So, Emily and I ventured over to the island to see how Grandpa was doing.
Well I'm happy to say he's doing great!!! He does have the usual post ccsvi surgery symptoms but everyone gets them. The doctors, physiotherapist and former patients all say that you will have good days and bad.
But what they need to say is that while you are here in Costa Rica you will be in a Shangri la like, euphoric state of bliss. Seriously, Everyone is freakin out of there mind happy down there. Miracles around every corner, unbelievable stories being told from the person in the story, and it doesn't stop. Everyday a new miracle, everyday a new smile, everyday more happy happy happy.
They should package that and sell it. But the worse part is that you can't stay there the rest of your life. You have to come home and even worse you have to come down from that high.
So, on that scale, my dad isn't doing to bad. He's had his ups and downs but he seems to be doing really well. Physically he is doing as good as ever. I watched him do his workout and I believe he is doing each exercise more fluently then what I saw in Costa Rica in his first week of Physio.
I only had to yell at him once because he wasn't taking a full minute break in between sets but other than that I was really proud of him. Don't worry it's my job to yell at him and make sure he's doing his exercise right.
Your job and yes you do have a job is to pass on your positive comments to Don. Reading this blog isn't free. You got the pre-surgery, during surgery and post surgery updates and you all sent your good wishes. Well, it didn't stop after the surgery, that was the easy part. The road to recovery is the hard part and positive state of mind helps make it easier.
Here is how I put it to Gary our MS friend who had the surgery the same day as Don. (Gary over did his workouts and hurt his back, so I yelled at him.) A baby takes over 12 months to learn to walk. A baby doesn't know any better, it brain isn't telling it's body that it can't do something. If you think you can re-learn to walk, open your hand, jump, swim.... in a couple weeks your sorely mistaken. 12 months for a baby means 12 months to two years for someone who has there brain working against there body.
Video to follow tomorrow
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Now even more famous
Here is the follow up story from the Nanaimo Daily News:
http://www.canada.com/Controversial+treatment+draws+local+praise/3489033/story.html
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
New Pictures From Costa Rica
Costa Rican Clothes Drier
Grandpa and Emily in their new shirts
Carlos our favorite waiter/bartender
Gabby and Claudio, Team Physio!!!!
Bonzai!!!!!
Watch out Mr. Liberation coming in!!!!!
Wow, something new
- Don can now cross his legs
- He can grab his hands behind his back
- and hug, i think he likes that the best
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Welcome Home!!!!
Who's that pushing the luggage? Is that Mr. Liberation
We were all jumping for joy to see Don and Donna!!! And Don was excited to see us too!!!
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Excellent news
Post Op is in and there is no change. His veins remain open and his physio is on going. He is gaining more and more motion in his left hand and the small things become easier.
Two days and counting until they arrive in Vancouver. I hope to post an avalanche of pictures and video.
Two days and counting until they arrive in Vancouver. I hope to post an avalanche of pictures and video.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Working hard
No news is good news and any news is great news!!!!!
Gabby and Claudio are working Don hard. Respiratory Therapy, Pool Therapy, and Weight Room Therapy. Yesterday and Today they worked Don's arms and hands. For the first time in a long time he is tired and sore. Please don't feel sorry for him, I hope they beat on him some more. He will need to feel the pain to feel the gain.
And he has, he had great mobility in his hand today. Sore shoulder, but that's because he's using it again. I don't have the video of him jumping into the pool but for those of you on Facebook, do a search for Costa Rica CCSVI and it should be available there. I'll post it as soon as i receive a copy on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Tomorrow is Don's Post Op, some time in the morning. Post Op is a waiting game, they will arrive around 8:30am but if the doctor is late, held up in surgery, has an emergency ... then Don gets push back. So far Don has had the miracle recovery so we aren't expecting any surprises but I'll update you as soon as I here something.
Gabby and Claudio are working Don hard. Respiratory Therapy, Pool Therapy, and Weight Room Therapy. Yesterday and Today they worked Don's arms and hands. For the first time in a long time he is tired and sore. Please don't feel sorry for him, I hope they beat on him some more. He will need to feel the pain to feel the gain.
And he has, he had great mobility in his hand today. Sore shoulder, but that's because he's using it again. I don't have the video of him jumping into the pool but for those of you on Facebook, do a search for Costa Rica CCSVI and it should be available there. I'll post it as soon as i receive a copy on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Tomorrow is Don's Post Op, some time in the morning. Post Op is a waiting game, they will arrive around 8:30am but if the doctor is late, held up in surgery, has an emergency ... then Don gets push back. So far Don has had the miracle recovery so we aren't expecting any surprises but I'll update you as soon as I here something.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Medical Report
Here is the Medical Report sent by the fabulos doctors at the Hospital Clinica Biblica
Patient: Don DuBois
Date: August 20, 2010
MS type: PPMS
Medication: none
Age:70
EDSS: 6.5
Main symptoms: Fatigue, impaired gait and balance, left arm immobility, swelling in extremities, cold feet and bedtime muscle spasms.
This is to certify that on August 19th 2010 while in Costa Rica, Central America; Mr. DuBois was studied for CCSVI.
A previous Duplex ultrasound was performed that showed jugular system asymmetry with impaired flow. There was an apparent obstruction of the jugular vein by the carotid bulb as well as a prominent valve on the left jugular vein.
In a venogram done the same day, an 8 Fr introducer was placed on the left fermoral vein and a 5 Fr hydrophilic catheter was advanced using a 0.035 Terumo glidewire guide directed to the enous vessels to be studied.
Severe stenosis of both internal jugular veins was found and an external compression of the left internal jugular vein by the carotid bulb was noted. Dilation of both vertebral vein was produced using an 18 x 40 mm XXL Boston Balloon and a 10 x 30 mm Bluemax Balloon. There was difficulty visualizing the vertebral system despite several attempts.
The azigous vein and iliac vein showed no signs of stenosis or reflux.
Heparin anticoagulation was done previous to all dilations and all punctures were ultrasound guided. No hematomas or bleeding were present at the puncture site. There were no complications during the procedure.
Enoxaparine (Lovenox) 60 mg SQ every 12 hours for one month was indicated after the procedure because of the possible lesion of the vessel wall and the risk of thrombus formation.
Mr. DuBois reported increased movement of the extremities, warm feet, improved gait, decreased swelling of extremities and decreased bedtime muscle spasms on post-operation day number one.
Patient: Don DuBois
Date: August 20, 2010
MS type: PPMS
Medication: none
Age:70
EDSS: 6.5
Main symptoms: Fatigue, impaired gait and balance, left arm immobility, swelling in extremities, cold feet and bedtime muscle spasms.
This is to certify that on August 19th 2010 while in Costa Rica, Central America; Mr. DuBois was studied for CCSVI.
A previous Duplex ultrasound was performed that showed jugular system asymmetry with impaired flow. There was an apparent obstruction of the jugular vein by the carotid bulb as well as a prominent valve on the left jugular vein.
