Getwellbean

Kathleen had a good day and another nice massage. Christmas cards and holiday greetings continue to pour in. Thank you.

Another Good Article on the testing of stem cells (adult) in the human brain.

Come see the Saratoga Falcon Basketball team take on the alumni Thursday night at 7pm to support the Global Ischemia Foundation.

Kathleen had a tough day on Monday with lots of phlegm and frequent suctioning, but Tuesday started out much better. Bean enjoyed a nice massage and seemed to clear up. Other positives of the day included an effective cleaning of the house which after two days seemed to finally make a dent in the grime and dust pervasive in the house the past few weeks. Also, several individuals and Kathleen's former workplace made generous gifts toward Kathleen's care and the girls college fund. Thank you!

Please remember to come support the Global Ischemia Foundation by coming to the Saratoga High Alumni game this Thursday night at 7pm.

I agree strongly with the statements made recently by the professor who created Dolly regarding testing on humans. His comment that 'If we wait until things are totally tested and analysed in animals, it will deny some people that treatment' hits the mark exactly. The average individual in Kathleen's condition lives 3-5 years. Surely Kathleen is stronger than most and better cared for, but she and others like her deserve an improved chance at recovery.

Merry Christmas

Kathleen made it through two grueling days of present opening :) with her family and friends. Thanks to everyone who gave so generously this year. Kathleen then went to her first film in a movie theater in almost two years (since Love Actually Jan 04). The family went and saw The Lion the Witch and the Wardobe together (which is a favorite and frequently read book of hers) and despite the need to exit a few times for suctioning, Kathleen seemed entranced by the second half of the movie.

For those trying to contact Kathleen to wish her well, please now use her regular email address: Kathleenmdavey@yahoo.com

Stem cell treatment, of course not approved in the United States, helps bring back Tiny Bubbles :)

Kathleen had over a dozen visitors over today. She seemed responsive and did well during the flurry of phone calls and guests.

An early Christmas present for another family dealing with anoxic brain damage

New study to test if hyperbaric chambers help brain injury patients.

An early trial on reparative treatment for the brain is due to start phase 1 testing. The procedure will use bone marrow to try and regenerate brain cells.

Kathleen had a fantastic day of therapy today. She impressed onlookers by holding her head up entirely on her own for twenty minutes while in the standing frame. Though the family hopes and prays for a Christmas miracle, if good old fashion work can slowly bring her back, we will be patient and help her every step of the way.

Kathleen has experienced a busy past few days with whirlwind visits by friends and a neverending series of phone calls. She has been very expressive with her facial features during this time and seemingly very healthy although she, like the rest of the family, is suffering a bit from the final phases of dirt and dust during construction.

So far Kathleen has fought off a nasty flu bug that infected her two most frequent caregivers. She appears healthy and has experienced several good nights in a row.

The family is closely watching stem cell test on the brains of several individuals abroad. Other nations appear to be much quicker in applying potential new technology than the United States.

Several doctors at Kaiser questioned Mike's right to state that Kathleen should have the right to fight on despite the power of attorney that Kathleen and Mike gave each other. The pressure doctors give in the hospital to give up is enormous while the research they do (on conditions they think may be untreatable) is often negligible (there is one notable exception at Kaiser and several at Valley Medical) if done at all. The British courts recently decided the question of who can decide. Here is an interesting article on the outcome. Make sure, either way you choose, you have power of attorney for your spouse.

Human brain cells are now growing in mice after injections. Lets hope that this new technique will soon apply to humans like Kathleen.

Thanks to the Singers Around the Bay and the seventy guest in attendance last night for making the initial fundraising venture for the Global Ischemia Foundation a success. The event brought holiday cheer to the family and raised around $1,600 for the new foundation. Kathleen seemed to enjoy the evening and certainly reacted to some of the high notes hit by the performers.

Kathleen had a great massage today and is resting for the Singers Around the Bay Concert scheduled for this evening (7pm at Sacred Heart Church) to benefit the Global Ischemia Foundation.

Kathleen took a neurogenic vegetable extract today that seemed to have much the same effect as a medicine known as sinemet. While sinemet (given to help relieve the muscle stiffness, tremor, and weakness caused by Parkinson disease) is an essential drug for many Parkinson patients, over time it robs the brain of its ability to create its own dopamine reserves which causes a decrease in its efficacy a need for an increase in dosage and the development of complications. Should more natural and neurogenic forces be useful, it could potential benefit as many as 4 million worldwide sufferers of Parkinsons. While it is way too early to declare Kathleen's extracts a cure, so far, they seem to have demonstrated a release of some of her tone.

Kathleen had some significant coughing today, but was able to calm down later in the evening and get some sleep. The family plans to bring her to the Singers Around the Bay concert on Sunday night at 7pm.

Website for the Global Ischemia Foundation is in progress. Thanks for your support. Perhaps this high school student will be the recipient of a future GIF grant.

Kathleen had a little mishap in the shower chair today getting caught between the wheel and the pedal. She injured her ankle a bit (the same one which was frequently bruised when being maneuvered through the kitchen prior to the remodel). She seems okay, but open wounds on a patient who is bedridden can be a big concern.

New stem cell transplant center in India.

Kathleen has a little cough, but for the most part she has been fairly healthy as of late. No major changes to report.

If you have a loved one who suffers from an anoxic brain injury (cadiac arrest, near drowning etc.) please make sure you tell your doctors to treat them with this proven technique. It works on newborns too.

Kathleen had a great massage this morning and looked "like herself" for the first time in quite awhile. In the evening, she went to an early Christmas celebration with the Davey family and friends and looked beautiful.

Kathleen made many noises and had significant eye movement today. Heart-wrenching yet inspiring book recommendation.

Kathleen had typical days with not much to report. Her kitchen is progressing as projected.

Kudos to the SJ Mercury News for their editorial today
which states the facts plainly regarding the stem cell initiative which Californians passed by a good margin and splinter groups are trying to hold back. For people like Kathleen, this initiative is a crucial piece in the puzzle to develop potential cures. For the state and the nation it is important to help us regain the lead we've lost in this crucial new med tech arena.