Stem Cells for BATTENS DISEASE

Saw this video of a famiy that has travelled to China for doing the stem cell treatment for their kid. The mother is quite hopeful sounding but the CNN people were quite discouraging.
Here is the link:

May in Toronto

There has been a slow deterioration of muscular co-ordinaion over the last months. I guess it is in the nature of ataxia to keep getting worse. So far I have been walking about with a cane, but the balance is becoming more and more of an issue. I guess I have to move to the next stage of using a wheelchair or some kind of mobile chair. I am still researching.

Saw this Video on CTV W-5

http://watch.ctv.ca/news/w-five/w-five-quest-for-a-cure/#clip142374

It is about treatment of MS. However, there are some mentions of the China stem cell treatment. As expected, the Canadian doctors are very wary.

The New Year is already Old

Just realised that I have not updated the blog in ages. Thats because nothing much has been happening. In the world of ataxia, things tend to move slowly. Like the mills of god, which grind slowly but surely.

It is also a whole year since I went to China. So it is a good time to review the progress made. If I look point-to-point from last winter to this one, things have definitely become worse. Would things have been 'worser' if I had not done the stem cell treatment? Who can say? It is more difficult to get dressed in all those recommended layers and get to work. But at least I am still working, so I guess I must be grateful for that.

Let me sign off for now.

Old pal from Calgary

Just got reacquanited with an email pal from Calgary. I used to be in touch with him regularly some years ago and then lost touch. He is an Indian , settled in Calgary. He has a form of ataxia, except that they have not labelled it yet. He dug out an old email id of mine and wrote. Thanks Internet!

Wish him and everyone else a great holiday season and a wonderful New Year.

December in Toronto

Getting back to normal. Some restrictions on food. Have not yet managed to get the ditetician.
Was planning a visit to India to attend the wedding of my nephew (sister's son). In the event, could not travel since I was unwell. Missed all the fun and games since Indian weddings are a riot. Started working. A few full days so far. Have also arranged for some amount of work to be done from home. Thank heaven for computers!

Been a while

I have not been well for the past several weeks. I started out with the usual cold-and-fever symptoms. Had a lot of breathing difficulties. After 3-4 days of self medication, I had to go to the hospital. They did X Rays and a CT Scan and diagnosed Pneumonia. Apparently some food particles had gone into my lungs. I stayed there for a week. The immediate issue has been sorted out, I think. However, I have to be extra careful in future while swallowing and eating. I have had a visit from the speech pathologist who also monitors swallowing. I am now supposed to meet with a dietician.

Bye for now. Just thought I would update this since I am now well enough to sit at a computer.