Yes, I know its only been a few days and already a second procedure! Its monday and we are doing physio this morning. We are then going to Gautam Nagar for the procedure in the pm. Its an one day epidural injection. As it is here things never go according to the outlined time line. We are meant to go over at 11:45 but it ended up being 12:45. After the prep work of antibiotics and an IV is hooked up I am rolled off to their OR. This time I am prep'd and then the epidurals are injected multiple times at about T8-9 occurs and my body receives these strange waves of warm sensations, spasms, and tinglings. Not many minutes later Ashish says how do you feel and what are you feeling. I tell him about these sensations and he says very good, very good. Then he goes down to my inclined feet and says, "try to wiggle your toes", "start with the big toes, and then the outer toes". I state that I have previously been able to move the big toes on each foot but not any others other than the 5th toe ever so slightly on the left foot. But now Ashish is telling me that I just moved, individually my 2nd, 3rd and 5th toes on the left and the 2nd and 3rd on the right foot. I ask, is this noticeable or just minimally? He states that some are minimally but has seen them distinct movement in each.
A video was recorded and will be sent to me in a few days. Cool. I hope to post this soon.
After the procedure I was taken back to my room and I had to lay still on my back with my feet up on the 2 bricks holding my bed up for the next 4 hours!!! Now this is the hard part... with blood flowing to me head and having to lay still. I also found that my butt was sticking and sweating from being in the same place after about 2hrs. Good thing it is not hot here.
I never look forward to having to do this... can't wait til I have to do the 2 or 3 day one!
In the following days at physio we have been working on increasing the walking distance and doing Swiss ball exercises over head and holding for as long as I can, sitting on the swiss ball and doing bouncing on the ball 100 times to increase circulation in my spine. Along with these exercises comes balancing without hands on the swiss ball and rotations. I am also on the mat doing kneeling with squats and holding on with one hand, etc.
I havent noticed too many changes but seemingly my abs are getting stronger with better balance and stability. My legs feel heavier after 3 days post procedure and I continue to feel more time zone adapted and more energised. Well that is all for now.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
3rd Time lucky
Welcome Back to India Sir!,
Well here I am again in Delhi, India for my 3rd treatment. It was a long long trip and with an early early start from home I was exhausted when I arrived on a cold and very foggy night. On the drive from the airport to the hospital the visibility was maybe 100m ahead due to the huge fog and terrible dust. Welcome to India, home of pollution!
After a very uncomfortable sleep I was up for my first morning (21 January) and "Hello Sir, Stem cells?" Yes, no mucking about, straight into it with the injections. The down to Physio for an assessment and up on my feet to show for the camera. Later that day all I could do was talk to people so I could stay awake and begin a normal day on Friday. I made it to 8pm before I had to go to sleep.
I have a new physio, his name is Dipin. He is the only Indian male that I have seen who isnt terribly short (same height as me, and I am no giant).
This morning I am still very fatigued and have a UTI (good way to start hey?) but we go through the motions to start the exercises and then a brief walking distance. It is better already compared to when I arrived totally fatigued.
When I return to my room moments later Geeta arrives to meet me and talk shop briefly. She always looks in good health!! I am informed of my 1st procedure to occur this avro! Its a minor one but mate!, there's no mucking about.
The injection is given here in the OR in Green Park Hospital so therefore no need to transfer to Guata Nagar. So, I wheeled up to the 3rd floor and they popped me up on the bed and Ashish went to work. The injection was to be put into the spinal muscles on either side of the vertebrae a few levels down from my injury (so about T8). Now, when I had these DSM (deep spinal muscle) injections previously I could not feel anything.... in this case I was totally suprised and OW! did it ever hurt!!!! Oh it was a big suprise! Ashish, says; wow that is great! It may be good that the sensation has changed but pain is never good.... atleast it was very brief.
For the Green Park physio staff its the end of the week and usually we half the amount of time in exercises. Dipin has started me with doing some different core exercises which I think will be very beneficial. What he has me doing is, lifting a swiss ball over my head with arms extended and holding it for as long as I can till i loose balance, and repeat.... We are also throwing the swiss ball back and forth as quickly as possible and at different angles. I was actually suprised at how good my balance has become (I havent done this exercise for a while). On the bed we are also trying to see if I can bend my knee while laying down. Dipin gives a little assistance and I am able to make the knee bend even when in laying flat. The left seems a little weaker but its hard to tell. I am also back up on my feet to continue with the walker for a couple of short walks as I am still feeling fatigues with the UTI and all.
Even though there is no Physio this avro, I decided that since I wasted time not walking for a few days with travelling, I will do some more in my room on my own. Since I can.... why not?
