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Thought Provoking Quotes

“[For stem cell research], China is the sleeping giant.”
-Fred Gage - Salk Institute
Beike - Irene Shaffer PDF Print E-mail
Thursday, 10 January 2008

NAME: Irene Shaffer

AGE: 65

COUNTRY: USA

DIAGNOSIS:
Transverse Myelitis

REASON FOR COMING TO TREATMENT: Irene was a healthy independent woman until 2005 when she began having weakness which progressed to include left foot drop. Her symptoms steadily worsened; from having fatigue in her legs eventually culminating in her present condition of wide spread paralysis. She came to China hoping to regain some of her functionality and hopefully halt the progression of her disease.

TREATMENT: Umbilical Cord Stem Cell Transplants, Cord Serum and Nerve Growth Factor combined with Rehabilitation Therapy.

START OF TREATMENT:
November 15th, 2007

BEFORE THE TREATMENT: Irene was paralyzed throughout large areas of her body. Her legs were completely paralyzed as were most of the muscles in her torso. She had slight movement in her hands but could not open them. She lacked full control of her bowels and bladder. This situation had left her fully dependent on a caregiver. For example she did not have the hand strength to hold heavy objects and had to have someone help her eat. Also because of her condition, her blood pressure was chronically very low and thus she required medicine to maintain it.

Watch videos of Irene Before the treatment:
Initial interview with Irene discussing the history of her disease
Initial interview with Irene discussing her current symptoms
Irene showing the extent of her hand movement  

AFTER THE TREATMENT: Irene experienced several significant improvements after her treatments in China. One of the first things to improve was her hands. She was able to open them wider than before and they had become stronger. She was able to hold on to heavier objects which enabled her to do such tasks as putting on make up by her self. In her legs she had regained some sensation. Post treatment she gained increased bladder sensation, which aided her greatly in her daily life. Her blood pressure also improved and she was able to reduce her medication. This stabilization of her blood pressure allowed her to use the standing frame for longer period’s times. Prior to treatment with her low blood pressure standing for even a short period of time left her faint.

Watch videos of Irene during the treatment
Irene showing her hand improvement
Irene showing more of her hand improvement
Irene talking with her doctors about her improvements
 

Watch videos of Irene after the treatment
Irene talking about her hand improvement
Irene talking about her other improvements
Irene talking about her blood pressure

Last Updated ( Monday, 21 January 2008 )
 
 
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