Little Laura (CP) with parents Lorenzo and Corina, from Romania ( will be returning for third treatment)
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Ken from Regina, Saskatchewan
[/caption]Well, five weeks have gone by and we’re on the final countdown,we will be leaving for Canada Aug 10. It’s been quite an experience – seeing how the Chinese Beike Group of scientists have made enormous progress in the realm of stem cells and their healing power to regenerate renegade cells gone amuck through accident or immune disease. There are no immediate miracles, except perhaps with the ONH optic nerve hyperplasia patients. Their ability to see shapes and colour begins with the first infusion of stem cells. Apparently stem cells, although they start to work immediately on entering your body, are most effective up to 75 days following treatment.
The Chinese have found that doing active physio with proper body mechanics helps the cells to heal those areas where damage has been done. Their greatest progress has been in their ability to extract and multiply the stem cells which they procure from the placental sac and the cord of new born babies. Similar to organ transplants, the stem cells are delivered fresh on ice (sent via air travel) they are picked up and delivered to the hospital and are then given either via IV infusion or via spinal Lumbar Puncture. What is very different about their technique is they have the ability to give 100 million stem cells per infusion versus other places, such as Mexico or Dominican Republic, where the most they can give might be 100 to 200 ,000 at a time .
The Chinese Beike company has also progressed ahead of other countries in their ability to now use the 200 ml of bone marrow ( patient’s own ) they extract from a adult and multiply it to a count number of approximately 5 to 10 times (plus) the 100 million stem cells they get from the umbilical cord.
Interesting enough, if a person has had Hepatitis in their life time they will be unable to be a candidate for giving or receiving their own bone marrow stem cells. This has happened to a patient here from USA who has never had symptoms of Hepatitis but apparently tested positive during the investigation of his blood work. He’s in his 60’s and was in the Vietnam war so chances are he could have gotten Hepatitis along the way. I always thought you would experience some symptoms of the illness at the time of its invasion of your body, but what do I know. Supposedly 20 per cent of all Americans test positive for hepatitis. I wonder what the percentage in Canada is?
For children with Cerebral Palsy having a Bone Marrow Puncture and infusion of the same, does not appear to be beneficial, neither for Ataxia or Friedricks Ataxia. Most of the children get their acupunture to the top of their heads and arms and feet. We’ve met several CP children, with their parents, who are here for their second (and one returning next year for her third )treatment. Little Laura ,5 yrs old, from Romania, has progressed so much since her first treatment here in China they are busy earning the money to return .
The young 16 yr old boy from Canada with Friedricks Ataxia had immediate results in his speech, which had become quite slurred and at times incomprehensible; his gait went from a very awkward throwing of his body forward (he’s 6 ft. tall) to a much improved steadier gait. Apparently his personality improved also; the angry episodes less.
Ken from Saskatchewan with M.S. has improved his gait and now can walk the ward with only a little help without his cane. Most patients with MS are very frustrated with the Canadian Medical System, feeling that the system has let them down; telling them to live the best they can as the outcome is the same. In other words ; you deteriorate from the disease and then you die – no hope for recovery in any form.
The new stem cell treatment in Ottawa is very forward and could be a ray of hope for many, but they are very selective in who they choose to allow into the program ,obviously wanting only those patients with the greatest chance of success.
Art has made obvious improvement since his first stem cell treatment, in that he seems to be able to do his physio with less effort and considerably improved body alignment while doing his various exercises. He may not be walking without a lot of help from James, but the messages to his legs to move on his command are good to see. Proper shoes for his foot drop should improve that a lot.
We intend to get him working out at the swimming pool at the Spruce Grove Tri-Leisure facility. Michelle, his physio therapist has offered to give him a session, showing which exercises in the water would most benefit him. They have a handicap chair to assist him into the pool, so it’s a matter of getting everything into action. Don will be joining me in Edmonton for a week, so will help me get him started and comfortable in getting in and out of the pool. Once we’ve accomplished that hurdle, we’ll try to organize some type of schedule where he can get a ride to the pool and either hire a lifeguard for a couple days a week or have someone go in with him to get his water physio done.
We’re especially concerned about the first 75 days after he returns home as its most vital that daily physio be done to stimulate all these new stem cells to work at their optimum. The 0nce every 2 weeks physio available now through Health Care is not sufficient to continue his improvements and to build on what he has so far obtained in china.
Even though he’s had a topsy turvy time here with unusual symptoms of weakness in between treatments , Art’s convinced the stem cells are working to his benefit . On hearing that many are coming for a second time, he decided to take advantage of his time here and asked Dr. Michael to consider giving him a second Bone Marrow puncture, and allow him to receive them back before he leaves . The Doctors were very surprised at the request and stated that he would be the first patient to receive two bone marrow transplant during a stay with them. It took them two days before they returned with the affirmative decision on doing a second BMT. They said due to him being a ‘big boy’ he should have no trouble dealing with the loss of another 200 ml. of bone marrow.
Today Art is fasting for his Bone Marrow puncture and we’ve been up since 5;30 am. He showered and stayed up as he’ll be on 24 hr complete bed rest ,so might as well enjoy being up. He’s been reading Why God Is Laughing . By Deepak Chopra, given to him by Connie before he left.
