tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59787313904790590142024-03-14T10:33:54.923-07:00Mailia's BlogMailiasMiraclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06334694914317133151noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5978731390479059014.post-20414051102060719012013-11-21T10:35:00.000-08:002013-11-27T10:39:53.381-08:00Stem Cell Institute in Panama welcomes Mailia's Miracle for Treating Eisenmenger's Syndrome<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">So much has transpired in the Mailia's Miracle realm this past year and half...ever since she had her last sten cell treatment and follow up heart cath. It is shared with great respect and gratitude our sharing the results of her medical and stem cell journey.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">We started looking at options for Mailia’s next stem
cell treatment and found that the researcher and biochemist responsible for
Mailia’s first two stem cells had developed a new stem cell line, derived from
a patient’s own blood similar to the first two she received in 2010 & 2011.
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">This new cell line is purported to be much better
and more potent than the previous two she has had but we were told, before it
can be used to treat any vascular conditions, it must go through clinical
trials that are being scheduled in Lima, Peru.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">We spoke with various clinics and doctors’ about
Mailia trying stem cells derived from using her own bone marrow and adipose fat
cells and it was recommended to us not to go that route at this time and to
wait for the new cell line she has become accustomed to already.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">We would have to wait until clinical trials were
completed before she could be treated and this we found, would take time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">In our consult with Dr. Amit Patel at the University
of Utah who is aware of the new stem cell line that is in the pipeline, we
discussed the possibility of Mailia having to wait another year or longer to
benefit from being considered for treatment once the clinical trials were
completed.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">We discussed a viable option to help tie Mailia over
until that time. That we might consider taking her to Panama to the <a href="http://www.cellmedicine.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>CellMedicine Institute</strong></span></a> to be treated with “Whartons Jelly”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That it would be a much less invasive procedure
for her than harvesting cells from her abdominal fat and bone marrow and a cost
that we could live with.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The cells that are found in the Whartons Jelly are
mesenchymal stem cells from donated human cord blood from healthy live births.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These cells can fix things basically at a
much higher rate than cells churned out by bone marrow and fat harvest. (you may browse their web site & videos for this stem cell science).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The cells will be processed at a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEYj14cx66k#t=18" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>Stem Cell Production Laboratory</strong></span></a> here in Panama called MediStem Panama. (click on link to see video).<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The delivery method will also be easier on
Mailia…the mesenchymal cells will be delivered intravenously and as Dr. Patel
told us…these cells will go directly into her lung vasculature and that is where we want
them to go.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">So this is where we are right now…en route to Panama
City, Panama to test these new waters for Mailia and pray she will be
successful with this newly offered treatment protocol for Eisenmenger's Syndrome and Pulmonary Hypertension.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">We started our communication with the clinic in
Panama three months ago, have done our best to discern the best dates and
logistics surrounding this trip and could not have done it without the help,
guidance, assistance and support from so many wonderful and blessed sources.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">More posts and updates to follow.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Blessings…<br />
The Goforth’s<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br />MailiasMiraclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06334694914317133151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5978731390479059014.post-39274431363858234042012-06-15T08:54:00.000-07:002012-08-01T09:20:50.013-07:00Mailia's Right Heart Cath Study on 06-13-12 Charts Another Path Forward Toward Her Miracle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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June 13, 2012 Sacred Heart Institute Spokane, WA.</div>
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Mailia was scheduled back in June to undergo a right heart catherization study with Dr. Carl Garabedian in hopes of finding out where her lung pressures would be 7 months after her last Adult Stem Cell Transplant. This was done in order to ascertain weather or not, she would be at a point to safely undergo corrective heart surgery from Eisenmenger's syndrome.</div>
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We packed our belongings and plenty of oxygen to head to Spokane late Tuesday afternoon and settled into a hotel right behind the hospital so we could get Mailia admitted at 6:a.m. the following morning.</div>
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After a nice dinner at a little Italian bistro we found, we settled in for the night listening to the cracking of thunder and lightning...with the rain hitting the windows and trees. </div>
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While waiting for Dr. Garabedian to come in the following morning, nurses abound getting Mailia ready for her procedure while SteelDust, Max and I waited anxiously to talk with Dr. Carl...with regards to Mailia's procedure and also, took time to snap a bunch of pictures.</div>
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Dr. Carl came in and graciously greeted Mailia with much humor and wit...and set the wheels in motion. He said he would most likely sedate Mailia...in lieu of intubating her but wanted us to know he was going to try a different protocol and was going to add a combination of Nitric Oxide with 100% oxygen and that Mailia would be his first patient ever...to try this new method...to which would act as a "double vasodilator".</div>
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We went on to discuss the published video and works of Dr. Randas Batista for Eisenmenger's syndrome on the CTSnet web site and how we were asked by Dr. Joel Dunning of the UK...to leave a comment on Mailia's relationship with Dr. Batista and also the flood of comments that were generated by other heart surgeons, especially one well noted heart surgeon, the head of the International Childrens Heart Foundation, Dr. William Novick.</div>
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Dr. Novick recently has done an unpublished study about 36 patients that were treated with high pulmonary vascular resistance (pulmonary hypertension secondary to a heart defect) using the double flap patch for a VSD. It is our hopes that at some point, Mailia's team of doctors will obtain this new data from Dr. Novick to see if these patients pressures are anywhere in line...with Mailia's current pressures making her a potential candidate for this type of corrective heart surgery.</div>
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We then went on to ask Dr. Carl if he would please for both Max, Mailia and I gather all the data today, review it objectively and give his opinion and recommendation to Mailia's current heart surgeon, Dr. Michael Black in Florida...on a path forward in hopes he would find it in favor, of a mechanical fix. Dr. Carl told us..."that, it what we are looking for". He told us you know, until that hole can be completely fixed, the pulmonary hypertension will never resolve.</div>
