT in 1996. While he was a Fellow at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, he noticed that patients treated for leukemia needed to be revaccinated . The cells affected prior to transplant were losing the memory of the original childhood vaccinations, like MMR.

Dr. Burt thought maybe if he could get bad, diseased cells to lose their memory, he could reprogram them with good memories and help autoimmune disease. This reprogramming would be done using adult stem cells.

He 1st tried it on animals in the lab. It worked!  The FDA approved an adult stem cell therapy trial for MS. It worked again.  14 years later, Dr. Burt and his team of researchers are using HSCT in trials to help stop autoimmune diseases such as MS, Scleroderma, CIDP, and many others. It is still not FDA approved, despite the good results.

HSCT for MS is being done all over the world. Places like Germany, Russia, Singapore, Israel, Italy, Greece, Canada, and Mexico.

Autologous HSCT (using your own stem cells), have been done since the mid 1990's. Several thousand have been done around the world. In retrospective analysis, a progression free survival of more than 5 years has been observed for the majority of patients, with post-transplant neurological outcomes being more favorable with relapsing-remitting type. 
Those showing an inflammatory pattern in MRI have a more favorable outcome. Also, aggressive forms show with prominent inflammatory activity have better outcomes.

Since 1993, over 400 HSCT's have been done for different diseases such as acute leukemia, chronic leukemia, aplastc leukemia, myeloma, lymphomas, myelodysplasias, and autoimmune diseases, including MS.

Mexico treats Relapsing Remitting(RRMS), Secondary Progressive (SPMS), Primary Progressive MS (PPMS), and Progressive Relapsing MS (PRMS).