In a venogram done the same day, an 8 Fr introducer was placed on the left fermoral vein and a 5 Fr hydrophilic catheter was advanced using a 0.035 Terumo glidewire guide directed to the enous vessels to be studied.
Severe stenosis of both internal jugular veins was found and an external compression of the left internal jugular vein by the carotid bulb was noted. Dilation of both vertebral vein was produced using an 18 x 40 mm XXL Boston Balloon and a 10 x 30 mm Bluemax Balloon. There was difficulty visualizing the vertebral system despite several attempts.
The azigous vein and iliac vein showed no signs of stenosis or reflux.
Heparin anticoagulation was done previous to all dilations and all punctures were ultrasound guided. No hematomas or bleeding were present at the puncture site. There were no complications during the procedure.
Enoxaparine (Lovenox) 60 mg SQ every 12 hours for one month was indicated after the procedure because of the possible lesion of the vessel wall and the risk of thrombus formation.
Mr. DuBois reported increased movement of the extremities, warm feet, improved gait, decreased swelling of extremities and decreased bedtime muscle spasms on post-operation day number one.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Still going
Don is doing great still, he now has added respiratory physio to his repertoire. They have to relearn how to breathe and exercise. Most of the people doing physio haven't exercised in many years (some can't even see there feet). So when they do their physio they tend to hold their breath.
It looks like the post op will be friday so that will be a big day.
It looks like the post op will be friday so that will be a big day.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Special Guests
Quite a lot of excitement this morning. The Costa Rican President, Laura Chinchilla came to the hotel today for a conference.
We are headed to the pool to take in some sun, first time in a week.
After she arrived we sent off two more people to get liberated. It was kind of funny because they do a send off where everyone waves a kleenex in the air to wish them well on thier surgery. So the President had all of us there as she pulled into with her motorcade. We stood and watched, then turned around and let out a big cheer and waved kleenex for the people going to the Hospital.
After they were gone Don and Gary had to go into the hotel and get there "Liberated Pictures". Everyone who gets the surgery has to have this picture taken.
We are headed to the pool to take in some sun, first time in a week.Sunday, August 22, 2010
Another great day!!!
Sunday was a day of rest, atleast that's what they call it here. Not much goes on on Sunday in Costa Rica. At the hotel there is no physio and the major excitement was a blood pressure test in the morning. It has been a rainy day here so spending a relaxing afternoon at the pool was out of the question. Instead we jumped on the bus and went to the market. "The Market" is basically a Safeway. It has a pharmacy, food, liquor and some misc. stuff like socks and toothbrushes.
Don who is feeling great decided to walk to the bus. I drove his scooter so if he got tired he could have it. Well, boys will be boys. As soon as I got on the scooter I drove it into the hallway and kranked the speed. I was zipping down the hallway and who do you think is behind me, RUNNING, you got it Don. I won the race but I think my dad was very happy to take second place.
There was seven of us that piled into the bus (which is an 11 passenger van), supplied by Passport Medical and they drove us to the market. But beause it didn't have a lift for Don's scooter he decided to leave it at the hotel. The drive was about 10 minutes and the market was nice. Don was the first out of the van and the first to grab a cart. Smiling away, he walked the whole market, every isle and a couple isles twice (the one with beer).
Eventually he did get tired and sat down on a bench while we paid for the groceries. His new legs are doing great but he still has a ways to go. New muscle needs to be built and he needs to retrain his brain to work with him and not against him. Everyday we do exercises to help break the habits of holding his left hand closed or holding his arm up against his chest. The Liberation Treatment is only the start, if you do nothing after the procedure your body won't improve.
After the market we sat out side, watched the storm pass over us and played some cribbage. Don did pretty good holding the cards in his left hand, not good enough to beat me but still pretty good. Then it was happy hour time and shortly after that dinner time. You get to know so many people here, it's almost like a new family. You can sit down in the lobby and start talking with someone and you lose track of time. One conversation leads into another and by the time your done you've talked with 6 people and it's an hour later or more!!
Don has physio at 1pm tomorrow so i'll post some video. I believe he will be in the pool unless it's raining. Tomorrow is my last day but I will continue posting info on how Don is doing, just maybe not 5 times a day. We don't know for sure but we believe Don will have his post op on thursday so that could be a big blog. They will do another Doppler and make sure his vein has remained open.
Don who is feeling great decided to walk to the bus. I drove his scooter so if he got tired he could have it. Well, boys will be boys. As soon as I got on the scooter I drove it into the hallway and kranked the speed. I was zipping down the hallway and who do you think is behind me, RUNNING, you got it Don. I won the race but I think my dad was very happy to take second place.
There was seven of us that piled into the bus (which is an 11 passenger van), supplied by Passport Medical and they drove us to the market. But beause it didn't have a lift for Don's scooter he decided to leave it at the hotel. The drive was about 10 minutes and the market was nice. Don was the first out of the van and the first to grab a cart. Smiling away, he walked the whole market, every isle and a couple isles twice (the one with beer).
Eventually he did get tired and sat down on a bench while we paid for the groceries. His new legs are doing great but he still has a ways to go. New muscle needs to be built and he needs to retrain his brain to work with him and not against him. Everyday we do exercises to help break the habits of holding his left hand closed or holding his arm up against his chest. The Liberation Treatment is only the start, if you do nothing after the procedure your body won't improve.
After the market we sat out side, watched the storm pass over us and played some cribbage. Don did pretty good holding the cards in his left hand, not good enough to beat me but still pretty good. Then it was happy hour time and shortly after that dinner time. You get to know so many people here, it's almost like a new family. You can sit down in the lobby and start talking with someone and you lose track of time. One conversation leads into another and by the time your done you've talked with 6 people and it's an hour later or more!!
Don has physio at 1pm tomorrow so i'll post some video. I believe he will be in the pool unless it's raining. Tomorrow is my last day but I will continue posting info on how Don is doing, just maybe not 5 times a day. We don't know for sure but we believe Don will have his post op on thursday so that could be a big blog. They will do another Doppler and make sure his vein has remained open.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
What is this salty liquid coming out of my skin?
First day of physio and the old man got worked!!!!! or worked out!!!!!
1. 4 sets of leg lifts, 8 left leg lifts, 8 right leg lifts, and 10 lifts with both legs (on a machine)
2. 4 sets of step ups, 10 starting with the left leg, 10 starting with the right leg
3. 3 sets of squats while hold a bar on the wall
4. 5 minutes on the bike pedaling forward
5. 5 minutes on the bike pedaling in reverse
Now if you think that is amazing (which it is) add in that he's not tired, not sore (yet) and still happy.
1. 4 sets of leg lifts, 8 left leg lifts, 8 right leg lifts, and 10 lifts with both legs (on a machine)
2. 4 sets of step ups, 10 starting with the left leg, 10 starting with the right leg
3. 3 sets of squats while hold a bar on the wall
4. 5 minutes on the bike pedaling forward
5. 5 minutes on the bike pedaling in reverse
Now if you think that is amazing (which it is) add in that he's not tired, not sore (yet) and still happy.
