The start of the week

This week began with great anticipation and emotional charge.

Kairit, Anto and I were picked up by a pleasant German driver, Reinhard Fischer. The X-Cell clinic was less than ten minutes from our hotel. It's located on two floors of a local hospital. We first filled in the paperwork.

Kairit had previously wired the funds for the procedure We then met with neurosurgeon Dr. Uta-Kristein Tamaschke. I wanted to ask her about her training and education but the efficient Dr. T put us immediately at ease. She clearly explained the procedures but recommended Kairit consider having the stem cell implantation in the occipital area at the base of the skull. She said that in her discussions with colleagues in other countries doing similar work with stem cells and ALS, the benefits of implantation in this area seem to outweigh the lumbar puncture. It takes a giant leap of faith to do any of these procedures but Kairit is determined to make the best use of the funds and time available to her. She will sleep on her decision.

There were others in the clinic as well including two boys who seemed to be in their teens. I spoke with a lawyer from near the Toronto area in Canada with a similar diagnosis as Kairit. He was first to have the bone marrow extraction and when he returned to the lobby reassured Kairit that it was relatively simple. I spoke with him for awhile. He, too, is frustrated by the lack of therapies for ALS. He was, however, grateful to live in a country where receiving healthcare was not a issue. I cannot imagine having motor neuron disease and no insurance.

We will rest this afternoon. Tomorrow is a free day. Reinhard secured a wheelchair for us and provided us with directions on the train into the city center. We will explore, eat, and take a day off from the ravages of a disease that needs research money and lots of smarts to fight it.