Progress is much slower than we would like, but we did get an encouraging bit of news that falls in-line with what we are seeing. Steve forwarded the following email from a gentleman who went to Israel for similar stem cell treatments: "We have to give these cells the time they need to do their magic. I met a doctor who had observed many MS and ALS patients recovery post SCT and made a very interesting observation : areas closest to the center of the body recover first, and then the lower extremeties. So, trunk strength, bladder control, and hip flexion will improve before any significant change in walking or foot drop. This has been my experience being 5 months post SCT."
It is obvious that progress is going to be very slow. The good news is that Steve is definitely not getting any worse, which has been the case over the last 20 years. Maybe we have hit bottom and made the turn toward improvement. The above email was confirmation for us that we have made the right decision.
The other good news is that everyone in the family is well and we are having an absolutely gorgeous fall. The weather is perfect, sunny days, mid-70's, with a cool breeze. Life is good!
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Friday, October 2, 2009
Don't Even Know What to Call This Post!
Wow, it has been a pretty rough month! It took me the better part of three weeks to get well... then Steve caught it. Even with all of his health challenges, he hardly ever gets "sick". In fact, we have lived here six years and he has never been to the regular doctor, until now. In addition to the upper respiratory infection, he broke out with a really bad skin rash. He is getting better now and the weekend should help, so he can rest. (By the way, I was tested for the flu and it came back negative. I think the flu would have been a relief compared to what we had!)
As for Steve's MS, we continue to see very, very slight changes. He has noticed that he only gets up once during the night, to go to the bathroom. He used to be up and down all night, at least three times. His legs are much calmer at night, as well. It is difficult to tell how he is doing mobility-wise and energy-wise, since he has been sick. MS patients do not handle stress very well, especially when their immune system is compromised. That has really knocked him down a notch or two, temporarily.
We did purchase a recumbant, stationary bicycle. Steve was just about finished putting it together when he took ill. Once he is able to use it regularly, this should provide cardiovascular exercise, which he is otherwise unable to get. My hopes are that this will relieve stress, increase endorphins, and aid in his improvement. Will post on that later!
As for Steve's MS, we continue to see very, very slight changes. He has noticed that he only gets up once during the night, to go to the bathroom. He used to be up and down all night, at least three times. His legs are much calmer at night, as well. It is difficult to tell how he is doing mobility-wise and energy-wise, since he has been sick. MS patients do not handle stress very well, especially when their immune system is compromised. That has really knocked him down a notch or two, temporarily.
We did purchase a recumbant, stationary bicycle. Steve was just about finished putting it together when he took ill. Once he is able to use it regularly, this should provide cardiovascular exercise, which he is otherwise unable to get. My hopes are that this will relieve stress, increase endorphins, and aid in his improvement. Will post on that later!
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