Final Day of Infusions

Today is the final day of infusions.  Tomorrow Melody will have another series of pain thresholds.  We will stay to Tuesday to allow for the ketamine to get out of her system before traveling.  It is safest that way with regard to Melody being able to navigate her own way and speak for herself if she is having a problem.  The RSD Institute is a first class operation and gives very good care.  This treatment protocol could be replicated easily in an anesthesiologists office in DE (anywhere else).  I wish other doctors would offer this procedure so that these patients would not have to travel so far to receive what they need. 

Great Visit

The trip went well. They let Chloe stay in Melody's lap. People were
ooing as Chloe walked on the plan in her pink poodle sweater. The
children enjoyed flying. We hit the ground about 11:00 and then
pocked up the rental mini-van. Lots of stuff, but we fit.

We dropped the kids off at the hotel and Kathy spent the afternoon
with them at the pool (it's Tampa!). We headed to Dr. Kirkpatrick's
office. Melody's objective pain measurements all showed improvement
over the first post coma measurements. So, she is continuing to
improve. She was very encouraged. Dr. Kirkpatrick was as well. She
will receive three ketamine infusions over the next three days. Dr.
Kirkpatrick will take measurements after each of these as well.

Headed to Tampa

Tomorrow we are headed to Tampa, FL for a six month evaluation for Melody and some additional ketamine.  The six month evaluation (we are one month early but Dr. Kirkpatrick said that is o.k.) is something we agreed to as a condition of participating in the study.  BCBS has agreed to "cover" a series of infusions at the RSD Institute.  Of course, their covered charges will likely be different than the actual charge.  We shall see.  BCBS also gave us our own wheelchair for the airport.  This chair will help a lot.  I wish we had done this sooner.  Now she sees it as a tool to help her get better.  She still has trouble with mega-distances so we need the chair in the airport to get us to where we need to go in good time.   

The whole family is making the trip this time.  The ticket prices were very good.  Leaving them behind and making all the preparations is more challenging in many ways than taking the whole crew along.  I can say that with honesty as we are nearly finished with our packing.  A good friend is coming along to help us with the children while I stay with Melody during the ketamine infusions.  (There will be 3 high dose infusions at the RSD Institute.)  Our newest addition to the family is also coming:  Chloe is a 4 pound toy poodle.  A friend gave her to us and she has been great fun.  This trip will be the first time that Susanna and Mary Faith have flown.  They are excited. 

We do appreciate your prayers for safe travel, benefit from the ketamine infusions, and an all around good time with the family.  It is 70 degrees in Tampa right now, so that is nice too.  All in all we are so grateful and thankful as we move into 2011.