Day 4 - I'm where I'm meant to be

Today, Wednesday, was my third treatment and her office was packed with patients getting the same IV treatments; we were all napping.

KB spent time with me at the end of my treatment.  We chatted and she answered my questions.  Robbin told her how emotional I was the previous night.  I couldn't stop crying.  She explained that I'll be up & down.  She doubts I have Lyme bacteria any more but only toxins and heavy metals recirculating in my body.  I've often wondered whether it was still active Lyme causing havoc in my body.  

On the way back to the hotel, Harry took us for a brief sightseeing tour showing us the highest mountains in Germany (from a distance).

Back at the hotel we ate lunch.  They are very accommodating to us!  The menu is set, but we always get exceptions; after all, I am a princess. :-)

We eat in a dinning room over looking a very serene view.  The roofs of all buildings are either brown or tera cotta; must be a rule so it all matches. We see a church with a tower holding a clock.  This evening there were no clouds.

Our waitress, Stephanie, aims to please. She saw that Robbin cuts my meat and beginning the next day the chef cut it for me!  She asked if we wanted gluten free bread & the next day it was served.  Everyone has assigned seats and a large white envelope has our name written in calligraphy.  It holds our napkin which we reuse for a day or two, unless really dirty.

After lunch I took a 2 hour nap! 

Thought for Today

"Nothing ever goes away until it teaches us what we need to know"
     ----- Pema Chödrön

Day 3 - In for a penny, in for a pound!

Today we needed to be in the lobby by 8:15 to go to Dr. Bieber's (KB) home/office. The driver, Harry (who is also a health coach) lifted me onto the van!  He's one strong man.

When we arrived, KB was outside to greet us.  Once in, she took ~8 vials of blood which will go to the US, UK & Germany; results will take 3 weeks.

After that, she used ART to examine my organs. Kidneys, liver & gall bladder all had issues.  My regulation was open, meaning good.  She proceeded to test various remedies on me to determine what I needed & then dosages for each.

Then I ate breakfast. Hard boiled eggs, sheep cheese & a ton of crispy bacon.  They also offered me a sheep yogurt but I was full so Robbin had the foresight to have them keep it in the fridge for when I needed a snack; always watching out for me!  I hadn't eaten eggs in a long time and they were yummy!

I had 3 IV's: PC, phenyl butyrate, and Vitamin B.  It took about 3 hours; I napped on and off.  When done, a Vitamin B-12 injection.  The phenyl butyrate is for inflammation.

She then asked if I would do a pure water colonic today.  "But, of course"; in for a penny, in for a pound!  The time was set for 4:00pm back at the hotel.

Harry wheeled me out and lifted me into the van. It was around 1:30 so we went directly to lunch. Afterwards, I napped for an hour.

NOW ------   I will describe the colonic in detail, so STOP HERE if you don't want to know.  It will be graphic!!!!  Really!  I've obviously lost my embarrassment long ago!

I'm helped to lay on a cot like table; comfortable enough. My therapist explained the process and how gentle it is and it really was.  She very gently inserted a plastic 6" pipe into my anus.  It had Vaseline on it.  Then she attached a long wider plastic pipe for outgoing matter & a narrow one for the incoming water.  It's a closed system. The water was body temperature.

She pressed on my belly to determine my pre-treatment condition.  "Gassy," she told me.  She explained that gas prevented the stool from coming out.  She proceeded to let the water in.  Water only went into my large intestine. For the first 15-20 minutes, only gas came out which was evident by the bubbles in the wider plastic tube. And then 1 tiny poo floated up the wider tube and passed into a tube in the colonic machine for a quick view under a light. From then on she either rubbed my belly, or pressed on the right side of my stomach to encourage the flap between my liver & large intestine to open. This allowed toxins to be released.

