DECEMBER 4, 2007
The doctors are starting to train me for control of my incontenience today. Unbelievable overnight strength given to my right hand . I am so happy at the strength in my entire right arm. As of today I now have control of my left arm movement from elbow to hand and I have about 85% hand movement with fingers starting to open. I have not taken a blood pressure pill for 20 days…..and my pressure is posing no problem whatso ever. I write with a happy heart (which the nurses say I must have for the body to heal) looking forward to the 5th and final spinal stem cell treatment. There will be a bright tommorrow!!!!
December 5th, 2007
NOVEMBER 30, 2007
I was determined to get up and eat at a small table in my room looking out the window with a lovely view. But this tired my body and I had chills for the rest of the day. Finally this put me back in my bed.
DECEMBER 1, 2007
We colored my hair but the hair did not accept the color as it had before. Could this be the stem cell treatment we do not know. I am planning an outing to Hangzhou. I have decided on buying something for myself for all the pain and suffering I have gone through.
DECEMBER 2, 2007
Our driver Mr. Lee, found a new way to get me in and out of a car. This was a most beautiful day. We were going to a small catholic church named Santa Maria Church of the Immaculate built in 1661 in Hangzhou. The church had been closed and reopened by many presidents of China over the years. It is walled off the main streets by a cement wall and the parking lot was only 6 car lengths. We were lucky to have witnessed a celebration. Balloons were tied in an arch over the church entrance. We realized a wedding was going on. Women were decorating the pews with one gladoli and pink tule. The crash was red. Priests and choir members were dressed in red and white robes. The church is sparcely decorated no piano or organ here. The priests and members each acknowledged our presence , we said a quick prayer and left. I now decided on a gold necklace for myself and many gold stores were visited. White gloved guards and salespersons were available to us. Like any other woman my choice brought me back to the first store……..the driver had a hard time understanding we wanted to go back…..he kept telling us we had already been there. Finally he understood and was laughing as he drove. When we arrived back again the parking attendant was laughing……..as were the gloved guards. Apparently this is never done in China….. you either buy then or not. You never return!!!! We ended the day with dinner at Hooter’s. It was a delightful day.
DECEMBER 3, 2007
Two new doctors are now on my case, Dr. Jules and Dr. Towle. Dr. Ma the head physician was with them. My spinal stem cell injection is scheduled for 2 PM. I was given acupuncture in the AM and this was painful to me. I must lay on my back still for 6 hours after the spinal injection . This time I had some side effects. This time I had nausea and pain. My left hand regressed and my right hand gained strength in the wrist movement and grip. I asked the doctors what can I expect long term………he said in two months I should see the effects of the treatment. So I will wait with an anxious heart putting my faith in the Lord who has gotten me this far.
and wris
l
December 4th, 2007
NOVEMBER 29,2007
It appears today I have gained more strength in my right hand and this is permitting easier movement when holding a cup for instance. For the first time ever I was able to roll my spaghetti on the fork prior to eating this is a small delight that I enjoy. During my sleep at about 4 AM I was awaken from a deep sleep with a pain in my lower torso ( I usually have some pain there ) like I have never had before and heat radiating down my legs. My legs felt so light…I felt I could swing them over the bed, stand and walk. I tossed the covers and tried but they would not move. It was just a moment in time……but what a moment it was. The doctors are optimistic and I look ahead to tommorrow and a new day.
November 30th, 2007
NOVEMBER 25, 2007
Hired a driver Mr. Lee for the day. They call it a “free day” as there is nothing done at the hospital……it is Sunday. We went shopping in Hangzhou at the silk markets………..which were massive and one shop after the other….and you must bargain the price down. We also enjoyed dinner out at the Hyatt Regency……….we are comfortable with that.
NOVEMBER 26, 2007
Monday and things here start moving again. Pain in my left shoulder last night extending through to the right trunk side. Dr. Martin, therapist and acupuncturist used powerful “kung fu” medicine on me to fix the pain. It worked within 15 to 20 minutes. Looking forward to using the standing frame treatment.
NOVEMBER 27, 2007
After acupuncture Dr. Martin massaged hands and fingers opened and doing great. Enough pressure to grip a cup handle and about 85% of hand use.
NOVEMBER 28, 2007
Today I received the third spinal injection……..no side effects, no headache, no sickness……nothing. Thank the Lord. I must lay completely flat for 6 hours straight. Tommorrow they will be looking for feelings in my legs and other parts of my body. I am hopeful and optimistic.
