A cure was not promised of course, but, if all goes well, Kairit will see improvement in her condition. She can have the therapy again in about a year and if we can fast track the ALS research data into meaningful treatment, perhaps we can find a cure for Kairit and other ALS patients.
Before she went into the operating room, she told Anto that if she came out of surgery and her favorite music was no longer Sting, Police and Billy Idol, he should have the doctor wheel her right back into surgery for a redo. Her mood was light and positive. Dr. Tamaschke told us that the minimum requirements for the stem cell procedure were two million cells at 80% viability. Word from the lab was that Kairit had 2.5 million cells at 88% viability. How could you not be optimistic?
In about an hour Dr. T came out with a smile. Everything had gone well. A small patch of Kairit's hair had been shaved...an incision made and a tiny endoscope would make its way in the "space" of the brain area carrying with it Kairit's stem cells to the area where the brain controls the motor neurons. I am oversimplifying this, no doubt to the horror of any brain surgeon, but I think it's good enough for us lay people. Suffice to say the "hole in the head" as Kairit joked was sealed and she was now going into the intensive care room where we could join her.
Before she went into the operating room, she told Anto that if she came out of surgery and her favorite music was no longer Sting, Police and Billy Idol, he should have the doctor wheel her right back into surgery for a redo. Her mood was light and positive. Dr. Tamaschke told us that the minimum requirements for the stem cell procedure were two million cells at 80% viability. Word from the lab was that Kairit had 2.5 million cells at 88% viability. How could you not be optimistic?
In about an hour Dr. T came out with a smile. Everything had gone well. A small patch of Kairit's hair had been shaved...an incision made and a tiny endoscope would make its way in the "space" of the brain area carrying with it Kairit's stem cells to the area where the brain controls the motor neurons. I am oversimplifying this, no doubt to the horror of any brain surgeon, but I think it's good enough for us lay people. Suffice to say the "hole in the head" as Kairit joked was sealed and she was now going into the intensive care room where we could join her.
She received the first of two IV infusions this afternoon...some clear liquid that would help keep the brain from swelling. A tight green band was wrapped around the top of her forehead like a headband.
Kairit was awake and ready to talk.
"Anesthesia is not so bad," Kairit said. "I had a great sleep!" She said she felt fine but could feel the incision area and she had a slight headache...in her words "the kind you get sometimes in the morning, maybe after having too much wine."
The doctor came in to check on her and mentioned that Kairit could take home a dvd of the operation which shows everything going on instead the head. Kairit plans to show this to her doctor at Tartu University Hospital.
Kairit was awake and ready to talk.
"Anesthesia is not so bad," Kairit said. "I had a great sleep!" She said she felt fine but could feel the incision area and she had a slight headache...in her words "the kind you get sometimes in the morning, maybe after having too much wine."
The doctor came in to check on her and mentioned that Kairit could take home a dvd of the operation which shows everything going on instead the head. Kairit plans to show this to her doctor at Tartu University Hospital.
At about 2p.m. Kairit started drinking water...just about two hours after the surgery she ate a small sandwich...and a light dinner came about 6 for both Anto and Kairit. I returned to the hotel to Skype with my relatives in Estonia and my family in Los Angeles. News travels fast these days...
It is now nearly 9p.m. Anto just called from the hospital where he is spending the night. The doctor had checked in a couple of times. During the last visit she removed the tight headband revealing a small bandaid over the incision. Not much hair had been cut according to Anto. A nurse also took her vital signs...Kairit had the slightest temperature which we had been told could happen and was normal following such a procedure. She was given medication and would receive another dose at eleven. Kairit had also slept, used the bathroom, and was feeling okay and just a bit tired.
Being in the future is exhausting for all of us. Good night...sleep tight.
It is now nearly 9p.m. Anto just called from the hospital where he is spending the night. The doctor had checked in a couple of times. During the last visit she removed the tight headband revealing a small bandaid over the incision. Not much hair had been cut according to Anto. A nurse also took her vital signs...Kairit had the slightest temperature which we had been told could happen and was normal following such a procedure. She was given medication and would receive another dose at eleven. Kairit had also slept, used the bathroom, and was feeling okay and just a bit tired.
Being in the future is exhausting for all of us. Good night...sleep tight.
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