This morning at the clinic, mom received stem cells and a protein drip. Poor thing just doesn't have much in the way of good veins anymore. In the past four weeks, she has had approximately 5 days without any needles.
This is a picture of mom with Mr. Won from this morning. I think he said he is 26. Looks young, doesn't he? He handles all blood harvesting as well as makes individual vaccines.
Mom, Dawn, Dave and I were later picked up from the hotel by Mr. Mok at 2:40 pm and swung by Goodgene to pick up Dr. Moon and dropped him off at home on the way in. Sitting in the car with Dr. Moon was very interesting. He did talk about opening up a clinic in the US (near Alexandria in Louisiana) on an Indian Reservation. The problem there is that they would be at the behest of the tribe Chief. If he said "go", they would need to go. The back-up then is in the Bahamas. He has already been approved by the government there. Third back-up is in Cabo San Lucas.
Mom asked him about radiation therapy, as it is used greatly in conjunction with stem cells and chemo. He said that mostly standard radiation is used in the States but in South Korea, it can be modified. If a patient would be in need of a specialized radiation therapy (i.e. Cyberknife, etc), they could come to Korea for that as it would only be for a short time (as opposed to being here for approx. 7 to 12 weeks as most patients need to be). Also, if he is centrally located, he can refer patients to one of the three Mayo clinics. He's hoping this Spring.
At KCCH, both mom and Dawn got their IGRT treatments. This was mom's third. Only twelve more to go!
Tonight is my last night in Korea. I'll miss my mom. We haven't spent this much time together since I was 17. But I'm looking forward to seeing her again this June for my oldest daughter's 10th birthday. Hang in there, mom. Remember all that you've gone through already. Just a few weeks more! It will go by quickly.
I hope you'll hear the echo of my voice and the swish of my pom-pom's cheerleading you on. I love you, mom.
Goodbye South Korea.
Goodbye my Magic Window. I've watched the traffic, red neon crosses and snowflakes... and thought about life and family gazing out of this window.
Will update soon.
