Saturday, October 24, 2009

25 October, 2009

Three days ago marked my 6 month return from China so I thought I put up some before-and-after walking videos. The first video was taken March 9, 2009 (about two weeks before I left for s/c treatment); the lower video was shot October 24, 2009. The terrain is a bit steeper in the newer video.

I feel good. I'm working out 5-6 days a week for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Lots of stretching, situps, glute work and bicycling. I'm at level 5 (of 8) on the stationary bike for 30-40 minutes, and make sure to make a point of riding the bike every time I exercise. I continue to see my physical therapist once a week. Standing remains a difficulty.

Some people have asked about my upper body strength. That has improved about 10% according to my PT. I really haven't noticed it that much because I have not been concentrating my efforts there. The main focus of my exercise has been lower body - - just trying to keep myself upright and walking. My PT works my arms and shoulders each week, but I do little of that at home. I'll try to start doing a better job of that in the future.

Monday, October 5, 2009

New Baseline

It has been brought to my attention that if I’m going to post "results" concerning my treatment in any way, shape or form, they must be done so under strict and consistent guidelines in order to maintain the integrity of the measurements and any change that may or may not occur.
These same critics also seem to think that people could make their decision to spend thousands of dollars on stem cell treatment based solely on what I have to say on this blog.

First off, this is my blog - albeit open to the public - it is still a personal forum and I will post whatever I wish until some authority pulls it.

Secondly, I state on the front of my blog under my photo that these are MY results, and may not be yours. See Disclaimer....

Thirdly, anyone relying solely on my results who spends their life savings on stem cell treatment has not read this blog very well at all, nor have they done their research or completed their due diligence.

That being said, I do agree that there is a need for accuracy and consistency in my measurements so I have enlisted the help of my physical therapist. He will measure 4 inches up from the top of my knees, make a mark, then measure the circumference of each leg at that mark. For my arms, he will measure a certain distance up from each elbow, make a mark and measure the circumference.

Here are the photographs from his measurements on October 2, 2009. I will consider this my new "official baseline."

4" up from knee


Right Leg - 14.5"

Left Leg 14.0"

So get over yourself people. I have never held myself out to be any sort of doctor or scientific researcher. I’m just trying to give others the benefit of my personal experience - this ain’t no scientific theists!