Thursday, November 10, 2011

Ken's Stem Cell Injection Today...

Ken:  "I think that the hand is a better idea.  I did it last year in Maine.  It's a better idea, I think.  Oh.  It doesn't hurt at all."

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Forget Brad Pitt--I Want To Meet Pablo De La Hoya, The CEO Of The Stem Cell Institute!

Most girls dream about meeting Brad Pitt or George Clooney. Today, I met someone who to me was more exciting than any superstar--Pablo De La Hoya, the CEO of the Stem Cell Institute!

It is strange, something that is so powerful and can change lives so dramatically exists here at this very unassuming location in Panama City, Panama. I watch in amazement as these doctors work, getting ready to inject Ken with his miracle "potion". They are unpretentious, kind, and helpful. Do they not know that it is because of their work that our lives have changed--that Ken has a future--that we can live a normal life?

Pablo De La Hoya is a man that I admire the most in the world--the leader of the champion of stem cell clinics, the Stem Cell Institute. Because of him and others who work at the Stem Cell Institute, we have this amazing treatment. I am impressed with the nerve and fortitude it takes to face up to the pressures of this type of job day after day.

Thank you, the Stem Cell Institute, for saving our son!

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

First Stem Cell Injection Today!






We are very excited to see what this treatment will do for Kenneth.  Today was the first injection of stem cells, he will have another injection tomorrow.  He does a great job sitting for the infusion!

Here are some photos of our super nice room at the Raddison--27th floor!

Monday, November 7, 2011

As I wait for Ken's first stem cell injection tomorrow, I reflect back on where we were just two short years ago. We didn't know if stem cells were going to work. Not many people had done it for autism then (less than 100, probably less than 50). We knew it was safe, adult stem cells have been studied and tested for over 40 years. We knew that we would be out a lot of money if it didn't work. We knew we would always wonder "what if..." if we didn't try...

I will never go back to being an ordinary person. I am jealous of ordinary people. You have it good, you don't know how hard it is, nor would I wish that knowledge on you.

To those of you wondering if stem cells are right for your child, get with it. No one is going to fix your child. You need to do it yourself. No doctor cares about your child. It is your responsibility. Before stem cells, we spent three hours a day in a hyperbaric chamber with Kenneth. THAT IS 8 DAYS OF DAYLIGHT A MONTH!!!!!!!!!! 8 DAYS IN A CHAMBER, CAN YOU CONCEPTUALIZE THAT?


Daniel Faiella taught me to fight for my son--to rise above ordinary and become extrodinary. He taught me not to be a regular autism parent and accept what I was told. When I hear the following words, I always think of him and our beginning in finding a cure for Kenneth which led us to stem cells.



Each day is a gift and not a given right

Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind

And try to take the path less traveled by

That first step you take is the longest stride



Against the grain should be a way of life

What's worth the prize is always worth the fight

Every second counts 'cause there's no second try

So live like you'll never live it twice

Don't take the free ride in your own life



You know it's never too late to shoot for the stars

Regardless of who you are

So do whatever it takes

'Cause you can't rewind a moment in this life

Let nothin' stand in your way

Cause the hands of time are never on your side

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Fourth Stem Cell Treatment Next Week!

Ken will have his fourth umbilical cord blood stem cell injection next week.  I want to thank the Stem Cell Institute for having this kind of treatment for autism. The Stem Cell Institute is the best clinic in the world for stem cell treatments. Also, I want to thank Daniel Faiella for first sharing his story about his son, Matthew. Without him, we would never have known about stem cells. Daniel's son was the first child to do this for autism...

Kenneth is a miracle. That word, I use a lot. It is true. His evaluations just came back--he is testing like a typical ten year old boy for conversation. The gaps are closing. Soon, other areas in his life will catch up. He has to work hard. I told his teachers to double up his work so that he can learn the concepts faster. They said they would do this (phew). They said this is his best year and he is so cute with his plans for his future...

He is happy to learn that if he ever gets a cavity, he can fix it with lots of cod liver oil. Someday, he wants to marry his girlfriend and have three kids. When he is at my sisters, he is glad to count the hours he stays (six), but wishes he could go to my shows (and what were they about?). Kenneth can clarify if I misunderstand his speech, for sure, that the mean teacher is Mrs. Morris, in Florida and Mrs. Norris is the speech teacher here in Maine (remember, he is going to be Mrs. Morris' boss when he grows up and fire her because she is so mean, lol)...

Everyday, the changes in my son are remarkable. At age eight, before stem cells, he could not speak to me, tell me how his day was--he screamed, fought, ran away, took off his clothes in public, too many to list.  I never want to go back to autism before stem cells...

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