We started out our morning early. The Stem Cell Institute sent a driver for us at 7:45 AM (they are on the same time as we are at home). After meeting Melisa and Vivienne at the clinic and reviewing all of Patrick's paperwork; we then sat down with Dr. Jorge Paz Rodriguez. He is very nice.
Scott Smith met him last month in Miami where the Dr was speaking. I have only heard good things about him and so far he has impressed us as well. Completely down to earth, etc. We did a review of Patrick's medical chart before we went over to the Punta Pacifica Hospital where Patrick had to have his blood drawn.
The hospital is very nice, it is an affiliate of John Hopkins University. It is very typical to what you expect from any hospital you walk into back home. Patrick did have to do a general anesthesia so they could draw all the blood for the lab. This was probably ten tubes; then they went ahead and left the iv catheter in his hand. Upon waking, he was not a happy camper with his entire hand and fingers taped up.
Dr. Rodriguez himself went ahead and untaped Patricks hand and removed the catheter back over at his office. He said that since Patrick has experience with sitting for IV's that we will just do that each day. He said that the actual stem cell injection will only take about 5 to 10 minutes. This also allows Patrick to swim without any problems with getting the catheter area wet. He is actually swimming right now as I sit by the pool and type this.
Today is a typical Panamanian weather day: hot, sunny and humid. My type of climate. HA. We met two other families that are here with their small children with autism and also an older man from the states that is here for a procedure as well.
I found it interesting that I filled out and signed the same type paperwork as you would in the states before going through any type of procedure. Basically as far as health care goes I have been unable to see any difference in practices other than most of the nurses are not bi-lingual.
Tomorrow Patrick will have his first stem cell transfusion. Our appointment is at 2 PM. Basically the worst part of it for him is over with the large blood draw that occurred today.
So far so good!
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