Hello everyone,
Instead of my writing a broadcast email, Dave wrote his own this time!
Sending it to all as he requested.
Sally
————– Forwarded Message: ————–
From: DAldrich57@aol.com
To: villagecandle1@comcast.net
Subject: Hi Sal please broadcast
Date: Tue, 3 Jun 2008 13:56:08 +0000
Hi everyone
About twenty of us are going to a night club tonight as the west invades the east. A twenty one year old man came in today from Romania who dove into shallow water and drown, same as me he came into the PT. room and recognized me immediately from the blog so we shared stories. There are now four quads here with shallow water accidents. I am also now the oldest patient here.The rest are in their twenties or children. My lungs are getting stronger everyday, I can’t stop talking! More tomorrow. Saturday night was a night to remember! After being cooped up on the 8 th floor for the last five weeks I decided to take my stem cells out for a night on the town Dr. Martin led a group of 15 patients and staff to club Paradise about 4 blocks from the hospital. Once we entered the parking area Martin sat on my lap, and drove the w/c chair in 5 th gear through the parking lot, into the club and all the way up to the stage which was quite a sight to see. The DJ welcomed us to the club and we received a round of applause. The night club had a thunderous sound system which would rival or beat any club in the US. There were a ll kind of acts and performances in between the singing and dancing. We enjoyed some TSING-TAO beer which is made right here in Qingdao. The night began with a DJ playing Chinese music when all of sudden (Stayin’ Alive ) By the Bee Gees came on followed by more great classic American hits. I have come to realize that the time has come for me to get on my feet and dance once again. I had not done much exercise out side of PT but every muscle that I wanted to move, moved and I think if I didn’t have the seatbelt on I would have gotten up out of that w/c and dance. I realize now how much strength I have gained in my trunk and both my legs. I really feel now more than ever that I will eventually be able to stand once again. I have gained more control of my muscles I just need to build up my strength. I danced all night as best as I could in my chair. Norma and I left about midnight with Martin sitting on my lap and driving me back to the hospital. We had a great time I could swear it really felt like I danced my legs off! There is an adjoining jazz club which opens this Saturday night and the manager offered us free tickets so we plan to all go out again this weekend.
I had a great PT session on Monday and three of the executives from the US were there and they filmed and photograph my work out. They are all amazed at the progress I have made since I have been here. I was schedule for my last spinal injection on Monday but ten minuets prior to being rolled out for my injection I was informed that my stem-cell injection had not arrive and I would be receiving an IV instead. I was also told that my last IV that was schedule for Monday the 9 nth would have to be changed due to it being a Chinese holiday. We decided to do the spinal this Wednesday and my last IV on Friday.
Needless to say I was not very happy but decided to make the best of it. I was offered my money back for the ninth treatment but choose to squeeze it in. Hopefully the stem-cells will have time to migrate effectively.
WE are now in the home stretch with less than a week left before our departure. It has been quite an experience and now that I look back I feel I have made substantial gains. My lung capacity has increased. All my joints are more limber and my range of motion has greatly improved due to the great therapy and massage. This has also helped to decrease my pain and spasms a great deal. The most exciting part is that I have actually began to regain control of my wrists. I can put my arms out in front of me and begin to straighten my wrist.When my hand is held I can close my index and thumb and partially close the others into a grip on my left hand, my right hand is lagging behind a bit but is showing some improvement. My finger movement has also improved. Hopefully with lots of work this will become a massive accomplishment.
I know sally is very busy with work and family and it has been fun composing these couple letters. I will try to get out one more update before I leave but if that does not happen I will be sending you my next letter from sunny Delray Beach Florida where I will be devouring a Big Juicy American Cheese Burger!!!!!
Love & hugs
Dave & Norma
June 4th, 2008
After kneeling on Friday, from my lower back to my knees has been in a lot of pain. Had trouble in pt. today, Martin brought me to new OT. room and gave me a new type of electric wave therapy, and acupuncture from my lower back to my knees, help some but still in a lot of pain.My arms can be turned palms up for the first time in six years. I am now able to grip Norma’s hand with my thumb and index finger closing all the way. I exercise my fingers by isolating each one. I will try to kneel again on Wednesday or Thursday after spinal, Massage on Tuesday before spinal.