Friday, August 20, 2010
The Goods
Here are the three video's of the doctor explaining the procedure and results. They are taken consecutively, they were broken up to make it easier to upload. Enjoy!!!!!
#1. The Bad Valve
#2. The Vertebral Veins
#1. The Bad Valve
#2. The Vertebral Veins
#3. The Good and The Bad, but the bad first please!!
After dinner I will try and upload some video of the Venogram!!!
And he's up
The doctor showed us the video of the procedure about fourty five minutes ago. It's very cool to see the narrowing in the veins, then the balloons and then puff no stenosis. I will try and video tape some of it and post it tonight for you.We will be here for about another hour, we are waiting for the other two patients Gary and Lena who were also operated on yesterday to be released. Then we all head back to the hotel.
The nurse took out Don's I.V. about twenty mintues ago, which made Don a free man. He stood up took three steps before i noticed that he was bleeding from where the I.V. was. They added any extra piece of tape to add pressure to the site and told him to chill out for fifteen minutes.
Ten minutes passed and like a kid going to the candy store he was up and out of the room. We walked down two rooms to see Gary. The legs aren't much better for walking but he hasn't had any physio yet so aren't surprised.
Physio starts tomorrow!!!
New Wish's
Again thank you for all the prayers and well wish's!!! Don loves to here from you, this morning he even received a call from Emily (granddaughter) and was in heaven!!!
For those of you who want to send a message to Don but are having trouble here's how you do it:
1. At the bottom of every update there is a button that says "comment"
2. Click it and a text box should appear with the words "post a comment"
3. Type in your message
4. Under the text box is a drop down menu
5. Click on the arrow to the right and select "anonymous"
6. Then click "post comment"
Please add your name at the bottom of your comment so we know who's typing.
For those of you who want to send a message to Don but are having trouble here's how you do it:
1. At the bottom of every update there is a button that says "comment"
2. Click it and a text box should appear with the words "post a comment"
3. Type in your message
4. Under the text box is a drop down menu
5. Click on the arrow to the right and select "anonymous"
6. Then click "post comment"
Please add your name at the bottom of your comment so we know who's typing.
What's up Doc?
So we met with the Doctor and he said that they opened up both jugular veins, left side and right side. The right side jugular had "significant" stenosis and the left side jugular had some stenosis but they could not open it up all the way because the Arterial Bulb is pushing up against the Vein. They opened that left side jugular as far as they could though.
We have had a visit from another doctor who speaks better english and she reaffirmed what Dr. Fallas had said and done.
I have video for that conversation but again i can't upload that much infomation on the Hospital's wifi so you will have to wait till later to see that video.
We have had a visit from another doctor who speaks better english and she reaffirmed what Dr. Fallas had said and done.
I have video for that conversation but again i can't upload that much infomation on the Hospital's wifi so you will have to wait till later to see that video.
Day Four - A very good morning
When I arrived Don was standing and in mid pee, I know to much information by Amy wants details. He is still a little weak because the nurses wouldn't let him out of bed till this morning but he showered and used the bathroom (#2).
We are waiting for the doctor to come and give Don the results should know with in the hour.
Here is the new improvements:
-Don is extending his left arm straight
-His hand isn't closed like a fist anymore
-His feet look great and not swollen. His toes were also starting to go purple because of the lack of blood flow, well that gone too.
-He can lift his arm over his head with his other hand but because he hasn't used his arm in so long that he doesn't have any muscle mass to do it on it's own.
Also his face or neck isn't swollen from the surgery as well so he looks great
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Video of the Drive to the hospital
No a big deal except that we had to drive up the side on a mountain, and when I say up the side I mean up. probably the most vertical i've ever been in a car. If you listen carefully you can here the driver mess with my nervous mom. He says "don't worry, I cover my eye on this part too"
Update hot off the press!!!!
So we are 6hrs post surgery and some things have changed.
1. Don's left arm can be raised up by his head
2. He has better movement in his left hand
3. He can extend his left arm, no longer carries it across his chest
4. His left arm isn't bloated anymore and you can see bone and muscle definition now
5. His feet also aren't bloated they look normal
6. He is enlightened, he believes he is thinking clearer
They will sit him up soon so he can eat and possibly stand him up tonight. The nurses don't want to over do it, having normal (extra for Don) blood flow around the brain and standing him up could cause him to get light headed and fall.
As soon as I get back to the hotel I will post three or four video's, Chao!!!
1. Don's left arm can be raised up by his head
2. He has better movement in his left hand
3. He can extend his left arm, no longer carries it across his chest
4. His left arm isn't bloated anymore and you can see bone and muscle definition now
5. His feet also aren't bloated they look normal
6. He is enlightened, he believes he is thinking clearer
They will sit him up soon so he can eat and possibly stand him up tonight. The nurses don't want to over do it, having normal (extra for Don) blood flow around the brain and standing him up could cause him to get light headed and fall.
As soon as I get back to the hotel I will post three or four video's, Chao!!!
HE OUT AND HE GOOD
12:30pm Costa Rica time, they wheeled him in, very groggy and a little out of it. I'm going to start with the good stuff.
He has more movement in his left hand and arm which had gone lame. He can open his left hand and rotate his wrist. Which is amazing, he also could give a left hand thumbs up!!!!!
The nurse came in and his blood pressure, tempurature, and pulse all were great. Another nurse came in and check the incision and everything is fine.
I will post more info when we have it, not much to tell because he isn't allowed to move his leg for 4hrs and he is taking a nap.
Thanks to all for the prays and well wishs
He has more movement in his left hand and arm which had gone lame. He can open his left hand and rotate his wrist. Which is amazing, he also could give a left hand thumbs up!!!!!
The nurse came in and his blood pressure, tempurature, and pulse all were great. Another nurse came in and check the incision and everything is fine.
I will post more info when we have it, not much to tell because he isn't allowed to move his leg for 4hrs and he is taking a nap.
Thanks to all for the prays and well wishs
Just killing time
Here are some photo's of our Costa Rica trip
Beautiful Flowers
The Ground at the Hotel
Beautiful Flowers
The longer he is out the more veins they are opening up, currently 3.5hrs out of his room. Will post as soon as he is back.
Day Three - The shave
Hello everyone, thank you for your well wishes and prayers.
We were up and on the road by 6am. The best part of this trip so far has been the company that was hired by Passport Medical to pick us up and drive us to all the appointments. The staff are very friendly, fun and calm while driving. After two days of being in Costa Rica I know that I will never, ever drive here. The road are narrow and with car eater pot holes (I call them small sink holes). One of the drivers said to us "in your country people that swerve on the road are drunk, people in my country are drunk if they drive straight"
We made it to the Hospital no problem. The Hospital is beautiful, everything looks so brand new and Don's private room is huge. It has an Ikea like futon, a big comfy chair and huge bathroom.
Nurse came in and helped get Don into his gowned, then the shave. We were told yesterday by someone who just had the surgery that my mother should shave Don's groin area. They usually enter through the left leg just below the crease in your groin area but shave the other side incase they can't enter through the left. Well this turned into a joke that lasted the whole day. How much to shave, don't nick anything, Brazilian? or landing strip? Well turns out they opted for the nurse, a trained professional to do it.
