Procedures, Procedures, Procedures

Boy, it seems like the closer I get to coming home the lazier I get about posting my blogs. Well, in my defense I at least have a couple of excuses that have kept me from my computer for the past week. Not saying that justifies me not writing in over two weeks but maybe it cuts me a little slack. Both of my problems I encountered happened around the same time. Around the beginning of last week I noticed my butt getting real sore while sitting in my wheelchair. It took us a couple of days to figure out that the gel cushion that I sit on had worn out. So until we received my spare cushion that my mom had shipped i pretty much was restricted to my bed other than getting up and going to my therapy. Also during this time i managed to pick up another UTI. (urinary track infection) So, in order to get rid of the infection I was placed on more antibiotics which were administered intravenously. It makes it kind of hard to type when you have an I.V. sticking out of the top of one of your hands. Okay that's enough whining for now I guess. My new seat cushion arrived on Monday and they took the I.V. out today so, all better now.

When you travel 8,000 thousand miles to receive stem cells you try not to let those minor problems get to you. "Adapt and Overcome" my dad would say quoting John Wayne, so that's just what we did. It definitely has not slowed us down that's for sure. Since my lastblog I have received four different procedures. Two Thursdays ago I received my lumbar procedure. This is the procedure where they shoot the stem cells right into your spinal cord. I have to say that during this procedure I had the most intense sensation i have had yet throughout all my procedures. Dr Ashish's point of penetration was at T-7, my seventh thoracic vertebrae. Once he inserted the needle into my spinal cord and started shooting the stem cells to me the intense sensation that hit the lower half of my body was overwhelming. From my waist down it felt as if a massive amount of energy was flowing so powerfully that when it reached my toes I thought it was going to blow them right off my feet. What a scary feeling. It's hard to describe it but hopefully that gives you a descent mental picture. If you want a better picture try sticking your toes into a light socket. Ha Ha Ha. That lasted for about five minutes and finally it wore off. like I've said before, what a rush!!! Lets see the following Wednesday I received a deep spinal muscle procedure and this week On Tuesday I went to the other hospital for a three day catheter epidural procedure and also received another lumbar procedure as well. I'm gonna steal a line from a good friend of mine named Linc Klinge. That procedure right there is what you call a "Dubba Smacka Dabba." It turned out to be a very successful procedure at that. For the first time while Dr. Ashish was injecting the stem cells through the catheter I received pressure in my shoulders and into my neck which means the stem cells have worked their way through the scar tissue at the injury site. Dr. Ahish was very happy with the outcome, and when Dr. Ashish is happy I am happy as well because I have total confidence in him. So as you can see we have been very busy over here. They have been loading me up pretty heavy. It's not that I have stopped making progress, but I did kind of start to plain out a bit. Like I said I am still making progress. Last week in therapy I stood the best I have yet. The strength is still increasing, so like I said the progress is still there. It's just not as noticeable as before. Also, we will be returning home in what eighteen days. How about that. So, the final push is on. Get them stem cells in me so when I get home and get to work the progress continues. That's the great thing about these stem cells is you are supposed to see more progress once you get home and give the stem cells time to work. So, I got that going for me which is nice. I can't wait to get home and see all my family and friends who have supported me and helped get me through this trip. Once again I can't thank Fred enough for all he has done and his family for loaning him out to me. Of course my parents are my rock, my heroes, my saviors. I would be lost without them. I miss my brother and of course my sister. I can't hardly wait to see you all. That's gonna be it for now. I will see everyone real soon. Lucas