Sadly, we lost our beloved caregiver Mr. Wong on Friday.His wife became ill and was hospitalized. He had to make a 35 hour train ride to be with her.We miss him terribly as he was quite a character, and an excellent helper and was loved by all. His replacement was a disaster. Only lasted two days. New helper is trying really hard and hopefully will work out.
May 27 nth marks the 6 anniversary of my accident it’s always been a sad day for me but is bitter sweet this year. Being here and making progress in my recovery is great but very sad with dad’s news. will continue to fight but wish I could be there with them.
My breathing and speech are getting stronger everyday. Norma is becoming quite the computer geek she spends her days laying on the bed reading the latest news, writing emails, downloading pictures, making dvds and googling everything on earth. Her latest plan is to buy a new scooter for $400.oo and bring it home to replace her mercedes suv.She DEFINATELY has WAYYYYY too much free time on her hands!!!!!!!!
That’s it for now
Love Dave & Norma
May 27th, 2008
5/26/08 Happy Memorial Day from David and Norma!! First and foremost David would love to hear from you. Please email him at daldrich57@aol.com. He looks forward to your emails anytime. Even though there is no Memorial Day in China, there is Memorial Day in David and Norma’s hearts. They carry their pride for our country, our veterans, and our current service men serving our country in Iraq. Everyone is in their thoughts and prayers. David is pretty excited when he calls these days. There seems to be many things happening and he would like for me to share them all with you. “The Stem cells are doing something,” according to David. Along with his hard work in PT every day, he has made this trip worth the time and investment. First, he began to perspire on his neck. After a neurological injury such as Dave’s, the individuals lose their ability to perspire. Dave said he has not perspired for 6 years. Norma noticed that Dave’s neck was wet when she put her hand on the back of his neck when he was doing about 50 sit ups. Norma said, “David did you know you are sweating?” He was so excited! Perspiring this high on his body is such a great sign. David told me on the phone, “I could actually have some body odor again, can you imagine that?” Now tell me, how many of us wish for that? Isn’t it amazing to think of the things that we find an annoyance and have taken for granted are things patients like Dave grasp for with all their heart and might to regain? David says that he has now gone 3 weeks without his nebulizer. He has never been able to go three weeks, since he weaned off the respirator. He feels this is such a big step for him. He is hoping that this will continue and his lungs will become stronger. I must say, when he calls he talks like he was vaccinated with a phonograph needle. He barely stops to take a breath! Keep up the good work ole Davey boy! Hearing your voice was a gift, I remember those days when you were on the respirator and all we wished for was to hear your voice again! Dave’s biggest news is that he has been getting up on his knees and balancing with the assistance of Martin. If he continues to do this exercise when he returns home he will build up his leg muscles and there is the possibility of his being able to stand with assistance in about 6 months! These are different muscles being used to kneel. He is doing leg presses with Martin and his quadriceps muscles are very weak. He has been told that the kneeling, pushing and pulling exercises should help strengthen these muscles. David is so excited!!! We all know that Dave has said his goal is to walk again, and this just made that hope and dream of his a bigger possibility. David said that Martin can’t hold his left leg anymore like he used to because Dave is getting stronger everyday. The stem cell Doctor did the “Asia” pinprick test on David . David said the Dr. told him he is now a four. He used to be a one. David said normal is 5. Dave told me that Christopher Reeve had gone from a 1 to a 4 too. Dave said he has gotten more sensation back especially with the pin prick test on his left foot. The Dr. told him that his reflexes bounce back well. He said his right is less sensitive than the left. His muscle spasms are less severe, and occur less frequently than they did before. I HAVE TO TELL YOU OLE’ DAVEY BOY IS PUMPED FOR SURE!!!! When he talks and tells me all these things, I can just imagine, having been there, just what is going on. He is so excited he barely takes a breath when he is telling me these things; the excitement in his voice is immeasurable! Dave talks about becoming more independent, and being able to do more things for himself, things such as the activities of daily living. One in particular is the ability to feed himself. He has been working his fingers and hands with Martin. His hands “feel different”. He cannot explain or describe what it is yet, but to him it feels so suttle. He doesn’t sense the movement in the fingers yet, but he feels like he senses more. He is feeling that he can sense more the contact when someone touches him. He said he is curling his fingers back one at a time, and he ends up doing what is like 200 reps with his fingers. He feels if he can strengthen his fingers he will be able to hold utensils well