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We asked him if we would be able to compare Mailia's pressures from her last cath in 2010 to today's and he assured us we would, that after her procedure we could crunch the numbers to see where she stood. After asking Mailia to sign the consent forms...since she is now 18 he saw how quickly her heart rate went up and joked with her about SteelDust not signing them and so... left that task, to us.</div>
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Dr. Garabedian said he needed to go change into his hospital pajamas just like Mailia, and we asked him to please take good care of her and how very grateful we were to him and how much we appreciate this and to now...get the party started!</div>
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I cannot emphasize enough how blessed we feel to have some of the best doctors in Mailia's corner and on her Miracle team.</div>
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The cath lab nurses came to fetch Mailia and we followed her to Dr. Carl's new state of the art cath lab that has just been constructed for him and his team. It was almost like comparing an astronaut getting prepped to go on the space shuttle. Thumbs up...Mailia knew what to do. We left the pandemonium and headed back to the room to get comfortable for a bit of a wait, while Max went to browse the gift shop for a Webkinz surprise for Mailia.</div>
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After they brought Mailia back in to her room we got her comfortable and drinking lite fluids for a couple of hours until she sounded off that she was hungry. I fetched her some lunch from the cafeteria, soup and grilled cheese sandwich and more water to re hydrate herself.</div>
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Dr. Carl came in later with paperwork in tow. He compared the numbers generated in this cath report to the cath he did in 2010 and the one from 2006. In looking at the numbers that Max and I later charted into an excel spreadsheet, we still have numbers (PVR) that are high...but that the were definitely a lot better this time around.</div>
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So these current numbers were a nice response to the potent combo vasodialators he used, the 80ppm Nitric Oxide and 100% Oxygen. He told us she had not improved her baseline conditions but that her "reactivity" has so there appeared to be a significant IMPROVEMENT in her PVR based on these numbers.</div>
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He told us he was happy with this outcome and that he would get the wheels in motion to discuss this data with Mailia's heart surgeon and see what Dr. Black thought of these numbers, his impression and what as a team, he thinks we should do next.</div>
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We thanked everyone profusely and got Mailia and SteelDust headed out the hospital door to her waiting chariot for the quick trip home. What a beautiful sunny afternoon it turned out to be. Mailia got home to rest and recuperate and so now we wait to hear from her heart surgeon, Dr. Michael Black and will post another update to this soon.<br />
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Love and blessings...</div>
The Goforth's<br />
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</div>MailiasMiraclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06334694914317133151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5978731390479059014.post-44557127597981216462012-02-27T15:38:00.000-08:002012-05-28T16:19:34.587-07:00Mailia Follows Up With Her Florida Heart Surgeon Dr. Michael Black at St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong>St. Mary's Medical Center - Palm Beach Children's Hospital Nov. 04, 2011</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">We
left off in our previous post arriving into Miami from Mailia’s recent adult stem
cell transplant down in the Dominican Republic. Mailia had been scheduled for a
follow up visit with her heart surgeon, <a href="http://www.stmaryschildrensmc.com/en-US/AboutUs/Newsroom/In%20The%20News/09.20.2011_SMMCCh_DrBlackMendTinyHearts_PBP.pdf">Dr. Michael Black</a> who is world renown and had
recently accepted a new position with St. Mary’s Hospital in West Palm Beach
Florida while still maintaining his privileges and connection to his hospital
in San Francisco, California Pacific Medical Center.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What
a remarkable opportunity for Mailia to have the best Adult Stem Cell clinic AND
Cardio Thoracic Surgery expertise in such close proximity which logistically for
her, works out perfectly.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">After
clearing customs with all our belongings, we proceeded to our rental car and
tried to figure out how to get us headed north, out of the maze of traffic and
freeways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mailia and I plugged into her
computer to get us going in the right direction while Max did his best to
navigate through all the hustle and bustle the end of the day usually brings. Still had to stop at a convenience mart to ask directions after getting detoured a bit. Oh well.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I
found us a hotel about a mile from the hospital…where we checked in and
conveniently found a place to finally eat dinner…yep, another Cracker Barrel to Mailia's utter delight. The webkinz of the day...a black footed ferret she had to have to add to the collection.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">We
all got a good night’s rest and monitored Mailia for any fatigue or discomfort
from her invasive procedure just two days prior. She was happy and feeling no
pain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: small;">The
next morning, Nov. 4<sup>th</sup> 2011 we got to the hospital and checked in
with the beautiful administrative staff at Dr. Blacks new office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here we visited for awhile, checked Mailia’s
vitals and all her medical records before proceeding over to the hospital for
her scheduled Echocardiogram study. Dr. Black was a little surprised that Mailia had
showed up with a replacement “SteelDust”…a stuffed toy that was supposed to
resemble her little service dog that he went as far as noting that fact in her
medical report he later generated from this visit which we will expound on
shortly.</span></span></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqcmGrG_vIQydzhtm3vE7m4xYkQHFpWUkq6l94QIRZScaR7EIWTIXUK8hNwo7VwqErWygrnAVfutrjss7TXcPnMX4P9hvaNyW09qvU5Kch7wxb_BUhxuwPaHGo7S3uGmuqc9IsgC9NMb8/s1600/Mailia+&+Michael01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqcmGrG_vIQydzhtm3vE7m4xYkQHFpWUkq6l94QIRZScaR7EIWTIXUK8hNwo7VwqErWygrnAVfutrjss7TXcPnMX4P9hvaNyW09qvU5Kch7wxb_BUhxuwPaHGo7S3uGmuqc9IsgC9NMb8/s320/Mailia+&+Michael01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">
Dr. Michael Black & Mailia</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ISI7i-hE2oXThdg0uAbduyu6lh3eKoSBXyhr_KtQCKvQjyfvUrtNY_nEzsCLfuCq1eu7PbcNSbrgVW6YF7Bv1TGPdaJ4IGyaBKwFb-r4VolWt9aUl1VKce9sP35lwepHsTuXRUSlfsg/s1600/Mailia+&+Dr.+Michael+Black01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ISI7i-hE2oXThdg0uAbduyu6lh3eKoSBXyhr_KtQCKvQjyfvUrtNY_nEzsCLfuCq1eu7PbcNSbrgVW6YF7Bv1TGPdaJ4IGyaBKwFb-r4VolWt9aUl1VKce9sP35lwepHsTuXRUSlfsg/s320/Mailia+&+Dr.+Michael+Black01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">After
checking in at the hospital…I asked Dr. Black how he was liking his new
endeavor and he was really thrilled with the opportunity and that they were in
the process of building his new surgical suite and getting him the best profusionist
and surgical staff to complement his team. I snagged a link to
a </span><a href="http://www.stmaryschildrensmc.com/en-US/AboutUs/Newsroom/In%20The%20News/09.20.2011_SMMCCh_DrBlackMendTinyHearts_PBP.pdf"><span style="font-size: small;">PDF</span></a><span style="font-size: small;"> that you can click on to read about him now.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTLolORvFAiO05dbh3GHBUZbtU0b48NK7yeZh8icXX9Uhenrc1TN15XXkYpBO-wtV3yiXHMXSeDAWOeuVWKQ_QjMEMhNCRZbsj6eps9DhNRCrcdbE54M4W3VOOmFBoIWtsAFAUnUsShY/s1600/Dr,+Michael+Black+-+Dr.+Emmanouil+Tsounias.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTLolORvFAiO05dbh3GHBUZbtU0b48NK7yeZh8icXX9Uhenrc1TN15XXkYpBO-wtV3yiXHMXSeDAWOeuVWKQ_QjMEMhNCRZbsj6eps9DhNRCrcdbE54M4W3VOOmFBoIWtsAFAUnUsShY/s320/Dr,+Michael+Black+-+Dr.+Emmanouil+Tsounias.jpg" width="320" /></a>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Dr.