Next was a neurologist who ask Don some questions about general health. Does he have any allergies, do you smoke, eye sight... pretty much the same as yesterdays neurologist.
Then we had a part of the surgical team come in and talk with us. One of the reasons to come to Costa Rica (using Passport Medical, no way we could have don't all this on our own, no way) was the cost, the proximity, physiotherapy, and the Doctors here are doing it right. They are going above and beyond and here is why. The surgeon said that there is currently no guidelines for the amount of stenosis in a vein so if there is ANY stenosis the doctor will open it up. The nurse/interpreter told us that yesterday she was in a surgery and the Doctor was opening small viens around the back of the heart. She thought that was amazing.
Well that's where this update stops, they just wheeled Don out to surgery so the next update will be in a few hours.
Info email and they want to keep in touch
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Day Two - A day of rest?
Day one was a day of travel, Day two recoup from travel and check out the hotel and grounds, Day three PreOp and surgery. Sounds great!!!!
Day Two, everyone was up early. We head down to the restaurant and have breakfast. Fresh fruit, cheese omelets, toast, and waffles, very tasty. After breakfast, Luis (From passport medical) took us around the gardens. Wow, there are some very nice hotels in Costa Rica but The Hotel Bougainvillea must have the most beautiful gardens of them all.
10 acres filled with butterflies, flowers, coffee bushes, orange and banana trees, even bird watching towers. Luis said that Costa Rica has more species of birds then North America has total. The gardens have a path bricked path winding through all 10 acres so Don can drive has scooter and enjoy them.
We checked out the pool and weight room where Don will be doing his physio after the surgery. The pool looks amazing and the weight room is quite big. We met Gabby who runs the physiotherapy and she was very nice. Turns out she tried to do a physio assessment on Don this morning but we were out for breakfast.
Well it turns out the day of rest is a full day of PreOp stuff. We arrived in Costa Rica late, had a snack and went to bed last night. What we should have done is check the information board, it would have told us that Don has surgery tomorrow at 6:30am and needed to have all the PreOp stuff done today.
We met up with Gabby at 11am and she tested strength in Don's arm's and legs, circulation and feeling as well. She was very nice and explained that Don would start in the gym and when his incision healed he would do physio in the pool. If we had any questions Gabby's email address would be provided for us to write and receive answers.
After we left Gabby we all piled into a van, Don, Donna, Gary, Betty (new friends) Me and Luis (driver) and we drove over to a private clinic that they just started using. Don and Gary were the first Passport Medical patients to be sent there. It was amazing, far nicer than a clinic in Vancouver. It was a bit of a waiting game as the doctor was running behind. As soon as the doctor arrived Don was taken into an exam room.
The doctor was great but didn't speak a lot of english. No worries as Passport Medical had a translator there to ask our questions and explain what the doctor was telling us. The Doppler exam (ultrasound) took about 50min. Way more thorough than the False Creek exam with a more advanced Doppler machine. But, the same outcome, there is something wrong on your right side, the Venogram will show more.
After the Doppler, Gary went in for his ultrasound and we waited. Once Gary was done we were all tired and were ready to go home. Except that we were told that they both had to have EKG readings on their hearts. The kicker, the EKG Doctor wasn't there.... So we waited some more. The Doctor arrived and it took him 10min to get a reading on both and we were out the door.
I think we were there for about 4 and a half hours, half of that time waiting. Funny thing is it didn't matter. Everyone is so happy to be here, and everyone understands that they have double the patients because of the "balloon incident" and having to rebook everyone.
After the clinic we jump back into the van and drove back to the hotel, about 5mins away. Before we could walk through the front door we were greeted and told that the Neurologist was waiting to do her assessment of Don and Gary.
Holy cow, for a day of rest this is turning into a marathon. We all go to Don's room and the Neurologist starts asking her questions. Do you have trouble with your eyes, Bladder issues, Balance, Strength, Can you walk unassisted.... That with the knee tap test to see his reflex and she was done. Don is a 6.5, yup means nothing to us to. I guess the higher the number the more dependant you are on others.
There you go, a full day of PreOp. Up early tomorrow, I've been told that the hospital has internet access so I should be able to post in the afternoon on how everything goes. Also if something doesn't make sense or you would like more info about something please just leave a comment and I can fill in the blanks. Sometimes the brain doesn't work well on little sleep and lots of anxiety.
Day Two, everyone was up early. We head down to the restaurant and have breakfast. Fresh fruit, cheese omelets, toast, and waffles, very tasty. After breakfast, Luis (From passport medical) took us around the gardens. Wow, there are some very nice hotels in Costa Rica but The Hotel Bougainvillea must have the most beautiful gardens of them all.
10 acres filled with butterflies, flowers, coffee bushes, orange and banana trees, even bird watching towers. Luis said that Costa Rica has more species of birds then North America has total. The gardens have a path bricked path winding through all 10 acres so Don can drive has scooter and enjoy them.
We checked out the pool and weight room where Don will be doing his physio after the surgery. The pool looks amazing and the weight room is quite big. We met Gabby who runs the physiotherapy and she was very nice. Turns out she tried to do a physio assessment on Don this morning but we were out for breakfast.
Well it turns out the day of rest is a full day of PreOp stuff. We arrived in Costa Rica late, had a snack and went to bed last night. What we should have done is check the information board, it would have told us that Don has surgery tomorrow at 6:30am and needed to have all the PreOp stuff done today.
We met up with Gabby at 11am and she tested strength in Don's arm's and legs, circulation and feeling as well. She was very nice and explained that Don would start in the gym and when his incision healed he would do physio in the pool. If we had any questions Gabby's email address would be provided for us to write and receive answers.
After we left Gabby we all piled into a van, Don, Donna, Gary, Betty (new friends) Me and Luis (driver) and we drove over to a private clinic that they just started using. Don and Gary were the first Passport Medical patients to be sent there. It was amazing, far nicer than a clinic in Vancouver. It was a bit of a waiting game as the doctor was running behind. As soon as the doctor arrived Don was taken into an exam room.
The doctor was great but didn't speak a lot of english. No worries as Passport Medical had a translator there to ask our questions and explain what the doctor was telling us. The Doppler exam (ultrasound) took about 50min. Way more thorough than the False Creek exam with a more advanced Doppler machine. But, the same outcome, there is something wrong on your right side, the Venogram will show more.
After the Doppler, Gary went in for his ultrasound and we waited. Once Gary was done we were all tired and were ready to go home. Except that we were told that they both had to have EKG readings on their hearts. The kicker, the EKG Doctor wasn't there.... So we waited some more. The Doctor arrived and it took him 10min to get a reading on both and we were out the door.
I think we were there for about 4 and a half hours, half of that time waiting. Funny thing is it didn't matter. Everyone is so happy to be here, and everyone understands that they have double the patients because of the "balloon incident" and having to rebook everyone.
