January 21, 2008
Yesterday we were informed that a “procedure” would be performed today after physio here at the clinic rather than at the other hospital. Management had been waiting for the operating theater’s review, done in December, to see if they would be accredited to do medical procedures here instead of having to transport patients to Gautam Nagar. We don’t know the extent of their limitations on the use of the operating theater because Tim Dunne and his mom, Wendy, and Mike and Virginia Chan left this morning for Tim and Mike’s 3-day procedure at Gautam Nagar. This morning’s procedure was injecting embryonic stem cells into my 5th lumbar vertebra zone. I then had to lie with the foot of the bed on bricks and my head downhill for two hours. It is interesting that I feel the needle prick when the local anesthesia is injected to numb the area for the stem cell injections below my T-10 injury/feeling level. Soon after the procedure I ”felt” more heaviness in the pelvic and butt region … I don’t know how much more weight my ass needs to gain before it starts serving as the anchor for my much-needed balance. I had hoped this would be the procedure where cells were injected above the injury sight. This one will be different as all the other procedures are done below the injury sight.
From the internet we sadly learned the local CBS TV station (KREX) burned down early Sunday morning. All the football junkies probably freaked out over the possibility of no televised AFC or NFC championship games. That would have been totally un-American. Hopefully, we encounter no airline problems coming home as the Super Bowl is the day after we are “supposed” to get there. Our prayers and concern goes out to the owners and employees at KREX.
The refrigerator at home is going to need some major restocking when we get home. I think there are some condiments, water, and prunes in it now. What a wonderful prospect, having to go to a supermarket and buy groceries. Kathy never thought she would be so excited to go grocery shopping. We asked Pallavi the other day (Rotary Club host) if there were supermarkets in India or if everyone shopped at the local markets; she told us in some of the newer developments they had built them. She said the concept is very new for India, but people worried that India was becoming like every other place in the world in so many aspects and it would become indistinguishable from other places. We thought this was a well thought-out response from one so young. She was worried her country was changing so fast that someday it would be unrecognizable from what it once was. Pallavi said everyone was moving to Delhi because of jobs in the major city. I think we all feel that way somewhat. Our world is changing at such a rapid pace. At home we are seeing a huge surge in growth due to the natural gas and oil industry and its associated service jobs. Across America people are flocking to the cities because of the jobs. The rural areas are losing population they can’t afford to if they are to sustain production of the food products we consume and export to others. Quite a dilemma.
Posted on January 21st, 2008 by admin
Filed under: My Entries
Dad, So, have you figured out how the stem cells work yet? I am continually surprised by the immediacy of their affect. When will the ‘above the site’ injections occur? What are the next couple of weeks going to look like (business as usual or end of treatment new things)?
Are you already fantasizing about foods that you will get to eat back in the states?
Just a few more weeks! Then you can start to prepare for your next trip!
Love
Kari
You are so right about the football fanatics. The sports bars were overflowing. Leon and friends had to change their itinerary and go to somebody’s house that had cable vs. satellite.
Kathy-can I get a few groceries for you and bring them to the house to tide you over until you can do the big shopping? If so, just send me a list.
Still more sisu coming your way,
Susie
PS-Loved the “blob master”
Rusty and Kathy, I was overjoyed to learn they have resumed the procedures. What a wonderful act from the Rotary International. Spending time with Pallavi and learning more about the culture sounds so exciting. I happy that you have inquisitive minds and are receptive to all the new experiences available to you.
There were a couple instances of what those in the business refer to as dead air during the Patriots-Chargers game, but I just thought some technician had fallen asleep at the switch and failed to break for local commericals. Gosh, that station as been on the hill since before my time–another GJ landmark gone.
Those without internet ask of you often (Kathleen, Gladys Gore and others); they are all pulling for you.
Too bad the medical professionals fail to consider what future medical advances might be discovered and/or perfected when treating those with spinal cord and other life altering injuries (illnesses) thereby limiting or hampering the possibilities for recovery. Thank God, you and your girls never gave up hope.
The countdown clock is running. I am so anxious for your safe return.
Love, Mom
Susie - thanks so much for the offer to go to the store, but our list is just too long (ha ha) plus I really am looking forward to the privilege of grocery shopping again. As Kari put it, we are fantasizing about food we will cook and shop for!
See you soon, Kathy
Kathy,
You make me laugh because even though I live in the US, I fantasize about going to the grocery store and cooking the food I get there. I wish and wish that some yuppie will want to build a Whole Foods Market here. Then I would be truly in heaven instead of driving 90 minutes to one in Mass. The store Sarah used to shop at in Charleston was really something to behold also. I’m sure that City Market will seem quite the place to you. You might have trouble getting the little special things you’ve come to enjoy in India though.
New York wants to start actually taxing internet sales instead of having a standard charge on the taxes. That will make me think a little harder about the special somethings I can’t get around here - like Palisade peaches that cost a fortune just to ship, adding tax to those will really make them worth their weight in gold.
Hopefully your trip home will be uneventful - Won’t it be great to get into your own bed and use your own bathroom!! Oh , and washing machines that don’t take money and let you have delicates!!
Coleen
Kari just told me about this blog, so I’ve spent the entire morning getting caught up. This is such an incredible story, and I am so glad to hear that there’s been such amazing results, despite some frustrating set backs; seems like it’s been an incredible journey.
Can’t wait to read more!
- pogo
This is a hilarious conversation that I had with Pogo today on gchat (she is shocked and excited by all of this). Dad, she is going to help you write a book, well, maybe:
pogo: i think your folks have a budding publicity career they should seriously think about — they could raise a ton of awareness about this, if they wanted to — sounds like they’re fairly fired up about spreading the word
me: haha
pogo: it’s not, like, some hack in some hack journal somewhere — it’s, like, your dad telling you he can FEEL HIS BUTT after 10 years!
me: yeah, I agree–that is why they are trying to be so thorough on the blog
haha
you just made me laugh too hard in the computer lab so I snorted a little bit trying to hold it back
pogo: yes!
score one pogo!
me: indeed
pogo: i want to help out somehow — i don’t have the ability to donate for expenses, but i am simply fascinated by this story and if they ever want help telling it, i would love to learn more and write about it, or help them write about it
i mean, what’s here on the blog is an incredible story, i am compelled to spread the word and help them tell it
me: when my dad is ready to write his book, I will tell him that you want to collaborate
pogo: i’m not kidding aside from what i know of him, even from reading the blog his ornery-ness comes through — i imagine rusty would be a bear of a “collaborator” [smile]
me: hahaha
you are so right
pogo: but i mean, this is priceless, how everyone is like “woah, i didn’t realize you were so tall!”
Sent at 3:39 PM on Wednesday
pogo: a book is intimidating. let’s start with an article, get it published somewhere, then you get someone who gives you an advance on a book, and then you write the book
(see how clever this pitch is, like i’m already officially hired?!)
(and my “hired” if of course mean volunteering, because i love to write and i love good stories and i love you and your family [wink] )
Pop,
Your blog has been added to the Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Website. The website functions as a resource for those with SCIs.
http://www.sci-info-pages.com/
Can you put a link to it somewhere beside right here?
i finally caught up on the blog…. i will be available to help with anything when you get home.
austin has been in ecuador since end of december. he will be back april 26th.
my love to you both!
don’t forget me when you have the slide show.
later, lori