Black introduced us to one of his cardiologists, Dr. Emmanouil Tsounias who was
quite interested in Mailia’s adult stem cell treatment protocol. Here she is
with the two and her echo tech during her test and studies.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yAofY5Q9on1V2YVB0yd9qGwjNHzPx29gEyvPCO2sKLHCglK1H2-aHfk-qnW1wUYe6V4KMLKj2I0qvDUKKXLpDjISV6ZkVvOf60Lgn5tKwl_PUz6amf4AhkBCznmOktZ54oiIQGx8IAA/s1600/Mailia+ECHO+post+stem+cells02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yAofY5Q9on1V2YVB0yd9qGwjNHzPx29gEyvPCO2sKLHCglK1H2-aHfk-qnW1wUYe6V4KMLKj2I0qvDUKKXLpDjISV6ZkVvOf60Lgn5tKwl_PUz6amf4AhkBCznmOktZ54oiIQGx8IAA/s320/Mailia+ECHO+post+stem+cells02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">For
the most part, this 2 hour consultation and follow up visit with Dr. Black went
extremely well and we are pleased with his opinions and observations concerning
Mailia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was quite hopeful that some
variant of surgery may be possible if the stem cell therapy allows for a marked
reduction in Mailia’s pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">He
stated in his report that assuming the stem cell therapy has a positive result,
that a 6-month window may be made available for possible surgical
intervention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If and when her PVR falls,
a fenestrated patch closure of her VSD, a pulmonary artery band like the one
Dr. Batista espouses for Eisenmengers, (see video at bottom of the Dr. Batista page) or a combination thereof may be possible
with the likely use of a pulmonary vasodilator. He would also consider a right
heart assistance device implantation should Mailia’s PVR remain unchanged
following this second round of stem cells.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">He
encouraged future office visits over the next 3-6 months with Mailia’s
cardiologist back home, Dr. Carl Garabedian…and that a repeat right heart cath
at 6 months would be needed which has now been scheduled for June 13<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup>,
2012. He told us the surgical options excluding the RHC are time limited
depending on the response of her pulmonary arteries to the autologous stem cell
therapy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">He
left us with the fact that the RVAD is the one option that we can visit at a
later time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That medical advances, both
technological and pharmacological may offer Mailia further options and hope
once available.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> He told us we</span> must be open to new
advances and push forward but remain cognizant of our mission of – Primum Non
Nocere. First do no harm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">We
also believe when Mailia is able to undergo a surgical repair, that it might be
beneficial for her to undergo another stem cell treatment afterwards. Because
of this, we spoke with Dr. Black about the financial ramifications this will
have upon our family with anticipated costs surrounding additional treatments
and mobilization not covered by our insurance. We discussed our ongoing
fundraising efforts and I asked him if he knew of any philanthropic avenues
that we could explore to help us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
said he did and his recommendation was that we do a video of Mailia telling her
story and journey which we plan to get done as soon as we can.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Back
to our visit…we gave hugs and gratitude and said our good-byes and got ourselves
headed back to Bonita Springs through Alligator Alley to spend a few days
getting Mailia rested for her flight and trip back home later the following
week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">We
got back to our beautiful condo to remind us once again of the incredible
generosity of Nahla and her family, Mailia was excited to see her little moorhen
friend Stanley swimming in the pond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
then touched base with everyone from our Regenocyte family, laid out all our
gratitude and counted all our blessing and then, called it a week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Next post...Mailia participates in a Naples fundraiser to benefit Mailia's Miracle and her nonprofit The Alliance for The Advancement of Adult Stem Cell Therapy and Research...fun times!~</span></div>
MailiasMiraclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06334694914317133151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5978731390479059014.post-72051606544471252372012-01-31T18:55:00.000-08:002012-01-31T19:12:18.555-08:00Mailia's 2nd Adult Stem Cell Transplant to Regenocytes Clinic in the Dominican Republic a Huge Success<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBpV46vWDDgTPSafYhyndRgGuXb1VI15ZLegjaxLAmJja8y1l9ZeZ10iMSC6KIhpVFpbigIayzfXNORgAzCHXSU-IgqHrhTGUMlvRBpbKMN6oHSER_5gaxOmXTHonZpJdeU424vlbBS-U/s1600/Miami+Airport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBpV46vWDDgTPSafYhyndRgGuXb1VI15ZLegjaxLAmJja8y1l9ZeZ10iMSC6KIhpVFpbigIayzfXNORgAzCHXSU-IgqHrhTGUMlvRBpbKMN6oHSER_5gaxOmXTHonZpJdeU424vlbBS-U/s320/Miami+Airport.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">We made great time, arriving at the Miami International airport with 3 hours to spare after leaving the beautiful Marriot Marco Island Resort at 5 in the morning. Max ditched Mailia and I at the curb where a wonderful porter helped us inside the terminal to get checked in while Max went to park our rental car for the week and raced back to find us.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Once checked in for our noon flight to Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic we made our way through security, the TSA folks all over Mailia…her wheel chair, portable oxygen and her cooler full of her important necessities, not to mention her pretend “stuffed” service dog….but mostly, her smile and sweet demeanor afforded her being delicately searched by the woman TSA agent who was very kind and congenial towards Mailia.<o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Our handicap assistant with American Airlines took care of Mailia, pushing her wheelchair and ushering us through the terminal through a maze of elevators and trains, to get to our boarding gate without much stress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a blessing that was, for it had been a year since our last trip and both Max and I had slept since then and most likely would have had an interesting outcome given our own devices on directions.