China or Bust!

[Rapid_Roy]

They are in the air, arriving in Shanghai on time!

My wife drove to O'Hare this morning, and I still feel I need a drink.

It was hard to say good bye.
For those not aware, my wife is taking my daughter (again) to China for Stem Cell treatment.

[wezul]

Lots of good thoughts, Roy.
Lots. :thumb

[2beers]

Hopes and prayers your way, Roy!!

Keep us posted.

It is a nice day out. Maybe a ride?



:whistle :dunno

[Rapid_Roy]

Hopes and prayers your way, Roy!!

Keep us posted.

It is a nice day out. Maybe a ride?



:whistle :dunno

Thank you all.
I am getting ready for Tech Day!
Read the Midwest threads man. C'mon over.
:wave

[KGT1200]

See you Saturday about 12:00 my friend.

We are thinking good thoughts about all of you there...

[Holly]

They will be fine. You guys enjoy the tech day.

Holly

[AKBeemer]

Best of luck to your daughter.

[wezul]

You guys enjoy the tech day.Holly

Washme now, I'm gonna read the label. :bottle :whistle ;)

You betcha, Holly!

[tessler]

Awesome, Roy. Best of luck to your wife and Rachael! :thumb

[Rapid_Roy]

Thank you Holly and Jon and AKbeemer. The Tech day was a good idea for me to keep my mind off things, and I am cleaning the house like crazy. I actually vacuumed the garage.:laugh
Tomorrow, I may even clean the house a little.
I will be so exhausted sleep shouldn't be an issue.

[Oldhway]

Prayers and best wishes. You guys are awesome parents and I don't know how you do it. Makes me want to go hug my daughters.

[Rapid_Roy]

Prayers and best wishes. You guys are awesome parents and I don't know how you do it. Makes me want to go hug my daughters.
:wave
Thank you Steve. :wave
I actually didn't do it very well.
I had Rachael on my lap for a half hour, hugging her and feeding her and crying.
I am always there when she has any major medical procedure, and this is the second time I can't be. It still hurts.
:(
I then cuddled with my wife and sniffled, until she started to get antsy. She was worried about the time for security, and wanted to get through it.

Then my son hugged me and said he would miss them. I told him I was sorry he had to eat my cooking for 25 days. That got a smile.

[wezul]

What a wus. :stick
Honestly I do not know how you maintain an even strain.

[manicmechanic]

Roy, FWIW, you've got a bunch of friends here in your 'puter world who won't let you get too bad. We all look after each other. See ya Saturday morning.

[rik]

Hope, Prayers and Best of Wishes your families way.

[Rapid_Roy]

Thank you everybody.


Wezul, you think that is even?

:ha

[Braddog]

Hope, Prayers and Best of Wishes your families way.

Me, too! :wave

[2beers]

If the gig at the FD falls through then maybe we will stop out.

Stay tuned!


:lurk

[Rapid_Roy]

I just got a Yahoo messenger chat with my wife. They are at the hospital and doing fine, It is morning there, they slept when they got there it appears.
:clap

[Holly]

Good news Roy. I know it was hard for you waiting to hear. They must have been exhausted by the time they arrived. Glad they got some sleep.

We're all with you while you wait.

Holly

[rebake]

Keeping you all in prayer from here.I know what the trip involves just getting here for your wife.You have a couple beers coming from me at the rally. Ed

[AKBeemer]

Since you mentioned that you had vacumed your garage it is evident that you've stumbled upon the best way to deal with stress. Some other activities you may find helpful are:

- Wax and polish all your sockets, wrenches and screwdrivers to a high sheen.
- Organize and wax your washers, nuts, screws and bolts.
- Clean your motorcycle using only cotton swabs, dental floss and a tooth brush.
- Learn how to disassemble and reassemble your transmission while blind folded.
- Scratch that last one: Learn how to disassemble and reassemble a friend's transmission while blind folded.
- Memorize the correct torque for every fitting on your bike in both ft/lb and meteric values.

By the time your done mother and child will be back.;)

[Rapid_Roy]

Since you mentioned that you had vacumed your garage it is evident that you've stumbled upon the best way to deal with stress. Some other activities you may find helpful are:

- Wax and polish all your sockets, wrenches and screwdrivers to a high sheen.
- Organize and wax your washers, nuts, screws and bolts.
- Clean your motorcycle using only cotton swabs, dental floss and a tooth brush.
- Learn how to disassemble and reassemble your transmission while blind folded.
- Scratch that last one: Learn how to disassemble and reassemble a friend's transmission while blind folded.
- Memorize the correct torque for every fitting on your bike in both ft/lb and meteric values.

