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.