A TYPICAL TREATMENT DAY

A TYPICAL TREATMENT DAY---Monday, Wednesday. And Friday

9:45 Handicapped van arrives to load us and we depart for the gym for PT

10:00-11:00 ish (Panamanian ttime!!) I do PT which is stretching everything and light strength training (with lots of assistance.)

11:30-2:20 – We have “fun” at Multiplaza mall. We do mall walking, eat lunch, and grocery shop. The Mall is directly across the street form the Stem Cell Instituted and is comparable to North Park. We did not expect such high end shopping.

2:30-3:30 ish I have my treatment. Treatment always involves a spinal injection of stem cells and on Fridays it also includes an IV of stem cells. Both injections are the same CD-34 and mesenchymal (MSC) cells. (It sounds like they are saying “missing camel) – you can image the visual we had when they continually talked about injecting missing camels.
I have now grown more accustomed to the spinal column infusions. They are easier now because I am accustomed to the pain and pressure the procedure always delivers.
I still come off the table when they enadvertedly hit a nerve. You know that they take it seriously because they hook you up to heart, blood pressure and pulse monitors.
A minimum if two physicians and one RN are present during the procedure.

3:30-7:30 We race back to the Condo and lie flat in a effort to avoid extreme head and back aches. Flu like systems start, but don’t last too long. Afterwards – I start pain meds, eat and climb in bed – preparing for yet another miserable night.

In an effort to balance the negative aspect – here are some areas which we are really enjoying.
Our condo is small, but nicely appointed and serves us well. There is a pool area on the 37th with a glorious view of the Panama Canal which we enjoy watching the ships pass through.
There are of course, wonderful seafood restaurants everywhere.
The people are warm and friendly and very willing to help if you need their service. They are not very helpful in stores – no possibility of a tip, maybe.
The city itself is very modern and new and there is construction everywhere. I counted over 23 condo units being constructed presently in excess of 30 stories. There is not recession going on here. If someone wants a job, they can find one with no problem.
The weather has been much better than we anticipated with highs in the upper 80’s – most days. We have had a few really hot days which remind us of what we are going to be coming home to.
I plan on telling you more about how I am feeling after my last treatment which is in a couple of hours.
At this time, I haven’t experienced any new improvement except the reduction in muscle twitches.
Panama John