After the clinic we jump back into the van and drove back to the hotel, about 5mins away. Before we could walk through the front door we were greeted and told that the Neurologist was waiting to do her assessment of Don and Gary.
Holy cow, for a day of rest this is turning into a marathon. We all go to Don's room and the Neurologist starts asking her questions. Do you have trouble with your eyes, Bladder issues, Balance, Strength, Can you walk unassisted.... That with the knee tap test to see his reflex and she was done. Don is a 6.5, yup means nothing to us to. I guess the higher the number the more dependant you are on others.
There you go, a full day of PreOp. Up early tomorrow, I've been told that the hospital has internet access so I should be able to post in the afternoon on how everything goes. Also if something doesn't make sense or you would like more info about something please just leave a comment and I can fill in the blanks. Sometimes the brain doesn't work well on little sleep and lots of anxiety.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Day One - Travel
Hello everyone,
Today was the first day of our trip to Costa Rica. We were up at 5:30am and out the door by 6:15. Everything was really smooth for the most part. The cab ride we beautiful with zero traffic, the airport was a breeze, check in, security and customs all zero issues. The first flight was great, no turbulance and a prefect landing.
Dallas was hot, I mean really hot. Exiting the plane onto the skywalk way, holy smokes. All of 15 seconds the walk took but you started sweating after the first 5 seconds. The only minor blip at the Dallas Airport was they changed our gate of departure. Fortunitly it wasn't to far and that's probably the one airport after YVR that I know my way around, (D terminal at least).
The second flight was better for me as I had a whole row to myself (which is good karma as I gave up my seat so a little girl could seat with her daddy on the first flight). Don and Donna had it good up in business class sipping champangne and eating Sirloin and Crab. Although maybe to good as Don's body decided to not hold him up and he went a$$ over tea kettle and smashed his elbow.
Well after a pasenger picked him up and the flight attendants patched up his arm, he took a nap on the plane and is feeling much better now.
We were picked up by Wilfred (from passport medical) and he drove us to our hotel and gave us the five cent tour along the way. At night Costa Rica is beautiful so i can't wait to see it in the daytime. The best way to describe it for me is it smells like the Bahama's (humid and lush) and looks like the Algarve in Portugal. Now if that means nothing to you, you need to start booking trips because they are both beautiful.
The hotel is great, the staff are very friendly. The rooms are HUGE and very clean. We stopped in at the bar (restaurant was closed) and had a drink and snack. While we were there we met Claudette who had the surgery done three days ago and doing well. Claudette hasn't seen any overwhelming difference in her symptoms but is very upbeat. We also met Steve who is from Quebec and his wife Suzy had the surgery yesterday. Steve told us that Suzy HAS seen overwhelming relief from her symptoms. She is walking without a walker, has warm hands and feet and has taken back control of her bladder.
Everyone here is so happy it is addictive, you can't help but smile at this hotel.
I am exhausted so if any part of this ramble didn't make sense i'm sorry and i will edit it tomorrow. Here is film of Don at the Costa Rican Airport.
Today was the first day of our trip to Costa Rica. We were up at 5:30am and out the door by 6:15. Everything was really smooth for the most part. The cab ride we beautiful with zero traffic, the airport was a breeze, check in, security and customs all zero issues. The first flight was great, no turbulance and a prefect landing.
Dallas was hot, I mean really hot. Exiting the plane onto the skywalk way, holy smokes. All of 15 seconds the walk took but you started sweating after the first 5 seconds. The only minor blip at the Dallas Airport was they changed our gate of departure. Fortunitly it wasn't to far and that's probably the one airport after YVR that I know my way around, (D terminal at least).
The second flight was better for me as I had a whole row to myself (which is good karma as I gave up my seat so a little girl could seat with her daddy on the first flight). Don and Donna had it good up in business class sipping champangne and eating Sirloin and Crab. Although maybe to good as Don's body decided to not hold him up and he went a$$ over tea kettle and smashed his elbow.
Well after a pasenger picked him up and the flight attendants patched up his arm, he took a nap on the plane and is feeling much better now.
We were picked up by Wilfred (from passport medical) and he drove us to our hotel and gave us the five cent tour along the way. At night Costa Rica is beautiful so i can't wait to see it in the daytime. The best way to describe it for me is it smells like the Bahama's (humid and lush) and looks like the Algarve in Portugal. Now if that means nothing to you, you need to start booking trips because they are both beautiful.
The hotel is great, the staff are very friendly. The rooms are HUGE and very clean. We stopped in at the bar (restaurant was closed) and had a drink and snack. While we were there we met Claudette who had the surgery done three days ago and doing well. Claudette hasn't seen any overwhelming difference in her symptoms but is very upbeat. We also met Steve who is from Quebec and his wife Suzy had the surgery yesterday. Steve told us that Suzy HAS seen overwhelming relief from her symptoms. She is walking without a walker, has warm hands and feet and has taken back control of her bladder.
Everyone here is so happy it is addictive, you can't help but smile at this hotel.
I am exhausted so if any part of this ramble didn't make sense i'm sorry and i will edit it tomorrow. Here is film of Don at the Costa Rican Airport.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
On the catwalk
He may not be a super model but he sure can strut his stuff. 10 days and counting!!!!
For anyone reading about studies done in Germany and Sweden, I'll through it back in there faces. Show me the study that debunks Zamboni's discovery in a double blind research study with more than a 100 patients. That's what you ask for and you don't even do it yourself.
As for the articles in the Edmonton Journal and Ottawa Citizen, every single person with MS wants research done to see how the Liberation Treatment could assist in curing MS. We don't believe this puzzle is finished. We believe that this treatment is a piece of that puzzle and we just found that piece lying on the floor.
Every single person with MS would pay for the Liberation treatment. Self funded research if that is what it takes. We all want to know how this new found missing piece fits into the MS puzzle.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Arm strength before the operation
Here is a video of Don's arm strength. It was done in the morning so he's pretty fresh. I will also post a video tomorrow of his walk.
After we reach Costa Rica, I will take some more footage of Don worn out from the trip to compare against this one and the post operation film.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
No news is really no news
Well, we wait. The surgery has been pushed until August so there isn't much news. So I thought I'd post my favorite MS and CCSVI blogs and websites.
http://www.iamsickofms.blogspot.com/
Great blog from a lady who had her surgery done in Poland.
http://www.liberation-treatment.com/
Very informative website and has most of the countries and doctors doing the surgery.
http://www.passportmedical.com/
I my opinion the best option for CCSVI surgery at this point. Proximity, cost, minimal culture shock, physiotherapy, and hey it's working down there.
http://www.iamsickofms.blogspot.com/
Great blog from a lady who had her surgery done in Poland.
http://www.liberation-treatment.com/
Very informative website and has most of the countries and doctors doing the surgery.
http://www.passportmedical.com/
I my opinion the best option for CCSVI surgery at this point. Proximity, cost, minimal culture shock, physiotherapy, and hey it's working down there.
This is a great website, definitely check out the driving Costa Rica link.
Enjoy the reading!!!!