By the time your done mother and child will be back.;)
Kevin, you sick, sick man. You would have been very welcome here on Tech day.
:laugh (Well, anytime really, except not too late, even for meals)

Umm, I already did the last one on that list.

[535is]

Since you mentioned that you had vacumed your garage it is evident that you've stumbled upon the best way to deal with stress. Some other activities you may find helpful are:

- Wax and polish all your sockets, wrenches and screwdrivers to a high sheen.
- Organize and wax your washers, nuts, screws and bolts.
- Clean your motorcycle using only cotton swabs, dental floss and a tooth brush.
- Learn how to disassemble and reassemble your transmission while blind folded.
- Scratch that last one: Learn how to disassemble and reassemble a friend's transmission while blind folded.
- Memorize the correct torque for every fitting on your bike in both ft/lb and meteric values.

By the time your done mother and child will be back.;)

PFFFT! He doesn't need all that! He's got a /7 Airhead to finish! :laugh

[Rapid_Roy]

Stil havent heard much, She should have had her first injection on Monday, and they were going to take her cells on Wednesday.

[wezul]

Hang in there, big guy.
We're right here if you need anything, anytime.
And I mean that, man. :thumb

[Rapid_Roy]

Hang in there, big guy.
We're right here if you need anything, anytime.
And I mean that, man. :thumb

Thank you.
Good time with friends who care this weekend, make strong like ox!

[Rapid_Roy]

The bone marrow draw was a success. SHe was awake later last evening and didn't seem to be in pain. Today, they get to relax and take it easy. The other mom landed last night so they have company now. THings are about as good as they can be.

[wezul]

Cool. :D

[Holly]

Exellent news, Roy. Thanks for the news bulletins. You wouldn't believe how many friends are pulling for you all.

Holly

[KGT1200]

This is the first post I clicked on at 4:54 this morning.

You made my day. We are thinking about you, and your family.

You need anything, you hollar..

[PAULBACH]

Have a nephew going through much the same procedure. It takes a long time. We are all here to support you.

Hang in there.

[Rapid_Roy]

Thank you everybody. The stress is coming out in odd ways. Last night I was yelling at the dog. I had to give many treats and pets and apologize, she misses mom just as much as I do. I found my HBP medicine too, I had cleaned up for the Tech day, and misplaced it, so I hadn't taken it for 5 days. MY son has been invaluable this last week.

[Rapid_Roy]

Not doing too well right now. I just got off the phone with my wife. She had good news and bad news. I asked for the bad news, but I wasn't really prepared for it. Rachael had a seizure last night for a few minutes. When I recovered, I asked what the good news was and my wife siad the stem cells are working on the right side of her brain. Nothing like this happened at all last time, and I feel very helpless right now.
Not good.

[Oldhway]

We are all pulling for your daughter and you. Your family are in my prayers tonight.

[bullit7801]

We are all pulling for your daughter and you. Your family are in my prayers tonight.+1000

tb

[Holly]

Hang in there Roy. Rachael is strong and the right side news is good. How's your son coping with all of this?

Hugs,

Holly

[sudani]

We're all thinking good thoughts for you and your family.

[Voni]

Hugs and prayers winging your way.

Feel it?

Voni:love :hug

[2beers]

Stay Strong, Chief!!

We are with you...Please keep us posted. As always yell if you need something!!



:ear

[2beers]

The Wild Goose Run is Sunday. Come on out, I will save you a ticket.

You will be with many friends and much fun. A bit of a distraction, if you will.

[KGT1200]

One day, Roy. One step at a time...

Keep up the communication, friend...

We are all pulling for Rachael right now...

[rik]

Rachael is in our thoughts and prayers. Stay strong.

[Rapid_Roy]

Thank you everybody. I was kind of a wreck last night.
I just thought we were over all of that. The first 2 years after her illness she had seizures and was on medication. They scare me badly.
I could hear her talking in the background, and she sounded quite talkative and like herself. My wife seems to be taking this better than I am, perhaps because she is there. I was always happy with my station in life , but right now, I wish I was rich and jaunting off to China with my son for a month. I feel like I failed in some way. Once they are home, it will pass. Thank you again for the kind words.

As far as the Wild Goose Run, I am a little afraid to be out on my bike. If something should happen to me, I am worried about my son.
I am just a collection of worry right now.