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">We found a little French coffee shop close to our gate as we were exhausted and hungry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got Mailia a mocha and some pastries and Max and I some coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Max did not like the taste of his coffee so he opted to get a slice of pizza to wash away the taste he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggUR5Gt6fWc81AP55qCIAkGqYTIdg3ndvFD40QplzagMeK66j3BFBjmS5LanRtDHBmz5jj2J-apXztnxnrRQvjj6VYoyCMEhrnLjCgbtHER9tJYX0PxZAOt9tHOX5sLN70teJW7evV5K4/s1600/Mailia+on+plane03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggUR5Gt6fWc81AP55qCIAkGqYTIdg3ndvFD40QplzagMeK66j3BFBjmS5LanRtDHBmz5jj2J-apXztnxnrRQvjj6VYoyCMEhrnLjCgbtHER9tJYX0PxZAOt9tHOX5sLN70teJW7evV5K4/s320/Mailia+on+plane03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">We charged up our cell phones and Mailia’s laptop while waiting to be boarded and made the last few phone calls we would allow ourselves, as international calls can get rather expensive even with their plans while traveling abroad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We figured…we would have internet access at our hotel, and would communicate that way.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVzR9-_EayfOjN2vV9bhoDpzIBZslFZiTAyEq6ptUV1zH9Nr89zC-icrirdjlpwyyH2zHZJtTcEf8lVPTW1n5cCuua2i_ddbGxnchx7yHSk7w4qcsfLHLTWvjEwK6aytEIGFHlRagRuk/s1600/Mailia+on+plane04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVzR9-_EayfOjN2vV9bhoDpzIBZslFZiTAyEq6ptUV1zH9Nr89zC-icrirdjlpwyyH2zHZJtTcEf8lVPTW1n5cCuua2i_ddbGxnchx7yHSk7w4qcsfLHLTWvjEwK6aytEIGFHlRagRuk/s320/Mailia+on+plane04.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8gIYHZKkMHjJk1-gPJ15JrnhXy9KTY88SiDvWvq-vyi_ueoieRsZBX09a-qikGbwK7NvJFwHjNs-V-fXalv-hcehgtjOWgqLTVYsmtFVxi1MR4RN7tCzSCpPJ1NS6o5U-hQQuxdGcf8/s1600/Mailia+on+plane05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8gIYHZKkMHjJk1-gPJ15JrnhXy9KTY88SiDvWvq-vyi_ueoieRsZBX09a-qikGbwK7NvJFwHjNs-V-fXalv-hcehgtjOWgqLTVYsmtFVxi1MR4RN7tCzSCpPJ1NS6o5U-hQQuxdGcf8/s320/Mailia+on+plane05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Boarding was a breeze, we had a wonderful flight attendant with American Airlines who had pre boarded us and got Mailia settled in with her in flight oxygen this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We cranked the tank up to 6 liters per minute and Mailia was set to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While in flight, our attendant “Anne” came and mentioned that she had a first class passenger that declined his meal and wanted to know if Mailia would like to have it for lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mailia wasted no time in accepting this incredible gift…a tray with Ravioli, salad, bread rolls and cheese cake.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfiOoDI_P2so87pEZ7d9kapEY6S_jOVdozjDAMupOw0NTXgZLoKsN1Ug8farxb9w0fyVy_7HLSGshcyT3kGRprp03ij7MklfoRCsDu8JXRCdr-cir8K1tb6yLM1pxqRF3bkanUY2qIrvc/s1600/Mailia+on+plane01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfiOoDI_P2so87pEZ7d9kapEY6S_jOVdozjDAMupOw0NTXgZLoKsN1Ug8farxb9w0fyVy_7HLSGshcyT3kGRprp03ij7MklfoRCsDu8JXRCdr-cir8K1tb6yLM1pxqRF3bkanUY2qIrvc/s320/Mailia+on+plane01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Such a generous and kind gesture, all throughout our flight, Anna always checking in on Mailia and bringing her oxygen refills as needed. I wish I had got a picture of the two together.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1onjKPNdFwdoDyki23RAgxVqVC3ndQXoyLmB3yG92s-0UbPy7DTrRiNG_de3xQtqoeUiEytmpXeI7lyps8aPH0Vt0S9jkAoEoemcEYJs6vlydrF3lCb0kKunhyphenhyphen3o9sTpybPPxOPNlEEc/s1600/Mailia+on+plane06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1onjKPNdFwdoDyki23RAgxVqVC3ndQXoyLmB3yG92s-0UbPy7DTrRiNG_de3xQtqoeUiEytmpXeI7lyps8aPH0Vt0S9jkAoEoemcEYJs6vlydrF3lCb0kKunhyphenhyphen3o9sTpybPPxOPNlEEc/s320/Mailia+on+plane06.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Throughout our flight south to the Dominican…Mailia took many pictures of the Caribbean’s gorgeous blue green waters and islands, but when we finally arrived over the north part of the Dominican Republic, Mailia got her camera ready and positioned herself to take pictures of any and all baseball parks she could see on our approach into Santo Domingo.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">You see…baseball has always been and always will be one of Mailia’s favorite pastimes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has such a driven passion and enthusiasm for the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The players who come from the Dominican Republic every year to many of the minor league baseball stadiums throughout the U.S. are all very talented and come from these very humble beginnings.<o:p></o:p></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghGgtWo_0KuH3lRD46tirFmRZ8ZXxejqqbNIROROZVwykOfGBYB9QvRc6ilWTUOcV2AK9_tyTj2XkvGsgPQ3eWEhpxHT0G_BYwe6_ew-iWPvsxCtbB_XZ7VpMuCZNG7kFnxBGgNhz4N9E/s1600/Mailia+on+plane08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghGgtWo_0KuH3lRD46tirFmRZ8ZXxejqqbNIROROZVwykOfGBYB9QvRc6ilWTUOcV2AK9_tyTj2XkvGsgPQ3eWEhpxHT0G_BYwe6_ew-iWPvsxCtbB_XZ7VpMuCZNG7kFnxBGgNhz4N9E/s320/Mailia+on+plane08.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Mailia snapped some pictures of one very primitive field pictured here on the outskirts of one small community that resembled a camp. When we zoomed in on the photo…we could actually see players playing or practicing that afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is where is starts for them…or in neighborhoods with children hitting rocks with make shift sticks used as bats.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">This is similar to Albert Pujols story…who’s family was “dirt poor” and lived in a community like the one pictured here. Despite his meager surroundings, Albert grew up happy and well adjusted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has become one of the most respected and successful players in Baseball today.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Mailia also captured this amazing baseball complex closer to Santo Domingo, a FIVE-plexer!<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAFVL9jsnExp7V2A8KCtC5Hku_J_ybApzm03SKHdjpjIa3cvUwBV7fUgbDdmj_C114OA-zzOtFdkJSJQs0dDIEZHWdLp6zlb1KZFYLDUVpHj5uU4Hp4MB1-pMLdm3F1METDDDdndW4qXM/s1600/Mailia+on+plane07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAFVL9jsnExp7V2A8KCtC5Hku_J_ybApzm03SKHdjpjIa3cvUwBV7fUgbDdmj_C114OA-zzOtFdkJSJQs0dDIEZHWdLp6zlb1KZFYLDUVpHj5uU4Hp4MB1-pMLdm3F1METDDDdndW4qXM/s320/Mailia+on+plane07.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">When we arrived and taxied at the airport, we waited for folks to disembark and gathered up all our belongings and hooked Mailia up to her portable oxygen concentrator and found her wheelchair waiting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our porter in the DR…met us at the gate and accompanied us to customs and baggage where we finally met up with Yanely Acosta…our beautiful liaison with Regenocyte who would be our near constant companion for the next several days during our stay in the Dominican Republic.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqSreNsRvJ4RDmzmzqRFSz3tUY8xOcu6xyBTEGP-RguxcnJM_d57Yqp2myRDCAf2wVx6SyZwINFSUYbNKi-zzHzk0mCpKX0JIyy41R-R_dBN2OaXX5mr-C4xLe97FR6fwKT-l4YIxazY/s1600/Mailia+on+plane09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqSreNsRvJ4RDmzmzqRFSz3tUY8xOcu6xyBTEGP-RguxcnJM_d57Yqp2myRDCAf2wVx6SyZwINFSUYbNKi-zzHzk0mCpKX0JIyy41R-R_dBN2OaXX5mr-C4xLe97FR6fwKT-l4YIxazY/s320/Mailia+on+plane09.