It shall be interesting to see how things progress??
Well, that is about it for the intro.... catch you later.
Well here I am again in Delhi, India for my 3rd treatment. It was a long long trip and with an early early start from home I was exhausted when I arrived on a cold and very foggy night. On the drive from the airport to the hospital the visibility was maybe 100m ahead due to the huge fog and terrible dust. Welcome to India, home of pollution!
After a very uncomfortable sleep I was up for my first morning (21 January) and "Hello Sir, Stem cells?" Yes, no mucking about, straight into it with the injections. The down to Physio for an assessment and up on my feet to show for the camera. Later that day all I could do was talk to people so I could stay awake and begin a normal day on Friday. I made it to 8pm before I had to go to sleep.
I have a new physio, his name is Dipin. He is the only Indian male that I have seen who isnt terribly short (same height as me, and I am no giant).
This morning I am still very fatigued and have a UTI (good way to start hey?) but we go through the motions to start the exercises and then a brief walking distance. It is better already compared to when I arrived totally fatigued.
When I return to my room moments later Geeta arrives to meet me and talk shop briefly. She always looks in good health!! I am informed of my 1st procedure to occur this avro! Its a minor one but mate!, there's no mucking about.
The injection is given here in the OR in Green Park Hospital so therefore no need to transfer to Guata Nagar. So, I wheeled up to the 3rd floor and they popped me up on the bed and Ashish went to work. The injection was to be put into the spinal muscles on either side of the vertebrae a few levels down from my injury (so about T8). Now, when I had these DSM (deep spinal muscle) injections previously I could not feel anything.... in this case I was totally suprised and OW! did it ever hurt!!!! Oh it was a big suprise! Ashish, says; wow that is great! It may be good that the sensation has changed but pain is never good.... atleast it was very brief.
For the Green Park physio staff its the end of the week and usually we half the amount of time in exercises. Dipin has started me with doing some different core exercises which I think will be very beneficial. What he has me doing is, lifting a swiss ball over my head with arms extended and holding it for as long as I can till i loose balance, and repeat.... We are also throwing the swiss ball back and forth as quickly as possible and at different angles. I was actually suprised at how good my balance has become (I havent done this exercise for a while). On the bed we are also trying to see if I can bend my knee while laying down. Dipin gives a little assistance and I am able to make the knee bend even when in laying flat. The left seems a little weaker but its hard to tell. I am also back up on my feet to continue with the walker for a couple of short walks as I am still feeling fatigues with the UTI and all.
Even though there is no Physio this avro, I decided that since I wasted time not walking for a few days with travelling, I will do some more in my room on my own. Since I can.... why not?
It shall be interesting to see how things progress??
Well, that is about it for the intro.... catch you later.
Friday, April 3, 2009
The Big News Is....
ok, so it isn't Tuesday but Friday.... so the news was, I have began to not use a catheter to urinate!!! One small step for mankind, but one Huge step for Kevy. Well now I have to keep practicing to pee and hopefully it will get better. Now that I am home I will have to try and keep up the hard work with the PT exercises and to keep walking. Wish me good luck.
Big changes are suppose to come in the advancing months.... so we will see.
Big changes are suppose to come in the advancing months.... so we will see.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
To Finish "The Set" with a Bang!
So sports fans I am coming to end of another chapter in my journey to India. In the last week I was given a big Puncture injection whereby they withdraw a little bit of spinal fluid and replace it with Stem Cells. This procedure can give the most results in terms of repair. HOwever, it comes with the most amount of impact and challenge to the body. Often patients get headaches or nausea and it can be very difficult on one's systems. In my case I had no issues. I am lucky man! I don't know if it is due to my physical fitness or strong mind set but i will put it down to that.
After this procedure I was very tired and took the next day to rest and only do passive exercises with the PT. In the next 2 days I didnt notice much of a change, a few little things but nothing major. Then on Wednesday night, BAM! It happened and a major change occurred.... (unfortunately I can't tell you what it is until I get home and suprise my family on Tuesday). Sorry you will just have to be patient.
Then we worked on the walking in AFO's more of the time this week as it has been deemed that the calipers made here keep moving and I bend my knee while trying to walk. I am not going to buy these and try to walk with a different device from home. The walking with the AFO's is slowly getting better and Geeta stated that when my quadriceps become stronger I will definately be able to walk with them in the walker like I was in the long full length calipers. Cool hey!!!
Then on the last day (Saturday) I had one more trick left to throw into the ring and when I was walking forward with the AFO's, I asked what would I have to do to be able to walk backwards? So, we (Vannada) and I talked about the motion that would be needed to go backwards and she demonstrated it and so I stood up and tried it. Guess what? I could do it on the first go and did the whole length of the parallel bars in AFO's!! I think i can walk bloody well backwards better than forward :) I guess you never know until you try, eh!!
