Ken's Stem Cell Injection Today...

Ken:  "I think that the hand is a better idea.  I did it last year in Maine.  It's a better idea, I think.  Oh.  It doesn't hurt at all."

Forget Brad Pitt--I Want To Meet Pablo De La Hoya, The CEO Of The Stem Cell Institute!

Most girls dream about meeting Brad Pitt or George Clooney. Today, I met someone who to me was more exciting than any superstar--Pablo De La Hoya, the CEO of the Stem Cell Institute!

It is strange, something that is so powerful and can change lives so dramatically exists here at this very unassuming location in Panama City, Panama. I watch in amazement as these doctors work, getting ready to inject Ken with his miracle "potion". They are unpretentious, kind, and helpful. Do they not know that it is because of their work that our lives have changed--that Ken has a future--that we can live a normal life?

Pablo De La Hoya is a man that I admire the most in the world--the leader of the champion of stem cell clinics, the Stem Cell Institute. Because of him and others who work at the Stem Cell Institute, we have this amazing treatment. I am impressed with the nerve and fortitude it takes to face up to the pressures of this type of job day after day.

Thank you, the Stem Cell Institute, for saving our son!

First Stem Cell Injection Today!

We are very excited to see what this treatment will do for Kenneth.  Today was the first injection of stem cells, he will have another injection tomorrow.  He does a great job sitting for the infusion!

Here are some photos of our super nice room at the Raddison--27th floor!

As I wait for Ken's first stem cell injection tomorrow, I reflect back on where we were just two short years ago. We didn't know if stem cells were going to work. Not many people had done it for autism then (less than 100, probably less than 50). We knew it was safe, adult stem cells have been studied and tested for over 40 years. We knew that we would be out a lot of money if it didn't work. We knew we would always wonder "what if..." if we didn't try...

I will never go back to being an ordinary person. I am jealous of ordinary people. You have it good, you don't know how hard it is, nor would I wish that knowledge on you.

To those of you wondering if stem cells are right for your child, get with it. No one is going to fix your child. You need to do it yourself. No doctor cares about your child. It is your responsibility. Before stem cells, we spent three hours a day in a hyperbaric chamber with Kenneth. THAT IS 8 DAYS OF DAYLIGHT A MONTH!!!!!!!!!! 8 DAYS IN A CHAMBER, CAN YOU CONCEPTUALIZE THAT?

Daniel Faiella taught me to fight for my son--to rise above ordinary and become extrodinary. He taught me not to be a regular autism parent and accept what I was told. When I hear the following words, I always think of him and our beginning in finding a cure for Kenneth which led us to stem cells.



Each day is a gift and not a given right

Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind

And try to take the path less traveled by

That first step you take is the longest stride



Against the grain should be a way of life

What's worth the prize is always worth the fight

Every second counts 'cause there's no second try

So live like you'll never live it twice

Don't take the free ride in your own life



You know it's never too late to shoot for the stars

Regardless of who you are

So do whatever it takes

'Cause you can't rewind a moment in this life

Let nothin' stand in your way

Cause the hands of time are never on your side

Fourth Stem Cell Treatment Next Week!

Ken will have his fourth umbilical cord blood stem cell injection next week.  I want to thank the Stem Cell Institute for having this kind of treatment for autism. The Stem Cell Institute is the best clinic in the world for stem cell treatments. Also, I want to thank Daniel Faiella for first sharing his story about his son, Matthew. Without him, we would never have known about stem cells. Daniel's son was the first child to do this for autism...

Kenneth is a miracle. That word, I use a lot. It is true. His evaluations just came back--he is testing like a typical ten year old boy for conversation. The gaps are closing. Soon, other areas in his life will catch up. He has to work hard. I told his teachers to double up his work so that he can learn the concepts faster. They said they would do this (phew). They said this is his best year and he is so cute with his plans for his future...

He is happy to learn that if he ever gets a cavity, he can fix it with lots of cod liver oil. Someday, he wants to marry his girlfriend and have three kids. When he is at my sisters, he is glad to count the hours he stays (six), but wishes he could go to my shows (and what were they about?). Kenneth can clarify if I misunderstand his speech, for sure, that the mean teacher is Mrs. Morris, in Florida and Mrs. Norris is the speech teacher here in Maine (remember, he is going to be Mrs. Morris' boss when he grows up and fire her because she is so mean, lol)...

Everyday, the changes in my son are remarkable. At age eight, before stem cells, he could not speak to me, tell me how his day was--he screamed, fought, ran away, took off his clothes in public, too many to list.  I never want to go back to autism before stem cells...

Ken Playing Monopoly!

I am thinking this is what a DAN! doctor would call a huge "wow". Wow. You know, every sentence from Ken after stem cells is a huge "wow". Ken's speech still needs work, but the words are there. We are very happy. Thank you, God. And thank you Dr. Riordan and the Stem Cell Institute! www.CellMedicine.com

Ken Before Stem Cells--This Is Not A Tantrum!

This is not just a tantrum, this is part of 20 minutes of screaming that Ken would do everyday--sometimes most of the day. This was the way our life was with Ken, until stem cells. We have not seen this behavior for a long time. Stem cells saved our lives and his life, too!

Interview On Fort Lauderdale Radio

Nothing But Good News with Kandee G radio interview talking about Ken's gains with non controversal stem cells--audio gets better after the first five minutes. http://www.kandeeg.com/2011/06/?cat=141

Ken and My Nieces!

Acrobat class has really paid off...

Ken Sure Doesn't Act Like He Has Autism--Not Anymore Because Of Stem Cells! Watch How Well He Does With Needles...He Knows Guys Are Suppose To Be Tough...

