-------------- THE STEM CELL TREATMENT -------------
I was looking through www.dwarslaesie.nl and came across interesting information on a treatment that used stem cells to help cure a spinal cord lesion called CELLS 4 HEALTH. I knew other lands experimented with this treatment. Now it was in Europe. Maybe this was for me! I requested more information. I was still under treatment in the rehabilitation centre in Zwolle, so I made an appointment. They hadn’t heard of CELLS 4 HEALTH, but they sent me to a neurologist for a new MRI.
May 2005—The appointment with the neurologist wasn’t what I expected. He started out by saying he didn’t want to work with stem cells. He stated that an MRI, CT scan or SEP+EMG wouldn’t give good information due to my titanium plate. He suggested http:www.nebi.wlm.nih.gov/ this site has the newest medical developments. I didn’t get much help from him. This internet site has information about stem cell treatment, but nothing specific about spinal cord lesion patients. The neurologist was suppose to be a specialist.?.? Hopefully my 300.00 euro I paid him for my appointment, he would use to further his schooling!!!!
I contacted PRESCAN requesting the price of a CT scan. They said I only needed an MRI, and in 3 weeks I could come to Germany. I was surprised!!! I had the scan made immediately. Finally I was ready!!!
June 2005—PRESCAN organized everything. In Germany an MRI and SEP+EMG was made. They showed the damage to my spinal cord. I had a 7x2 mm cyst in the spinal cord, which explained why my functions were distorted. I had no narrowing in my spinal cord canal, and the break in my spinal cord had healed. The SEP+EMG were best positive, which we expected, since I had an incomplete lesion. The information was sent to CELLS 4 HEALTH. They said the treatment would take place in Belgium by a neuron navigator. I first wanted more information on the procedure. After receiving all the information I requested, I directly signed up for the treatment. I now had to wait for an appointment in Germany to extract my bone marrow.
August 2005—Bone marrow extract in Germany-- We were warmly welcomed in a clean and nice hospital/clinic. They explained the procedure. I was laid face down on a bed. Local anaesthetic was used. It’s said there is no feeling in your bones, but the noise made my teeth grind. I was finished after 15 minutes, 20 tubes were full. Luckily it didn’t take 45 minutes, which they said it might. Back home I had pain when sitting. The doctor said it could last all day.
September 2005—CELLS 4 HEALTH called. The bone marrow contained enough stem cells for a transplant. I was put on the waiting list. Boy was I happy!!
November 15 2005—CELLS 4 HEALTH called asking if I wanted short or long term treatment. Long term in Belgium with no opening date. Short term in Istanbul (Turkey) beginning November 29, 2005. Meaning I had to fly out on November 28. I was surprised that they could help my in Turkey, I hadn’t counted on that. I didn’t care, I just wanted to get the treatment so quick as possible.
November 28, 1005—Flying to Turkey—Thankfully my parents went with me for support. It was my first time flying in a wheelchair and my parents 1st time ever. We met Cees Kleinbloesem and 2 other people(one patient) at Schiphol airport. The flight was smooth and on time. A hostess and ambulance met us in Istanbul. My parents and I rode in the ambulance. The others followed in a taxi. Our doctors appointment wasn’t till the next day so they took us to the hotel (only 100 meters from the hospital). The ambulance ride was like being on a rollercoaster. They drive very differently then we do in Holland. The ambulance zoomed threw the busy streets with the sirens on. We were slung around. Horns honked everywhere outside. It was funny. In Holland they wouldn’t dare drive like that without the wheelchair being fastened down. In the hotel we met another patient waiting for the treatment. That evening we all went out to eat in the city. I was again transported in an ambulance. What an experience!
November 29, 2005—The doctor explained my possibilities after the examination. I could have an operation or be treated with a neuron navigator. A surgeon could get closer to the cyst making the results better. I choose the operation, knowing the risks of infection and possible loss of functions under my lesion.
November 30, 2005—10:00 a.m. I was brought to my hospital room, which had more luxuries then the hotel room. I was undressed and laid on a bed. A little before 12:00 I received an injection which caused me to fall asleep underway to the OR (operation room).
4:00p.m. (16:00) I woke with great pain. Directly morphine was shot into my IV, it helped immediately. I was cold, a heater was placed under my blankets. I was then returned to my hospital room, where my parents were waiting. When totally conscious, I tested my movement. I hadn’t lost any functions. My neck hurt. I had a neck brace which concealed a 12 cm cut on the back of my neck, which was neatly glued. The doctor said everything went well. I had to take it easy, so I wouldn’t take the chance of losing any functions. My blood pressure and temperature stayed normal but was checked every hour. I received a shot of morphine to help me sleep. I couldn’t sleep!!
December 1, 2005—My wound was cleaned and checked. It looked good, so they removed the neck brace. I could finally lay comfortable.
December 2, 2005—I tried sitting in the wheelchair. After 45 minutes I had to lay back down in bed. Over 2 days I had to fly, I didn’t think I could do it! It was difficult to sleep, being checked every 2 hours. I managed to get enough rest. The nurses and I had a difficult time communicating, they only spoke Turks, eventually we understood each other. The last night I finally got a full nights rest. They didn’t have to administer antibiotics every hour.
I was in a lot of pain and wasn’t looking forward to flying, but I had to get home.
We woke early to catch our flight. I found it difficult to hold my head up without the neck brace. Everywhere I stood I used the wall to hold me up. We said our goodbyes to Belkys, our hostess. She had organized a lot for us. I found her to be very considerate and she spoke good English. We had a long wait after we checked in. Eventually we could board, but they had forgotten to organize help for us, which meant more waiting. After a small delay we were flying. I didn’t have much of a problem sitting in the airplane. Three hours later we landed in Schiphol (Amsterdam-Netherlands), to find that help hadn’t been organized there either. After 45 minutes we were reunited with our family, who had come to take us home.
With the hardest behind me, I had to concentrate on getting back on top. Luckily I had to only worry about sleeping and rest. Everything else was taken care of!
ONLY………Hoping that the stem cells do their job!!!!!