Well, that is it for this trip to Delhi and now I have to keep up the therapy and the walking. I have been told that with time many more changes will occur with the work in the legs. I look forward to seeing that. Also, tomorrow a group of patients from here will be going to one of the biggest temples in India, even bigger than Taj Mahal. I look forward to that and I will be posting some pics when I get home too. So on sunday late I am out of here. Keep you posted. Look for my info on the big change on Tuesday....
After this procedure I was very tired and took the next day to rest and only do passive exercises with the PT. In the next 2 days I didnt notice much of a change, a few little things but nothing major. Then on Wednesday night, BAM! It happened and a major change occurred.... (unfortunately I can't tell you what it is until I get home and suprise my family on Tuesday). Sorry you will just have to be patient.
Then we worked on the walking in AFO's more of the time this week as it has been deemed that the calipers made here keep moving and I bend my knee while trying to walk. I am not going to buy these and try to walk with a different device from home. The walking with the AFO's is slowly getting better and Geeta stated that when my quadriceps become stronger I will definately be able to walk with them in the walker like I was in the long full length calipers. Cool hey!!!
Then on the last day (Saturday) I had one more trick left to throw into the ring and when I was walking forward with the AFO's, I asked what would I have to do to be able to walk backwards? So, we (Vannada) and I talked about the motion that would be needed to go backwards and she demonstrated it and so I stood up and tried it. Guess what? I could do it on the first go and did the whole length of the parallel bars in AFO's!! I think i can walk bloody well backwards better than forward :) I guess you never know until you try, eh!!
Well, that is it for this trip to Delhi and now I have to keep up the therapy and the walking. I have been told that with time many more changes will occur with the work in the legs. I look forward to seeing that. Also, tomorrow a group of patients from here will be going to one of the biggest temples in India, even bigger than Taj Mahal. I look forward to that and I will be posting some pics when I get home too. So on sunday late I am out of here. Keep you posted. Look for my info on the big change on Tuesday....
Thursday, March 19, 2009
The Slacker is Back
I haven't been writing much cause i have been very busy.... and that's my excuse and I am sticking to it!! Since i last wrote I have had two procedures, one each week. The first one was an easy one where by I stayed in the same hospital and return to your room to only lay still for one hour on your back. The procedure is a Deep Spinal Muscular injection (2) (DSM) which are injected, one on either side of your spinal cord and near to the level of my injury. At this time Ashish wishes and so do I, to concentrate on focusing on the abdominal area and help the return of my bladder function. Usually, i don't feel much of a change other than tightening and a deep heavy feeling in my core and legs at the time of the procedure. I then wait a day or less and i begin to notice changes. In this case, it was the same and the next day i had much tighter abdominals and as time is passing here I am noticing my awareness of wanting to urinate has changed and I definately know when i have to go to the toilet. AREN'T YOU GLAD I TOLD YOU THAT!!
Physiotherapy continues twice a day and my movements continue to strengthen little by little... good thing I am a patient person.......
At the end of this week I was told that I will have another procedure at the beginning of the week. The next procedure is the "3 day" with an epidural catheter put into your spine. Generally, the injections are not given at T5 (which is, or i should say was, my level of injury, as this is at the level of important organs, such as your heart innervation.. Just of minor importance.... Of course we don't want anything going wrong with that, right?
Then after the first series of injections I was taken back to the room and had to lie on my back for 4 hours with my feet up and head down and then after the 4 hours receiving another series of injections into the catheter and lying on my right side for 2 more hours before being allowed to get up. Getting up after laying for 6 hours is tricky, but getting up after recieving stem cells by the bucket load and having your head down and feet up is another thing!!!!!! Oooooooh la la! No wonder they check your BP and HR often. But all was well with me. The only thing that kept my sanity was the idiot box and movies.
The process continued with more injections over the next 2 days and more laying in bed with the feet up and head down. I survived the procedures and now we will wait and see what changes will occur..... After the last few days I now feel a bit sore and tired as I know that the injection of stem cells take a lot of energy.
Further updates will come when some changes occur. I now have 11 days left before I return home.
Physiotherapy continues twice a day and my movements continue to strengthen little by little... good thing I am a patient person.......
At the end of this week I was told that I will have another procedure at the beginning of the week. The next procedure is the "3 day" with an epidural catheter put into your spine. Generally, the injections are not given at T5 (which is, or i should say was, my level of injury, as this is at the level of important organs, such as your heart innervation.. Just of minor importance.... Of course we don't want anything going wrong with that, right?