About every 1-2 minutes, matter came out. She recognized old poo as it was larger & firmer. She explained it gets stuck in places. Then mucus, newer poo & grain from my liver. This grain was important as it is accompanied by toxins that can't be seen.  After some time, she placed her hand on my left waist & rocked me back and forth. She explained that the large intestine makes a turn there and matter gets caught. Sure enough she was correct. 

The process took an hour & ended with a trip to the toilet.  I will do this again 
on Thursday; happily.

Quote of the day: "Sometimes your progress takes two days of colonics"  
                                                               -- My Colonics Therapist

Day 2 - Toxins Re-circulating over & over again

As we were finishing breakfast, Dr. Bieber came to get me. I suspect I was late. She whisked me away to a clinic room & put an IV into my right arm; nice apparatus as the needle came out & only a thin plastic remained.  She then spoke to us for about an hour explaining IV PC.

She explained that all cells contain a double membrane made up of ~50% PC; the mitochondrial is also made up of a certain % of it. If the cell membrane is damaged the cells die.  When born, we have 80% and when we die 20%. She & her husband take it once monthly, when their time allows, to maintain a healthy body.

This treatment will repair my cells and detoxify me from heavy metals and toxins.  As a doctor she has been doing detoxification for many years.  She likes this treatment as it is more natural to the body.  She thinks in my case, the toxins are just constantly recirculating in my body and that is why I am not recovering.  She doubts there is Lyme any more.

She also spoke to me of colonics and I will do them this trip. 

My IV test dose was 5 (not sure of units). amps.  My real dose will be 10-12. She will use autonomic response testing (ART) to determine my exact dose.  She trained/worked with Dr. Klinghart for 8 years.

After my IV PC she gave me a vitamin B IV drip & also a vitamin B12 injection in my left hip. Thin needle, no pain.

Back in the room I napped. She warned me that this intense therapy would make me tired.

I really like her and trust her.  She's very hands-on.

Thought for Today

"Treat everyone you meet like God in drag.” 
― Ram Dass

Day 1 - It's a Race!

Early Sunday morning our alarm failed to wake us at 4:30 am.  We were due in the lobby at 5:15 for our taxi to the airport.  At 5:30 Melody, a sister, knocked on our door announcing our car is waiting.  I was already awake but couldn't see the clock or I would have awoken Robbin.  So in the words of Mr. Bean in Rat Race, "It's a Race!"

Robbin had all of it on his shoulders, as always.  We left the room in disarray (no time).  Melody assisted me with my sweater and a few last minute packing items.  At 6:00, we were in the taxi off to the airport.

Traffic was good so we got there relatively easy.  Phew!

Upon arrival, we were approached by a porter who asked for 300 rupees (less than $6) to wheel me around and get us thru security, customs, etc. to our gate. A bargain as we had e-tickets and no printed copy!  There was security to even get into the airport doors; men with guns greeted us.

Once in, our porter did all we needed.  There were no lines at Lufthansa, passport control and minimal lines at security.  Once done we had about an hour before boarding.  We grabbed Dosas that were pretty poor. After that, Robbin bought 2 Cuban cigars.

The plane was virtually empty. Many passengers used 3 seats to lay down. We were in economy & seats were pretty awful. Roche indeed spoiled me with business class seats!  

Food was not good (when is it?) but luckily Robbin packed my goat & sheep cheese in a cooler with ice packs.  He read his ebook and I watched 2 movies; a new Die Hard & Identity Theft.  Both were good.  The ride was less than 8 hrs; I'd originally thought 10. 

Once landed, we hailed a taxi.  Driver didn't know the place so he took out 2 maps. We almost went with another driver, but then he said he knew. Did he? We drove for quite some time (1 hr?) passing no signs for our town; another 20-30 mins.  We asked him to stop in a town to ask; he did and assured us we were nearby. A bit more and a sign "Bad Groenenbach!"

We then had some trouble finding the street but we made it. 