[535is]

As far as the Wild Goose Run, I am a little afraid to be out on my bike. If something should happen to me, I am worried about my son.
I am just a collection of worry right now.
Hey, if anything happened to you, he could go live with the gypsies - I mean us - for a while. You can pretty much bet he'd eat better ... :whistle

[Rapid_Roy]

I spoke with my wife tonight. No seizures last night. One day at a time. It was also my wife' birthday and I completely forgot to say anything after she told me the bad news.
:banghead

[Rapid_Roy]

No seizures last night but she is very tired, she has been sleeping a lot.
My wife got to sleep in a bit today, she sounded good.
They have today off, it's Sunday.


:brad

[manicmechanic]

OK, Roy, you take it easy, too. You've got a sick little girl who loves you, as do her mother and brother. You need to focus on that and not go to pieces, as that won't help. You've got a lot of support from your friends here and elsewhere. We're here for you, buddy! You be there for your family.

[Rapid_Roy]

Thanks Randy. I went to Woodstock for the Cycle show and swap meet Sunday. I got some nice Thinsulate Heavy Gauntlets for 20 bucks.
I'm frosty. :wave
My wife called last night, no injections until Wednesday and seizure free so far.:thumb

[Oldhway]

Good news then! Keep us in the loop.

I prescribe a good dose of guitar playing interspersed with the occaisional Tequila Sunrise. And stay fixed on the positive. And next time you talk to the Mrs, tell her Happy Birthday and well wishes, prayers and support from the BMWMOA forum family!

[88bmwJeff]

I was always happy with my station in life , but right now, I wish I was rich and jaunting off to China with my son for a month. I feel like I failed in some way. Once they are home, it will pass.

It's hard for most of us to imagine what you are going through. But, you should never feel like you're a failure. Life has a habit of throwing multiple things at us at once at times. And, we sometimes have to make choices that's for the best overall. Take comfort in knowing you are doing all you can for your family. You are here with your son making sure that he is taken care of. And that is just as important as you being there.

Not to steal your thread, but I sort of understand where you are coming from. Our son was born six weeks early with many of the typical premee issues. Unfortunately, my wife was wiped out for months after he was born (long story not important now). We live 2 blocks from the hospital, and I was lucky to go see him once every other day. It was extremely hard to be that close to the hospital, and not be able to go see him, and spend time with him. But, I was my wife's caregiver at this time, and she needed me more than the little guy did. He's fine now, but I still feel that I should have spent more time with him while he was in the hospital.

These choices we are faced with are tough and never easy, but all we can do is take one day at time knowing there's a light at the end of the tunnel.

Best of luck to you, your daughter, and your family.

[Rapid_Roy]

Thank you Jeff and OldHwy.

I am doing ok, they are doing ok.

Oddly enough, I have been playing guitar, trying to learn some new songs. It helps.
I also gave my brother an old electric (and new strings :ha) and amp I had laying around, that I got from my other brother. He was happy, he has some free time too lately.

[wezul]

:wave
Hey man, cool on the jams. That's a good outlet.
Thinking good thoughts about you guys all the time. :thumb

[Rapid_Roy]

:wave
Hey man, cool on the jams. That's a good outlet.
Thinking good thoughts about you guys all the time. :thumb
I am having the guys over Friday night.
C'mon up, it's only 2 hours and you can crash here.

I have plenty of beer and Don Julio, and some Hot Tamales.
:ha

[Rapid_Roy]

The spinal injection went well. My wife didn't sleep well, she was keeping an eye on her, as were the nurses. No seizures, but she is sleeping a lot.

[wezul]

I am having the guys over Friday night.
C'mon up, it's only 2 hours and you can crash here.

I have plenty of beer and Don Julio, and some Hot Tamales.
:ha

Oh man! Pecatonica Saturday, dude!!
Glad to hear no seizing, that's a good thing.


Could I do both? This could be an adventure!

[bullit7801]

Glad to hear no seizing, that's a good thing.+1000

tb

[bullit7801]

Oh man! Pecatonica Saturday, dude!!

Could I do both? This could be an adventure!Sure, and while you're out, might as well stop by the BoD meeting in St. Louis and swing by Branson, too. What the Hey. Its only sMiles. :stick :bolt

tb

[Rapid_Roy]

Culled from Nancy's Blog:
Less then 2 weeks. Yippee. Oh yes, I was just informed that they are going to give her the last 2 injections spinal and they will be her own. The thing about it is the amount of cells that we are getting from her are about 10x's the amount from the umbilical cords. So the more the merrier.

This both excites and scares me.


I'll probably go to Pecatonica on Sunday, Saturday is movie night with my son.
This week, we will be screening "The Naked Gun 2.5"

[BexBmr]

The spinal injection went well. My wife didn't sleep well, she was keeping an eye on her, as were the nurses. No seizures, but she is sleeping a lot.

