Kevin’s MS Blog

A little Faith goes a long way……..

November 28th, 2008

Tuesday and Wednesday, November 25th-26th

Today was the day Kevin got a super duper stem cell treatment .  They returned his own adult stem cells via lumbar puncture.  He went to the transplant room at 10:30 and was back from recovery at 11:30.  This time, he didn’t hardly feel a thing.  He was happy about that…the “kick-a-boy-joy-juice”  was a little stronger this time, I guess!  He slept for the next 3 hours and woke up hungry.  I had ordered chicken nuggets from McDonald’s as they aren’t bad and easier to eat when you can’t lift your head.  I put a movie on for him but he didn’t see much of it as he was snoozing off and on.  That is one side effect of the stem cells too….they are tired for the next 24 hours but the doctors have advised that this is good….the stem cells are hard at work……Some even have temperatures or don’t general feel well but he hasn’t experienced any of that at all nor the back ache or heardaches that  are generally related to spinals.  later in the afternoon, he started complaining a bit of tenderness and soreness but couldn’t put his finger on where the problem actually was.  He thought it was in his lower back.  We gave him an advil gel cap.  Andy came and put some traditional chinese medicine and heat on it.  Apparently that helped while it was on but as soon as it was off….right back with a vengence.  Andy said ” only 40 minutes, Kevin….no more right now”. Later in the evening, around 9:00, it was much worse to the point that he couldn’t settle or relax.  He said it felt like his muscles were aching right to the bone but it wasn’t exactly pain….just complete soreness…he couldn’t sleep…couldn’t rest.  We told the nurse and she went to get Dr. Mary.  They decided to give him more ibuprofen….waited an hour….no change.  Dr. Mary came back in from the on call room to see how he was….it wasn’t good.  She ordered something to relax the muscles as she felt Kevin needed to sleep too.  In went the IV and within a half an hour, he was sawing logs.  Thankfully.   He woke in the morning (Wednesday) and was ok for the first couple of hours…he did his morning chores at Physio, survived the acupuncture and round of doctors including Dr. Mike….the head doc here.  There were about 9 of them quizzing Kevin about his condition as it was back again.  We told them about the massage including the back and his extra exercising on the bike at night.  Dr. Mike has very good English and told Kevin in no uncertain terms No MORE MASSAGE for you.  If you want or need massage, Andy or James (PT) will do it or they will have someone come in.  He believed that the massage may have been too deep tissue for Kevin right now having stem cell treatment….not a good time for him…..well, we had doc’s approval and sign out…who knew?  And he is too stay off the bike and rest.  Dr. Mike told him “I know that you are starting to feel better but be patient, rest and give your body and the stem cells time.”  Poor Andy spent the day trying to make Kevin’s muscles relax but nothing really worked.  Finally, he went and got Lucy to interpret for him….he wanted Kevin to tell him what would be the best physio he could do to help him”…Poor guy….he was at a loss as to what to do next.  I told Lucy to let him know that it was up to Dr. Mary ….physio wasn’t cutting it at this point…he had already done his best.  Dr. Mary and Luca came back in to see Kevin.  By this time, it was after lunch.  Dr. Mary went over him with a fine tooth comb and said she was going to get a pain specialist to come and see him.  The afternoon came and went…….the agony continued.  Kevin was pretty upset by this time and the problem was worse.  They gave him more ibuprofen but understand, their drugs are not as strong as western drugs …so Dr. Mike says…..he trained in the US.  It would take the edge off for a bit.  Lenny and Angie, another couple, were leaving in the am to return home after 40 days.  The rest of the patients got together for an hour to have cake and wish them safe travels.  It was in the room next to ours and I slipped in and out of both trying to keep a good eye on Kevin.  Finally, I got him something to eat but he didn’t eat much of it.  He also had a hard time walking and slipped and fell off my bed unto the floor.  He was in fine feddle then let me tell you.  I think he was at a very low point…He told me the next day that he almost called Rick (room 3, and a Methodist minister) to come and pray for him…he really thought this was it…..all I could do was to sit and wait with him to go to sleep.  Around 9:00, he really got upset and I went and got the nurse to get Dr. Mary.  She came and asked him if the pain was worse.  He kept saying “it’s not pain, it’s more of a deep soreness”….Finally, I just told him” stop telling them it’s aching or sore….they don’t get that!  Tell them it’s pain!  So he did, and I think that Dr. Mary just took one look at him and knew it was bad.   She told him the pain doctor had been tied up all day and wouldnt make it until the morning but in the meantime she ordered something by IV for him.  She also ordered some sleeping medication for during the night IF he felt he needed it.   It’s 10:00 pm and he is sleeping like a baby…thank you Lord for miracles…….amen.

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