Meet the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

My first appointment with the staff at Penn Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) was last Tuesday, March 24. It went extremely well.
They answered all the questions we had and were very open and clear about the whole process.

HBOT has demonstrated effectiveness in treating cancer damaged tissue and open wounds.
The estimate of success in my type of cases is about 50%, higher in children- age wise, not  mentally (what a pity). Success is measured by reducing the physical symptoms and also by either stopping the progression of the swelling or actually reducing it. The doctor did make the point that success in my case could be stopping the progression. Results should be expected within 20 or 30 sessions.

The current plan is to do 40 sessions,6 sessions per week (Monday through Saturday), each 2 1/2 hours; I will be starting April 13 and, based on the plan, should be done by the end of May.

The chamber at Upenn - built in 1961 for the Space Program

This is a multi-person chamber, with 100% oxygen given through a mask, with the chamber pressure @ 2.5 atmospheres. Because of the oxygen, no electronics are permitted in the chamber, so I will have to do real book reading!

Side effects are not significant. My concern regarding seizures (indicated in literature) is not an issue in that they do happen but are related to Oxygen saturation and not related to pre-existing seizure activity.

It seems that the insurance is a non-issue; the experience in Penn is that it is covered and, if there is a rejection, the Dr at Penn, as well as my Neurologist, stated that they would escalate and provide whatever was required to get it approved.

I spoke with my boss yesterday about the fact that I will only be available to work in the afternoons for almost 2 months. At this point I do not know if I will have to take  a medical leave. I am not sure what the company policies are on the subject.

That is it.

Limping along March 22

No seizures this week, and, as of today, its 16 days since the last one. This is the good news - the bad news is that a seizure is bound to happen soon (the average time between seizures since October is 7 days).
Paresis is, I feel, somewhat worst.

This was a busy week.

I saw Dr Skidmore on Wednesday and got an appointment for the initial assessment at Penn re Hyperbaric Oxigen Therapy (HBOT) for next Tuesday (March 24). Called Bryn Mawr Rehab to schedule an assessment for Physical Therapy, but I have not gotten an appointment - they are very busy.

The blue team !- between the 2 of us a left and a right leg fully functional! 

Dr Skidmore found that my left arm was weaker since the prior exam and wrote a script for physical therapy.

This week we had the pleasure of taking care of Sara- it was great. She went back to Baltimore this afternoon- she has her follow-up appointment on Tuesday. It was sooooo good having her home!

Next week is key- appointment at Penn for initial assessment HBOT and, hopefully, getting an appointment for Physical Therapy.