Privatklinik & Gesundheitshotel (like in bless you after a sneeze) is really nice.  Extremely clean, well maintained, friendly staff and great food!  For dinner we had veal and rosti (potatoes we like).  Dr. Bieber stopped by after dinner (remember, this is Sunday evening).  She is so nice!  She explained the IV PC therapy & said I would have my test dose tomorrow morning at the hotel in a clinic room on the 1st floor at 9:00. Then Tuesday morning I would be driven to her clinic which is 5 mins away.

There I would have 'fasting' blood taken and some run here and some shipped to a lab at Johns Hopkins.  A breakfast will be packed for me.

Dr. Bieber's brother-in-law runs the health hotel we are staying at.  He is a doctor too, as is her husband.  Very nice hotel; room accommodations are larger than most in Europe. I'm in a handicapped room with bars for the sink, toilet & shower. Robbin has an adjoining room with a tiny shower; he'll use mine.

Happy here!

Thought for Today

“Suffering is part of our training program for becoming wise.” 

          ― Ram Dass

Day 89 - Signing Out for a bit

Still packing; a big mess in a small room.

Ahba is cutting my pills; they just gave them to me today for my 2 week discharge. 

Had my PICC line removed & had a great hot shower!  

Since we are staying longer than expected I just placed a 3rd Internet order and AGAIN asked my childhood friend Barbara to ship packages to me; this time to Germany as its easier for her courier.  AND he's a doll too; doesn't charge me anything! This is the 3rd time, maybe he'll wizen up.  Barbara, you're terrific!!  Lee too!

Spoke to Tyson & Annie in the hallway tonight, it was fun. They will be back in Sept and again in Jan or Feb; hope I see them then!  Ben came down the hall to join us, he is so nice too!  He'll be here when we come back in 2 weeks.

Going to be a zombie tomorrow! 5 hrs sleep.

xo

Better Brains

I'm republishing Deb's brain scans.  She showed you her good ones.  I took the good ones and bad ones and photoshopped them all together.  In the pictures below there are 4 columns.  The first and third are the before scans.  The second and fourth are the new ones.  Side by side are the same area of the brain.  Between the second and third columns is the color scale, with better colors at the top and worse ones at the bottom.

In the bottom row of columns three and four you'll notice an oval black spot.  That is a good black spot, as opposed to the other black areas.  This is the spinal cord connecting into the brain.

It is a dramatic difference in color.  Here are the pictures, enjoy:

Day 88 - Packing!

We'll be out of touch for a while after tomorrow, Saturday.

We will leave very early Sunday morning; very early!  So, don't worry if you don't hear from us for 2 days as we'll need time to travel & unpack/set up.  

Today was my last mega dose of IV stem cells. Now I'm on my multi-vitamin IV and Ahba is packing.  Unfortunately, we have to pack everything as they want the room empty. Ugh.   And we've bought stuff here!

Robbin went to the computer market today to buy a disc for his PC for Geeta's data.  

He also ordered me take-out! Sooo good.

Thought for Today

Love is everywhere. xo

Day 87 - Mega Doses!

Been busy working on the German clinic's medical forms, with Robbin's help of course.  They will send my blood to John's Hopkins to a special lab for analysis.  Then consult with a woman in the US for fine-tuning instructions on my treatment.

I thought my last day of stem cells was Tuesday, but I've been getting IV mega doses (W-F) and I'm hungry and tired like I'm pregnant.  How do those older women have babies for their daughters?  I've been napping for over 2 hrs each day.

We will leave for Germany on Sunday, July 28th and arrive, after 10 flying hours, on Sunday!  Returning to NuTech on Saturday, Aug 10th. Took Robbin 3hrs on-line to get tickets; he's pooped!

I'm looking forward to some different food.

Still doing PT & OT.

Tomorrow Ahba will begin packing for us.  We have to pack everything so they can clean the room.

Thought for Today

Be kind to everyone.

Day 85 - Brain Power !

