First Monday

It was probably not as exciting as First Monday in Canton, but it was my first Monday to my second round of stem cells, so it was still exciting for me. My initial doctor visit was the only thing on the agenda, but I got a little bonus. When I went to the clinic, Dr. Paz explained to me what we would be doing on this trip - 5 spinal injections and 2 IV infusions - but he also said he was going to give me 5 stem cell booster shots, and they gave me one of those today. They have discovered that your stem cells work harder after these boosters, so they have started using them with some patients on a trial basis. I was glad to be in the trial group. I told him "you can try anything on me that you think might work. I don't have too much to lose."

I have my first PT visit and first spinal injection tomorrow so it will be a full day - just full in knowing my time will be on a schedule most of the day. The longest part will be the lying flat for 3 - 4 hours after the injection. I have my iPod, thanks to Clark from last year, so I have songs and books to listen to again this year.

Not much more to tell you for today. I did think I would show you that Donald Trump has been busy working on his Trump building here in Panama City. You remember his building is the sail-shaped condo in the pictures - here it is now in March 2011 and in June 2010. I know you will sleep better now, knowing big Donald is doing more than that lousy apprentice show.

Buenas noches!

All Is Good

Well, we (Jack, Jean, and myself) made it to Panama City fine on Saturday evening. All went well, even with the anxiousness of only a 40 minute change of planes at Houston International airport - everything worked out fine. It reminded me of our 2001 football season and Coach Boyd saying "Everything is falling into place!" Of course that was usually after they had found out Denard just passed Spanish or Jarvis did make it to the bus to Texas Stadium but hadn't told me any of that.

Once our plane landed everything seemed very familar - from Victor picking us up at the airport, seeing the beautiful skyline of Panama City, having the same doorman at the apartment, coming into the same apartment with the same great view of the Pacific, and even smelling the same scent of the apartment building (not a bad smell, just a distinct one). We felt right at home, very comfortable.

This morning (Sunday) we wanted to go back to the Crossroads Bible Church so we got up with that plan. Once we were dressed, ready, and down at the street, I made a big mistake. I violated Rule #2 in the Rules of Life. Just FYI, Rule #1 in the Rules of Life is: When playing pickup basketball, NEVER choose someone wearing jeans - long ones or cut-offs! It's simply true so don't forget it. But Rule #2 in the Rules of Life, which I violated today, is: When in Panama, NEVER wave down a taxi with it's windows down! I knew better but I did it. It means that taxi doesn't have A/C and you need A/C all of the time in Panama. Sorry Jack & Jean - my bad!

But we did make it to worship at the Crossroads church (just had the sweaty, wind-blown look) and truly enjoyed it again. More familarity - got to see Keith, whose daughter is Dr. Gorman in Waxahachie. His sweet wife, Wilma, wasn't feeling well so we didn't get to see her - maybe next Sunday because we plan on returning. The singing in English and Spanish was really good again.

Monday will be my first trip to the stem cell clinic. No injections on Monday, just the initial doctor visit. Physical therapy and injections begin on Tuesday. I am ready for both.

Thank you for your prayers for a safe trip (I know that is why everything fell into place) and for good results with the stem cells. As I said last June, I want God to work through these stem cells just as He worked through the mud on the blind man's eyes and the muddy water of the river Jordan on the leprosy of Naaman - not just to help me get my legs working right again but so I may help others find a new and effective treatment to their disabilities.

Hasta mañana!(my Spanish is coming back too)

Get Your Mum - Homecoming is One Week Away

I leave for my second trip to Panama for stem cell treatments in one week - I'm really looking forward to the trip - a chance to see good friends again and a chance to gain some more improvements with this battle with MS. After spending a month there last June, we obviously got to know everyone quite well, and since coming home they have continually called and emailed to check up on me. So going back feels a little like a homecoming. I always dreaded Homecoming in football, so this may be my first non-anxiety homecoming - no dance, no mums, no distractions - that's my kind of Homecoming!

