Patricia Miller, age 51, Spinal Cord Injury
DOB: 18 Jan. 1958
Disease treated: Incomplete Paraplegia
How It Happened
On November 21, 2001 I fell 20 feet off the roof of our house. I sustained a spinal cord injury at T12, L1, L2, and also a C7 fracture. My right ankle was also shattered.
I was airlifted to a Trauma Center and woke up 2 days later. They set my ankle and waited for the swelling to go down. Two days after my accident I had back surgery, and a flexible plate was put in. A week after my accident my right ankle was rebuilt in surgery. I was told I would never walk again. I asked if that was the case, then why could I feel the doctor's hand on my foot. I was then considered incomplete paraplegic. My response to them was, "It's in God's hands now".
I was transferred from the Trauma Center to a Rehabilitation Center. I finished my program early and returned home on December 22, 2001.
A lot of my recovery consisted of physiotherapy, massage therapy with essential oils, and intense chiropractic adjustments. I feel that these were of the most beneficial therapies I have done. I had a lot of spasticity in my legs and needed to have a Baclofen pump implanted. I hate dbeing on all the medications, and I used as much natural or alternative therapies as possible.
I traveled to Pennsylvania for a Photonic Therapy treatment also. My leg swere so swollen from fluid and my right foot was purple and cold all the time. The Photonic treatment was successful in getting rid of the fluid without drugs and also helped my right foot.
Before coming to the Xcell Center, I was at a plateau where nothing was changing or going forward. I started to search the internet for adult stem cell treatments and found the Xcell Center website. I researched this for about a year before deciding to try this. Mydecision was made by asking God to put a road block in my way if I shouldn't have it done. The next day I was listening to a Christian radio station, and they were talking about the benefits of adult stem cell transplants. It was the affirmation I needed, and I contacted the Xcell Center for treatment.
I needed to go off my Baclofen medication two weeks before having the transplants. Six months prior to my transplant I was also able to go off my pain medications because of my Chiropractic treatments. These treatments straightened my spine which allowed the nerve signals to work properly or recover from the Spinal Cord Injury. My spasticity had returned.
On December 5, 2008 I had my first stem cell transplant. We returned home and one week after the transplant I noticed my spasticity had decreased by about 85% and I could now put my feet flat on the floor. I was not on any Baclofen medication at this time. At two and a halfweeks, I started to feel hot and cold temperatures again. At five weeks, the muscles that had nerve damage on my right side started to fire again and show signs of activity. I am still seeing changes while continuing with physiotherapy, chiropractic, and massage therapy. In March of 2009, I had my Baclofen pump removed.
On June 17, 2009, we returned to Germany for my second transplant. I am already noticing more warmth and less purple color in my right foot. My physiotherapist is noticing my muscles gaining more strength all the time. I will continue with all my therapies until one day when I am able to walk with my grandchildren. I believe with all of my heart that God is our physician and we are his instruments. He works through all of us and there is always hope.
On August 7, 2009 I walked 40 feet with my crutches. My spasticity is gone. The only time I notice it is after my physiotherapy. My therapist said that it is from muscle fatigue.
Progress Update December 2009
From: PATRICIA MILLER [mailto:edited for
privacy concerns]
Sent: Thursday, December 10, 2009 7:56 AM
To: Jay Lenner Xcell Center
Subject: Re: edited for privacy concerns
Good morning Jay,
...I can report that since my last stem cell transplant, I have regained some nerve function in my ankles. We can now feel them firing during Physiotherapy. They were not previous to my procedure. My back strength has improved . It is more symetrical in muscle strength. I have noticed that I also have better bowel and bladder strength or control also. I had some when I left but not at this level. When I walk with my crutches at therapy I walk with more of a natural stride. Before I would swing my right leg around instead of moving it forward as in walking.
We are going to do the muscle testing soon at therapy. I will let the xcell center know the results ASAP.
Please forward this info to Dr. John at the center . Thank you.
Merry Christmas! Patricia Miller
Treatment Evaluation Process
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