Jackie Kay’s Blog

2 YEARS ON - IT’S HARD TO BELIEVE

It is now two years since Chris and I traveled to China for stem cell treatment.  It’s hard to believe that time has gone so quickly.

But I am pleased to say that I am feeling fabulously fit and well – full of energy and very much in control of my life.  The lasting benefits of improved bladder control and sleeping at night are still with me.  The levels of pain in my feet and legs are dramatically less.  I must admit that I am amazed that these improvements have lasted – and in fact I seem to be feeling better all the time. 

Just two weeks ago I competed in the MS 24 hr Mega Swim to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis.  I swam two ½ sessions, completing 1km during each session.  Since the treatment in 2006, physically I have remained very stable while emotionally I seem to be improving in great leaps and bounds.  I need to mention that for the past 12 months I’ve been taking LDN as well as vitamins.

I am still use my wheelchair to get around.  The stem cells didn’t miraculously enable me to stand up and walk……… but even before the treatment I didn’t expect that would happen.  I have been off my legs for 15 years so it would have been a big ask.  But since the treatment I am far more active, energetic and extremely happy and content.

So in September this year I have made arrangements to go back to Qingdao, China for another course of stem cell treatment.  It will be interesting to see what other improvements I get, or whether it will just boost the current improvements, or whether nothing at all will change.  We’ll just have to wait and see.  I am really looking forward to meeting up with all the friends we made there in 2006.

So watch this space in September to see what happens.

Add comment June 24th, 2008

One year on

Hello everyone. It’s hard to believe that exactly one year ago today I arrived in Shen Zhen for stem cell treatment. So how have I faired?

I must admit that I am pleasantly surprised that the significant benefits I gained from the treatment have remained. Specifically I am still sleeping extremely well. Seven or eight hours each night and occasionally more. Because I wake up rested, I am ready to take on the world and are able to exercise regularly. This means that I am maintaining mobility.

The other significant benefit I obtained from the treatments was better bladder control. Thankfully this improvement has also has remained so live is much easier to organise.

Unfortunately once I left China and the daily rehabilitation sessions behind, the pain and numbness began returning to my legs and feet. I work at reducing the impact by using the TENS machine and visiting my dr. for acupuncture.

I hope to go back to China. Any improvement, no matter how small, means a significant improvement to my standard of life.

2 comments June 22nd, 2007

Eight weeks on

Unfortunately the feeling in my feet is starting to dull a bit. I put this down to the fact that I am not receiving the 2 or 3 hours of daily rehabilitation as I was in China. Still this has prompted me into action and I have found a GP at my local Sydney medical centre who also does acupuncture. She will give me weekly sessions that are bulk billed so will not cost me anything.

I am pleased to report that all the other improvements gained in China are still with me. Life is good. I regularly sleep a full night, no pain in my legs and feet, wonderful bladder control.

Slowly does it, but I’m getting stronger.

A few weeks ago I was presented as a Member of the Order of Australia by NSW Governor, Marie Bashir. My two children accompanied me to Government House. I was really chuffed to be recognised by the Australian government for my voluntary work with the Access Dinghy Foundation and Sailability. Below are a few photos of the afternoon.

3 comments September 18th, 2006

4 weeks after final treatment

It’s hard to believe that it is 4 weeks to the day since my last stemcell treatment and I have been back home for 3 1/2 weeks. Well what’s been happening for me since my last blog entry? I am still recovering from the flu-like illness that I brought back but it is almost gone. I think the remaining cough is going to linger for a little while yet, but it is annoying rather than debilitating.

On the Sailability front we have written a draft plan to establish Sailability Qingdao. Jon’s wife, Rose has kindly arranged to have it translated, then she will present the plan to the Government and afterwards it will be presented to the sailing community. We are looking at the launch of Sailability in April or May. So while we are there I will plan to have my second course of stemcell treatment.

Physcial strength improvements are frustratingly slow and as I predicted, the treatment has not provided any miraculous or immediate cure. It is going to be slow and steady, achieved by determined and regular exercise. Of course other people with MS may react differently, but this is my reality.

But my treatment was a very positive experience. I have had a massive reduction in pain and generally have more feeling in my legs and feet. One of the greatest improvements is that my fatigue problems have been abolished - totally. Prior to the treatment I slept for about 4 hours each night, now I regularly get 7-8 hours. It is bliss.

I generally feel REALLY fantastic. My quality of life is excellent and I can now tackle daily exercise and wake up eager to face each day. I dont really understand this general feeling of happiness and contentment. It’s a euphoric experience that I hope continues.

4 comments August 15th, 2006

Back in Sydney

Well here I am, back in Sydney. Spent about 30 hrs in Hong Kong and managed to get out and about for 4 hrs to look around and experience the hussle and bussle. This was my first time in Hong Kong so I found it interesting. We got the ferry from Kowloon to Hong Kong and then a taxi to Aberdeen. Hong Kong was hot, humid and busy.

It is strange to be home after what seems to be nearly a lifetime in China. On Sailability work, I have spent a lot of time travelling and meeting some of the most wonderful people in the world. Wow, this time in China as confirmed my feelings that the entire human race are caring, kind and generous people. We left China with many new friends who will be helping to set up Sailability there so that the Chinese population can learn the joys of sailing. (more…)

6 comments July 23rd, 2006

LAST DAY - July 19

I am leaving China in a few hours as fly to Hong Kong at 3pm. Last night we all went out for our final dinner together and I recorded a brief video for Jon to post on the website. I honestly feel that with the stemcells and rehabilitation I have been given a good basis to go back home and strengthen my muscles. I don’t know to what level of mobility I can reach, but without the constant pain and with more flexibility, let’s give it our best shot.

So what physical changes can I tell you about? Let’s go to my first blog entry and recap. Symptoms prior to and after treatment (more…)