Wednesday, July 10, 2013
3 months since treatment
So 3 months since treatment I feel I have better digestion and maybe 10% bowel control now. I believe sensation has returned maybe 2-3 inches on both sides of my trunk. Pain is still constant but now varies from burning/tingling to burning numbness and occasional sharp pains on the trunk.
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Last days and return
Friday received last injection and IV.
Returned to NJ Saturday night.
Normally I heard people see results in 1-3 months and the cells work up to 6-9 months.
Returned to NJ Saturday night.
Normally I heard people see results in 1-3 months and the cells work up to 6-9 months.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Monday, April 1, 2013
Easter Weekend - Today
Did nothing easter weekend.
Today I continued using the parallel bars in physical therapy to hold myself up in standing position.
I received a double dose of injections today. I took a painkiller as a precaution and will probably need to take another tonight or tomorrow morning.
Tomorrow is a 2 hr session in physical therapy.
Today I continued using the parallel bars in physical therapy to hold myself up in standing position.
I received a double dose of injections today. I took a painkiller as a precaution and will probably need to take another tonight or tomorrow morning.
Tomorrow is a 2 hr session in physical therapy.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Weds
Took another painkiller this morning due to headache.
My therapist said she could feel some faint muscle contractions in my thigh today and I agree. I have a stronger mental connection to my right thigh and we can feel a slightly stronger contraction there.
No spinal injection today, just an extra dose of IV so I don't have to worry about a headache tonight.
After each injection I have to lay flat in bed for 3-4 hours. This is the view:
My therapist said she could feel some faint muscle contractions in my thigh today and I agree. I have a stronger mental connection to my right thigh and we can feel a slightly stronger contraction there.
No spinal injection today, just an extra dose of IV so I don't have to worry about a headache tonight.
After each injection I have to lay flat in bed for 3-4 hours. This is the view:
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Tuesday
More pain last night after the injection. Took another painkiller his morning.
2 hours of therapy was tough, I eventually got light-headed. Had another injection today and then one more this week tomorrow.
In retrospect this is an awkard Pistorius Nike ad:
2 hours of therapy was tough, I eventually got light-headed. Had another injection today and then one more this week tomorrow.
In retrospect this is an awkard Pistorius Nike ad:
Monday, March 25, 2013
Weekend Update and Monday
Friday night was the most pain I felt in awhile. I took a painkiller sat morning. Otherwise weekend was quiet
Today I had the 5th injection and 3rd IV. Tomorrow is a double 2 hr session in physical therapy and the 6th injection.
I think there might be some new burning sensations in new places on my leg.
Today I had the 5th injection and 3rd IV. Tomorrow is a double 2 hr session in physical therapy and the 6th injection.
I think there might be some new burning sensations in new places on my leg.
Friday, March 22, 2013
Week 2 Recap
Every day, Phil does physical therapy at a place called Bioimagen. Except this past Thursday when they cancelled for some reason.
Every other day, Phil has an injection in his spine - Mon, Wed, Fri.
The scheduling is strange on days when there's both PT and injections. For example, on Wednesday they are scheduled back to back with no time allotted for transportation. It takes on average 30 minutes to go from one place to another. So, if Phil has PT at 12, which runs for an hour, they have his injection scheduled for 1.
What that means is that by the time we get to the stem cell institute for the injection, it's 1:30 and we have to wait for an hour with no time to eat lunch in between. Huh?
Pick up from the condo to the appointments either for PT or injections also can be strange. Sometimes they will be very early and sometimes they will be an hour late. They can be pretty rough while driving through traffic and they'll skimp on strapping the buckles to the wheelchair if they can get away with it. I have to make sure all the straps are on otherwise the sudden braking of the van will cause the wheelchair to move. I know this is Panama, but still... Huh?
Food is so-so. We mostly eat in (home cooked), but when we do eat out from local restaurants here it's expensive and it's what you'd find in a diner in New Jersey. The closest to us is "Jimmy's Restaurant". Sounds, looks, costs and tastes like a diner in NJ doesn't it? It does... you got your pastas, chicken, beef, seafood, fish, etc. And just like in the States, if you want a can of coke, that'll be $2 at the restaurant. Huh?
Every other day, Phil has an injection in his spine - Mon, Wed, Fri.
The scheduling is strange on days when there's both PT and injections. For example, on Wednesday they are scheduled back to back with no time allotted for transportation. It takes on average 30 minutes to go from one place to another. So, if Phil has PT at 12, which runs for an hour, they have his injection scheduled for 1.
What that means is that by the time we get to the stem cell institute for the injection, it's 1:30 and we have to wait for an hour with no time to eat lunch in between. Huh?
Pick up from the condo to the appointments either for PT or injections also can be strange. Sometimes they will be very early and sometimes they will be an hour late. They can be pretty rough while driving through traffic and they'll skimp on strapping the buckles to the wheelchair if they can get away with it. I have to make sure all the straps are on otherwise the sudden braking of the van will cause the wheelchair to move. I know this is Panama, but still... Huh?