enough to be more independent! What a gift that would be for him, and just think how we all do these things every single day without thinking about it! Dave’s vision is improving more too. He can see more clearly individuals who may be across the room, where as before he could see them, but just not as clearly. He continues to do his trunk rolls, the standing board, and all the usual exercises he does in therapy with Martin. He receives e-stim as well in his room prior to PT. The biggest challenge for Dave this time when he returns home, (and it is the same as the last time), is the availability of continuing the PT he needs to strengthen his body. When you have a long term, chronic problem like Dave’s the availability of services is very limited. You can max out on any services such as this very quickly. It will be critical for Dave’s improvement to be able to continue to perform all these exercises when he returns home. His goal to stand and walk can only be realized with the hard work that goes along with the body building gifts of those stem cells! Everyone in China is amazed at the gains Dave has made. He tells everyone that it isn’t just the stem cells; it is the combination of all the therapies, and one hard core determination. It takes hard work and dedication but all of these things combined make the whole treatment regimen successful. You have heard of misers making pennies scream? Well, Dave makes those stem cells scream! He gets every last bit of reformation from them. I don’t think any human can squeeze as much out of their stem cells as Dave can! There will be billions of those stem cells in his body by the time he is done his treatments. His PT will push the stem cells to recognize they need to work and repair the physical human frailties that exist in his body. Like I said, those stem cells will be screaming when he is done with them!! Dave is a celebrity in his own right in China. He said that so many people walk up to him and tell him that they recognize him from the Super Cells video, and his blog. He is amazed. It is always a surprise to see how many lives he touches without even knowing it. A new group of patients came in recently. One man said to Dave, “I know that face! I saw you on your blog walking in the pool!” This man is a quad also, and he told Dave, “You are the only reason I am here.” People are telling him that they have seen Katrina Holden’s, Super Cells that she produced for National Geographic and aired on the Discovery Channel at least 10 times. Dave is of course featured on that movie. It was not allowed to air in the US, but has aired all through Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. There is one common thread of all these individuals….that is one of hope. Each with their debilitating illnesses and injuries brings them to China with hope in their hearts. David has become a source of inspiration to others. He brings hope to others when they have felt there was no hope. David said, “People get so down in the dumps.” They receive their injections, and he can see that sparkle of hope just grow when they see things begin to change. Sometimes the things that change are so small to us, but they are monumental things to an individual with chronic debilitating illnesses and injuries. Everyone there is looking for HOPE. Some of the people there Dave speaks about. One man Joe from the US, a quad like Dave had an accident when he was in school. He is going to school for his BS degree, and plans on teaching. He then wants to become an attorney. His dad is a missionary in Angola and Cambodia, helping people to build, or rebuild their homes. There are patients there from Hong Kong, Canada, Australia, Romania, New Zealand, Scotland, and of course the US. A man from Scotland has ataxia. When he arrived his hands were shaking. When he left his hand did not shake. One man who is there with his wife, have been very nice, and they owned a park with animals and specialized in giraffes. A woman there has had MS for several years, and after stem cells she could jump. Dave said she was pretty excited! There are so many stories…….and I am sure there are so many untold stories too that Dave will share with you when he returns home. It is so amazing to hear each and every one of these stories. The stories tell of the spiritual growth, the bonding, and any trickle of improvement building the hopes and dreams of those, where no hope previously existed. These are the stories that Dave and everyone has travelled so far to tell! As tiny Tim would say, “Bless them all each and every one!” Bless you all and I will write an update again before Dave leaves to return to the US. Bless you all for your love and support! Always, Dave and Norma
May 27th, 2008
