Arrival!

February 19, 2019

Good evening, dear ones, or Dobryy vecher!

I arrived in Moscow yesterday and was received very, very warmly! A driver from the hospital picked me and my dear mom from the airport and drove us first to Mama’s Hotel and then to the clinic.

Anastasia welcomed us directly, as warmly and happily as many patients described her to me. Anastasia is the lady who takes care of everything organizational. And she does that great. I am now here for a little over 24h and I meet her in all places: during the examinations she takes a quick look inside or even when changing my room air filter, my mother had problems with the entrance and she came to the gate to fix it. She is also the one who organizes the registration. She is just always and everywhere, speaks fluent English, has humor and is so full of positive energy!

I feel so comfortable here! Yesterday evening I was asked by the driver when saying goodbye, if I am afraid – No, I had just yesterday very good luck in the stomach!

It was an exciting and briefly overwhelming feeling to get on the plane and to look back on the stairs …

And now I am here. In my little but fine magic ball room.

Here I will be also during the isolation. So I’m allowed to “set up.” Tomorrow I have my day off and I’ll see that I get some crafting material to decorate the room with all your lovely cards and talismans. Let’s see how things can be Designer in here.

The room is practical. I have a fridge and a kettle. And a microwave, because the food can be reheated well during isolation to destroy germs.

I also have a private bathroom with a shower. And a nice window, through which you can see a few trees and the sun.

The examinations have been running since yesterday evening: ECG, ultrasound, blood, urine, MRI, lung volume. Small anecdote from this morning: I fell asleep, zack door open, sister came in (hood, mask, laughing eyes, no English, only Russian): loooooooooong cotton swab in hand. I first opened my mouth wide for saliva …

“No no no …” and put the thing in my nose (!) until I do not know where … !! Ouch! 😂😂😂😂 Good Morning Sunshine!! Haha, she had to laugh, too. Surprise effect is called that. And I was awake!

Tomorrow the results will be evaluated. There will also be a birthday tomorrow. Someone has successfully completed his stem cell transplant and it is the tradition of the house to celebrate this in a small ritual. I will then show you pictures of my second Birthday in a few weeks!

On Thursday, the results will be discussed. And on Friday morning, the mobilization of the stem cells begins. In the afternoon I do a little sightseeing tour. And on Monday or Tuesday, the Central Venous Catheter is placed on my neck … I can not even think about it. This is my only personal and greatest fear regarding this whole procedure here … I have this pinpoint phobia (which I always bravely defy on the arm) – but CVC on the neck … well, I’m fighting for courage internally!

When the CVC day is over, I can relax inside and enjoy the treatment. Yes, that’s right: enjoy. I am really indescribably happy to be here!