The Test

I think the hardest part of doing a Stem Cell treatment in India is having the people you know personally understand what it takes to do the treatment and the sacrifice that is required. Often I wonder at what sacrifice does one make to bring about change?? I guess you have to put your head down and charge forward and do what ever it takes no matter what anyone says! That is easier to say than to do... cause life isnt that simple. But, i reckon that is what it takes to get something done that is a world medical first and cutting edge....
I guess this is what it is like for researchers who are trying to create new innovative things, just like Geeta. She has put in such an effort in keeping her research project going and ignored all those who have doubted her. She is such a strong person and for that reason I admire her and she is motivation to keep going with this enormous undertaking. I am also motivated for many other reasons. These include (the obvious) being disabled and having to live a very difficult life and being in a world that is not accessible and possibly making your life span shorter due to all problems that will transpire over your life in the future.

When I was at my last procedure and laying on the bed for hours with feet up and head down, I had plenty of time to think and ask questions (a true test of one's will). One of the questions I asked Ashish was, so when does one stop coming to have the Hesc treatment? Answer: When ever you no longer see any further improvements or when you are satisfied with the improvements that you have received and no longer wish to come back. In saying that, Ashish stated that after this treatment (3rd one) he tells his patient's that they are not to come back for a minimum of one year if future treatments are required.

It has been two days since I returned from Gautam Nagar and the Epidural Catheter came out. Since then I have had huge spasms and in need of serious stretching. At first it was difficult to walk cause of the spasms but after a few goes things started to relax.
After the procedure there have been a few changes which are subtle but noticeable. I am feeling stronger contractions in the core area and even with rest and feeling tired from all the stem cells injected I felt stronger in the core. I also feel heavier in the legs and once the spasms dissapate I felt a little bit stronger in parts of my lower limbs. We are now beginning to try hip hitching in the avro. I am standing on a low box and trying to step up on one leg and then lowering and raising the other (straight legged) from the hip. Dipin is pushing with his hands to help lock my knees while I am doing this... The hardest part is trying to step up onto the box and I need help to hold the knee from buckling and to be able to raise the knee up onto the box.

Today (Friday) we are trying the ball balancing again and I stand up in the parallel bars and sit down onto the ball. The balancing takes a few minutes to work well and it is better again today and keeps improving gradually each day. I am also doing the box step up and down and hip hitching. The biggest difference with today in these movements is..... I am not wearing any AFO's!! Yes, I stood up today in the parallel bars without any AFO's, only with Dipin helping locking my knees. So I did the hip hitching and step ups without AFO. It was very difficult trying to step up and down and I needed heaps of help. But it is a start. I can stand without AFO's and no one holding one knee but I can not move like that.... for the time being.
Well before everyone falls asleep I will end here.