The Mexican Method
It's not only the proper method for drinking tequila, the Mexican Method is how Clinica Ruiz treats MS with HSCT. It is based on the method used by Dr. Burt at Northwestern.
Image from Clinica Ruiz
I am in Group 2 and there are 4 people in my group. Myself, and 3 women, 2 who have RRMS and one who has chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) which is a disease similar to MS. The only difference is the location of the nerves that are being attacked by the immune system.
With MS there is damage to the nerves within the brain and spinal cord.
With CIDP the damage is in the peripheral nerves, which means the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.
On September 1st, we had several consultations. And I had a consultation with Dr. Ruiz himself! I wish I got a picture, but maybe another day. It was wonderful to meet him. He asked what I thought of the COR and how things were going. I told him I am very impressed with everything. He was intrigued to learn that I have a very rare condition called Sitis inversus which means my internal organs are flipped. They are a mirror image of most people's anatomy. He asked me if I know if my liver is on the opposite side of my body, similar to my heart and I said honestly I don't know, but I would imagine so. He asked if he could take some images later on to see my internal organs, and I said sure! I'd like to know more about what's in there myself.
Thursday, September 2nd was my first day of chemotherapy. I felt excited to get started with the chemo. I have waited so long for this moment and now it's finally here!
The chemo is given on the 5th floor of the COR building where we are staying. Our apartment is on the 4th floor, so it is very easy to get to the chemo room. We all entered with our caretakers and sat down. The nurses came around and put an IV port in our hand. I don't mind the pain of needles, but for some reason I can't look when they are inserting them into my body. The chemo is cold going in, and the room is kept cold so all the patients dress warm and bring a blanket. It take about 4 hours for all the chemo to go through the IV port. The good thing is that we are able use the bathroom, we just take the IV stand with us. Our caretakers are able to come and go as they please during the chemo process.
Day one Chemo
It was the first time our entire group was all together, and everyone was excited and talkative. We had a lot of time to get to know one another. During chemo we are supposed to drink an electrolyte drink that is apple flavored. I didn't mind it and had no problem chugging it down. Renee kept yelling at me that I was supposed to take little sips, as instructed, but that is not how I drink. The women didn't care for the electrolyte drink and one person in particular didn't finish the bottle. Unfortunately she ended up being the most nauseated in the group after chemo, to the point where she almost had to go to the hospital. I was not too affected by the chemo, I had a little bit of an upset stomach after I ate lunch later in the day, and was a bit tired, but it wasn't too terrible.
On Day 2 we all met on the 5th floor and interrogated each other to see how everyone was feeling. I seemed to be the least affected in the group, and two of the women were very nauseated. Day 2 was similar to Day 1.
On day two I was a little sore and tired after chemo, but for me it wasn't terrible. I know that I am lucky because it was not as easy for the rest of my group.
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