Dr. Hernandez does a great job with kids...He was good with Ken, last year, too.  I think these new cells are already working, there are subtle changes happening...

At The Stem Cell Institute!

It is amazing to meet other patients at the clinic each time we take Ken for treatment.   This man we met told me a miraculous story about how he had a spinal cord injury and could not walk.  This is only his third time at the clinic and he is walking with crutches.  He says that he will walk again soon!  Can you believe this?  Stem cells are a miracle!

Watch this girl's story on the cell medicine you tube channel.  Also, we saw one man whose spine was severed and is now walking because of stem cells!  I will post his story later.

http://www.youtube.com/user/cellmedicine#p/u/7/vt30RmlzYMg
http://www.youtube.com/user/cellmedicine#p/u/7/vt30RmlzYMg

Waiting For Stem Cells...

Ken and I are waiting for his appointment at 3:00 today.  This will be Ken's third stem cell treatment.  His first treatment was when he was eight years old, back in 2009.  Ken's second treatment was when he was nine years old last year, 2010.  Ken is almost ten, now.

Excitement and nervousness comsume us as we wait for this cutting edge "cure" for Ken!  It is the closest thing for an autism cure that we have found.  Pray that this treatment gives him great results, like all of the others...

Swimming in the pool to kill some time--in the heart of this amazing city, Panama, City....

Our super cool hotel room...Can't stop looking out the window!

Today At The Stem Cell Institute

Kenneth and I had a great morning.  We went to the Stem Cell Institute with one of my Facebook friends, who I had never met.  She has been raising money for her son for a while and this is his first treatment!


Ken got his preliminary bloodwork done today by his favorite doctor, Dr. Hernandez.  Dr. Hernandez does a fabulous job with kids and it only took a few seconds to draw his blood.  It was very uneventful and quick!


Tomorrow, Ken will get his first infusion for this round of stem cells!!!!!  RECOVERY!

This clinic is so great and their work with stem cells is the best in the world.  No other clinic is like the Stem Cell Institute--they are one of the best in the world, and we are really excited to be able to come here and have a chance and healing our son.  Thank you, God, for being so gracious to us to give us this opportunity!

Panama!

Ken and I are in Panama!  I really love the Stem Cell Institute!  They make it so easy to travel here and be in a strange country.  Our trip went so well last year and the clinic helped us so much, that I didn't think twice about coming alone with just Ken!  So, I think we will go out and walk around Panama and try to find the mall...Waiting for our third miracle this week with Ken's cord blood stem cell infusion!

This is the view from our hotel room--floor 17!

We Are Leaving Tomorrow To Get Ken Cord Blood Stem Cells!

We are very excited to see how this next treatment will work for Ken!  We are leaving tomorrow, Sunday!

Ken Saying The Blessing

Ok, this is a little rushed, but he was hungry!




...very typical guy, "Thank you for this food and my girlfriend..."

Proof That Ken Likes His Diet!

This would be asparagus...Ken is eating a squash/carrot type of SCD casserole dipped into just a blended onion gravy with mashed cauliflower...seriously.

Ken Is A Great Swimmer!

People See A Huge Change In Ken!

Each day is a gift and not a given right
Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind
And try to take the path less traveled by
Against the grain should be a way of life
What is worth the prize is always worth the fight...

Specific Carbohydrate Diet lemon tart "cheesecake" with "graham cracker" (almond flour) crust! Made by Rita.

Aunt Rita Made Crackers!

Now Ken can have crackers and cheese! These crackers are so good!

It is hard to believe that Kenneth loves to eat all of this healthy food! Califlower mashed potatoes, an onion gravy, asparagus, and roast beef!

Breakfast--Specific Carbohydrate Blueberry Pancakes!

Aunt Rita has made Kenneth whatever he wants to eat! Here is the delicious breakfast she cooked him, Philip, and Caroline! Thanks to Rita, Ken is doing even better! The Specific Carbohydrate Diet really helps him and his temperment. He is a different boy on the diet. Thank you, Aunt Rita!

Specific Carbohydrate Diet

My aunt has been cooking for Ken the last three days. He is doing so well on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet! No sugar, no gluten--just honey, meat, and fruits and vegtables, except corn or potatoes. These are all the foods that my aunt made--ALL SPECIFIC CARBOHYDRATE LEGAL!

Using The Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber!

Ken and I love spending time together inside our chamber. But, he has one demand of me--he has to turn the machines on and zip the zippers! No problem! I will post a video of what the chamber looks like inside later.

We Boil Three Chickens A Week! Is That Legal?

As things start to slow down and we are left inside for the long Maine winter, I have had time to contemplate Ken's diet. We have decided to put the kids back on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. Now, I search out my mom, who is almost 80, and ask her how to make a chicken soup. Not so common for someone my age to know how to do. I have only made about 5 chicken soups in my life and non of them came out like mom's. This week, however, I followed her instructions and now consider myself an expert! The kids look forward to drinking chicken broth--and so do I!

Meat and fish stocks provide building blocks for the rapidly growing cells of the gut lining and they have a soothing effect on any areas of inflammation in the gut. That is why they aid digestion and have been known for centuries as healing folk remedies for the digestive tract. Do not use commercially available soup stock granules... or bullion cubes, they are highly processed and are full of detrimental ingredients. Chicken stock is particularly gentle on the stomach and is very good to start from.

Right now, I am boiling about three chickens a week...Is that legal? It is so delicious--with my mom's secret ingredient...

Chicken soup and bone broths have natural anti-inflammatory properties and help heal the digestive system.