We are back

We finally made it home after a long arduous trip. It was about 30 hours door to door but we made it. I've just been spending the last couple of days trying to adjust to the sleep schedule here. So that's why I have not made a post. I've been a bit of a sleepless zombie. When I got to Delhi it took me 10 days to adjust so I'm not there yet. I have a great trip, made many friends, saw miracles and really got to know Greg. Infinite thanks to him for all of this help. I am at home now so you can call me if you like.
Lots of love,
Gavin

Day Last!

Today was a hundred degrees and tomorrow we're getting on a plane and leaving. The heat is wiping me out, time to GTF outta here. Lots of friends we will leave behind, it's gonna be hard to say goodbye. This is my extended family, technically we're all cousins. It's ethereal. What have I learned? I've seen miracles, made great friends, been cared for by the most amazing nurses and seen the most amazing examples of kindness and courage and of the human dynamic. Shit, I'm all choked up, that will have to do it for now although it doesn't even begin to cover it.

Thanks for coming along for the ride...Love, Gavin and Greg
It ain't over yet...

New Day New Delhi

Hello,
The three day procedure went without a hitch, just a 5 inch piece of plastic up the spinal canal and nurse Shiny Angel at my side (that is her real name and her brother's name is Sheen). I'm pointing at her...I now feel reallly pregnant, I eat like a holy cow so to speak. Today we had a group meeting with all persons involved here, patients and staff, that was highly informative and emotional. The countdown is on, this week I've got to really get down to business,work hard, make progress, stay focused, eye of the tiger. I'll be home Friday the 17th. We'll go jogging.

Love, Gav

Let's see, a lot has happened since the last post. I had an spinal epidural that went well. Matt, Marilyn, Greg and myself went to see the Lodi Gardens for a nature break, to hear birds honk instead of cars. We did a bit of extreme wheelchairing. It was pretty, clean, civilized and peaceful. The cab rides are non-describable chaos. We saw a bit of old Delhi where 75% of India's 1 billion people were there and selling something...or so it seemed.

Today I walked. Ok, I took 2 real deal unassisted steps in calipers between the parallel bars. New people are arriving each week eager to get rolling. It is inspiring to see everyone making progress, some in a very short time. Every day is a little better. The injections don't take me out as bad as in the beginning. Good stuff.

Yep yep.











Tomorrow I begin, or rather, I am scheduled to begin a 3 day injection procedure...finally. It is at the old hospital Guantam Nagar, a step back in time. We'll let you know how it goes when we get back Friday.

Hip Hip Hooray!
Gavin and Greg

April Fools Post

Hi Folks,
April Fools Day, what you are about to read may or may not be true...

We went to see the world's largest Hindu temple here in Delhi, the Akshardham. It was built from 2001 to 2006. Impressive! Go see http://akshardham.com/photogallery/mandir/index.htm

There were 3 of us in wheelchairs, Matt and Kevin (two aussies)and myself and they treated us like kings, carrying us up several flights of stairs to see inside the temple. We saw a fountain/light show similar to one of many you can see in Vegas at the Bellagio sans free drinks, cigarettes or swearing. Made some friends, got massacred by mosquitoes, got stared at...we were freaks, crackers in wheelchairs. The contrast between the squalor outside the gates and the gold platedness inside was impressive and albeit somewhat disturbing...a very fun day with friends outside the stem cell compound.

I had a 3 day procedure at the other hospital planned to start yesterday but it got put on hold for a couple of days, business as usual here. Hoping to start it tomorrow. We're still laughing a lot, making the best of a bizarre situation, really enjoying the people who work here and the patients. Matt and his mom Marilyn are really an inspiration. I've posted a pic of him standing in his calipers. He's awesome.

Oh yea, the yoga guy/drill seargent...we'll call him Yogi. Words don't do him justice. Video to come...

Here are some of the lovely staff...






















That's it for now, we're halfway there. Thanks for checking in.
Love, Gavin and Greg

cells divide

hello,

My computer is not functioning correctly so forgive the short posts.

All is well here. I got stem cells injected into my spinal canal. It went well. Been going to PT twice a day, six days a week, working hard, just the IV out of my arm that was there for hydration and energy. That is a relief. There was a great storm here last night. Two deafening thunder claps woke me from sleep, Greg thought it was a bomb. Rained haaaaard! Today we are going on a trip to a temple that apparently rivals the Taj Majal. It seems like there is more to tell but it escapes me for now. I will be back soon! Love, G & G

roller coaster

today is Tuesday which means I've been here one week. Sunday was not that fun. I think that a combination of jet lag and the stem cells fighting the lyme and probably not enough nutrition to feed the new cells made me feel delirious and I had a fever. I didn't even know where I was having a difficult time. But I am over that now. They withheld the stem cells because I had a fever so I should get my procedure soon. Oh well the same thing happened when I was here in September. But I feel okay now. This morning I felt strong and noticed that my tremors in my hands were better. I can almost snap my fingers on my left hand now. That is pretty exciting!
The weather isn't bad here it's been about 85° but the air-quality is poor but it is much better than it was six months ago when I was here. I am doing alright though. Only three more weeks to go.
They got a new cook and the food is better this time around. Plus I don't have the allergies that I had then. Greg is handling well. I'm so fortunate to have such great friends I hope he is not too bored but I am here to get better.
Last night I had a dream that the librarian from the akoshik library mixed up a paste of stem cells and put it all over my brain and spine. it was a sort of a living, healing paste that will heal all of the lesions. I woke up feeling great as I always do when I have healing, teaching dreams. I I dreamt something similar when I was here, in New Delhi, on my first trip. So that pretty great thanks for reading this I will update after I have my procedure. Perhaps by the end of the week. Since