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihaHj8y3JgI2jqYBSAEFGd3nUWK79NrIVi3tR5dvhAyYtbS8_EoO4Deyee_ZloAsyMlxIu5jAKTTTWdof2hnpZ9kDE287nDmRYVDQ5RrvTCrayqS0tKlmEa5EN37cxmxrnBn294iOADWo/s1600/Mailia+eve+of+stem+cells08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihaHj8y3JgI2jqYBSAEFGd3nUWK79NrIVi3tR5dvhAyYtbS8_EoO4Deyee_ZloAsyMlxIu5jAKTTTWdof2hnpZ9kDE287nDmRYVDQ5RrvTCrayqS0tKlmEa5EN37cxmxrnBn294iOADWo/s320/Mailia+eve+of+stem+cells08.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Yanely had a nice suv this time, and quickly got us going and headed into town to get us checked in to our hotel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While in route…Mailia asked Yanely if they celebrated Halloween in the DR…as today we realized was October 30th and Mailia wanted to see some action…!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yanely said no…that unfortunately they did not have any recognition or celebration of Halloween…and right as she said that, we noticed as we were abruptly stopped by a police man at an intersection, there was a huge procession or parade coming towards us.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOH-XM_pFXEAI0wV8I3rq1youZ3bdYSkD7ps7y4EdscodN40rydgesHzfzznr7KLhUknbAXo9Ij3_I6aFBm29BcON2YPa5WPmQT1hDU-NcNyUj89uwU7kf1bfjQPwpPwbABAggaYnKT9g/s1600/Procession+for+Cardinals+BD02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOH-XM_pFXEAI0wV8I3rq1youZ3bdYSkD7ps7y4EdscodN40rydgesHzfzznr7KLhUknbAXo9Ij3_I6aFBm29BcON2YPa5WPmQT1hDU-NcNyUj89uwU7kf1bfjQPwpPwbABAggaYnKT9g/s320/Procession+for+Cardinals+BD02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></span> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">We heard Yanely converse with the policeman in Spanish…and she told us well….looks like we will have to wait here for a little bit. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This procession with take awhile since there is a visiting Cardinal here this week and today is his birthday and all the pilgrims in the city are celebrating….so to answer your question Mailia…yes, here is your Halloween sweetie!~<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is going to be just like Carnival so get your camera ready! Whooo-hooo!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3s1CFl1BfFBm-wU1TK2VTbbymwLJEOtpDw6kVU9WkXeiixmvR1NN-syU6IjjfHfKHUydjmFw9JDVj49Y39IKN09eT-SktUgC3AEKqiXUfIPgvx-VpO1vpIwtZwJMLNvuldDy4obqsmM/s1600/Procession+for+Cardinals+BD01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3s1CFl1BfFBm-wU1TK2VTbbymwLJEOtpDw6kVU9WkXeiixmvR1NN-syU6IjjfHfKHUydjmFw9JDVj49Y39IKN09eT-SktUgC3AEKqiXUfIPgvx-VpO1vpIwtZwJMLNvuldDy4obqsmM/s320/Procession+for+Cardinals+BD01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDG7dy7yPf3zUk-uj99nf6cPbMrWwUXmu-Z8iq0PZAZ5_uSZT5xsWGG8ONhMiayy8yJMVxNthxyB03H8IvW4p8MMo3CyheURxHqrMu64GJ8uZqtOpHyUY1bykJTgIKrobPzZO9MyO05z8/s1600/Procession+for+Cardinals+BD05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDG7dy7yPf3zUk-uj99nf6cPbMrWwUXmu-Z8iq0PZAZ5_uSZT5xsWGG8ONhMiayy8yJMVxNthxyB03H8IvW4p8MMo3CyheURxHqrMu64GJ8uZqtOpHyUY1bykJTgIKrobPzZO9MyO05z8/s320/Procession+for+Cardinals+BD05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Max and I were in tears laughing at her inside joke…but Mailia, bless her heart…was so excited and happy that again…God and the universe presented her with another amazing gift.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURj_yya5NxBKujPgAQd7VUp6RJNy_D1SdRvjoewmya8nS5LYseyS8S-69F_uAqzJIuRrNzjiz52y8R1md0bKfrY6sv4xru4-Cq4_xLCX9S-kU9Ir0aW36VpKj2r31eGwFmAAInTpU6rI/s1600/Procession+for+Cardinals+BD06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURj_yya5NxBKujPgAQd7VUp6RJNy_D1SdRvjoewmya8nS5LYseyS8S-69F_uAqzJIuRrNzjiz52y8R1md0bKfrY6sv4xru4-Cq4_xLCX9S-kU9Ir0aW36VpKj2r31eGwFmAAInTpU6rI/s320/Procession+for+Cardinals+BD06.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfp7tHi2-0NensG_vs5GI2Z1oT4ESAT0JoyyGX6zAmyAxMOJhrTOCe0jUWp_x0OFTeU1nEqBtxz8ynNJNFnxe7TS0Kse06NBgQBrz51IwF6VQtlNOPXnzkyd9BzEEVE7tejCuqOov29k/s1600/Procession+for+Cardinals+BD03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfp7tHi2-0NensG_vs5GI2Z1oT4ESAT0JoyyGX6zAmyAxMOJhrTOCe0jUWp_x0OFTeU1nEqBtxz8ynNJNFnxe7TS0Kse06NBgQBrz51IwF6VQtlNOPXnzkyd9BzEEVE7tejCuqOov29k/s320/Procession+for+Cardinals+BD03.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">We finally arrived at our hotel…the Intercontinental this time opting to give it a try, since we did not have the “real” SteelDust, Mailia’s little service dog that required our staying at the Hilton the prior year, the only place in the entire DR that accepted service dogs. Mailia was thrilled with the Intercontinental having plasma tv’s so she could use her wii to play her animal crossing and endless ocean games.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNlL40qXCL4QyxlKW2ztihEACpblryVIeGo6PlLTfGCkyRWI6GtIoFCBQ_DShIAeOCUzskGGnanjlDAepD45v-jSys8KSwQ_VRHn0qCmOL5jg2IrBvii_F7VSbWvbsAuk11hSdGyKTa8/s1600/FreeDay12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNlL40qXCL4QyxlKW2ztihEACpblryVIeGo6PlLTfGCkyRWI6GtIoFCBQ_DShIAeOCUzskGGnanjlDAepD45v-jSys8KSwQ_VRHn0qCmOL5jg2IrBvii_F7VSbWvbsAuk11hSdGyKTa8/s320/FreeDay12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">After we got checked in and settled into our suite…we were pretty hungry by that time and opted to eat at the hotel restaurant. Our dinner that first night…was unforgettable. Mailia celebrated by dressing in her Baseball themed costume, decked out with Le Freaks No.55 jersey and championship cap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sorry Cory…your 55 got left at home this time.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwyYMVZmd72TF2x8MnBIUYw2cvYVDGi97YfPf9LJBH0fQp9FHdhgfkvARRiOvz3Usj1SgfYLJq3k6NE0VfY-qDyeLtzKbosM692jgnihsqDWurGKBATnmU_RJYtlXKCOLOQsJrfZwvtU/s1600/FreeDay14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwyYMVZmd72TF2x8MnBIUYw2cvYVDGi97YfPf9LJBH0fQp9FHdhgfkvARRiOvz3Usj1SgfYLJq3k6NE0VfY-qDyeLtzKbosM692jgnihsqDWurGKBATnmU_RJYtlXKCOLOQsJrfZwvtU/s320/FreeDay14.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Mailia had a wonderful shrimp cocktail salad and main course.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxWZaWalX2G88pwVb-PFal8ZRPRESwQa2hp733IBF5HbBO1iKcv0UCmJssSzNNZ6R6agt6AcJSJpcX46TOACnca9OZCPHQWpT6kACg1qx5Zkhe5_NIar-5JzeQyPf-qa3wNexSbOYQcY/s1600/Hotel+photos05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxWZaWalX2G88pwVb-PFal8ZRPRESwQa2hp733IBF5HbBO1iKcv0UCmJssSzNNZ6R6agt6AcJSJpcX46TOACnca9OZCPHQWpT6kACg1qx5Zkhe5_NIar-5JzeQyPf-qa3wNexSbOYQcY/s320/Hotel+photos05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Max had a beautiful shrimp dish as well…and a potato like soup that is native to the DR.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVcrcS2duEt3V9htRih98glhLiCZVqYuNcx7GmaMihaOqWZJrd9HXz94WVQXqQm69G_QaaN_9GYJb9TLkSvHCUYLM6O88IsnxEo8MxNXebiddgmX2ozgOsDes-R8morP3HKa0yer6zTX8/s1600/Hotel+photos03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVcrcS2duEt3V9htRih98glhLiCZVqYuNcx7GmaMihaOqWZJrd9HXz94WVQXqQm69G_QaaN_9GYJb9TLkSvHCUYLM6O88IsnxEo8MxNXebiddgmX2ozgOsDes-R8morP3HKa0yer6zTX8/s320/Hotel+photos03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">My shrimp and papaya salad was divine…as the beef tenderloins cooked to perfection.