Day 1: Our journey started @4:00 am Edmonton time ~ flight left at 6:45 but need to arrive early for wheelchair pre-boarding. Just under
4hrs direct to Houston, Tex. 2hr stop over then approx 2hrs to Mex. city
where we had a 4hr wait. Then approx. 1.5 hrs to Merida where we
arrived at hotel close to midnight local time (1hr time change) FYI I
was quite thoroughly (within reason) searched at immigration both going
in and coming out of Mex. probably more so coming out :-).
The hotel in Merida was a 2min walk directly across from hosp. and the 5
nights were included in the total cost with procedure ($9,860 US) not
incl. airfare. The medical care alone was well worth the cost as this
incl. MRV, doppler, 2 lengthy neuro visits, 2 cardiovascular surgeons
(during procedure and 2-3 visits before and after. Not to mention the
anesthesiologist, Radiologist (doppler), nursing staff and all who make a
hosp. function! There was an extra fee at checkout due to extra
sedation meds etc which was a surprise but after Bill consulted hosp.
and World Medassist direct, everything was explained and settled.
Day 2: Breakfast- MRI/MRV @ 1:30 (took about 45mins). Back to hotel for
rest and then quick run through mall before visit with Dr. Mendoza
(neuro) which was at least 1/2 hr and found my EDSS scale rating to be 8
(no surprise) EDSS scale is from 1-10 .....1 being onset of MS and 10
being late stage and bed ridden. Basically to reach 8 means you can no
longer walk.
Day 3: hospital at 7am for admit to rm & prep. ~ 1.5 hr surgery where you are sedated but not with
anesthetic. No incision just a tiny puncture where tube and balloon are
inserted. In recovery a few hrs then Drs Solis and Silva came to visit
in rm and it was agreed that an over night stay was necessary as my BP
was 89 over 59 (very low) probably due to extra sedation it took as they
found most MS pt. very hard to sedate. Lots of IV fluids to help bring
BP up. Right in room I was moving head/neck with ease, L. arm hand
moving much better, feet not purple but healthy pink (once I came out of
that blissful drug induced stupor :o)!! By morning BP had rose to
about 110 over 80 which is normal for me. Given a prescription for
blood thinner to prevent clots which I'll stay on for 6 mos.
Day 4: doppler ultrasound @8:30 across from hosp. to show veins stayed
open!! without stents! Where I cried tears of joy when radiologist said
it will only get better. She gave me a hug and said this has become her
passion as she sees how much it is helping MS pts :) Back to hotel for
rest then lunch at mall before 1 hr. neuro appt. @3:30. during which it
was suggested that I wean off the two drugs I was on for spasticity and
muscle jerks as both are probably affecting leg strength and balance.
The med he suggested is used in Canada and will not have the negative
side effects plus help with sleep! My EDSS had not changed from 8
despite improvement because Im not able to walk...yet :) Regular physio
was strongly suggested as well as stretches to get muscle strength
back.
Supper at hacienda & touring with Alesandro then hotel @9:30. FYI I had much increased leg strength to stand and
transfer (with Bill's help) AND was able to move R. foot forward 1 step
to get in van!!!!
Day 5: Juan Pablo picked us up around 10:30 to head to downtown market, local myan ruin (which we omitted due
to extreme heat) and then 45min drive to gulf (lunch/sight seeing).
Then I was dropped off at hotel as heat was taking a huge toll on me ~
total wet noodle from neck down til got to air conditioned room. My
dear husband had to dead weight lift me every time we stopped incl.
every 20mins to use washroom thanks to the enormous amt. of fluids
needing to escape my body >:o{. The temp. reached 36C with HIGH
humidity which healthy people incl Juan found unbearable.
Day 6: up at 5:30 to begin long flight home ~ arrived at house close to midnight.
We discovered this amazing fruit drink called guanabana which we tried to
smuggle back but Bill ended up chug-a-lugging down two cans in front of
the very patient security guard...lol.
Sat. & Sun was very fatigued so no noticeable improvement and will take a week
or two of rest before trying to gauge any true progress. Praise God for
giving my wonderful husband the strength and ability to lift me a
kazillion times under very tight and difficult circumstances AND arrive
home with no back pain!! For those who dont know, he is a paramedic and
any wrong move when lifting could seriously affect his career.
Thank you to all our friends and family for your love, prayers and support
during this adventure! We pray that in turn our Lord blesses each one
of you in ways you need and only HE can!! And my MS friends from all
over the globe both liberated and in waiting.....your support of both
info and encouragement have guided me to this day of liberation! I love
you all<3<3<3. My prayer now is that this soon be made
available globally and we have angioplasty for all AFA!! No more
discrimination because we were first labeled with MS!!
muchos <3,
Kathyxo
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