Well, let me begin by telling you all that David and Norma are safe and sound in Qingdao. The Earthquake that occurred so tragically is a great distance from them and they did not even feel the tremors where they are located. Dave emailed this am, and said that they took a collection for the earthquake victims on the Stem Cell unit and over $1,500 RMBS were collected from the patients! Such a tragedy, but we are grateful our loved ones are okay! Foremost in this broadcast email, I need to send a heartfelt thank you to Norma for her dedication to David, and for once again putting her own life on hold, while she makes the commitment to David for a second journey. She has walked beside David as a source of strength in his pursuit of his dream to stand and walk once again and to become more independent. His dream is that he can accomplish this monumental task with the help of the power of stem cells. Also, thank you to everyone who made donations on David’s behalf to fund this second trip to China. Without your undying emotional, spiritual, and financial support, David would not have been able to make this dream come true. Your investment in David’s spirit will grow far more than any of us could ever imagine! Your investment in David’s spirit will extend far beyond any boundaries you could ever imagine. This second trip to China has been more than just a dream for David, it was a goal and a promise he had made to himself before he even left China on the last trip. Through your support and kindness you have made this goal one that Dave could turn into reality. Dave remains forever grateful for your selfless gifts. For a moment rewind to the year 2006……the first journey of hope. David, Norma, Paul and I journey to a place unknown, David being the 14th individual from the US to arrive in Shenzhen, China, in hopes of a miracle. It was a gift of life, love and hope from Paul to his brother David, and what a gift! From that journey Dave went from legally blind to being able to see, and to developed better strength so that he could drive his own wheel chair, and use a voice activated computer! He has been the source of inspiration to so many others in these last 2 years, and those are the endless gifts of love and life that have become David’s and his to share with all who also needed hope or to hear of hope. He has touched the lives of many in that period of time. Now, come back to the present, 2008, 2 years later and David who literally could do little for himself in 2006, has now organized and arranged all of his second journey to China!!!! How amazing is that? David organized the flights through Delta Airlines, and they never fell short of their commitment to insure that he, Norma and all his personal belongings and equipment arrived safely, and undamaged in China. Traveling alone with Norma was a big undertaking, and was an area of some concern before they left, but transfers, and all that is involved went smoothly and was seamless. In David’s own words, “Delta was outstanding, we had no problems with my wheelchair with any damage. Except for a couple of flat tires that are affected by air pressure on the plane, (it happened on last trip too) the flight and the crew were remarkable!” The hospital where the new Stem Cells unit is located is in a more remote location in Qingdao than David and Norma had expected. It is in an actual medical center, which has the existing old hospital and the brand new hospital addition. The hospital makes all the arrangements for transport. The handicapped van is the hospitals, so all transportation has to be arranged through them. It is a full scale hospital according to David and Norma. Unlike the Nanshan Hospital in Shenzhen which is a bustling city, Qingdao is quaint and remote. The facility is located some 45 minutes from the nearest Walmart, and 15 minutes from the nearest grocery store. There currently is construction across the street of a new restaurant, Hotel, and shopping center with an anticipated completion in about 6 months. They were the first people in their room and their unit is located on the 8th floor of the hospital. There are more English speaking people there than there were in Shenzhen which is very nice. On this facility it is much more of a family atmosphere than it was on the unit in Shenzhen. There were a number of Australians there when they arrived, as it is only an 8 hr. flight for them. The unit is set up for spinal cord injuries, and there are 4 American’s, one child with Spina bifida. Everyone there helps each other. It is much more of a social environment. The 9th floor is the entertainment room. Dave and Norma have made a lot of friends, and the Stem Cells video produced by National Geographic, and David’s own Christmas video are part of the DVD collections that everyone has watch, and is generally a topic for discussion. Dave even did a talk at a gathering and was sharing his story with others for over an hour. He was amazed at how much hope he was able to offer others who were there. So many new relationships have developed and it has made the facility feel more like home. The friendships and common bonds are stronger than words can ever express. Y ou will have to wait to hear the voice of David when he returns to enjoy all the stories I am sure he will share about those personal relationships he shared during his stay. Here is David’s stem cell schedule going forward, he has already received one injection and one IV, since his arrival.5/19 injection5/23 IV5/28 injection6/2 injection6/6 IV6/9 IV He attends rehab daily where he has several hours of physical therapy. There is not occupational therapy here like in Shenzhen. He has been on the standing frame, and they come to his room and do his e-stim in his bed, and the acupuncture in his room. It is more private for those types of treatments and services, verses the group atmosphere in Shenzhen. There is less staff in the rehab. department here. The other rehab