Fourth week in Moscow ...

Well, this has been a diferent week.

Spent mostly in my safe door-closed room, called Isolation. The only people that were allowed to come in were doctor, and nurses all gowned in, wearing masks and gloves. And you get used to that. And feel safe. Your immune system is low and you don't want to risk getting any germs, infecctions or anything that might get you sick. So you adapt. Good Doctor will bring you your numbers which will go down at first , but then suddenly, in my case they will start creeping up, almost too soon. Which, again, it's great, but you feel so safe, are you even ready to start thinking you might get out of ISO before ten days ?

As I said before, I'd make a good inmate. Had my routines down.
Coffee in the morning, stretching session going on, shower, vodka solutions that you had to pour over your body every day, got my newly fresh karate hospital pijama every day. I got it down. Then I'd work by the nice window light on my son's stiching project (it will be his Christmas sticking this year). Then wait for our snack at 12. Usually a nap would be fitting, ready to wake up at 2pm, time to eat my lunch and quickly chat with my children before heading for school. Then maybe watch a bit of Netflix, read, lie down again ... Ready for dinner at 6. And I'm not even obsessing with the food anymore. I still keep a food journal, cause I find it's funny, but I've tried the tongue, I've eaten liver, porridge, some stuff I don't even have names for. I usually mix the soups with everything else they bring and they end up being pretty tasty. But that feels almost in the past now.

So after zenning it out for a whole 7 days, Dr. Fedorenko comes in with the biggest smile, opens my door, my numbers are way up and I'm free. Free !! I don't know, should I ? I kind of shake to the idea to get out of my room. It feels so safe. But I did go out, all masked on, shaky, not sure .. Making sure there weren't any dragons or sick people dragging themselves outside, sneezing or coughing ... lol.
And it was ok.

My friend Ange and I were released the same day, and we just hugged it out. Did't want to let her go. It's such a profound feeling going through this together. I just couldn't believe it we were both in one piece, smiling, safe, upright, what a blessing. We got together with Steve yesterday, yes, being ever the gentleman he stayed in for one more day. But again, it was just so nice and unexplainable for other people to understand the joy we felt of just being able to sit, chat and laugh. I'll miss these guys. Meanwhile, you can see Dr. F. walking around, just looking at us with a big smile in his face too. Seeing us outside of our rooms, starting our independence again. I'll be forever grateful to him for allowing me to have a second chance in life.

So now, what's left. Regain my energy. Start taking a few walks indoor first and then venture out. I don't want to overdoit. It's been an intense treatment and I want to do this right. So I still have a few more days left here. My flight leaves home next Friday early morning, so I have until Thurday  to work back on my strenght and I'll be taking all the time I need.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. For the huge support on the page I created in Facebook (Flip the bird in Russia) where I've put a few more pictures.
I feel all the love and I really appeciate it. I always love to hear all the kind words.
I can now start thinking on my way back home and there's no other better feeling like that.

:)

Third week in Moscow ...

I guess it's time for an update.

This last week has been one of the bussiest. Not because of many things happened, but each of them were very intense.

Last weekend I was dealing with four days of chemo, that really the only effect it had on me, was feeling utterly tired. So I slept it, and I slept it and came out of it. Then I had a very welcome day of rest, I got to see my two buddies that I enjoy so much time with.

Then came the day of my stem cell transfussion. What an experience, rushed, quick, intense, heavy sensation on the chest, a quick tomato sauce taste, but mainly heavyness in my chest. Dr. Fedorenko was by my side the whole time, looking at me, wanting to hear all I was feeling. Very reassuring. Having four children has taught me that you can breathe through anything. Pain, heavyness, weird feelings, it will all pass. And it all did. Quickly. The fact that he was telling me it was almost over ... I just trusted. I trust this good Doctor with no regrets. And it worked. Then, I just felt I wanted to sleep, massively, intensely sleep. I know they kept coming in, checking on me, my blood pressure, is she still with us ... lol .. But I just slept. And I made it. And I'm thankful I've had this life changing experience that will give me hopes with a life without MS.

I was awakened quickly cause there's the tradition of throwing our buckets with dry ice where our
stem cells were frozen for a few days. So Ange and I 'gracefully' woke up for this big event. And we got to hear Dr. Fedorenko's beautiful words of new begginnings, we got our Iris pins that I will
treasure forever. Anastasia got to do a little dance, hugs, kisses, tears of joy, very intense moments that I will keep forever in my heart. The Doctor, staff, nurses are all so professional. We are a lucky bunch of people.

Then the next day I got another day off and it would be Steve's special day of stem cell transfussion. I was lucky enough that he asked me to come in and witness his procedure so I could take pictures. I will be forever grateful I was able to see this. So methodical, everyone knew their places their
mission and everything got done perfectly. Steve was great too ! Very brave and I'm sure he may have played it a bit for the camera ... hahahaa .. Joking, you were great. Thank you again.

Then we had a celebratory pizza with a guest from the second floor, Paul from Australia that is just starting all this. I hope we filled him up with hope and positivism. This can be done and it's the best decision you've made so far mate ! What a pizza !! Best one I've had in a while.

A day later the three of us (Steve is catching up quickly !) have gone into Isolation, where we still keep in touch via messages, which is great. I miss them but I know the end will be even greater. We already have dibs on who's getting out first and get us a BIG MUCHO QUESO PIZZA !! So we can celebrate as we should !!

So that's all for now from Pirogov. Days go by slowly but surely. Day +4 for me. I can now start thinking how how little there is left for me to go home and get all my cuddles.

Take care everyone and be nice.

:)

Second week in Moscow ...

A lot has happened, and not much.

I got my stem cells extracted a couple od days ago and got a whopper of 2.9 million in the first try. Must say I was the winner day. A relief to get it done in one day and get that stiff aparatus off my neck. One day off. My partners in crime got their numbers too, one more stubborn than the other one, but we are all good now.

I'm on my third day of chemo and sailing through. No major side effects, just feeling tired. Energy down, but that's to be expected. 

Getting used to the food. I'm a very good patient and eat almost anything. Has to be what my body needs. 

I've come to realize I'd make a very good inmate somewhere. I Keep my room tidy and clean. Do my own dishes. It is very zen. I have my routines which help me go through the day. Lunch time is busy cause it's when my loved ones get up and want to catch up. Thank Goodness I've already gone through the chemo drips and various naps so I'm somewhat awake .. Lol. 

But it's nice to hear from them. It's nice to read the tremendous support coming from everywhere. It loads me up, it makes me happy, it helps me. I don't dwell too much on the heartfelt ones, not because I don't treasure them, but because I'm trying not to think too much. It's easier that way. Keep it light. Keep it happy. 

It's Easter at home right now and I'm hoping my husband got it all done. I remember a year ago, he was working away and I had to toss the plastic eggs outside in the garden the night before, so the children would have their egg hunt in the morning. I remember in the end thinking ... Why did I fill so many eggs ?? Tossing them by the handful .. Lol. A year later I'm in Russia, having chemo, killing (hopefully) the cells that cause my MS. I wonder about Easter next year. 

It's also been great to bond with the two friends I'm going through this, at the same time. We get it. We're in good spirits and that helps. We're bonded, we're bruised (literally), but we laugh together too. So important.

That's all from Russia. Short and sweet. 

No pictures. 

Have a Happy Easter !!

:)