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Bump in the road
As some of you may or may not know, Don's surgery was cancelled. You may think that this is bad news but it is quite the opposite. The hospital has used every angioplasty balloon available in Costa Rica and Panama. That means a lot of people suffering from MS have been helped and that is our hope for everyone.
Well the bump in the road was the shipment of balloons that they were suppose to receive was wrong. So they have had to cancel all of July's surgeries and reschedule them. The next shipment of balloons will take a few weeks to ship and clear customs so we wait, some more.
Yes, it's put a wrench into some plans but in the long run Don will receive the surgery and knock on wood he will be better soon. They have re booked for the middle of August but unfortunately my wife and daughter won't be able to come down and watch the transformation that will occur. I will be able to chronicle the events for you for the first week and then give you updates until the end of Don's first golf game. After that it's up to you to book your tee times with him.
Well the bump in the road was the shipment of balloons that they were suppose to receive was wrong. So they have had to cancel all of July's surgeries and reschedule them. The next shipment of balloons will take a few weeks to ship and clear customs so we wait, some more.
Yes, it's put a wrench into some plans but in the long run Don will receive the surgery and knock on wood he will be better soon. They have re booked for the middle of August but unfortunately my wife and daughter won't be able to come down and watch the transformation that will occur. I will be able to chronicle the events for you for the first week and then give you updates until the end of Don's first golf game. After that it's up to you to book your tee times with him.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Is their a doctor in the room?
New, Experimental, groundbreaking, controversial, and "yet to be independently replicated"(my favorite). All used to describe the "Liberation Procedure", "The Zamboni Procedure", or whatever else the media wants to call it.
But is it really any of these things?
The first angioplasty was performed in 1977, 33 years ago. The procedure was as easy back then as it is today. When performed on arteries there is a less than 1% rate of complications resulting in death. This procedure is performed daily because it is less invasive then bypass surgery.
That is all well and good you say, but this new experimental groundbreaking and controversial procedure is not performed on veins. Veins are not ridged like arteries, we have know idea how this procedure will affect a vein. We need research and lots of it. We need private research, public research, we need double blind research groups, we need to test it on mice first, and my favorite we need to independently replicate it to know it is safe to perform.
But again, is any of this really true?
Have MS patients handcuffed themselves by calling this common treatment "The Liberation Procedure"? Are doctor's so egotistical, and blinded by progress that they won't come forward and speak up.
By now you must have figured out I'm going somewhere with this, and I am. Angioplasty is also very commonly performed on veins and has been done for years. People that suffer from kidney disease need angioplasty done because of complication with there dialysis. I'm not a doctor but it sounds like the dialysis opening or exit of the vein can get blocked, as well the vein can get over worked and collapses. Doctors go in and balloon that sucker open, sometimes even stenting them to keep the vein open to allow for easy dialysis.
So there is one specific use for angioplasty when it comes to veins and is completely different to CCSVI.
Oh wait, I'm sorry. Doctors are performing angioplasty on portal veins that have stenosis after liver transplants. And pulmonary vein angioplasty which is way over my head but still, vein being angioplasty'd sounds good to me.
Anyway, type vein and angioplasty into Google and you'll see that CCSVI has some brothers in arms and anyone without an MD attached to the back of there name would understand that this is the opposite of New, Experimental, and Groundbreaking.
But is it really any of these things?
The first angioplasty was performed in 1977, 33 years ago. The procedure was as easy back then as it is today. When performed on arteries there is a less than 1% rate of complications resulting in death. This procedure is performed daily because it is less invasive then bypass surgery.
That is all well and good you say, but this new experimental groundbreaking and controversial procedure is not performed on veins. Veins are not ridged like arteries, we have know idea how this procedure will affect a vein. We need research and lots of it. We need private research, public research, we need double blind research groups, we need to test it on mice first, and my favorite we need to independently replicate it to know it is safe to perform.
But again, is any of this really true?
Have MS patients handcuffed themselves by calling this common treatment "The Liberation Procedure"? Are doctor's so egotistical, and blinded by progress that they won't come forward and speak up.
By now you must have figured out I'm going somewhere with this, and I am. Angioplasty is also very commonly performed on veins and has been done for years. People that suffer from kidney disease need angioplasty done because of complication with there dialysis. I'm not a doctor but it sounds like the dialysis opening or exit of the vein can get blocked, as well the vein can get over worked and collapses. Doctors go in and balloon that sucker open, sometimes even stenting them to keep the vein open to allow for easy dialysis.
So there is one specific use for angioplasty when it comes to veins and is completely different to CCSVI.
Oh wait, I'm sorry. Doctors are performing angioplasty on portal veins that have stenosis after liver transplants. And pulmonary vein angioplasty which is way over my head but still, vein being angioplasty'd sounds good to me.
Anyway, type vein and angioplasty into Google and you'll see that CCSVI has some brothers in arms and anyone without an MD attached to the back of there name would understand that this is the opposite of New, Experimental, and Groundbreaking.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Doing it right
Well, we are one week away from our trip down to Costa Rica.
I just talked to my parents on the phone and they are very excited. You can here the enthusiastic anticipation in my fathers voice. He sounds as if he knows the winning numbers to the next lotto max draw and is about to go buy a ticket. We hope he has the winning numbers too, as do a lot of friends and family.
I believe that his odds are already increased because of one thing, Passport Medical. As you can imagine, I've read quite a few articles about CCSVI and the Liberation Procedure and I believe that Passport Medical is doing it right. They are adapting as they go, taking new information and making the process better, on the tourism side and the surgical side. Example: If their are no complications with the surgery the patient will only need to spend one day in the hospital now. On the tourism side, they now limit the number of wheelchair bound patients because the hotel has a limited number of wheelchair accessible rooms. Smart thinking and quick (unlike the North American Health Systems)
9 days of physiotherapy, genius!!! some of these patients have not used parts of there bodies for years. Passport Medical makes sure they have a trained physiotherapist there to help you regain strength and mobility in those area's. Geez, How do some of these medical tourism joints expect people to get better if all they do is open a vein and send you home. You need to retrain the body, strengthen muscles and set up a workout plan that can be executed at home.
That's doing it right!!!
I just talked to my parents on the phone and they are very excited. You can here the enthusiastic anticipation in my fathers voice. He sounds as if he knows the winning numbers to the next lotto max draw and is about to go buy a ticket. We hope he has the winning numbers too, as do a lot of friends and family.
I believe that his odds are already increased because of one thing, Passport Medical. As you can imagine, I've read quite a few articles about CCSVI and the Liberation Procedure and I believe that Passport Medical is doing it right. They are adapting as they go, taking new information and making the process better, on the tourism side and the surgical side. Example: If their are no complications with the surgery the patient will only need to spend one day in the hospital now. On the tourism side, they now limit the number of wheelchair bound patients because the hotel has a limited number of wheelchair accessible rooms. Smart thinking and quick (unlike the North American Health Systems)
9 days of physiotherapy, genius!!! some of these patients have not used parts of there bodies for years. Passport Medical makes sure they have a trained physiotherapist there to help you regain strength and mobility in those area's. Geez, How do some of these medical tourism joints expect people to get better if all they do is open a vein and send you home. You need to retrain the body, strengthen muscles and set up a workout plan that can be executed at home.