Food is so-so. We mostly eat in (home cooked), but when we do eat out from local restaurants here it's expensive and it's what you'd find in a diner in New Jersey. The closest to us is "Jimmy's Restaurant". Sounds, looks, costs and tastes like a diner in NJ doesn't it? It does... you got your pastas, chicken, beef, seafood, fish, etc. And just like in the States, if you want a can of coke, that'll be $2 at the restaurant. Huh?
PH Denovo? What is the name of this condo/hotel/apartment?
Our "concierge" told us it's PH Denvo. However, no one knows where that is. And it's actually called "PH Denovo", aka, "Rausch", aka "Hotel Esplendor".
This Facebook page gives you a description and pictures of what the rooms are like.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.475622099147295.104837.128627747180067&type=3
This is the overpriced restaurant "Rausch" whose sign sits in front of the building, confusing everyone. Despite this, it's always empty.
http://www.degustapanama.com/restaurante/rausch_323.html
https://www.facebook.com/RauschPanama
This Facebook page gives you a description and pictures of what the rooms are like.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.475622099147295.104837.128627747180067&type=3
This is the overpriced restaurant "Rausch" whose sign sits in front of the building, confusing everyone. Despite this, it's always empty.
http://www.degustapanama.com/restaurante/rausch_323.html
https://www.facebook.com/RauschPanama
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Week 1 Recap in Pictures
At a restaurant and bakery in Panama City near the Physical Therapy building. It's a kosher restaurant and bakery.
On the way to the Physical Therapy building, there's a lot of US chains, including Papa Johns.
At the Panama Canal, a ship crossing the canal very slowly. We went to the Canal on a weekend to check it out. 30 minutes there, 30 minutes back, 45 minutes at the canal. $50 for the trip. Plus $15 for tickets to get into the Canal. It's not cheap here at all.
View of downtown Panama City from the apartment (28th floor).
Another view of downtown Panama.
More pictures will be coming... of the Stem Cell Institute building, Physical Therapy building and other Panamanian stuff like the supermarket we go to and other places we buy food.
Friday, March 15, 2013
Week 1 Recap
Flying In
We arrived Sunday night and were taken to the condo apartment where we are staying in for one month.
Week 1 Schedule:
On Monday we met the staff at the Stem Cell Institute and everyone there is super nice and accommodating. Phil also had blood extracted for him and a routine evaluation by the doctor.
Of course, Bank of America started giving us problems with the payment. Long story short, Bank of America dropped the ball BIG TIME by declining Phil's debit card and screwing us out of the money we needed. I will be writing a letter to the Better Business Bureau and posting complaints online all over the internet about Bank of America's horrible customer service.
Air conditioning, water and internet all go out intermittently throughout the day and will continue to do so this week.
On Tuesday Phil did his first physical therapy session. It was good to see what we can do at home and gave us ideas on how to make a mini-gym with equipment we need to purchase.
The physical therapy consists of a therapists on a one-on-one session where Phil goes on an elevated mat and does some stretching of his legs, balance routines, strength conditioning and muscle development for lateral, frontal and mid-section movement.
On Wednesday, some more physical therapy and the first injection of stem cells (umbilical cord).
On Thursday, Phil had bone marrow extraction and no physical therapy.
On Friday, some more physical therapy.
We arrived Sunday night and were taken to the condo apartment where we are staying in for one month.
Week 1 Schedule:
Treatment
Date
|
Procedure
|
Notes
|
Monday, March 11
|
BE
& ME
| |
Tuesday, March 12
|
Physical
Therapy
|
1 hour session
|
Wednesday, March 13
|
Physical
Therapy
|
1 hour session
|
Wednesday, March 13
|
1st
IT + 1st IV
| |
Thursday, March 14
|
BM
Extraction
|
8 hour fasting
|
Friday, March 15
|
Physical
Therapy
|
1 hour session
|
On Monday we met the staff at the Stem Cell Institute and everyone there is super nice and accommodating. Phil also had blood extracted for him and a routine evaluation by the doctor.
Of course, Bank of America started giving us problems with the payment. Long story short, Bank of America dropped the ball BIG TIME by declining Phil's debit card and screwing us out of the money we needed. I will be writing a letter to the Better Business Bureau and posting complaints online all over the internet about Bank of America's horrible customer service.
Air conditioning, water and internet all go out intermittently throughout the day and will continue to do so this week.
On Tuesday Phil did his first physical therapy session. It was good to see what we can do at home and gave us ideas on how to make a mini-gym with equipment we need to purchase.
The physical therapy consists of a therapists on a one-on-one session where Phil goes on an elevated mat and does some stretching of his legs, balance routines, strength conditioning and muscle development for lateral, frontal and mid-section movement.
On Wednesday, some more physical therapy and the first injection of stem cells (umbilical cord).
On Thursday, Phil had bone marrow extraction and no physical therapy.
On Friday, some more physical therapy.
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