progress update
May 9th, 2007
Today JC gets his 4th stem cell injection, spinal. We have a pee cup beside his bed and he will not be moving anywhere this time and was warned that if he got up to pee our friend Louise would be down here holding the cup while I held him down. He opted for the sleeping medicine to save Louise the trama. By the way Clarence, Louise was kind enough to offer your Tim Horton’s mug.
He is sleeping now.
I wanted to give a progress report, because we have reached our halfway point.
When we arrived I wanted to record certain tasks on video to watch the before and after stem cells, but JC did not want me to do this. I think he was nervous that everything would stay the same and to see that would be very depressing. Stupid me I listened to him. There has been changes that I would have loved for everyone to have seen the before.
We do have his physio progress documented on video.
— he has to go up about 5 steps and down 3 and repeat arms in front and arms out to the side. When he first did this it was very awkward and he had to use the rail. It gradually got better and today he walked the stairs, no problem.
—he has to walk on the treadmill, no holding onto the bars. This was totally impossible before the first stem cell injection but after the injection he could walk without holding on but he still stumbled once in a while. The doctor has increased the speed everyday and today he was walking very fast, still no bars without one stumble.
—he has to stand on one foot and balance. This is very difficult but has improved and he now can balance but only with eyes open never closed or he will fall still.
— There are so many exercises to help with balance and coordination and each has gotten better. He works very hard at everything he does and should be very proud of himself, I definately am.
My little tests are my scale of his improvement:
walking while holding on to a full glass of water
walking one foot in front of the other( like sobriety test)
trying to run
getting around in the dark
When we first tried each of these he was totally unable to do the run and one foot infront. The glass of water he could do but he had to really concentrate and it still was off balance. These have all improved. JC finds that even when he walks now his legs don’t drag as they used to and his hands have stopped that Parkinson’s like shake.
He can not run but he does have the gallop starting.
The water test was done with little concentration and with great balance.
He was never able to move around in the dark without falling and having to be picked up but since the 1st injection has had very little problem.
Today he did the toe heel toe heel, sobriety test perfect. Before I would have never thought this possible. Before he would not even attempt this because he knew that he would fall. This is proof to me and to him that these stem cell treatments are working.
Jc had always hoped that this treatment would work, but was skeptical. Since day one after 1st injection he has felt improvements and I have seen it with my own eyes, he is getting better. We are half way through this wonderful journey and can’t wait to see the progress from the next injections. JC is very pleased with everything up to this point and says that he feels like he did a couple of years ago, which is a miracle in itself.
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19 Comments Add your own
1. Deb and Greg (Craig ) | May 9th, 2007 at 8:49 pm
Hi Guys
Wow that does sound like great improvement ! I like your test Cher -maybe they should use that one . Laughter is a great tool for healing and i think that we are all a little healthier because you both can find the humour in all of this hard work. Keep smiling ! Saying our prayers hugsss Deb and Greg
P S Keep the coffee- cup handy and no getting up !!
2. Staff of Geary school | May 9th, 2007 at 10:35 pm
We have been reading your blog with enormous interest. You are very humorous and entertaining. Thank you for keeping us all so well informed of JC’s progress. We are so happy to hear that J.C. is showing so much improvement. The children are sweet and doing well and Gabe tells us that they talk to you every morning. Your mom, Cherie, has been in a few times and she is very positive, not unlike yourself. Tell JC that we miss him. The lunch program is not the same without him. We really count on him to help out around the school and the children miss seeing him here. We are looking forward to having him back at Geary Elementary with the rest of us Gators! Again, it is wonderful to hear about the progress that JC is making! Thank you for your blog and keeping us connected. Love from Geary Elementary staff and students!
3. kim and shannon | May 9th, 2007 at 10:57 pm
I’m speech-less….you brought tears to my eyes and all I can say is good-luck and keep thinking positive…..oh and by the way (just between me and you i didn’t realize that everyone can read each others emails so I will stay in “G” from now on!haha) Love ya kim
4. Margie Wilby | May 9th, 2007 at 10:58 pm
I can’t believe that I just found your site today! It’s amazing. What an inspiration J.C and you are. God bless.
Love Margie
5. The Scott Family | May 10th, 2007 at 12:28 am
Keep strong, we are very happy for you regarding your progress as is everyone else. Your strength & determination is a true inspiration to many. God Bless.
The Scott’s.
6. Eric Tucker | May 10th, 2007 at 1:06 am
Great!! So good to read these reports and to know that you are progressing so well. I know things will continue to go positively for you both.