That's doing it right!!!
Friday, July 2, 2010
Surreal
I received an email from family friends that just blew me away. They set up a bank account for people to donate too, if they wished. I was floored, that was one of the most thoughtful gifts. The costs of this adventure is not cheap, $10,000 for the surgery alone, plus taxi's, flight, hotel, food, and all the unknowns. I would like to thank everyone who has been so generous, large or small they all have help enormously.
It is a long trip for most people, let alone someone with MS. Fortunately enough I live a very privileged life. My work allows for me to take time off as I need it. My beautiful wife also has a great job that allows her to book time off. With that, we will set off with my daughter to help my old man get down to Costa Rica and help support my mother while dad is in surgery. Document the good times and bad for you to read and Emily will provide the healing hugs.
The next day after receiving that email, I was still floored, speechless. I thought, "hey, this is one of those story's you see on T.V., Man goes on a cross country trip to find a cure for his horrible disease. Donations can be made to ...." Very surreal.
Of course that was followed up with it actually coming true. The local newspaper, The Nanaimo Daily Free Press wrote an article, "MS patient heads south to try controversial treatment". Under the picture the caption read, "Don DuBois will travel to Costa Rica next month to undergo treatment for Multiple Sclerosis. A once-avid golfer, he hopes he can get back to the sport he loves."
And that's where the idea came for the blog address.
It is a long trip for most people, let alone someone with MS. Fortunately enough I live a very privileged life. My work allows for me to take time off as I need it. My beautiful wife also has a great job that allows her to book time off. With that, we will set off with my daughter to help my old man get down to Costa Rica and help support my mother while dad is in surgery. Document the good times and bad for you to read and Emily will provide the healing hugs.
The next day after receiving that email, I was still floored, speechless. I thought, "hey, this is one of those story's you see on T.V., Man goes on a cross country trip to find a cure for his horrible disease. Donations can be made to ...." Very surreal.
Of course that was followed up with it actually coming true. The local newspaper, The Nanaimo Daily Free Press wrote an article, "MS patient heads south to try controversial treatment". Under the picture the caption read, "Don DuBois will travel to Costa Rica next month to undergo treatment for Multiple Sclerosis. A once-avid golfer, he hopes he can get back to the sport he loves."
And that's where the idea came for the blog address.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Hold on tight, time fly's
The new contender Costa Rica entered the ring on May 23rd, somewhere in cyberspace. That was where I found it, facebook, blogs, webpages, or twitters, somehow they have all merged together in a blur.
Well, It wasn't to long after that, that I fired off an email to my parents with the address for Passport Medicals website, www.passportmedical.com. May 24th I received an email that my parents were reading a lot about Costa Rica and both were very excited. May 25th my parents contacted Passport Medical with my dad's information, and they were told that someone would be in contact with them shortly. May 26th that someone from Passport Medical contacted my father and let them know that they had some cancellations and because my father had the scans done already they could book him into one of the two open spots. They were ecstatic, they asked some questions that they had and put off giving an answer until the next day.
May 27th was a very special day, I was bringing over the granddaughter for a three day sleepover. While I was there we discussed the proposed trip, the dates, pro's and con's of Costa Rica over the other countries. It seemed like this was the second best option after having the procedure performed in Nanaimo, which could be at least a year or more away. So while I was there, they booked their trip to Costa Rica.
In four days they went from reading about people going to get the Liberation Treatment in other countries, to being one of those people going to another country. In the room there was a sense of anxiety, relief, joy and anticipation all at the same time. Wow, that's a lot of money to spend. Man, how lucky are we, some countries have huge waiting lists. Geez, my dad might be with out MS soon. I pray everything goes smooth.
This will be a trip of a life time, a trip filled with hope.
Well, It wasn't to long after that, that I fired off an email to my parents with the address for Passport Medicals website, www.passportmedical.com. May 24th I received an email that my parents were reading a lot about Costa Rica and both were very excited. May 25th my parents contacted Passport Medical with my dad's information, and they were told that someone would be in contact with them shortly. May 26th that someone from Passport Medical contacted my father and let them know that they had some cancellations and because my father had the scans done already they could book him into one of the two open spots. They were ecstatic, they asked some questions that they had and put off giving an answer until the next day.
May 27th was a very special day, I was bringing over the granddaughter for a three day sleepover. While I was there we discussed the proposed trip, the dates, pro's and con's of Costa Rica over the other countries. It seemed like this was the second best option after having the procedure performed in Nanaimo, which could be at least a year or more away. So while I was there, they booked their trip to Costa Rica.
In four days they went from reading about people going to get the Liberation Treatment in other countries, to being one of those people going to another country. In the room there was a sense of anxiety, relief, joy and anticipation all at the same time. Wow, that's a lot of money to spend. Man, how lucky are we, some countries have huge waiting lists. Geez, my dad might be with out MS soon. I pray everything goes smooth.
This will be a trip of a life time, a trip filled with hope.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
The Rant, The Conspriacy
Don is left with some decisions, he has some abnormalities in the veins and questions on his mind.
The doctors at the False Creek Medical Center were less then fourth coming with information after the Victoria incident (which we believe was there doctors and patients that were reprimanded) We had many questions about the information given to us and little was given, in the way of a straight answer. We did feel comfortable enough with the doctors minimal explanation that the right side veins were not draining properly and that "Don is a great candidate for angioplasty in Poland" statement.
So that next question is wait or go. Normally when you are sick, you go to the hospital and the doctors there would treat you but with CCSVI you can't just go down to the hospital and have a surgeon perform the "Liberation Procedure", a simple Angioplasty on the narrowed veins in my fathers neck. The problem is, the Canadian Government (paid monkeys) and MS Society of Canada (more paid monkeys) have seen fit to shut down anyone wanting anything to do with this "experimental procedure". Case in point the two people have the surgery done in Victoria.
So why are doctors not allowed to fix this medical issue. If you had narrowed arteries you would get angioplasty. If your finger was broke, they would set it. Did the doctors not set broken fingers until they had enough research on how it would affect you down the road? No. So what is the hold up. In my opinion, the doctors, Ministry of Health and MS Society's are all run by pharmaceutical company's. Pharmaceutical company's fund all of them with billions of dollars, and if you don't tow the company line your funding vanishes. Drug company's make money selling drugs that "help" you with your problems. They don't sell drugs that can cure your problems. There is just no money in it for them, if they sell you a drug that cost them millions to research, test and produce they would lose there shirts if they cured you.
Ever wonder why there have been no major cures since 1952 when the first Polio Vaccine was invented? It could be that that was the time that drug companies were looking at profits more that people.