Then after the first series of injections I was taken back to the room and had to lie on my back for 4 hours with my feet up and head down and then after the 4 hours receiving another series of injections into the catheter and lying on my right side for 2 more hours before being allowed to get up. Getting up after laying for 6 hours is tricky, but getting up after recieving stem cells by the bucket load and having your head down and feet up is another thing!!!!!! Oooooooh la la! No wonder they check your BP and HR often. But all was well with me. The only thing that kept my sanity was the idiot box and movies.
The process continued with more injections over the next 2 days and more laying in bed with the feet up and head down. I survived the procedures and now we will wait and see what changes will occur..... After the last few days I now feel a bit sore and tired as I know that the injection of stem cells take a lot of energy.
Further updates will come when some changes occur. I now have 11 days left before I return home.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Things to Bring when at NU Tech Mediworld
If you are planning to come to Delhi and stay at Nu Tech Mediworld I highly suggest bringing the following items:
Gaffa tape (duct tape) cause it can fix anything! Some things just need to be adjusted.... for example a comode chair used in the shower can pop off and slide around and dump you on the ground. Solution: Gaffa tape works everytime
Scissors: Good for cutting milk containers and anything else that can come in the way, including Gaffa tape!
Mosquito repellent: Cause they are nasty here!
Gatoraide/Poweraide: to help with electrolite loss from working hard or Delhi belly!
Potato peeler: good for apples, carrots bought outside at markets (if you dare) and other fruit cause it can cause those with weak stomachs Delhi belly!
Pepto Bismol: Good for Delhi belly! Seem like a reoccurring theme!??
You're own pillow: The beds are hard enough, a little comfort from home will go a long way!
Probiotics: They tend to give you antibiotics for each procedure so you willl recover much quicker if you bring a bottle of 500 mg probiotics with you.
Patience: cause you're going to need it.... This isn't Australia mate!
Note: An Interesting experience I have had is noticing that some toilets in the hospital have this little steel pipe that comes out of the toilet seat and squirts water if you want it to. The reason for this pipe, some religions here do not wipe themselves with toilet paper but rather use sprayed water. Only problem is that if you are someone who doesn't have sensation in your bum and you don't notice this pipe and sit on it you can get a nasty cut you know where!!! Solution: Gaffa tape, of course!! Just pull the pipe back and tape 'er down mate! You are good to go!
Gaffa tape (duct tape) cause it can fix anything! Some things just need to be adjusted.... for example a comode chair used in the shower can pop off and slide around and dump you on the ground. Solution: Gaffa tape works everytime
Scissors: Good for cutting milk containers and anything else that can come in the way, including Gaffa tape!
Mosquito repellent: Cause they are nasty here!
Gatoraide/Poweraide: to help with electrolite loss from working hard or Delhi belly!
Potato peeler: good for apples, carrots bought outside at markets (if you dare) and other fruit cause it can cause those with weak stomachs Delhi belly!
Pepto Bismol: Good for Delhi belly! Seem like a reoccurring theme!??
You're own pillow: The beds are hard enough, a little comfort from home will go a long way!
Probiotics: They tend to give you antibiotics for each procedure so you willl recover much quicker if you bring a bottle of 500 mg probiotics with you.
Patience: cause you're going to need it.... This isn't Australia mate!
Note: An Interesting experience I have had is noticing that some toilets in the hospital have this little steel pipe that comes out of the toilet seat and squirts water if you want it to. The reason for this pipe, some religions here do not wipe themselves with toilet paper but rather use sprayed water. Only problem is that if you are someone who doesn't have sensation in your bum and you don't notice this pipe and sit on it you can get a nasty cut you know where!!! Solution: Gaffa tape, of course!! Just pull the pipe back and tape 'er down mate! You are good to go!
Saturday, March 7, 2009
First Procedure
SSo i have survived my first procedure on my own. Luckily it was for only one day..... i dont know what improvements that will occur. I do know that my abdominal area day (being the next day) has begun to feel tighter and i know that the procedure has tired me out. But it was back at the PT this morning. So now its time to chill and get my stomach back to normal from the Delhi belly.
When i stand up now on the AFO's i am having much better posture and we are practicing the basics with weight shifting and bending the knee and lifting the feet off the ground. First the basic ground work and then when set on to the walking forward.
Well, its definately moving forward and I have to just be patient.
More updates later when more changes arrive. So far so good.
When i stand up now on the AFO's i am having much better posture and we are practicing the basics with weight shifting and bending the knee and lifting the feet off the ground. First the basic ground work and then when set on to the walking forward.
Well, its definately moving forward and I have to just be patient.
More updates later when more changes arrive. So far so good.
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