Eric
7. erin smith | May 10th, 2007 at 4:51 am
Hey!! I just found out about this site from the paper!! I go to the Geary Baptist Church!! It is great to hear about the improvments JC is making!! God is definilty watching over him and your whole family!! God can do anything and JC is proof of that!! My prayers are with you all!!! In Christ’s Love. erin
8. Bonny & Jimmy Lee | May 10th, 2007 at 8:46 am
Hi Guys, just read the article in the paper. So happy to hear that things are going so well. Jimmy and I think about you guys everyday. Keep smiling and keep that positive attitude going and things will work out great. Talk to you soon, love you both
Bonny and Jimmy Lee
9. Elie O'Neil (hot Lunch) | May 10th, 2007 at 8:47 am
This is really good news , to hear that JC is doing so well
I look forward to reading your blogs every day so take care for now
PS the hot lunch really is not the same with out you
God Bless
10. Laura Guimond | May 10th, 2007 at 10:10 am
Hey guys,
Glad to hear about all the positive progress. JC you should be very proud. You have an amazing family and support. everyone is right, hot lunch is not the same with out you!
Take care and I look forward to reading the updates!!
Laura
11. Dolores | May 10th, 2007 at 7:24 pm
Hi Cherie & JC
Very glad to hear of the amazing progress you are having with these treatments. Every morning I put on one of the “BRACELETS” and take a moment to say a little prayer for you and all involved with this journey you are on. I have worn one every day since you left New Brunswick. Take good care of yourselves and each other . My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dolores
12. Roger and Tracy | May 10th, 2007 at 9:36 pm
Good moring from Geary,
Great to hear all the news from China. We’ve been out of the loop for a while as we could not find the website. Helps when you add an “s” to cells, makes a big difference.
Anyway, we are glad to find out all the good news with JC’s treatment. It’s sound effective and it must be great to see results immediately. I’m sure you are both anxious to return, the sacrifice will be worth it in the end.
I never knew Cherie had such a great sense of humor…when is the book comming out. I can see your story making the Reader’s Digest Book Choice section.
By the way Cherie, next time you go shopping for underwear, bring the video camera. Great story to share with the grand kids.
Hey JC, while you were gone I modified your bike. Looks great with a fresh coat of paint (BRIGHT ORANGE). I also dropped the bike 5″ lower and added low rider handlebars and a backrest. No more playing in the mud but it will look good as a lawn ornament …isn’t it what a Suzuki should be anyway…lol
Well keep your morale up and looking forward to seeing you soon. We will be thinking of you.
Take care,
Roger and Tracy
13. Peggy Weale | May 10th, 2007 at 9:47 pm
Cherie, you sure do know how to brighten up the day. I enjoy reading your stories of J.C.’s progress and your experiences in China. Funny stuff. I’m glad to know that everything is going well for J.C. He’s come a long way and with 3 more injections to go his improvement will be amazing from the sound of things so far.
Take care.
Peggy Weale
14. Mary Lou (Kingswood) | May 10th, 2007 at 9:51 pm
Hi Cherie & JC,
Read the article in the Gleaner last night and was so happy to hear that things are going great for you. Before you know it, you’ll be back home. You’ve got alot of support back here in Fredericton and we’ve all been praying for you. Look forward to seeing you over the summer. Perhaps JC you may want to join my Thursday night bowling league in September!!!! Wishing you both the best!
Mary Lou
KIngswood
15. Richard | May 11th, 2007 at 2:37 am
As a recent patient at shenzhen, I found one thing readily available in the hospital that will make things a little more convenient. Instead of a “pee cup”, it is easier to use a “urone container”. I can pass you a phto of the one I used at Nanshan if you can email me.
Good luck!
- Richard
16. Jillian | May 11th, 2007 at 6:31 am
Hi guys!
It is great to read about JC’s progress. I am so excited for you both and hope JC continues to get better and better. It is amazing what science can do for people. Hugs to you both.
Love, Jillian
17. Tammy Collins | May 11th, 2007 at 9:49 am
Hi…..just wanted to add that the Collins’ Family is so happy for all of you that things are going so well. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Cherie….your sense of humour is amazing. If only everyone could realize that humour (laughter) truly is the best medicine……makes difficult times much easier to bear.
Tammy and Family
18. Syenna | May 12th, 2007 at 1:34 am
I love to hear that Papa is feeling good. Mom you know you’re comments, well they are hilarious and especially(this was one of my spelling test words 12 out of 12 again)the one where you went to the mall to try to look for some undys because the man never brought back the clean ones ok well love you mom and papa .
Oh ya i forgot to tell you guys That we are fine here with nanny 911 just being funny bye.
love Syenna xoxoxoxoxox.
19. Silvino Domingues | January 26th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
hi I am very happy for jc s and the femaly and wish that he will reach his dream . sorry to bother you but i have a 12 year old girl with mild cp dont talk and walks with help please if you have more info please Enail it to me thank you and god bless
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