Hi, it's Julienne!
Just spent two weeks in the hospital on i.v. chemotherapy - cytoxin and ACTH
(a steroid-like substance). First, the good - I can walk with a walker again!
This was a skill I had lost when I had the relapse in Feb. Before I went in
the hospital, when I would try to stand my knees would just buckle, unless it
was a "tone" day - then they would lock stiff as boards. Since the i.v.s I
can lock my knees again by myself and can walk short distances! Yippee! The
bad part is my hair is falling out in clumps, I look like the Pillsbury
doughboy with acne... it's not a pretty picture. Luckily my husband loves me.
Thanks for all your kind messages. My kids made it through just fine - far
better than I did, emotionally. Now the plan is that the chemo will have
turned off that over-active immune system and my mylin can regenerate without
being eaten. My neuro bases this all on a Journal of Am. Med. article from
1983 where this same protocol was done on MS patients, successfully. It's
hopeful, guys. Neuro says we'll know if it worked in 2-6 months, but he's
pleased that we're seeing results so quickly. Oh yeah, and little patches of
feeling have come back along both legs. Here's hoping for the best, for all
of us. I'll keep you updated.
Glad y'all dropped those insurance rantings, finally. I came home to 91
e-mails!
Love to all,
Julienne