NOVEMBER 29, 2007
Waiting for feelings to arrive in my legs. I now have feelings in my lower back area. My cathiter is being removed and I wait for the return of control of my incontenience. This should return to me the doctors are telling me. I am doing all the physicial therapy they give me and the program is extensive ending with me standing up in the standing frame for over 30 minutes. This is a good day. I am out of bed and eating at a table by the window. My heart is light with the progress I am making.
November 29th, 2007
CHRISTMAS 2004
Excruciating pain sent me to the Shadyside Hospital in Pittsburgh. With x-rays and testing they found it was not the suspected heart attack. I was referred to Pittsburgh Neurological Association and from there to Jefferson Regional Diagnostic Hospital. After extensive testing and consulting physicians called in from Mercy Hospital, Pittsburgh it was decided I had focal dystonia.
FEBRUARY 2005
That diagnosis sent me to Harmarville Rehab Health South Facility.
MAY 2005
I was walking with a walker only to come crashing down by the end of June.
JULY 2005
That sent me to Harmarville Rehab center again where they continued with the misdiagonsis. My condition worsened and I lost incontenience. I asked for a transfer to Pittsburgh UPMC Presbyterian Hospital. For some reason Harmarville Rehab facility gave me problems intiating the transfer. It took a forceful turn of events by my sister to get me transferred. After a week of cultures and testing at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital I was transferred to UPMC Southside Rehab Hospital. I was told I had been misdiagnosed and it was now TRANSVERSE MYELITIS and I was paralyzed from the waist down with NO HOPE for a recovery.
AUGUST 2006
Looking for something anything to help reverse the paralyzation, John Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore Maryland suggested we be transferred down there for they have the only research for this disease in the USA. Once again my progress was impeded by one doctor who would not or could not initiate transfer from a rehab floor to an inpatient hospital. Researching the internet through John Hopkins I found suggested guidelines for a new treatment. I opted to have plasma phorsis procedures done in Pittsburgh which produced nothing.
AUGUST 2007
With each turn of events my condition worsened. The paralyzation has now moved up my torso to my breast area. Researching further I found Kennedy Kreiger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland who touted Christopher Reeves (superman) recovery so I decided to go there. After a four hour probing with a pin by medical doctors and consultants every nerve in my body was awakened. Again bladder testing showed no change in my condition. Through all this medications were NEVER changed. My sister researched the internet on the recommendation from a surgeon regarding the new imbilocal cord blood stem cell treatment being down in China. To date I can not use my hands, my arms ache constantly and the paralyzation has moved to the top of my arms and breast. Reading the stats this treatment has produced I knew I had to run not walk for help in China.
NOVEMBER 15, 2007
Arrived in China after a very long flight. We were greeted by the doctors, who even helped us unload our luggage. Quite a surprise.
NOVEMBER 16, 2007
Tests and examination by attending physician Dr. Dave. Then also a therapist named Lee made a workout visit and evaluation. Everyone here at Zhe Jiang Xiao Shan Hospital in Hangzhou is genuinely concerned and caring …… even the janitorial staff. One thing I know if they tell you they will do something it is done, no questions. Schedules and findings to be set on Saturday.
NOVEMBER 17, 2007
Waiting for availability of a room on the 20th floor. We took (my sister and I) a tour of the facility as the weather here was foggy, rainy and getting colder. The hospital was absolutely beautiful and massive.
NOVEMBER 18, 2007
We moved to the 20th floor. The rooms were just as shown on the internet. My schedule was set for the week with the first spinal stem cell injection on Monday. Dr. Ma and Dr. Mike (head physicians), Dr. Dave (attending physician), Wendy (our translator),Amanda (our courier) and a group of about 12 registered nurses surround my bed for any questions I may have regarding the procedure. It was expained in detail.
NOVEMBER 19, 2007
On this day the first imbilocal cord blood stem cell injection took place at 3:30PM. No bad side effects at this time.
NOVEMBER 20, 2007
With a little discomfort and a headache overnight……..I awake with improvement in the right hand. In my right hand I now have open fingers and movement. Left hand now able to move fingers which were immobile and tightly closed before treatment.
NOVEMBER 21, 2007
I was given acupuncture and physical theraphy. I could not comploete the standing therapy as my blood pressure dropped but this is a condition I had before starting treatment.
NOVEMBER 22, 2007
THANKSGIVING DAY…………Much to be thankful for. The big toe on each foot had been in a verticial position for about three years is now DOWN in alignment with the other toes. That was our biggest improvement so far. The acupuncture again results in more pain. This afternoon I will have again physical therapy and standing treatment with Dr. Martin. Dr. Martin practices acupuncture Kung Fu ancient chinese medicine as his father before him. Looking forward to tommorrow my first IV imbilocal cord blood stem cell treatment. The doctors assured me there will be no side effects.
November 22nd, 2007
