I flew to L.A. on Sunday with Matt. The flight was miserable. Virgin Air is horrible. It was hot in the plain and the seats are very cramped. It was hands down the worst flight EVER. I am not looking forward to the trip home with incisions and a swollen body. If we had more money I would upgrade to first class.
I wanted one day with my 3-year-old niece Isabella (I have never met her) before the procedure. We went and walked on the pier. I was miserable the whole time as walking always irritates me when I am in the middle of a flair and it is humid. I kept thinking that hopefully after the procedure I will be able to walk without being reminded of my disease. Later we had a wonderful evening with my cousin Destry (that I have not seen in years). Did I mention my SIL is an excellent cook? It was nice to sit outside, eat wonderful food and visit.
Monday was the procedure. My appointment was at 9 and even though it was less than 20 miles away, it took us 1.5 hours. Got to love L.A. traffic. First they gave me a pill that goes under my tongue to relax me (nothing that gets you sleepy, just calms the nerves), then they took my plasma, gave me a local shot and did the lipo to harvest the stem cells on my stomach (no, they do not take enough to make a difference-darn). The lipo was uncomfortable and hurt when he jammed the rod too far or grabbed my skin in his fingers. It was a horrible burning feeling. Trust me, I voiced my complaints. After, he took the plasma and stem cells and injected them into the affected area. Each one felt like a bee sting or worse. It was awful. I was there from 9-3 and grumpy when we left. It hurt to sit and I was very swollen. Because of the stem cells needing to be top notch to do their job, all you can take it an herbal anti-inflammatory and Tylenol.
Tuesday I was anxious to shower as I leaked blood, fat and fluids from both areas (lipo and where the stem cells were injected). I am bruised in both places and it hurts to stand. It actually reminds me of a c-section on some levels.
I go in tomorrow for an ultrasound appointment and then fly back. I am supposed to go back every three months for two or three more procedures. So what does the procedure do?
After examining me, he told me I have fusing (meaning parts of my body are no longer there or losing their structure, layers of built up scar tissue and discolored skin). He said I was a tough cookie for lasting this long and it made me feel good that someone actually had compassion and understood on some sort of level.
Our hopes are that after the 3 procedures I will go into remission. Meaning that the fissures, fusing, white patches, loss of sensation, constant pain, itching, tingling and stinging will be reduced by 80%. The drawback, when it comes back and I am out of remission (this could be anywhere from 1-3 years) I will have to repeat the procedure and cost. Ugh.
It is his hope that he will gather enough information, research and proof to get grants so that women like me can be treated and not suffer or eat the whole cost. Pray this happens fast. I cannot afford 10k per year.
I am hoping, praying and wishing for a long remission. ~S
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