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(7) Testing & Treatment Starts - Day 1 - 3













 

 Just an hour after the welcome meeting concluded we were at an external clinic for Chest X Rays . As group 1 we were the first to move through all the stages. Group 1 consist of 4 people of varying ages and MS disability and country of origin. Australia, New Zealand , Canada and Kuwait represented. 

On completion of chest X Rays we bussed back to the clinic for an afternoon of information and testing. Chemotherapy Zoom meeting followed by Cardiologist, body measurements and Spirometry testing. It was all very well orchestrated by the clinic where you simply move from one consultation room to the next. 

This continued the next morning with more specialist including Neurologist, medical history review, research interview and then Hematology consultation to be given the all clear. When Dr Ruiz confirmed 2 things….. I wasn’t pregnant and I was ok to continue the treatment, it was a hallelujah moment! 

We grabbed our lunch pack and headed back out on the bus as group 1 for the dreaded Chemo which is offsite at a Haematology Clinic,10 minutes from COR. 

We sidled in to the Chemo room and found a recliner ready for what lies ahead. We packed heavily for the occasion not quite knowing what to expect apart from the room is kept really cold for medical reasons so pack warm clothes . We were quickly connected via IV line and the chemo had begun. 

This was 5 hours connected to the IV and forced to drink 1.5 litres of Electrolyte drink to help flush the system post chemo. 

This process was repeated again the next morning with our second dose of chemo. Much more difficult to back up the second day with poor sleep and nausea from the day before.

The electrolyte drinks were much more difficult to stomach on the second day, but I to persevered.

 

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