department was like a bee hive, this one is more quiet. David called me yesterday and told me that his vision is improving even more, especially for distance and he is feeling stronger in his core, and is able to arch his back and lift his buttocks off the bench!! He has had NO pain medication for one week and his spasms have greatly reduced if not almost non existent! He is noticing increased strength as well. He can even roll over without assistance. Yesterday’s stem cells went great and he had to use his bipap machine for breathing for the first time for several hours, but has not had to use it today. The thing about the stem cells, and the changes that occur, they are so subtle sometimes that all of a sudden you will realize Dave is doing something better or faster. He may do something several times before you realize, heh I didn’t do it like this before! He is pumped and we all know David, he will give it 150%!He will get the most that anyone can from this treatment! In their leisure time, they found a wonderful park, one bigger and better than the one in Shenzhen. They all visit one another in their rooms as well and share heartfelt stories, and often head to the park when the weather is warm and sunny. David goes to rehab daily, and his buddy Martin, who was in the rehabilitation department in Shenzhen is working there in Qingdao. Martin worked so well with David the last time, and Dave was thrilled that Martin is there at this facility. The bond they developed was not lost with the distance nor the time of 2 years. It didn’t take long for those 2 buddies to catch up. Martin has invited Dave to go out this coming weekend for a boys’ night out! David is looking forward to that one. Norma was invited, declined, and will take the evening off and perhaps just relax and re-charge her batteries! The nurses are all so tiny, and they are not strong enough to really lift David. Pretty much like in Shenzhen. They have hired a Chinese helper, and his name is Wong. Wong is strong, and anticipates things without having to be told. He has been a great help to David and Norma. Norma does all the shopping and the cooking, because they do not like the food in this area. In Shenzhen there were many choices for good food, but in this location they do not feel the food measures up. They have been cooking a lot of chicken and broccoli! All the supplies are of course written in Chinese and it does pose more of a challenge when it comes to shopping and food prep! David, the forever techy has helped Norma enhance her technology skills, on the computer, as well as operating the iPod and other gadgets that Dave so does enjoy, and knows them inside and out! I bet she will use her computer more when she comes home from this trip! Anyone who would like to call David can do so at this number:0118653280653395. You should call in the am our time or the pm our time. During the day, he is in therapy and having his stem cell treatments. I have found the best time to call is 8-9am and 7-10 pm our time. Their time is 12 hours different from ours. Please remember you can email Dave directly at the email listed at the very top of this email. He is looking forward to hearing from all of you. It is your encouragement and emails of hope and love that power his battery for success. Love and kisses to all from David and Norma!Bless you all!Love,Sally
May 23rd, 2008
Hi Everyone, The time has finally arrived for my return trip to China for my second round of stemcell treatments. My LPN, Norma, who was with me last time, and I will be departing April 28th and returning June 11th. I’ve had to postpone my trip twice in 2007, first due to a bad infection and second, due to falling out of my shower chair and breaking my ankle. The facility I will be going to is in Quindao which is in Northern China. I thought it would be warm by now, but the temperature there has been ranging from only 50 – 70 degrees which, being a Florida boy, is WAY to cold for me. I’ve made all the travel arrangements by myself this time. From dealing with flight connections and layovers, to accommodating all my medical equipment and everything in between, it has been a very stressful but eye opening experience. I have found renewed appreciation for the time and commitment put forth by my brother Paul and his wife Sally who organized and accompanied me on my trip in 2006. You have to plan for the worse and hope for the best. I never realized the complexity involved in planning and executing this type off trip. I will be forever grateful for their help and guidance on my previous trip and what it has done in bringing me to this point of recovery. I am also deeply grateful to the First Congregational Church in Lake Worth, Florida. They have welcomed me into their church and touched my heart and sole in a way I have never felt before. They dedicated part of the service and a hymn to my farewell while mom and dad were there. It was moving and brought tears to all of us. They had sponsored a fundraiser on my behalf, which raised enough money to cover the cost of my stemcell treatments. I am incredibly blessed to have a church family as wonderful as them. I am so grateful to everyone f or their generosity and messages of hope and prayer. