Protecting My Stem Cells: The Drug Dilemma Update

My car looks like I am using it to stockpile drugs again as I head out of town. A neatly organized caddy (ok, it's an Amazon book box) full of everything I need is sitting on my front seat in perfect reach for dispensing while I drive. I consider seat belting it in to protect my assets, but the quirky side of me worries if I get pulled over by a cop, this odd behavior alone would warrant a ticket.

I lugged many of my drugs home from India -- a country blessed by the void of the FDA. The biggest cost of an almost full suitcase of medicine was the energy it took to organize and carry them; and that was, quite frankly, a bargain.

Dr. Geeta Shroff and Dr. Ashish felt like despite the "Lyme psychic" and her findings, I should do another round of antibiotics for 30 days to make sure everything is and stays under control. If there is no or little Herxheimer reaction, the month will probably be enough. This was the plan when I left India, before any unsatisfactory test score or energy readers ever came into play. I have hesitantly agreed, knowing "better safe than sorry" is how you have to play this game. I've learned it before.

As I pack, the reality of getting myself ready to go somewhere "the old way" (which is pre-stem cells) hits harder than I thought it would. It makes me appreciate (again) how challenging it is to get out of the house with a kid. You need "stuff" for every occasion, and yet more stuff in case that stuff doesn't work out. I've only been off antibiotics for six weeks so I had more than a full year to practice before this, yet the small break was plenty of time to become completely spoiled. I want to throw my stuff together and go.

I review things in my head as I check off the items on my mental list. I have my oral antibiotics in tow. I have the "good bacteria" pills (probiotics) to try to offset the damage being done by the antibiotics to my stomach. I have antacids to help with the discomfort. I have my liquid medication to treat one of the co-infections, and the measuring tools to make sure I take the right amount. I have the supplements that help my liver. I have gallbladder pills that I must take every time I eat to keep from getting gallstones (a side effect of one of the drugs). I have extra bottled water to flush my kidneys. I have a supplement comprised of healthy organic oils that my doctor recommended. I have my horse sized pill multi-vitamins. I have garlic pills to keep viruses at bay and my immune system strong (as directed by Dr B). I have needles, syringes and vials of antibiotic powder that need to be mixed with Lidocaine for my injectables. I have alcohol pads and Band-Aides. I'll buy Arnica cream when I get there which will help keep my butt from bruising too severely from my daily double antibiotic shots. I am an Arnica cream faithful. I used to have tubes lying around everywhere during my last round of shots. Never underestimate the grumpiness that can come from having a butt so sore you actually mean it when you tell someone offering you their chair in a waiting room, "That's ok, I'm really more comfortable standing."

I've had to prepare mentally more than logistically for going back on my medication. I have the routine down. I'm a pro at when to take what and which meds go with food and which don't. I told a lady last week while talking to her about my stem cell journey, that "I wouldn't care if I had to be on antibiotics forever." "Getting off of them was never my goal," I said. I explained that I spent so much time on them all the while getting more and more sick, that now if they were actually working, I'd be totally fine with it. I'm starting to reconsider my comment. I'm more protective of my body than I've ever been. I'm worried about what my organs have to endure being on so much of these drugs. I want to keep my baby stem cells safe, but I hate that it's at the risk of the rest of me. I feel like a shield between them and whatever danger could be hanging around. I don't want threat anywhere near them so I have to do what is best. It's a dilemma for me as I know being the first one in this situation, I have to take some punches in hopes that others following my lead will not have to.

I visualize the antibiotics as healing light. It seems like a far fetch at times, but I think it's working. I keep telling myself, it's just for now. Only one month. One day, we'll know exactly what embryonic stem cells do for Lyme Disease, and there will be a protocol to follow. Until then, I will do my 30 day sentence of a sore butt and probably a depressed appetite (lovely side effects). And of course, I'll continue to have silent conversations with my organs. Please hang in there a little longer, dear liver. I know this sucks, but it's for the babies.

Oh, the things you do for love.....

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About Amy B. Scher

A passionate author, pioneering patient, and sassy spirit with just enough sweetness to get me by, I live by my self-created motto: when life kicks your ass, kick back.Amy B. Scher's profile Amy B. Scher's blog