Had my SPECT yesterday - and it's much improved!

Top picture of 6 scans is the pre-treatment one.  The bottom pic is 3 months later. 

Black, green & blue are bad. Black shows zero oxygen.   Gray is neutral.  

Red & pink are good, white is optimal.

There is a tiny scale on the left. 

Happy!!

Day 83 - Interview Me!

Monday was good in PT, I could move my right ankle better than before.  I excitedly showed Varun!  He agreed.  Happy.

After PT, OT and injections, I was interviewed by a Research Professor from The Graduate Institute in Geneva.  He came with an assistant; both real nice.  We talked about the misinformation about stem cells in the US, my decision process to come here, my disease progression, how I am being treated at NuTech and about my small improvements.  I will email him my blog for further details.  He is staying in India right now but his research is funded for 5 years by the EU.  He has been following Geeta's progress for 12 years!  He thought it would be a 6 month investigation.

Today's CAT scan of my stomach was cancelled as my previous one had no abnormalities.  Geeta wanted to order an EMG, I shook my head no.  Too painful.  So I'll do it in Sept after my 2nd round of stem cells. Not looking forward to that!!  

Tomorrow is my last day of stem cells.  Then I still have PT & OT and my medicine and vitamin IVs.  

My PICC will get pulled before we leave for Germany; happy.

Thought for Today. 

Be calm; stay focused, be present and look forward.      .... me

Day 82 - Sunday, Hanging Out

Lazy Sunday.  We woke up late at 10:30. They gave Robbin headache meds last night but he was worse this morning.  He's had a headache for a week!  

Watched some movies, seen them before.  Did my tongue and speech exercises during commercials.  Also added some ankle exercises; made up my own.

And then, hung out with my friends from Roche!

Counter clockwise from front left: Karen, me, Kathy, Sue and JoAnn.

Artistic work:Sue Marino. xo

Day 81 - The Old Man is Snoring!

No SPECT today, as it was pouring which yields to flooding; Monsoon season is upon us!  I was rescheduled for Tuesday.

Last day of stem cells will be Tuesday. We will leave for Germany sometime next weekend.  I'll have my PICC removed for convenience. 

Today, I did well in PT & OT.  Had my gut procedure plus injections in my ankles & behind my knees.  Plus IV Tindazole and another with vitamin C.

So this evening was my long awaited shower and after running the water for 10 minutes, it was freezing cold!  So there I sat naked with my PICC arm wrapped in plastic. Ugh.  Ahba called to complain and after another 10 minutes a man delivered a bucket of hot water.  So hot, we had to add cold water to it! But I had my bathing experience; nice.

Tonight the meal was pizza so we ordered Indian food 'take out' to remain gluten-free. It was delicious!  We gave Ahba the leftovers for her family.  She was happy!

Robbin is still programming away!

Thought for Today

“The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can’t find them, make them.”

                               .....  George Bernard Shaw

Day 80 - Let's go to the Movies

Felt better today. More strength & energy. Did well in PT & OT.  Sounds were better too.  AND only cried once.

Took a nap; nice.

The sisters took out my catheter; very nice!

Shower tomorrow; extraordinarily nice!!

We had movie night tonight - "Rat Race."  It was funny.  Robbin played it off his computer and then brought our room speakers to the lobby and we watched it on a big screen.  We had about 7 people with us.

Terry from Boston is leaving at 5:30 am to go back home.  She was here for her 2nd trip and is physically better but still has cognitive problems from Lyme.  Her son, Noah, is so cute; he's 2.

Tomorrow, a gut procedure and brain SPECT.

Day 79 - Germany, here we come!

Today is Thursday, rough week.  Had catheter procedure yesterday and its for 3 days.  They also gave me injections in my ankles (first time) and behind my knees.

