Its been a little over a week that I've been here in Korea, and as happy as I am to be receiving this amazing treatment, I am really missing home. Everything is going really smoothly, but I do have alot of time on my hands. Today is my third day for stem cell therapy which is given to me through an IV drip, followed by a protein formula. This takes about an hour each morning. Every so often I will also receive immune therapy and gene therapy though injections. This immune therapy is tailor made for cancer and involves natural killer cells and cytokine genes. DNA/Gene vaccine is also tailor made by using a complex of biopolymer and gene (DNA) vector, applied for the prevention and therapy of cancer and other diseases. It is incredibly advanced stuff! The patients here are all stage 4 with all different types of cancer. The staff is wonderful and so positive and confident that this treatment will result in complete remission and/or cure. I feel very lucky in the fact that my cancer has only metastisized to the bones and not to any organs because it is much quicker to treat this way. This initial treatment will take place here in Korea for about month, but I'll most likely need follow ups every three months or so afterwards for a period of time until a cure can be defined. We have heard that clinics may be opening in areas closer to home so that I would not have to travel all the way to Korea the next time. Things are still up in the air, but I remain very hopeful!
Other than treatments, my mom and I have been doing some sightseeing and festive shopping! Everything is so cheap here..wow! We love all the little trinkets and traditional souveniers. Leather and crocodile skin handbags, shoes, jackets etc are also very cheap, but we're not so much into that. We'd rather pick up magnets, chopsticks, fans, slippers and phone charms for dollars at a time! Festive prizes!
We toured the beautiful Changdeokgung Palace, Amethyst Factory, Isadong Antique Shop Alley and Namdaemun Market. Some of the shopping streets are so easy to get lost on. There are so many outside vendors and eventually all the shops start to look the same. But make sure you don't turn the wrong corner or you'll find yourself on slaughter alley! Lord, the stench!! I won't get into too much detail on this one, but who in their right mind finds a boar's head appetizing?! NOT me!!
I am anxious to get to some buddist temples and sacred gardens here in Seoul. I've been needing a good dose of spirit lately. Reading and watching Oprah webcasts only do so much. I checked out the Bikram Yoga website for a location in Seoul and it says there is one, but it doesn't provide an address. In our hotel, fitness and spa facilities are offered free of charge and I've been a couple times, but nothing beats Bikram! With all the hot flashes going on in my body lately, I can probably just do yoga in my room and still get the same effect! :)
Well, that's about it for now. Tomorrow I continue with stem cell therapy and then I gotta get my nails done. Woo...mama needs a fill! Thanks so much for all the emails and well wishes...they are so encouraging and really help the time go quicker. I'll do my best to keep these blogs coming....I know people begin to get worried when the updates take awhile. Just know that I am being treated very well and other than the fatigue, I've been feeling great!
As they say in Korea, Yoksiri eodi-e isseoyo! Oh whoops, that meant "where is the bathroom?"
I meant to say Jigeum tteonayo, annyeong-hi gyeseyo, meaning "I am leaving now, goodbye!"
Lots of Love and Gratitude,
Trycia
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