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUl4v7yrrfwWyTCIiNYnCkFh2nrpiUBj4d07_qkhz7pfBBIPpcDhCitfEv9wFogYAXkbz_CB21p9ndrbeR3cSEpwQb6fBxwdDWQQ01a4amgz8375V6a5tQ7gjnKFxl88Gpvnt5nkP-658/s1600/Hotel+photos04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUl4v7yrrfwWyTCIiNYnCkFh2nrpiUBj4d07_qkhz7pfBBIPpcDhCitfEv9wFogYAXkbz_CB21p9ndrbeR3cSEpwQb6fBxwdDWQQ01a4amgz8375V6a5tQ7gjnKFxl88Gpvnt5nkP-658/s320/Hotel+photos04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">During our entire stay in the DR, we would only eat at the hotel restaurant to make sure we stayed clear of giardia or food poisoning and stuck strictly to bottled water. The staff at the restaurant was so very nice and helpful…making a point to learn about our visit to the DR for Mailia’s Adult Stem Cell procedure and to offer prayers and support in every way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are so very friendly in the DR…we so believe, you will get out of it…what you put into it. And everyday…we made it a point to be so very grateful and thankful to everyone there.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The following day Monday…was our free day and after breakfast, we met Yanely in the lobby who was poised to take Mailia to the oldest church in the America’s founded by Christopher Columbus, once again…to pray for her successful transplant tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivW0RXuxNABnfIiPswasnyx0uCRXgcxHvl0rj3Yc-eTAUbqVz0WZhWbSRqzEfYRSGBtGvg5MCTakHin8EPVw17WLLiL0tsiT4q2JdInTOHIUWHw1FsW58OvmNfr2UC9g0SFna2HRZvD2U/s1600/FreeDay01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivW0RXuxNABnfIiPswasnyx0uCRXgcxHvl0rj3Yc-eTAUbqVz0WZhWbSRqzEfYRSGBtGvg5MCTakHin8EPVw17WLLiL0tsiT4q2JdInTOHIUWHw1FsW58OvmNfr2UC9g0SFna2HRZvD2U/s320/FreeDay01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Unfortunately…as we got ready to park next to the church, we were told by security guards that the visiting Cardinal was conducting a very special mass…and that the church was closed to the public that day.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">So we left hoping to come back another time and I asked Yanely if we could possibly drive by a Baseball stadium to see about getting Mailia and her dad…a cap and souvenirs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our personal chaufer and tour guide Yanely…drove us all over the city and when I saw this sign at a local gas station…I really untruly got a sense of gratitude for our fuel prices back in the states.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the Dominican, it takes $37 pesos converted to be about $1 US dollar. You can do the math. It is very difficult for most people living here when fuel prices are so very high.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">After the sticker shock, we came around a corner and found a street vendor in front of the ball park selling her wares.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is where Yanely came in…to help with the bartering as Max and Mailia looked through a gazillion caps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the home favorite teams in Santo Domingo are the Aguilas Cibaeñas the Dominican equivalent to the NY Yankees. Mailia got the only cap with the AC logo embroidered on the front and a beautiful photo of a bald eagle head and the flag of the Dominican Republic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This cap…would not leave her head for the remainder of our entire trip.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmJsqq5FEtjQhMoGNYq5OFstdm9T3AmjgklcoRPmOSmhyVPUOjfXuyDEgdTFK8jfTAr_fbkJWlW6vn3O_z2in3gOfgiOf53Ae3gche8NMoPcJFLZXOgNRW-7LU3-ZPDlNgaDAWs91xjo/s1600/FreeDay03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmJsqq5FEtjQhMoGNYq5OFstdm9T3AmjgklcoRPmOSmhyVPUOjfXuyDEgdTFK8jfTAr_fbkJWlW6vn3O_z2in3gOfgiOf53Ae3gche8NMoPcJFLZXOgNRW-7LU3-ZPDlNgaDAWs91xjo/s320/FreeDay03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Not satisfied with a street vendor even after our wonderful booty…Yanely decided to drive around the front entrance of the ball Park and into the main parking lot where we were met by several security guards, some dressed in plain clothes and others in military fatigues. <o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">She asked them if there was a possibility that Mailia could take a peek at their park…as it was an day off for any games and the guards told Yanely…in Mailia’s case, that yes…they would make this exception but told us that there were many stairs to climb. A no win situation for Mailia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They offered to carry her in her wheelchair up the steep climb but we declined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yanely asked them if there was another location that would be easier for Mailia to gain access and they pointed to the rear of the ball park but would need to accompany us.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNeiAkZYN3pfEeH8liJaqCyDZY4fVG6JS0zgit5xrW114yGmiPYLwQ7o4V8RlkBZEEfh9LOWqbKqYuT3PkEJGxtXb4SGRkH8aGr7OvX6yzzwpJzQQuKxF7K1mI_tFusiBdqjh899221M/s1600/FreeDay04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNeiAkZYN3pfEeH8liJaqCyDZY4fVG6JS0zgit5xrW114yGmiPYLwQ7o4V8RlkBZEEfh9LOWqbKqYuT3PkEJGxtXb4SGRkH8aGr7OvX6yzzwpJzQQuKxF7K1mI_tFusiBdqjh899221M/s320/FreeDay04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">So with full security escort, even with their shot guns in tow…we drove around back and parked right next to a large gate/portal where Mailia could get out and watch some professional batting practice going on right before her.</span></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRfZ4PDZkishHD8L3Nw1BAijfTCmfh6RWBIhYXHfD__8tvftyWCVf4txKiGDiQc1u-pGo97XrPfyfkUlcP-xhOAWJMd23kaxHTLdgStwsVUftTzu6Yy7w8gfgMB-erbo34QMWTLjbGSrs/s1600/FreeDay08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRfZ4PDZkishHD8L3Nw1BAijfTCmfh6RWBIhYXHfD__8tvftyWCVf4txKiGDiQc1u-pGo97XrPfyfkUlcP-xhOAWJMd23kaxHTLdgStwsVUftTzu6Yy7w8gfgMB-erbo34QMWTLjbGSrs/s320/FreeDay08.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDX8UZ3o0uqQfcGrjbV4DErBaX-qUSthA6_C1iC0gJ-ITjBda_vrvnQH57nlqVvOTHAQFZP8FtiaP7faBQ9LsQmR0IJsyhl2ZzUBsLo2893MnieURHtj9BagoouifHjey5oz3zurCjCI/s1600/FreeDay05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDX8UZ3o0uqQfcGrjbV4DErBaX-qUSthA6_C1iC0gJ-ITjBda_vrvnQH57nlqVvOTHAQFZP8FtiaP7faBQ9LsQmR0IJsyhl2ZzUBsLo2893MnieURHtj9BagoouifHjey5oz3zurCjCI/s320/FreeDay05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">One of the players after seeing us and Mailia…decided to pop one right to her in right field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Talk about rejoicing!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBPunCNZzTMkVH-C0QXTAg1inaGjzG9az2rCB28deSwHWWpyU70369mdsnx5V2HYVOcLD018JzujnZCcf5GFjpVDPY_Xw7-R9vyO0A2R3TlmlqWHL8UY0AvVMJ66ql3qHs5l8uwe-_nk/s1600/FreeDay07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBPunCNZzTMkVH-C0QXTAg1inaGjzG9az2rCB28deSwHWWpyU70369mdsnx5V2HYVOcLD018JzujnZCcf5GFjpVDPY_Xw7-R9vyO0A2R3TlmlqWHL8UY0AvVMJ66ql3qHs5l8uwe-_nk/s320/FreeDay07.