There is an intense IV phosphatidylcholine treatment that I need and it's in Germany.  So we will go to Bad Grönenbach in Bavaria!  The treatment should help my cell membranes which aren't functioning correctly.  They can't distinguish toxins from nutrients - keeping nutrients in & toxins out.  They will treat me for 2 weeks, beginning July 29.  After that I will come back to India for another 4 weeks of stem cells; second protocol.  Phew!

Here are 2 links:

http://www.dr-krautheim.de/english/gesundheitshotel/kontakt/kontakt.html

http://www.milz-bieber.de/englisch/index_english.html

If I were healthier I could really enjoy this place! There may be opportunity for that as I believe I will need shorter follow up treatments. Time will tell.

Still fatigued & weak. Did ok in PT & OT though.  

Saw Geeta yesterday and she knows how emotional I've been and she said its a turning point and that Lyme is leaving my brain.  Never heard that before but "good riddance!"  Sure hope she's right.

On Saturday, I'll get another brain SPECT and on Monday, a CT scan of my stomach.  So next week they will compare them to my first ones in May.  

We're hosting a movie night on Friday night, Rat Race.  Should be fun!

Day 77 - Still Herxing

More herxing. Very weak, poor speech, very emotional, lots of crying.  

Robbin needs a vacation.  Send reinforcements!  Still have a sense of humor.

More tomorrow.

Day 76 - Herxing

Didn't have a great day, definitely herxing.  Couldn't do my OM's and Naga's, had more-than-usual muscle weakness and major fatigue.  Took a nap and had Varun come to the room for afternoon PT.

Robbin's been programming day & night and loving it!  He showed me some neat tables today; very cool.

That's all folks.

Thought for the Day

"Tomorrow is another day."  ...Anonymous

 

Day 75 - Mall Outing

Woke up refreshed with 9+ hrs of sleep; laid around for another hour trying to sleep.  Robbin went out for coffee & a dosa.  When I wanted to get up I used my foot to buzz the sisters!  The buzzer is on the wall next to my bed.  I had tried this 'foot buzzing' a month ago and couldn't maneuver it.  It took about a minute and a few tries, but I did it. Another skill!

Tindazole IV - last of the 3 days.  I'll be able to tell if it makes me fatigued.  Watched "The Hunger Games" on TV during my IV.

Just got back from the mall. It was loud and crowded.  When we tell the staff here (sisters or doctors) about going to the mall, they all say how expensive it is.  They don't shop there.  The Ahba's of the world don't shop there.  So who are all these wealthy, well dressed people?  

We tried to find RC some ear buds, but no luck. 

We ate at TGIF Fridays!  I had stuffed potatoes- yum!  I also had a small cup of chocolate, chocolate chip ice cream from a small vendor that RC fed to me with a tiny spoon; double yum!!

Bought tons of cheese!  

I had fun being out and not too tired.

Thought of the Day

"Anything is Possible". .... Me

Day 74 - Sprinkles on the Sundae

Fatigued again today!  On a Tindazole IV for 3 days so that could be why.  Rested and napped on & off for 2 1/2 hrs, then showered; felt better!

Ahba left for her only day off, Sunday.  Most here work 5 1/2 days a week, but only about 33 hrs!  Very different than in the US.  Ahba works 11 hr days and commutes 4 hrs daily.  She wakes at 4:30 for a special prayer and then sleeps a bit more.  Then she wakes, cooks for the day (remember, no kitchen), showers and leaves at 6:30 am to arrive at 8:30.  She's a hard worker.

Robbin's been working hard programming to present Geeta's data.  He and Sam are emailing each other.  He's having fun.

Tomorrow, we are planning a trip to the mall to shop at Food Hall for a variety of sheep & goat cheeses.  Yum!

Watched Julie & Julia tonight; fun.  I remember seeing it in the theatre with MaryBeth.  Remember Sis?

Thought for Today

"You know, all that really matters is that the people you love are happy and healthy.  Everything else is just sprinkles on the sundae."

                                                                                    ..... Paul Walker