I am ready to receive my first procedure of the trip. In contrast to the daily intramuscular arm injections, procedures administer the largest quantity of stem cells directly into the spinal column. These procedures often yield the most noticeable changes almost immediately. Today’s procedure, a caudal, is an epidural type injection at the base of the tailbone.
The day starts with physical therapy where I do more than usual in anticipation of being stuck on my back post-procedure. I even do modified jumping jacks – no arm motions. I am winded when I finish but do not get to rest. I am sent for yet another test at a facility a few buildings down the street. The test is an eeg and goes quickly enough. Back at the hospital I do not get to eat lunch, it is too close to procedure time. The sisters apply an anesthetic cream to the base of my tailbone, ok butt crack, and cover it with tape. This protocol is newer. The IV antibiotic monocef is administered and once complete I am on a gurney and wheeled away onto the external elevator. This elevator lift is a new addition since my last visit and is long enough to fit a gurney and several operating theater staff. Laying on the gurney I can say the ceiling of the lift is a very clean and modern in design. I am wheeled into the OT where I instantly recognize the two sisters. They talk to me and turn on music. Today’s selection, jingle bells. Christmas in October I joke. NuTech now has two anesthesiologists who rotate doing procedures. Both are highly skilled and capable and give each patient an orientation when they first arrive. I have Dr. Nayan. He is a man of few words but informs me of the important information while a sister makes conversation to distract me. First he cleans my backside and then gives one injection. That is the only pinch I feel from then on it is only light pressure. Unlike the anesthetic used previously my legs do not feel as though they have lost feeling. For someone who can feel it is a huge relief not to need to check that my toes can still move. This is by far the easiest caudal procedure I have had. The entire process is completed within minutes. There is no traveling between Dr. Shroff’s hospitals now. All procedures are done at the Green Park location. Once back in my room I am to stay flat on my back for the next hour. That is it. Then I can move as I please. Immediately though I feel the nature’s call. Isn’t that the way it always works, when you are not supposed to move you feel the need to. Once the hour is up I move freely. I can sit up to eat my lunch. I do not have a headache but I rest for the remainder of the day knowing it is what my body needs to process the large dose of stem cells.
Elaine In India 