Well, we made it to Frank?s stem cell appointment and are now back home.
Our flight on Sunday, Aug. 10th, got delayed, due to bad weather. We were sitting on the runway for 4 hours at which point the batteries on the concentrator were running low. When the plane returned to the terminal to re-fuel, the captain told us, that he could not take the responsibility for Frank to continue with the flight, since he wouldn?t have had enough oxygen to get to San Diego. So, we had to de-plane. Very disappointed, we drove back home.
Next day, I rescheduled the appointment at the clinic, the flight, hotel, medical equipment (hospital bed, lift, etc.), and the portable concentrator rental.
We flew out on Wednesday, Aug 13th, without any delays. We arrived in San Diego in the evening after about 5 ? hours flying time. The hotel had sent a wheelchair accessible van to pick us up at the airport.
Next day, was the day ? Frank?s stem cell treatment. Dr. Steenblock?s driver picked us up at the hotel and drove us to Dr. Ramirez?s clinic in Mexico.
Frank was prepared for the catheter infusion. He was than carried on a stretcher into the ?operating room?. Dr. Ramirez, a neurologist, and an anesthesiologist were waiting. They inserted the catheter into a vein in his groin area and then snaked it up to the right side of his neck. At this point, Dr. Ramirez injected the stem cells into the catheter; first 4 vials of the CD34/133 , followed by the mesenchymals. The whole procedure took about 45 minutes. Afterwards, Frank was observed for about one hour to make sure that there wasn?t going to be any bleeding at the injection site.
We returned to San Diego. The wait at the border was about 20 minutes. Not bad according to our driver, who told us, that he had to wait already as long as 4 hours.
That evening and the next day we rested. It was a good thing that I didn?t get a return flight on Friday, because Frank was really tired and needed the rest. We returned to Philadelphia on Saturday.
We are glad to be back home. Frank seems to be more tired than usual. He had no side effects as of yet, such as headache, flue-like symptoms, etc. I am keeping my fingers crossed. What I did notice today, is a sort of ?storming?. This is a word, they used when he was in a coma 1 year ago, when his pulse rate shot up, his breathing sped up ? sort of like a fight-and-flight response. They told me then, that the neurons in the brain are trying to fire, but are not firing correctly. After many storming sessions back then, Frank emerged from the coma. We hope that this is a positive sign.
My problem right now, is trying to figure out what would be the best formula for his feeding tube. I was told to switch to a soy; also I guess we are to avoid sugar. I have been searching high and low, but can?t find anything suitable. I would like to have a natural formula for him, without any of the preservatives. If anybody has any knowledge in this area, I would be most grateful for any help.
So, now we wait ? I am sooo excited.
I will keep you updated on his progress.
alex
Our flight on Sunday, Aug. 10th, got delayed, due to bad weather. We were sitting on the runway for 4 hours at which point the batteries on the concentrator were running low. When the plane returned to the terminal to re-fuel, the captain told us, that he could not take the responsibility for Frank to continue with the flight, since he wouldn?t have had enough oxygen to get to San Diego. So, we had to de-plane. Very disappointed, we drove back home.
Next day, I rescheduled the appointment at the clinic, the flight, hotel, medical equipment (hospital bed, lift, etc.), and the portable concentrator rental.
We flew out on Wednesday, Aug 13th, without any delays. We arrived in San Diego in the evening after about 5 ? hours flying time. The hotel had sent a wheelchair accessible van to pick us up at the airport.
Next day, was the day ? Frank?s stem cell treatment. Dr. Steenblock?s driver picked us up at the hotel and drove us to Dr. Ramirez?s clinic in Mexico.
Frank was prepared for the catheter infusion. He was than carried on a stretcher into the ?operating room?. Dr. Ramirez, a neurologist, and an anesthesiologist were waiting. They inserted the catheter into a vein in his groin area and then snaked it up to the right side of his neck. At this point, Dr. Ramirez injected the stem cells into the catheter; first 4 vials of the CD34/133 , followed by the mesenchymals. The whole procedure took about 45 minutes. Afterwards, Frank was observed for about one hour to make sure that there wasn?t going to be any bleeding at the injection site.
We returned to San Diego. The wait at the border was about 20 minutes. Not bad according to our driver, who told us, that he had to wait already as long as 4 hours.
That evening and the next day we rested. It was a good thing that I didn?t get a return flight on Friday, because Frank was really tired and needed the rest. We returned to Philadelphia on Saturday.
We are glad to be back home. Frank seems to be more tired than usual. He had no side effects as of yet, such as headache, flue-like symptoms, etc. I am keeping my fingers crossed. What I did notice today, is a sort of ?storming?. This is a word, they used when he was in a coma 1 year ago, when his pulse rate shot up, his breathing sped up ? sort of like a fight-and-flight response. They told me then, that the neurons in the brain are trying to fire, but are not firing correctly. After many storming sessions back then, Frank emerged from the coma. We hope that this is a positive sign.
My problem right now, is trying to figure out what would be the best formula for his feeding tube. I was told to switch to a soy; also I guess we are to avoid sugar. I have been searching high and low, but can?t find anything suitable. I would like to have a natural formula for him, without any of the preservatives. If anybody has any knowledge in this area, I would be most grateful for any help.
So, now we wait ? I am sooo excited.
I will keep you updated on his progress.
alex