Canada in June

Things have been busy at work. So I have'nt been posting here.

I got an appointment (finally) with a neurologist at the Toronto Western Hospital. First look at the hospital was not encouraging as it overlooks a funeral home. I can understand why they put ATMs in shopping malls, but a funeral home near a hospital seems to be stretching the convenience factor a bit.

Well, the doctor was a competent and encouraging kind of guy. He heard my story patiently and took notes. He looked the last MRI I had, from China. He did a lot of tests to assess the neurological deficits. At the end of it, he did not have much new to offer or suggest. So I came away, with the satisfaction that there is a file somewhere in my name with some information on me. He has promised to call me in once in 6 months, so i guess there will be some monitoring.

Fitness club continues. The exercising seems to help, since movements are easier on those days compared to the days when I goof off.

Toronto is vey hot this weekend.

Getting Advice and Ideas

The last few weeks have been very busy. I have been planning my journey to China.

First, I contacted Beike Biotech in Shenzhen, China, to get information about the treatment and the cost and the likely dates. Have been trying to get in touch with some of the people who have undergone the stem cell treatment for ataxia.

The Beike staff were helpful in arranging two conversations on the phone - one is a lady from Western Canada and the other is a gentleman from Scotland. They had taken the treatment about a year ago - in late 2006. They were very enthusiastic about the treatment and the positive effects it was still having on them, 12 months later. I must tell you that it was pretty powerful to listen first hand to these people, since they had similar problems in the past, had taken the decision to take the stem cell injections and were feeling the benefits even after a year has gone by.

The doubts in my mind were addressed to some extent by talking to these folks. I realise that each case is unique and no two ataxians are alike. Since there is so much diversity in the condition, I am sure the impact on each person would be also different in each case.

At this point, let me just say thanks - to the Beike people who arranged the calls, and to these two new friends who were so helpful and positive with me.

I have now got a visa for China at the consulate in Toronto. Beike suggests that one companion should go along. I am taking my 18-year old son. I am hoping that, for him, the dreariness of being in a hospital for 5 weeks will be offset by the wonder of being in China. As per the itinerary, we should be there during the Chinese New Year, and that should be a real experience.

More later ....