I'm coming home!

I can't believe it.  I made it!  Today, I had my final physical therapy appointment, and I received my last stem cell injection.  Over the course of the month, I have received millions and millions of stem cells.  Now it is time to go home, rest, continue physical therapy, eat healthy and let the stem cells do their job... repair.

Here are a few pictures from our final days in Panama.

We met some friends for dinner.  

On the cab drive over we were stopped at a stoplight,
and looked out the side window.

There, in the middle of the rush-hour traffic were three men juggling!

Only in Panama... or maybe San Francisco.

Beni Hana's

Abdul and his wife Dhoha are returning to Kuwait tomorrow.

Eric and Tracy have one more week of therapy before returning to the States.

It was nice to have a farewell dinner with our new friends.

I fell in love with the people I have met in Panama.  

This is MY TRIBE.

 Dick DeLeon, trainer at BioFit Physical Therapy

 Dr. Herrera, Anesthesiologist

Dr. Herrera administered all of my intrathecal injections.

I mentioned to her that injections #1, 3, 5, and 7 did not hurt, 

and the even numbers hurt.

So she said, "then we will call your final injection # 7+1, instead of #8"

It worked.  Injection # 7+1 did not hurt. :)

 My nurse, Santa (during my procedures, he sings to me when I get nervous)

Dr. Herrera, and Dr. Bowen

I wish I could pack them up in my suitcase and bring them home with me.

 Dr.Paz, Medical Director of the Stem Cell Institute

I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Dr. Paz

He has a brilliant mind, and is a trailblazer in his approach to
treating disease and injury.

I am honored to be his patient.

 My new friend, Pauletta, from Tennessee.  

She is here to assist her friend, Jody.

Jody is receiving stem cell therapy after being shot in the spine 

by her ex-husband and was left paralyzed from the neck down.

Jody is so inspiring to me, she shows up everyday with a smile on her face.

My Tribe.

I am blessed to have been able to receive treatments and care from the Stem Cell Institute.  I am blessed to have crossed paths with many loving people in Panama... cab drivers, security guards, restaurant owners, doctors, nurses, patients, staff, physical therapists, tour guides, and people on the street.  I am blessed to have such loving support from hundreds of friends and family.  I am blessed to be the recipient of thousands of faith-filled prayers.  I am blessed to have a compassionate son who gave four weeks of his summer to serve me.  And I am blessed to be going home to a warm, loving family.

Once again, I extend my deep gratitude for the love and support extended to me and my family.

Love,

Julie