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">One of the security guards also found another ball behind a batting cage and gave it to Mailia.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JX8lBTnwGFWEFM5UadHEbeMMzTuKD7XJfzXxnJhIUW_mtxY2xSHBfXfWIQ6Lh0-3QtCJiqdlO_hsV9refHiA_eR26Tk-LIdMCPaebKuGTeY09huUj36-SEB1ZN0-E_R_0MkXs51217E/s1600/FreeDay10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JX8lBTnwGFWEFM5UadHEbeMMzTuKD7XJfzXxnJhIUW_mtxY2xSHBfXfWIQ6Lh0-3QtCJiqdlO_hsV9refHiA_eR26Tk-LIdMCPaebKuGTeY09huUj36-SEB1ZN0-E_R_0MkXs51217E/s320/FreeDay10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">This was the first Pro baseball park Mailia has ever set foot in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We knew…just like the dolphin encounter she had in Florida with Winter and Panama…this would afford her such happiness and healing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">As we loaded her up, we took this snap shot of a unique billboard they have in this park, that has what looks to be people or fans sitting way up on top of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amazing.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEe9ysTuOCS_w3IhmtSV0rIFQaCu_hjsieZhM4CZBefex6b3Vyv-gvVkbsyO7vCwpg0DaugiqJ7O9bPCzAICPAkwzKilhBhzkYM11Bb_2mz5iBE55nz_ZIVyhqjWo8H3a4cahykBxmvI/s1600/FreeDay06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEe9ysTuOCS_w3IhmtSV0rIFQaCu_hjsieZhM4CZBefex6b3Vyv-gvVkbsyO7vCwpg0DaugiqJ7O9bPCzAICPAkwzKilhBhzkYM11Bb_2mz5iBE55nz_ZIVyhqjWo8H3a4cahykBxmvI/s320/FreeDay06.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">We got escorted back to the park’s entrance and we thanked and tipped out guides profusely…hoping that maybe someday, Mailia will be able to attend a real live game here.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">On our way back to the Intercontinental, Yanely pointed out this truck she was following and started laughing as she had never run across such a thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A mobile billboard of a wedding business hauling a real live wedding cake in the back of this pickup truck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only in the D.R.!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZO0busWPYqDF9fGHOJ8UGSvpqA1X3xNkpKDmoJoMdNn_YgC_a_fIjr_f10LrAJe89cmKY4Rro6W8ndbQr53EqFWwLN2CTjRL0e6bMqDOARwJJqA_OB2ul5aRUhfZ4rJ3nspXNknez_s/s1600/FreeDay11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZO0busWPYqDF9fGHOJ8UGSvpqA1X3xNkpKDmoJoMdNn_YgC_a_fIjr_f10LrAJe89cmKY4Rro6W8ndbQr53EqFWwLN2CTjRL0e6bMqDOARwJJqA_OB2ul5aRUhfZ4rJ3nspXNknez_s/s320/FreeDay11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Back to our room to rest and have an early dinner, for Mailia was told to eat light and get plenty of rest for her procedure the next day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yanely told us that she would be picking us up at 11:00 a.m. to take us to the hospital and then be off to the airport to pick up Regenocyte’s courier coming in from Israel with Mailia’s new stem cells…and later, fetching both Dr. Grekos and Greg Finley from Regenocyte who would be flying in for Mailia’s procedure on another flight. Those are the stressful and busy days for Yanely…coordinating patient, courier and doctor pickups and deliveries amongst other duties in such a busy and bustling city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is an incredible woman and beautiful dear soul. God we love her!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36Xrq8pDEF83vm5cw2zcxvVe5gMxWqEo4SY4KVCeinrILgwemTpZpzjMnCZNvm3WNvlIzDiu7qD0E_DMffLtHi0_geFvPl3UgxRZ7B6_NwwOfo7btJG2GKyzM2YcQOjSPLTfjDOufZF4/s1600/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36Xrq8pDEF83vm5cw2zcxvVe5gMxWqEo4SY4KVCeinrILgwemTpZpzjMnCZNvm3WNvlIzDiu7qD0E_DMffLtHi0_geFvPl3UgxRZ7B6_NwwOfo7btJG2GKyzM2YcQOjSPLTfjDOufZF4/s320/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">We gathered for breakfast the following morning, Mailia could not have anything after 9:00 am so she was not very hungry…mostly anxious and excited but managed a few bites of fruit and pastries. Yanely met us for breakfast and coffee and then, said goodbye to all the wonderful staff and headed for the hospital.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I gave Yanely all of Mailia’s medical records to give to the doctor who would be in charge of admitting Mailia and staying with her THE ENTIRE TIME while she was in their care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dr. Karina Fernandez pictured here with Mailia and pretend SteelDust.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9LFHsVqYmIhalpLGGikZ8LaCGwoq_Rb3RP-pTWLGgWcQWDCXrhRcsuGEUUVa2zjLdpyZuG703KB3V93iF1_2FqSzTCOGlt2ksmjaKPGAg5lwSQqjSs3cvXQ8WUm4L6imytRhBhieThE/s1600/Mailia+and+Karina1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9LFHsVqYmIhalpLGGikZ8LaCGwoq_Rb3RP-pTWLGgWcQWDCXrhRcsuGEUUVa2zjLdpyZuG703KB3V93iF1_2FqSzTCOGlt2ksmjaKPGAg5lwSQqjSs3cvXQ8WUm4L6imytRhBhieThE/s320/Mailia+and+Karina1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">We got introduced to the new cath labs recovery room that had recently been remodeled by the hospital (Centro Cardiovascular Dominicano) and it looked like Mailia was scheduled to be the only patient there that day.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Dr. Karina had us wheel Mailia over to radiology to get a chest x-ray and after getting back to her room, we got Mailia settled in and changed into her wonderful hospital gown…she still, was not about to give up her baseball cap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The nurses came in and prepped her for an I.V. and got her hooked up to all the monitors.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLKqZdBvJwsosJVS6RTkKon-d6J2LFB8C28nlrB4_Jw56AVX7Jk7jUctRtwKKphzk4dY9_2-m43fYNg_mG5MvQNHptC-K22b_XuQR9dsWOSqL1DplxQPieED-dYsctwnY1aLl0-FFier4/s1600/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLKqZdBvJwsosJVS6RTkKon-d6J2LFB8C28nlrB4_Jw56AVX7Jk7jUctRtwKKphzk4dY9_2-m43fYNg_mG5MvQNHptC-K22b_XuQR9dsWOSqL1DplxQPieED-dYsctwnY1aLl0-FFier4/s320/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant07.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Then…Mailia’s doctors started to arrive one by one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dr. Roberto Fernandez De Castro and Dr. Hector Rosario Figueroa, both Interventional Cardiologists and right behind them, Dr. Zannos Grekos and our anesthesiologist with cell phone in tow…Victor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">It was about 2:30 and after our greetings we went about our ways to find our surgical scrubs to change and ready ourselves for Mailia’s second…adult stem cell transplant.