Sorry, back to stay or go. We can't receive the treatment in North America. The doctor's have to do there due diligence and research this "experimental procedure". Tack on the fact that no one that receives money from the drug companies will touch the research with a ten foot pole. As well, the MS Society who's money should be going to fund this research is run by the pharmacutical companies and is dragging there feet. Dragging there feet? Well, the MS society has generously donated 2.4 million dollars towards the research of CCSVI and the Liberation Procedure. Sound good, well look further. That 2.4 million is split 7 ways, making it less then $350,000 per research group.
Still sound good well the Michael J Fox Foundation just donated a single grant of 2.1 million to a single researcher or the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine just donated 5.8 million to a single researcher for there research.
Let's do the math, the $350,000 research grant divided by $2350 (the cost of the doppler and MRV scan) and you get roughly 149 patients in that research group. That is the number if you want to be scanned. If you want to be apart of a clinical trial that includes surgery? well i'd guess your looking at about 35 patients in that clinical trial (other country offering the procedure for about $10,000). Oh I forgot to mention that the 2.4 million dollars being given out by the MS Society is shared by the America and Canadian MS Society's with the majority of the money coming from the States, where the majority of the research will be done.
You can tell i'm not jaded about how our government is handling this at all :) Thank god there are countries out there that see a good thing and act on it. So where to go and get the procedure done. First up is India, the only problem with India is the huge waitlist. Second up is Poland, waitlist isn't as long but they sound a little stent crazy over there. Third, Fourth and Fifth up are, well, hmmm lets say not on the top of my bucket list of places to go, Bulgeria, Slovenia, and Kuwait.
Oh wait, we have a new contender. Costa Rica, it's close (okay not close but closer than India and Poland), it has a bussling cosmedic surgery industry going on and the wait list is minimal. By minimal I mean my parents phoned and left there information. In less then a week they had a return call, questions answered and booked surgery in someones cancelled surgical slot.
Friday, June 18, 2010
False Creek Medical Center
In the words of a great man, "if you do nothing, nothing will get better"
The first step in getting better is to find out if your sick and that is what we did. We booked Don into having a Doppler Ultrasound and MRV at the False Creek Medical Center. The experience was... hmmm... interesting. If you have been following the CCSVI avalanche of information you may have heard that two people received the "Liberation Treatment" in Victoria. That was shut down quickly and the doctors had there hands slapped. This happened just before Don's appointment, so things at the clinic were a little tense or tight lipped.
While waiting, we made friends with a couple from Ontario that were here for the same scans. The husband was wheelchair bound and not in great shape physically. His spirits seems high though and even higher after the doctor stopped his Doppler scan early. As the doctor put it, "there is no need to scan any further, your viens are exteremly narrowed". Off they went to get the MRV.
We've never been so happy to find out a complete stranger was sick and i'm sure they were bursting on the inside. Like I said, step one "be sick".
Well, now it was Don's turn. We get Don into the exam room, get his shirt off (not as easy as it sounds will a less then fully functioning left arm) and wait for the doctor. Waiting is painfully. It leaves you time to think. Will Don be as lucky as our new friend, what if they don't find anything, what if they do find something?
Act 2: The doctor enters the examination room. The Doc starts his examination, first ultrasounding Don's left side. The ultrasound machine flashs up some pictures and in my best medical opinion everything looked find. The pictures are black and white and definitely look better then an ink blot test. Now as you may have figured out, i'm am not a doctor. That being said the doctor said everything looked good and sounded good. Well, lets hope we have better luck on the right side.
Remember, we want collapsed viens, that puts some meaning, some reason for Don's MS and Ureka!!!! we have an issue. As soon as the doctor puts the ultrasound sensor on Don's right side of the neck you instantly knew something was wrong. Instead of a whirring sound like on the left side, the right side sounded choppy. The doctor also saw something because, in his words "Don is a great candidinate for balloon angyoplasty in Poland".
The first step in getting better is to find out if your sick and that is what we did. We booked Don into having a Doppler Ultrasound and MRV at the False Creek Medical Center. The experience was... hmmm... interesting. If you have been following the CCSVI avalanche of information you may have heard that two people received the "Liberation Treatment" in Victoria. That was shut down quickly and the doctors had there hands slapped. This happened just before Don's appointment, so things at the clinic were a little tense or tight lipped.
While waiting, we made friends with a couple from Ontario that were here for the same scans. The husband was wheelchair bound and not in great shape physically. His spirits seems high though and even higher after the doctor stopped his Doppler scan early. As the doctor put it, "there is no need to scan any further, your viens are exteremly narrowed". Off they went to get the MRV.
We've never been so happy to find out a complete stranger was sick and i'm sure they were bursting on the inside. Like I said, step one "be sick".
Well, now it was Don's turn. We get Don into the exam room, get his shirt off (not as easy as it sounds will a less then fully functioning left arm) and wait for the doctor. Waiting is painfully. It leaves you time to think. Will Don be as lucky as our new friend, what if they don't find anything, what if they do find something?
Act 2: The doctor enters the examination room. The Doc starts his examination, first ultrasounding Don's left side. The ultrasound machine flashs up some pictures and in my best medical opinion everything looked find. The pictures are black and white and definitely look better then an ink blot test. Now as you may have figured out, i'm am not a doctor. That being said the doctor said everything looked good and sounded good. Well, lets hope we have better luck on the right side.
Remember, we want collapsed viens, that puts some meaning, some reason for Don's MS and Ureka!!!! we have an issue. As soon as the doctor puts the ultrasound sensor on Don's right side of the neck you instantly knew something was wrong. Instead of a whirring sound like on the left side, the right side sounded choppy. The doctor also saw something because, in his words "Don is a great candidinate for balloon angyoplasty in Poland".
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Some Background
This is going to be my test blog to see how this blog thing works.
I'm Greg and my dad has MS. This blog will be an attempt to keep family and friends up to date or how Daddy Don is doing, before, during and after his surgery in Costa Rica.
It's funny how life rolls along, almost in slow motion. Until one day a doctor from Italy and a TV station from Canada created a supernova, a supernova of hope. That was the start of a steep learning curve and a hurried attitude to get my father this new "Liberation Procedure".
Our learning curve would start with me finding an article, and sending it to my parents. Then an article a day, then two at a time, then up to six web links daily. Newspaper articles, video clips and blog addresses whatever we could find. The more we knew, the more hope that filled our lives and hearts.
At some point we came across a facebook page linking us with False Creek Medical Center. That's where this enter ends. Stay tuned....
I'm Greg and my dad has MS. This blog will be an attempt to keep family and friends up to date or how Daddy Don is doing, before, during and after his surgery in Costa Rica.
It's funny how life rolls along, almost in slow motion. Until one day a doctor from Italy and a TV station from Canada created a supernova, a supernova of hope. That was the start of a steep learning curve and a hurried attitude to get my father this new "Liberation Procedure".
Our learning curve would start with me finding an article, and sending it to my parents. Then an article a day, then two at a time, then up to six web links daily. Newspaper articles, video clips and blog addresses whatever we could find. The more we knew, the more hope that filled our lives and hearts.
At some point we came across a facebook page linking us with False Creek Medical Center. That's where this enter ends. Stay tuned....
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