Wow I haven't written in forever. I guess I'm just too busy living my life, and loving it!! But the whole reason I started this blog was to document my journey, so neglecting to write probably wasn't a good idea. Oh well, here goes.
When my blog left off, I believe I was anticipating the ever-uncertain medical trip to Ida Grove, IA. On May 31st, my mom and I flew to Omaha, NE where we rented a car (a very sucky rental car, but whatever) and drove the two hours from there to the tiny, provincial town of Ida Grove, IA (which has one single stoplight, by the way -- cutest place ever). The drive was so scenic and beautiful, the likes of which I've only seen on TV. I loved it, cow pastures and green farms from end to end of the horizon.
We finally arrived in Ida Grove and checked into the Delux Motel, the place where apparently all of the patients check into when they come to see Dr. Sinnott. At the check-in desk, I met a fellow patient who had been living with rheumatoid arthritis, another supposedly incurable auto-immune disorder, before she learned about Dr. Sinnott and his antibiotic protocol. This was her second visit to Ida Grove for IV's, and she says her rheumatoid arthritis is practically unnoticeable anymore. I was basically in tears by the time I got my room key.
We met with Dr. Sinnott the next morning in the Ida Grove hospital and he ran some blood tests and such, then told me the story of how he came to use the antibiotic protocol to treat scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibro myalgia. In short, he witnessed Dr. Brown (the founder of the antibiotic protocol) use it on several patients thirty years ago and saw that it truly worked, with no harsh side effects. So it's safe, and it's effective. The only problem is that it's not the textbook way of treating these diseases, and so other doctors are terrified of trying it. As far as I know from my internet research, Dr. Sinnott is one of only two doctors in the country practicing this treatment, the only treatment that actually works, and both of these doctors are already semi-retired. Where are people going to turn when they're gone and their last hope of treatment is gone with them? That's such a scary thought.
The hospital where it all began
I began my treatments of two IV's a day for five days. The amazingly sweet nurses decided to give me an IV lock, which is an IV needle attached to a flexible plastic catheter, the latter of which would stay in my arm for the entire treatment process so that they wouldn't have to poke me every time. Well, since my veins are puny, it took about four nurses, twenty minutes, and four jabs of the giant needle into my poor arm to locate my vein. After that, though, it was fine. That is, until my IV site got infected four days later and they had to poke me again, but that's beside the point. My mom then decided that she also wanted to get treated, so we were in it together!! The only bad thing was that it was really, really difficult to take a shower with one arm.
Have you ever seen someone happier to be hooked up to an IV?
My mom getting the IV, too!
Between treatments, we didn't really fancy staying cooped up in the motel, and let's face it, Ida Grove has maybe three restaurants, two gas stations, and one stoplight. The Pizza Hut was really cool, though. It was positioned in the middle of a lake where you could eat out on the deck and feed swans. Everything about that place was so beautiful.
As I was saying, between treatments we usually ventured into the surrounding cities, most of which were just as tiny and un-amusing. The closest major city was Sioux City, and we were there almost every day for the amazing shopping and dining. It felt like I was on vacation, and it was great bonding time with my mom. For once, it was fun to not know where the road was taking us and just take time to soak it all in. The unfamiliar sights and smells, just happy to be alive. Being a tourist was exhilarating.
Since then, I've been taking two pills a day. I can't remember what it's called off the top of my head and the prescription bottle is in my purse somewhere, but so far my friend Joe says the improvement he's seen in me is astounding. I, myself, have noticed that I'm more energetic and altogether happier, but my joints haven't improved much. They don't hurt, which is a good sign, but my overall mobility hasn't improved yet. I'm not losing hope though, because I came across a forum of people who have been treated with the antibiotic protocol, and most of them didn't see any improvements until seven or eight months after the first treatment, but after that have improved significantly. If anything, I'm extremely hopeful and feel extremely blessed to have found Dr. Sinnott and his amazing nursing staff at Ida Grove.
This summer has been indescribable, even though it was unlike any other summer I've had. Usually, I spend my summers in California, and although I regret not being able to visit this year, I don't regret anything I accomplished this summer. A major step was taken toward my remission, and I've re-connected with my closest friends from high school, re-entering their lives and bridging the gap between us that was formed through our separation in college. I even got the chance to meet up my longtime best friend Chelsey in College Station. We spent two days catching up and almost, almost went skydiving, but the sudden bad weather forced us to reschedule jumping out of a plane for next time. That's okay. It just means that there will be a next time!
I'm getting ready to start my sophomore year at Sam Houston State University as a new Journalism major, and I couldn't be more ecstatic. I just moved into my new apartment right off campus with two roommates I couldn't be happier with, and I love it. More on that next time.
Thanks so much for reading.