I will definitely miss everyone here, especially my new grandbaby - Gunner. He's only one week old and will be one month old when I get back - maybe he won't be walking & talking already, and I will still have some holding & rocking time. That's the reason Kathy is not going with me - she will stay and help Zac & Stephanie & Gunner when she can. Jack & Jean are going with me, and they are seasoned vets to this Panamanian travel since they came the final two weeks last year. I'm hoping Jean finds some more of those giant shrimp that she bought last year - only 2 dollars for 12 of those monsters- much better bang for your buck than those monkeys on Monkey Island!

Well, I posted today mainly to get back on the site and see if I remembered how it all worked, so I guess we are all set for the trip and the blog. Stay tuned - I'll be in touch!

2011 Update

It's January of 2011, so over 6 months have passed since our visit to Panama City and the Stem Cell Institute. I was reading my last update from July and not too much has changed since that time as far as my MS symptoms and improvements go. I read where I made it up the EHS stairs without using the rails, and that's still an accomplishment for me - some days I can and some days I can't. I still feel better and feel improved from my status of a year ago, and that continues to be very encouraging. As I have said before, for five years I could never make that statement, "I'm better today than I was a year ago." So it's encouraging and motivating to be able to say that, and to know I can only say it after returning from stem cell treatments!

Obviously I am sold on the idea of stem cells holding the key to my continual improvement, and that's why I have already scheduled my next visit. I will be returning to Panama City in March, around my spring break from school, for my second round of stem cells. I am really excited about this next trip because another step in improvement would simply be amazing and wonderful.

There are several people who have done really well with these stem cell treatments, and the ones who have done best have gone back several times - not because the treatments are not working but because they take a step upward each time. One such man is Richard Humphries - I have met Richard and become friends with him, and he is my stem cell icon and encouragement. He's my age, has secondary progressive MS like me, was forced to use a cane for walking and stability, could not drive his car because of cognitive issues, and obviously could not play golf which was his passion and his livelihood (gave lessons and worked with teams) - all of this in the last 4 or 5 years - well let me tell you what he is doing today since taking four trips for stem cells - he is driving anywhere and everywhere, he is playing golf every week, giving lessons again weekly, mowing his own grass, and obviously speaking out for the miracle of stem cells! I tell him all of the time, "You're my goal - I want to play golf again (not that I'm a good golfer) and mow my grass again (not that I enjoy that)" I really want to be able to coach football again; I want to know I will be able to play ball with my future grandkids; and I, too, want to be able to tell people who are suffering from diseases my story that stem cells are the ticket to improvement so they can experience the same.

I again want to say THANKS to all of the wonderful coaches and friends across Texas who donated funds and to the great folks of Ennis who generously gave at the benefit in March of 2010 because there are enough funds in the Hope foundation to send us (Steve Betik and me) for a second round. Without those generous folks this second trip would not be a possiblity.

When March arrives, I will continue my blog from Panama so stay tuned!

Update from Home

Because I had visited with you for 30 straight days, I hated to simply stop cold turkey and leave everyone hanging and wondering about this blog. However, since I had no real news to report, I didn't feel like I needed to blog simply for the sake of blogging. So I have been on hold until now.

This is really a report about the future of the blog with a small update. I plan on providing occasional updates on patients who were in Panama and updates on stem cell developments which I may receive, so I will continue the blog as new developments occur.

The doctors have told all of us to give the stem cells from 3 to 6 months to do their work inside our system, so we will be patiently but anxiously awaiting the next several weeks. We greatly appreciate the help of so many people who helped get us to this stage of being patient and anxiuos - I'm not sure any of us were feeling too hopeful or anxious six months ago.

As for some of my fellow MS patients: Steve is back in Ennis and going to physical therapy weekly and is feeling better and using his cane less. Janice reported that she is using her scooter less and her walker more. Judi has said that she is able to lift her right leg (her bad one) better, is using her cane less, and is more steady when she walks. I walked up the steps (and down later) to Ennis HS the other day without using the rail. As I have said before, those things sound small and perhaps insignificant to some, but those are all big steps for us.

Each day we do something that we couldn't do earlier is a small victory - and small victories keep us encouraged and excited about tomorrow. That sounds like HOPE, doesn't it!