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Just to bring everyone up to date, I’m back in the pool doing aqua therapy and am able to walk across the pool, turn around and walk all the way back on my own. This is a huge accomplishment since my treatment there last September. My vision has improved tremendously. I can read my computer screen pretty easily and am able to read menus, etc, and see people more clearly. I am able to drive my wheelchair a hundred percent of the time which has given me a great new sense of independence. I am hoping to gain more vision and hand and wrist control so I am able to feed myself and do more things on my own. With some luck and a little help from God, I feel I can accomplish my goals. The Quindao facility is brand new and caters to spinal cord injury patients. I will be receiving a total of eight treatments, five by lumbar puncture and 3 by IV. This will give me a total of almost a billion new stemcells. Unlike my last visit in Chenzen, the new facility will have a hoyer lift and a handicap van. Paul, Sally and Norma had to do all the back breaking work last time. These conveniences will greatly reduce a lot of the physical work. Martin, who was my physical therapy doctor in 2006 also moved from Chenzen to the new facility in Quindao which will enable us to pick up where we left off. I am looking forward to seeing him again. Quindao, which is a bustling coastal city is also hosting the 2008 olympics for the Sailing Regatta Competition. It kicks off in July, but I’m sure they’ll be lots of activity and westerners in the surrounding area. Hopefully it will warm up enough so I can enjoy some outdoor fun. I will be calling Sally from China periodically and will be giving her updates on my progress. Sally will be sending out broadcasts via my e-mail address. She has a wonderful way of making everyone feel as if they are right there with you. I will have my laptop in China and will be accessing my e-mail regularly. Once again, I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers and the incredible support that you all have given me on my journey towards recovery. My best wishes to all of you. Dave
May 23rd, 2008
6/6/07
Hello to everyone. I apologize for the long lapse of time in between our updates. As we all know, life happens, and some how the time just seems to slip by much faster than we realize. I have promised an update for months and have been quite remiss about doing so!
Let me tell you though, David is doing so very well! On My last visit to him in Florida, I was able to go in the pool and stand right near him while I watched him walk in the water. It was so wonderful to see, and was a gaint step toward his goal of walking again. His sister Karen had done the same thing months earlier, and what a thrill that was for the both of us. Before the trip to China, David wasn’t even able to go in the pool. David took up to 8 steps unassisted!!! It was truly amazing. He has worked so hard in therapy since his return. He has purchased a standing board for home, and he also goes to the gym with Norma, and Donna, and lifts weights! His vision is so great that he is able to go on the computer now, and with Dragon Naturally Speaking program he is able to create his own emails! The first day we received our first email from David was the greatest day, I remember my smile and my heart pouding with excitement reading what he wrote! At Christmas, with the assistance with editing from his live in care giver Donna, he was able to write that wonderful letter that is at the beginning of this blog. David and Donna also produced a “heart stopping video” for everyone at Christmas. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room watching that as a family together!
I have to say, besides the physical gains, David has gotten so much more of his life back. He really had lost alot of his hope before our trip to China, but I must say, that hope was restored and then some! He is “marching forward” (and I mean that literally-saw it with my own eyes) at a strong and steady pace in this journey of recovery. Both, Menatlly and physically. Before stem cells, David could not see well enough to do much of anything. Now that he has regained his eyesight, and that has improved over the last 10 months, he is able to enjoy so much more of his life. He is able to watch his TV, and just loves his Tivo, which he records all his favorite programs, because he is out and about and busy all the time.
David’s physical gains have become more refined and fine tuned since his return from China. He is able to drive his own wheel chair with much more control, and navigates that thing through the malls, and does one of the things he likes best……and that is to go to the Tech. stores and “look” and learn about all the new technology that is out there today, ( TV’s, camers, computers, phones etc). David has always been a technology buff and can walk you through anything from hooking up your stereo, to using Tivo ( his favorite), and fixing problems with your computer! Oh, and I forgot…he loves to talk on the phone with family and friends. His voice used to be so weak before China, that you could barely understand him sometimes, and you would need to talk to him with no back ground noise at all. Now his voice is so much stronger, and clearer! Normal well heard conversations are now a part of every day life. Even though we are not in Florida, he keeps us updated on his steady progress.