Hey Roy - make sure to tell Nancy to let the nurses keep an eye on Rachael at night. Easier said than done I know, but she shouldn't let herself get run down and possibly sick.

Thinking of you guys!!
Bex

[Rapid_Roy]

Hey Roy - make sure to tell Nancy to let the nurses keep an eye on Rachael at night. Easier said than done I know, but she shouldn't let herself get run down and possibly sick.

Thinking of you guys!!
Bex
Well, she is staying in a Hospital.:ha

The nurses were what kept waking my wife up, and they kept leaving lights on.
I am glad they are keeping an eye on Rachael, but it was more difficult for my wife.

[Rapid_Roy]

Oh man! Pecatonica Saturday, dude!!
Glad to hear no seizing, that's a good thing.


Could I do both? This could be an adventure!
It takes about an hour to get to Rockford, you would have plenty of time to get to Pecatonica.
Or, you can be a wimp.
:stick

:ha


:wave

[Rapid_Roy]

Culled from the Blog:
So last night while we are waiting to fall asleep Rach says "Whopper starts with W", I looked at her, then I got excited. I don't know if they have been working on the in school, but that came out of the blue. Her wording was so clear too. When I got up this morning, I thought I dreamed it but no. Vicki came in and asked her what Whopper started with and she quickly answered W. So it wasn't a dream. I guess that is something good and hopefully more to come. Just one small thing and it gives you hope. We will continue on the hope journey for a long time.

She is not as tired today, I really think the Valium stays in her system a long time. She was laughing this morning and talking more. Just going to the store today and to the wedding.
:brad

She sounded excited about this last night, but I had no idea about all the details until I read the blog.

[manicmechanic]

:boldpurpl :wave Sounds great, Roy! Let's all hope for more of it!

[wezul]

Aw, man that's fantastic.
It was kinda strange to be at your place when RapidWife called . . . . from China!
Now what's the next step, the gazillion cell therapy? That's coming up shortly, yes?
(I do pay attention, sometimes)

[Rapid_Roy]

Aw, man that's fantastic.
It was kinda strange to be at your place when RapidWife called . . . . from China!
Now what's the next step, the gazillion cell therapy? That's coming up shortly, yes?
(I do pay attention, sometimes)

Yes. Sunday evening here will be Monday morning there and she is due a much larger injection of her own Stem Cells.

[Rapid_Roy]

OK, she had her injection of her own stem cells of 10x the amount.
My wife said no bad things happened, but she did want to stay up late.
So far so good. One left and they come home next week Wednesday.

[PAULBACH]

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/PaulBach/Smilies/smiley-cow.gif
Get the fatted calf ready!

[Oldhway]

:thumb :thumb :thumb :thumb :thumb :thumb :dance :dance :dance :dance :dance

[Rapid_Roy]

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/PaulBach/Smilies/smiley-cow.gif
Get the fatted calf ready!
I have also got the fatted thighs and butt ready too.
:ha


w00t! w00t!

[Rapid_Roy]

They come home tomorrow!
:dance :dance :dance :dance :dance :dance :dance :dance :dance :dance :dance :dance :dance :dance :dance :dance :dance

[wezul]

Holy cats, clean, clean, clean!
Laundry!
Dishes!

[Oldhway]

I have been anxiously awaiting the Roy report. Halleluia they're coming home!!!

Expect Roy to be awol for a few days :) .

[nytrashman]

i may be new here and may not know you and your family personally but you will be in my thoughts & prayers tonight.

[KGT1200]

They come home tomorrow!
:dance :dance :dance :dance :dance :dance :dance :dance :dance :dance :dance :dance :dance :dance :dance :dance :dance

Horay! Horay!

Hey, I got to ask...the little red dancing guys..the forth from the left seems to be more antimated, more 3-D ish, sort of sticking out further...is that one you?

And if so, do the one's on the left represent your family? and the one's right of you represent...oh never mind!

We all are very Happy for you Roy!

better go clean some house!

[bullit7801]

Great to hear. :eat :drink :dance :twirl :laugh

tb

[Rapid_Roy]

Thank you all, I just spoke with her, they were packing and getting ready to leave.
:brad
:brad

[AKBeemer]

Wishing for a safe journey and joyful home coming.

[Voni]

Welccome home!!!

Voni
sMiling

[rik]

Wonderful news!:clap

[Rapid_Roy]

Thank you all.
We are back!:clap
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a345/RapidR/P5060045.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a345/RapidR/P5060046.jpg

[wezul]

Yea!!! :clap

[PAULBACH]

Great News!

