Getwellbean

Friday, December 29, 2006

12/29/06

Seems like this 'breakthrough study' was already academic after the evidence that was out there for the past 2 1/2 years about freezing the brain after a stroke or ischemic accident. I wish there was a master list where researchers could uncover what has already been done so they don't essentially repeat the same experiments to find the same conclusions. Seems like a big waste of time when they could be making significant advances instead.

Posted by beanbag at 5:31 PM ~

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

12/27/06

Kathleen will likely be getting an eeg soon to test if the neurogenic diet has made a positive impact upon her brain's electric activity.

Interesting study on humans to test if bone marrow cells can be used to recreate brain cells after injuries. It has worked on animals and now it is to be tested on kids 5 to 14.

Posted by beanbag at 2:46 PM ~

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

12/25/06

Kathleen and the family were able to go to Charlotte's Web to celebrate Christmas. Kathleen coughed some in the movie and didn't seem to focus on the screen with her eyes, but it was still nice to go to the movies with the family.

Posted by beanbag at 4:08 PM ~

Saturday, December 23, 2006

12/24/06

Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays to everyone.

Please come support the Global Ischemia Foundation by attending the Saratoga Basketball Alumni Game on December 28th at 5:30pm. There will be a free will donation box by the door.

Posted by beanbag at 7:25 PM ~

12/23/06

Congratulations to Santa Clara on another great win tonight.

More good news on stroke research and neurogenesis.

Posted by beanbag at 5:55 PM ~

Thursday, December 21, 2006

12/21/06

The Global Ischemia Foundation has been asking and alerting doctors about the need for cooling camps for infants and adults after brain injury. Apparently, the first steps in making this standard practice are being taken. See this link.

If you are preganant, you may want to consider this to help your baby's brain development.

Posted by beanbag at 9:45 PM ~

12/21/06

Kathleen is still managing to stay healthy despite Mike's cold.

Stem cells again and again appear to rebuild damaged areas in the rat brain. When are the tests going to proceed in humans?

Posted by beanbag at 9:26 AM ~

Monday, December 18, 2006

12/18/06

Kathleen again threw up today, but seemed better by the late afternoon. Her feeding tube also had a slight split but Kaiser said they could not come out today to change it.

Study that was designed to test the safety of the world's first neural stem cell transplant has shown positive preliminary results. The child, who had seizures before the surgery, has had none since and has even spoken words the parents have not heard in a long time.

Interesting article about stem cells in the brain and old age.

Posted by beanbag at 7:28 PM ~

Sunday, December 17, 2006

12/17/06

Kathleen had a nice early Christmas with her family today. She was able to get up in the chair and enjoy the experience with everyone.

Later in the evening, however, Kathleen threw up (probably from her meals being a bit off schedule and the extra movement today).

Thanks to everyone I haven't had a chance to thank as of yet for donating this holiday season to the Global Ischemia Foundation. Hopefully your donations will someday make a profound impact not just on Kathleen's life but many others.

Posted by beanbag at 4:46 PM ~

Thursday, December 14, 2006

12/14/06

Kathleen is still realtively healthy for the season. She coughs nearly every night in the early evening but afterwards is fine and sleeps well,

Neural stem cells lend the brain a surprising capacity for self-repair. Stem cell research: facts.

Posted by beanbag at 8:57 PM ~

Monday, December 11, 2006

12/11/06

Thanks again to all who supported the Global Ischemia Foundation this evening.

Cardiac arrests are now being treated differently than when Kathleen was stuck by one.

Posted by beanbag at 7:33 PM ~

Saturday, December 09, 2006

12/9/06

Kathleen was able to come see her daughter perform in the Velveteen Rabbit at the Saratoga Civic Center today. Samie was excellent as the Jack in the Box and the entire cast was wonderful in the show.

Human stem cell research trials for strokes are getting ready to begin in Great Britain. It is the great hope of the Global Ischemia Foundation that such trials extend from focal brain damage to global brain damage soon.

Please come support the Global Ischemia Foundation by attending our Fundraiser at Chevy's on Saratoga Avenue (Westgate) Monday night. Print out the flyer and join us. The foundation gets 25% of the proceeds if you bring the flyer.

Posted by beanbag at 5:08 PM ~

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

12/5/06

Kathleen is staying well during this dangerous time of the year for patients with PVS or are minimally consciouss. The most likely cause of death (which also robs them of an opportunity to get better) is pneumonia, so keeping Kathleen healthy is very important.

Stem cell hope replacing hype.

Posted by beanbag at 7:05 PM ~

Saturday, December 02, 2006

12/2/06

Researchers have discovered how massive cell death occurs in accidents like Kathleens. :(
This also potentially demonstrates why reducing the blood flow by use of ice might help reduce the reinfusion of blood and oxygen thus reducing the creation of toxins.

Posted by beanbag at 6:42 PM ~