David and Norma have been diligently preparing for a return trip to China, for more stem cells treatment. He has been at the mall practicing navigating his wheel chair and it is amazing! He wasn’t able to do that before the last trip to China! He is organizing the trip himself this time! I am so proud of him for that. David has truly gotten so much more of his life back. He has worked hard in therapy, and gives everything 150% He has gained so much and He has helped those stem cells be all that they can be and more!!! He is so anxious to go back again and is looking forward to more treatments with bigger hopes and bigger dreams than before. You can believe that David will work hard again, and give this trip his all. He now knows the power of the will, the stem cells, and the combination therapies that has brought him to the point he is today. It has been hard work, but worth every bit of the effort. David is looking forward not backward, with hope, strength, faith and love in what the future now holds for him! David also wants to thank everyone for all their support too! Keep the faith, and never, ever give up hope!
June 7th, 2007
Stem Cells For Life
To whom It may concern,
My name is David Aldrich. I am a 49-year-old quadriplegic. My injury level is a C3, C4, incomplete. On May 27, 2002, I slipped and fell off of a boat anchored in shallow water and struck my head causing my injury. No one saw me fall, which resulted in me drowning. Friends of mine on the beach eventually spotted me floating face down in the water and pulled me to shore. I was not breathing. Fortunately there were two paramedics anchored on the same beach on their boat and they heard the cries for help. They immediately administered CPR and brought me back to life. I was airlifted to St. Mary’s Hospital in West Palm Beach, where I clung to life in a coma. My family flew to be by my side. I was not expected to live, the prognosis was grim. The doctors told my family that I had injured my spinal cord and was paralyzed from the nipples down. I came out of the coma after three days and was on a ventilator and a feeding tube with a halo brace on my head. I had no feeling or movement in my entire body. I was almost totally blind and had lost most of my hearing. I thought I was in a very dark room and remember wanting someone to turn the lights on. Since I was on a ventilator, I was unable to speak and could only blink my eyes and make pops and clicks with my mouth to communicate. I didn’t realize the extent of my injuries for several months. At one point, I had made the choice to end my life and my brother Paul, who was my guardian, went through the steps to remove my life support. Just hours before pulling the plug I changed my mind and decided that I wanted to live. I spent a total of 359 days in three hospitals between Florida and Colorado. My mom and dad came to be with me every single day while I was in Florida and the whole family took turns visiting me while I was in Colorado. We have a very close family and they all put their own lives on hold to make sure that someone was with me most of the time. For this I will be eternally grateful. I endured and survived several pitfalls such as an 8
April 23rd, 2007
Hello everyone,
It has been almost several months since David has been home, and we are well over due for an update.
Some of you have spoken and seen Dave directly, so some of this may be redundant.
He is doing very well, and is very happy. He continues to improve, and has so much more hope in his life.
The blessing of David’s vision improving is a gift he cherishes everyday. His vision is still slightly and slowly improving and he still gets so excited! He keeps reading everything around him where ever he is, just like he did that first day in China. David reads so much he gives himself eye strain and a headache! He was so excited though, that he can now see what they are doing when he goes to the Drs. offices. The whole staff also gets so excited when they know he is coming into the office and want to hear all about his improvements, and to see the pictures of China. Everyone is amazed at all the changes that have taken place. David’s personal enthusiasm, just makes his account of all the changes even more exciting for everyone. His excitement is palpable. He has such a new meaning to his life. David’s goal is to improve enough to stand unassisted at the parallel bars! We all know that he will do it too! He is determined, and there is no stopping him now! David has truly been given a new appreciation for his life, and knows it holds so much more for him. He also knows just how much he too can make a difference in the lives of others. He will be the one we all look up to for courage, and true grit! When I ask David if he will ever go back to China for more treatments, he answers me without hesitation…..you bet. Norma said she will go back too! Imagine round two??????
He has already ordered a standing board for home, so that he can stand everyday. It should be coming in very soon. He was not able to get a therapy table at this time, because there just isn’t enough room, but he has come up with a plan where they will get a mat and use the lift to lower him to the mat to do the strengthening exercises! He is serious! It proves, where there is a will there is a way.