Please keep us posted. :type

[Voni]

:wave

:groovy

:kiss

Voni
sMiling

[Holly]

Wonderful news Roy. Big hugs all round!

Holly

[Oldhway]

:thumb :thumb :thumb :thumb :thumb :thumb :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap

[Rapid_Roy]

Thank you all. Rachael was smiling so much and laughing at the airport. She was happy to see me and my son. I noticed she kept repeating words we were saying, that is new. Also, I have never seen a Standard Poodle do backflips, it's quite a sight.
:ha

We stopped and had a nice dinner, and I put Rachael to bed when we got home, but they are still running on China time. Luckily, they both have the rest of the week off to recover from it all. My wife was content with the house cleaning also.

[Sue]

Thanks for the smile today, Roy. Hugs all-around.

[Rapid_Roy]

Thank you for the hugs. :wave

My booty:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a345/RapidR/P5070047.jpg

[Rapid_Roy]

I promise not to eat any of these things.
:wave

[dancogan]

Good news, Roy. And you made the house look really nice for the homecoming. :clap :clap :clap :D

[Rapid_Roy]

Good news, Roy. And you made the house look really nice for the homecoming. :clap :clap :clap :D
Hey! My wife said that too!
:ha

Thank you.

My wife did tell me she had another seizure of about a minute, about a week after the other one, after another injection. She is now on anti-seizure medicine again.
:bluduh

I hate that.

[535is]

My wife was content with the house cleaning also.
Dude, any time you need a bunch of us to come down and trash your place so you can distract yourself cleaning up after us, count me in!
:bar

[hlothery]

Interestingly, I had lunch today with a friend who is a physician in Panama (a native Panamanian, he was my boss until he moved back several years ago). He is doing adult stem cell therapy in Panama. They do minimal liposuction, harvesting about 500cc of fat. They have found fat to be rich in stem cells. The fat is separated and the stem cells harvested, and grown in their lab. They then inject the person's stem cells back, depending upon the disease process. They are treating knee arthritis, MS, traumatic brain injury, etc using this method, and are having some fantastic results. Not sure if this is what is happening with your daughter in China, but it was fascinating to hear about it from someone I completely trust. He says the main reason it is not taking hold in the US (not FDA approved for one, but also) is that there is no money in it for the drug companies.......you cannot patent your own fat! (Too bad......I'd be rich!)

Hope we eventually catch up......this seems like a fascinating and extremely promising area of medical research.

[Rapid_Roy]

Hi Hugh, yes it does. Also, the fact that she had a seizure after a spinal injection of unmatched stem cells means that they are not rejected by the body as Dr's here opined. I can think of no other reason that the damaged area of her brain was stimulated, it wasn't the acupuncture.
After that, she had 2 more spinal injections of her own at 10 times the amount.

There was a physician on this forum that said he would not believe the anecdotal evidence, until some peer reviewed source showed the improvements. My wife has talked to the parents of children who were cured by these treatments. I hope to be some more anecdotal evidence.:ha Truthfully, anecdotes or peer reviewed, I really don't care as long as she improves from the treatment. She has so far.
I will be in TN, if you are going. After the forum frenzy, the Tavern members should meet in the real Tavern.

P.S.Tonight, we get to go pick out the type of pool we want (from a selected group) from Make A Wish. :clap

[hlothery]

My friend is doing just such a peer reviewed study, and will present his final findings in the US when done. He did visit Johns Hopkins this week, and presented his preliminary findings, and they were impressed. I do not think the makers of the wonder drugs for MS which are advertised during the Super Bowl will be very supportive of this approach..........fat is free! The key in the US will be to get the insurers to cover the costs of harvesting and growing, and then the injections. Hope to see this in the future. It's hard to believe that such a progressive country as ours is so far behind the rest of the world in medical research.

BTW - read in the paper this morning that a peer reviewed and highly publicized study of a bone stimulation drug was completely falsified by the MD who did the study. Seems most of the patients reported in the study never existed, and the signatures of participating MDs were forged. Guess those studies are fallable, too.

[sumran]

They do minimal liposuction, harvesting about 500cc of fat. They have found fat to be rich in stem cells...

Hope we eventually catch up......this seems like a fascinating and extremely promising area of medical research.

If that is a good source we should catch up quickly! :D

Wishing the best for you and your family Roy.

[Rapid_Roy]

If that is a good source we should catch up quickly! :D

Wishing the best for you and your family Roy.Thank you. :wave

Now I find out I could also be a major Stem Cell donor to her.

Also, what Hugh describes is pretty much what they were doing with my daughter.