Beijing Puhua International Hospital
We are in the process of taking our 2 year old son Ryker(cerebral palsy) to Tiatan Puhua Hospital in Beijing for stem cell treatment. I will make updates as to how my experience with them has gone.
So far the hospital spokesperson has been extremely good at answering my questions and passing on the medical team's requests for information to me.
Before they accepted him for treatment and recommend a treatment plan, they required all his medical records, video's of him, and that he gets a brain MRI before his treatment begins(either here or there).
The treatment plan recommended spans 4 weeks. During this time he would receive 5 stem cell transplants. One via IV infusion and 4 via lumbar puncture. All from cord blood.
He would also get daily IV and oral medications. The medication list that they gave me comprised of oral antioxidants(vitamins) and CoQ10(available at health food stores). His IV meds would be a common medication given to stroke victims in the emergency room setting within the first three hours. The medication protects the brain and makes it "sticky" for stem cells to attach(no real side effects noted when researched). The other IV med is one that needs no prescription and is currently being used to treat Alzheimer's in the US. This medication is to protect the stem cells after they attach(again, no side effects of concern).
When he's not doing the above, he will have daily sessions of PT,OT, speech therapy, acupuncture, and other traditional Chinese medicine. All designed to stimulate the stem cells after implantation and make them "connect".
The hospital assigns an english speaking person from their international team to be with the family at all times for interpretation within and outside of the hospital, for cultural awareness, and any other questions that the family may have(where to buy diapers, etc). This person will also go with the family for daily errands, shopping, sight seeing, etc....if requested by the family(may be a government minder for all I know!). They will also help us get the visa and extension if needed.
The hospital also provides a room/suite with kitchenette for the patient and family.
There are other nickel and dime issues like laundry, wireless internet, etc, but I won't get into them.
The price that they estimated for all of the above is 192,500 Chinese Yuan. Currently that converts to just under $30k US. The final cost may be more or less depending on what actually gets billed.
That's what I can tell you at this time. We are raising funds and will move forward once that's done.
Good luck everyone.
Joe
http://www.gofundme.com/Stem-Cells-For-Ryker