Heading Home - with Gratitude

I didn’t realize I was feeling the pull of home until last night. It suddenly hit me “ I sure miss the USA, and Texas, and Ennis”, so getting up at 4:00 AM this morning wasn’t all that bad. Our Panama flight went to Miami first , and that’s where we are now, so I’m 1/3 of the way home – in the USA but still looking forward to Texas and Ennis.

This has been a tremendous trip – not just to get the stem cell treatment but to see how much more they are doing with stem cells. The SCI does not guarantee anything to the patients, but there are some patients who have had some truly significant progress with MS, autism, spinal cord injuries, muscular dystrophy, and others diseases while some patients have seen only slight changes. The doctors don’t know right now what causes the different responses, but obviously if you don’t try it, then you won’t have much chance or hope.

Hope is what motivated me from the very beginning to seek other treatments because I knew where I was headed if I continued what I was doing, and that outlook wasn’t very hopeful. As I have reported, I have seen some very small improvements at this stage - ones that you probably won’t even recognize, but they are real and I am very encouraged what the next 3 to 6 months may bring. And this encouraging outlook is thanks to you.

Once I decided that I wanted to pursue these stem cell treatments, that hope motivated me to seek fund-raising help, and WOW, how you great folks responded. As I have said before it was very overwhelming and humbling to have so many wonderful people send funds, send encouraging letters, and offer so many prayers. Then came the benefit in Ennis for Steve and me, and to have so many people put that huge event into motion was unbelievable and humbling as well. I will never be able to express my thankfulness and gratitude to everyone, but please know you are true angels to me, and I hope I can be that to some of you in the future.

I mentioned Naaman (2 Kings 5) in an earlier blog because I can really relate to that story. God could have healed Naaman’s leprosy without Naaman leaving his country or going to the muddy Jordan or washing in it 7 times, but He asked that of Naaman. Although reluctant, Naaman followed the directions of Elisha, God’s messenger, and Naaman was healed. Why did the healing take all of that work? God doesn’t need our help or muddy water or seven trips into the water, but He does want our faith and commitment. I didn’t have to go to Panama, stay there for four weeks, and get spinal shots that some people don’t believe in, but God may be testing my faith and commitment as well.

Don’t be afraid to look into some of these possibilities if your Hope candle is flickering – maybe an angel of God is causing the flicker.

Love you folks, Sam

El Ultimo Dia

Well today's really our last day here in Panama, and we leave with mixed emotions. Obviously we are ready to be back in Ennis and Duncan to see family and friends, but we feel like we are leaving friends here also. Jack, Jean & I have really enjoyed our stay these last 2 weeks, and it's primarily because of the nice folks.

I want to say "Gracias" and "Hasta la vista" to a few of our new Panamaian friends and others we have met in Panama: First the team at the Stem Cell Institute who took such good care of us, answered all questions and encouraged us - Yvonne, Vivian, Dr. Herrero, Dr. Hernandez, Dr. Paz and Dr. Riordan; then the crew at the Cell Medicine Lab who took such care of our cells - Melisa, Dr. Tribaldos, MarjaLaura and the many lab techs; the Stem Cell drivers who did an unbelievable job getting us to all of the appointments in the crazy traffic - Roberto, Luis, and Ricardo; also the drivers who got us around the city for other activities - William, Victor, and Alex and one special taxi driver whom we used the last 2 weeks for everything - Luiz; the ones who lined up our living quarters - William then Christine, a new friend from Florida and her manager, Beby - these nice ladies saved us when we were looking for a place for that 4th week; the group at Bio-Fit who do a tremendous job of working with your disabilities with such patience and also guide you in your lifestyle for health - Bill, Javier, Dick, David, Miguel and my personal trainer and QB, Ivan; my fellow Stem Cell patients - Dana, Julie, and the Texas crew of Janice, Judi, and Steve; our new friends at the Crossroads Bible Church who made us feel so welcome and worshipful - Steve & Heather Gunn and Keith & Wilma Forster; my Island of Taboga friends - Hiddo & Cynthia and their helpers at the Bed & Breakfast and our fisherman friend Enrique; and any others who I have probably left out. Thanks for making our stay in Panama fun, enlightening, encouraging and hopeful. Hope is what began this journey, and you have played a huge part in making it continue.