David did get in to see his Dr. within a couple of weeks, and he was able to get a script for rehab. He has now started doing the rehab, as well as going to the gym. His days are busy and filled with hard work but he is just thrilled. The therapist challenges him like Martin did, and maybe even a little more! He is also having aqua therapy, which is something he has never been able to accomplish before he went to China. He is now standing in the pool in Aqua therapy! I heard, that Mom and Dad just stood there with their mouths wide open when they went to watch David. It it amazing to see what he can do. His strength just keeps improving. He is able to sit from a total recline position, in the chair and sit forward and touch the floor! He says that Norma is amazed all the time at the things he just keeps doing…..just like in China, the changes are suttle, and all of a sudden they realize he is doing something better, stronger, longer and further . His endurance and strength are still changing.
Here is a list of some of the changes I wrote down when I talk with Dave.
He does feel like he is now sweating on his back. He hasn’t had it confirmed yet, but he does feel like that has been a change of recent. He feels like he has more sensations in his arms, his voice is clearer and stronger.When you talk to him on the phone you can understand him so much better.
When he does the pull downs at the gym, he is strong enough to hold them down on his knees.
There is one thing that though that he is concerned about that is happening recently. He has noticed his heart racing or beating more rapidly and they are keeping an eye on that. They are not sure of the cause, but they are monitoring it very closely. Not much more information than that at this time.
Dave has upgraded his Internet service, purchased a new lap top, and is now using the software package call Dragon Naturally Speaking. Do you all remember in on of my emails that I said just imagine the day when we get our first email from Dave? Well, true to form, I got that email, and here it is for all of you to see! Of course I did not have a dry eye while I was reading it! This is such a gift to all of us, but especially to old Davey Boy….he has a new purpose, new hope and a new lease on life!
Dear Sally
surprise! I’m actually sitting at my dining room table TALKI on my computer
to a dictating in a letter to you can you believe this? This is absolutely
unbelievable! I sent a letter to Paul two days ago and have not heard back from
him I don’t know if it went through or if there was a problem with my
transmission hopefully you will get this one I want to thank you so much for all
you’ve done and everything you sacrifice and all the work that went into my trip
and went into everything from the day I was injured it I don’t know where I
would be if you had not done the things that you did and i certainly wouldn’t be
sitting here talking on my computer,, this is a huge step forward for me! I
hope you can shed this with the people in China on the blog and with the rest of
the family I love you so much Sally and how much! all means so much to me more
than you will ever know, ! Let me know if Paul did not receive his e-mail and
I’ll send them another one and then I don’t hear from you I’ll assume you did that received this one modern technology is sometimes hard to
figure out that this Dragon software is going to be a door opened up for me
I can’t wait to see you again I’ll talk to you soon I love you and miss you
all my love
Davey bo y
Now isn’t that just a heart stopper?!?! It sure was for me!
Paul and I are so proud of David. He works hard, he has such great faith and he
is an inspiration to all of us. I will continue to track his progress and report
every 30-60 days, unless there is some absolute miracle that just can’t wait to
be broadcasted to everyone.
David has also become a great uncle again. His sister Karen’s oldest daughter
has had a healthy baby boy named Braden! David is a great uncle once more!
I will begin to close this updated broadcast for now. Not until I mention that
The holi day season is approaching very rapidly. We will all be caught up in the
holiday bustle. Let us not forget to give thanks for all the blessings
that are a part of each of our lives on a daily basis. Remember why we are all
here, and why we never, ever should give up……..David is a perfect example
of why you never give up!
Keep the hope alive, because the hope truly does live here!
Love,
Dave, Paul, Norma and Sally
November 13th, 2006
October 3rd, 2006
The first pic is of David with his brother Paul, 2 months after David was first injured 4 years ago. Look how sick he was. Now look at David, doing a high 5 with his nurse Norma, doing a sit up in his wheel chair, turning on his side in rehab, looking like his nickname they gave him in China of “Big Bear”, on the standing board, and that look of determination on his face in rehab. It is amazing how far he has come, and still can go.
October 3rd, 2006
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