It has been an erratic summer - hot some days, cold some, raining a lot.
I have been going regularly to the fitness club. The routine seems to help. I was doing a one-a-week session with a trainer, which has now come to an end. The trainer is a nice guy. He is going back to school to study Alternative Medicine.
Have been working and commuting. It takes me a longer time to negotiate public transport. I have figured out where there are ramps and elevators along the route to avoid climbing. Toronto is a fairly accessible city, and I am grateful for that.
Have been checking my B.P regularly at the gym. It seems to have settled to within normal limits. Earlier, I was hyper-tensive. Maybe the exercising has some benefit on the B.P.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Windsor Canada boy headed for China
I just read this report about a young Canadian from Windsor, Ontario who suffers from FA and is making the trip to China. Wish him all the very best. See the report at: http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/story.html?id=506382b2-33d3-42d3-a6ae-b1dd4e34318b
Sunday, June 29, 2008
End of June in Toronto
Nothing great to report, carrying on with my exercising, about 5 days a week. The gym is near where I work and I feel too lazy to commute on weekends.
Over the past month, I have been able to increase the weights on the machines at the gym by about 10-15%. I suppose that is a good thing.
Muscular cramps happen sometimes. Doesnt seem any triggers that I can identify.
My nephew who works in California sent me the link for a new study that they are doing at the National Institute of Health - to check the efficacy of lithium treatment for spino cerebellar ataxia. I have offered myself as a volunteer subject for the study, dont know if they will pick me.
Over the past month, I have been able to increase the weights on the machines at the gym by about 10-15%. I suppose that is a good thing.
Muscular cramps happen sometimes. Doesnt seem any triggers that I can identify.
My nephew who works in California sent me the link for a new study that they are doing at the National Institute of Health - to check the efficacy of lithium treatment for spino cerebellar ataxia. I have offered myself as a volunteer subject for the study, dont know if they will pick me.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
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.
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.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Cant believe it is May already
Winter seems to be over at last.
I met my family doctor once again and requested him to give me a reference to a neurologist. Unless something is life threatening, it takes a long time.
I have been going to the fitness club most days and spend about 1 hour each day. I can do the exercises only at the lowest resistance levels, but I guess that is better than nothing. I have maintained the improvements I noticed in walking and talking, nothing dramatically new to report. Shall get back to everyone soon.
I met my family doctor once again and requested him to give me a reference to a neurologist. Unless something is life threatening, it takes a long time.
I have been going to the fitness club most days and spend about 1 hour each day. I can do the exercises only at the lowest resistance levels, but I guess that is better than nothing. I have maintained the improvements I noticed in walking and talking, nothing dramatically new to report. Shall get back to everyone soon.
Monday, March 31, 2008
After 4 weeks in Canada
It has been a busy 4 weeks - have not kept the blog updated. I have been trying to get seen by a neurologist. So far still waiting. Under the Canadian system, your local doctor has to write a reference to the specialist. The last time, I got a reference in November and they had called me for a neurologist consultation in February. I missed that since I was in China. My local doc is pissed. He is making a fresh reference.
Meanwhile, I have also been trying to get into some form of physiotherapy here. Since it is taking forever to get into a neurologist approved programme, I decided to start something on my own. I have joined a local fitness club and start today. For the first few days I will have a personal trainer.
As regards the ataxia and the stem cells treatment, any changes have happened during the treatment in China. I was hoping for continued improvements after I came back, but nothing so far. Maybe regular exercising at the fitness club will jumpstart something.
Meanwhile, I have also been trying to get into some form of physiotherapy here. Since it is taking forever to get into a neurologist approved programme, I decided to start something on my own. I have joined a local fitness club and start today. For the first few days I will have a personal trainer.
As regards the ataxia and the stem cells treatment, any changes have happened during the treatment in China. I was hoping for continued improvements after I came back, but nothing so far. Maybe regular exercising at the fitness club will jumpstart something.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Beginning March in Canada - March 3, 2008
Landed back in Toronto after a 21-hour flight from India. Travelled alone this time since my son has stayed back in India. Flight was not too bad, though it is too too long. My daughter was at Pearson airport to receive me. Took a taxi back home. Spent the weekend getting the home in some kind of order.
Today is Monday - first day back at work. Colleagues at the office think I am looking a bit better. Went to a nearby chiropractor/physiotherapist and started off with him. Lets see how that goes. I imagine millions of stem cells sitting around in my cerebellum, waiting for their marching orders. I do believe that in order to get full benefit from the stem cell treatment, it is essential to train the brain through an exercise programme.
Today is Monday - first day back at work. Colleagues at the office think I am looking a bit better. Went to a nearby chiropractor/physiotherapist and started off with him. Lets see how that goes. I imagine millions of stem cells sitting around in my cerebellum, waiting for their marching orders. I do believe that in order to get full benefit from the stem cell treatment, it is essential to train the brain through an exercise programme.
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