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwVt0i6P4eAjZcoRZPuikmxfT3Qp8NnROrhD2cOiidXV0KCD6sen725CFnIWxpNE9vYDZOX9zXdX7gw7UAHeQLYt4s1KQ-abUflXy8m2Ls-Lu1Jey1y3vuVFArPTaNlY9ctMQy5yNXRg/s1600/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwVt0i6P4eAjZcoRZPuikmxfT3Qp8NnROrhD2cOiidXV0KCD6sen725CFnIWxpNE9vYDZOX9zXdX7gw7UAHeQLYt4s1KQ-abUflXy8m2Ls-Lu1Jey1y3vuVFArPTaNlY9ctMQy5yNXRg/s320/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjAoTFgp0eSgyxWdAHvhMtLsh5b7yWKHk5KLxrYu3qEqYAuKLOoZilGjKtE-WY4u0bTf5WP7AM2hr55u0mN297WaJ22eYhyjPocRLR0L7qIvywbQEvCTC_XTcaOskEy8mvNYbNVCemQ4/s1600/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjAoTFgp0eSgyxWdAHvhMtLsh5b7yWKHk5KLxrYu3qEqYAuKLOoZilGjKtE-WY4u0bTf5WP7AM2hr55u0mN297WaJ22eYhyjPocRLR0L7qIvywbQEvCTC_XTcaOskEy8mvNYbNVCemQ4/s320/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Back in the room, we took time to joke around with Mailia and lighten things up…with some photos and pranks lovingly provided by her adopted uncles…Greg Finley and Dr. Grekos. Yanely also joined us for a bit and then…they came to get Mailia to roll her into the Cath lab.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgouLS7V1A8HoONWjNxlt-K9i-_Cdo3Od2fQyR7O3XA4BB_NdTxdkoGz_y3jb-NLbKBQpPbG1QyicGc_0G-lUdawqjL6ndxJlxZ6fVRi_93gYTaGE-pFVksOGDTlTVBilEUGRcFXLjS06g/s1600/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgouLS7V1A8HoONWjNxlt-K9i-_Cdo3Od2fQyR7O3XA4BB_NdTxdkoGz_y3jb-NLbKBQpPbG1QyicGc_0G-lUdawqjL6ndxJlxZ6fVRi_93gYTaGE-pFVksOGDTlTVBilEUGRcFXLjS06g/s320/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7aHADaEAO34wSx-4W2-0HG_Ag3K0-JHr5tKpxoGGTg2b_x1oq1uVsXarLFDXvM_3WcEqcrOa4iyDJHXJ6qbl-i14MzP7pctoBhE-9Yv8dy6DFMegV54reuFen4LX0XBEPNqF_aMKnJx0/s1600/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7aHADaEAO34wSx-4W2-0HG_Ag3K0-JHr5tKpxoGGTg2b_x1oq1uVsXarLFDXvM_3WcEqcrOa4iyDJHXJ6qbl-i14MzP7pctoBhE-9Yv8dy6DFMegV54reuFen4LX0XBEPNqF_aMKnJx0/s320/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP4Gz4RXkYInSi77phPTqjPH-5ksl2nOjgrFp0ZBDbV5TjS_Wx4rKKGmYxSkjMW3CKVGW1uXQqiquFiJ7kx3-mX5fZqpL7i1fupO5-spA6af1NfyuV32L00TctvmxJBvhhyqx7pP5-SzY/s1600/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP4Gz4RXkYInSi77phPTqjPH-5ksl2nOjgrFp0ZBDbV5TjS_Wx4rKKGmYxSkjMW3CKVGW1uXQqiquFiJ7kx3-mX5fZqpL7i1fupO5-spA6af1NfyuV32L00TctvmxJBvhhyqx7pP5-SzY/s320/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant08.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguiripqdM7_WOTRpT8l65jH3Ibph3ICrbCLTFdOgt7yeTdJG9cjpfKwrlrrKCoMnlkQfV6lAGP_7sGyGk-bSNSsxpsTmEUy6XEoAJKhzr0sVOAALcPbaNXBHpVVVqOtlPiIbLlFGnM60g/s1600/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguiripqdM7_WOTRpT8l65jH3Ibph3ICrbCLTFdOgt7yeTdJG9cjpfKwrlrrKCoMnlkQfV6lAGP_7sGyGk-bSNSsxpsTmEUy6XEoAJKhzr0sVOAALcPbaNXBHpVVVqOtlPiIbLlFGnM60g/s320/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant09.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOVehm-m8QkHrOnXBIQGQyUbVz3t1mhsuEK0semqznMmARjG6Hct-PUoHlZoyqPQ7naV5C__Cw9zKXslxvfaocxFT9o5wksjCBMOO0VSTbI9qbW_FA0KLJomccWMuEHXGUjlf4onWNUc/s1600/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOVehm-m8QkHrOnXBIQGQyUbVz3t1mhsuEK0semqznMmARjG6Hct-PUoHlZoyqPQ7naV5C__Cw9zKXslxvfaocxFT9o5wksjCBMOO0VSTbI9qbW_FA0KLJomccWMuEHXGUjlf4onWNUc/s320/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant10.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I was a little miffed at Victor as he managed to pick and snag my favorite purple scrubs unlike last time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beggars should not be choosers I guess. The cath lab was fluttering with activity…Spanish, English…and even Spanglish with everyone there…taking their orders from Dr. Fernandez who so eloquently choreographed this miracle in the making.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1KZeKRB74cEW1ZCQYH7zybA7Evn5LCha0heS4NK53aO1Hoj2oZfe7uF2FahmmKYFme1HI0wuiWceFxFsnoNavkmJRdy4JjnyIJtmTPGQ4-N3yPEKxWHRKrUpukNDt55nOyzjDqyjLW9c/s1600/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant11.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1KZeKRB74cEW1ZCQYH7zybA7Evn5LCha0heS4NK53aO1Hoj2oZfe7uF2FahmmKYFme1HI0wuiWceFxFsnoNavkmJRdy4JjnyIJtmTPGQ4-N3yPEKxWHRKrUpukNDt55nOyzjDqyjLW9c/s320/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant11.2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Mailia was a little apprehensive about the anesthesia and being unconscious this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She started to become so adamant about staying awake for this procedure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the stem cell delivery this time being different from the last…it was imperative that she remain still and knocked out so there would be no complications.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4jewNTewoGgXjHOYCSJM5GwUGDtp7dPP2-9Cu6MxUOMgzMQ_VWZ4_9mTie4JeCrfBTKjXL83O62JFUGSCrKLks3k6kygCWvodAb2j5_CBprusm68BHdA1jSxWwRxzTHRA-MfTOP4hPQ/s1600/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant11.3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4jewNTewoGgXjHOYCSJM5GwUGDtp7dPP2-9Cu6MxUOMgzMQ_VWZ4_9mTie4JeCrfBTKjXL83O62JFUGSCrKLks3k6kygCWvodAb2j5_CBprusm68BHdA1jSxWwRxzTHRA-MfTOP4hPQ/s320/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant11.3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib3ohkDUaTTOEfvomwsrS6Oqa3LB25eD9MQt4fRDgzDyoWZ8GknkbsJUdDW11OyNrmROFsPGx6tdWEtLD5j29zIUJ0JMVGAOqol2sbPU2LARgTOW2cdO19CqfB3w0Pr2YKoiVhhvfp1dQ/s1600/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant11.4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib3ohkDUaTTOEfvomwsrS6Oqa3LB25eD9MQt4fRDgzDyoWZ8GknkbsJUdDW11OyNrmROFsPGx6tdWEtLD5j29zIUJ0JMVGAOqol2sbPU2LARgTOW2cdO19CqfB3w0Pr2YKoiVhhvfp1dQ/s320/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant11.4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Victor did his magic and kept a watch on her vitals and oxygen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stayed on Mailia’s port side and held her hand and spoke to her throughout the procedure, at times…restraining her involuntary movements.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-79EavWPn6L4YlAc3faU0Q4JCmvQYKXJ2HC-O-0qn0yBa6dB23X5uLyU-pGLqA_yxbAYQxIn9kv0KCWq9kIRc0SNClNZWbfKxtNcx-E2JWpxkJlNb_3Nm1tDwwin0TyJn6VjsijqGdhk/s1600/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant11.8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-79EavWPn6L4YlAc3faU0Q4JCmvQYKXJ2HC-O-0qn0yBa6dB23X5uLyU-pGLqA_yxbAYQxIn9kv0KCWq9kIRc0SNClNZWbfKxtNcx-E2JWpxkJlNb_3Nm1tDwwin0TyJn6VjsijqGdhk/s320/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant11.8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAK_UdlrpNNR5oEwgFwOvtmlMKqee8UhLgewcHyJQVLA0KgqLMlFWBSZAfPpYPqR0rfaM6iPcoAMPHAuj4NirrScvzN6LgGchutHHXaUIRiq_To7W4uqDoYGzfqul6tYol0meJ0z6ldg4/s1600/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAK_UdlrpNNR5oEwgFwOvtmlMKqee8UhLgewcHyJQVLA0KgqLMlFWBSZAfPpYPqR0rfaM6iPcoAMPHAuj4NirrScvzN6LgGchutHHXaUIRiq_To7W4uqDoYGzfqul6tYol0meJ0z6ldg4/s320/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant13.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9KAZsa2JCahxR1nKW26GaRmavA3-a8A0_PgDlVGI2H-I2ZqlCCWvwCt8ZqRlCrSTu8jGDy0M6qwFllCwnAS5Q77GPYKoiqZ_ABJFcggB4cBu4pB65uadPXljroCe2Bp-65nxyqNEw428/s1600/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9KAZsa2JCahxR1nKW26GaRmavA3-a8A0_PgDlVGI2H-I2ZqlCCWvwCt8ZqRlCrSTu8jGDy0M6qwFllCwnAS5Q77GPYKoiqZ_ABJFcggB4cBu4pB65uadPXljroCe2Bp-65nxyqNEw428/s320/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Dr. Rosario….who was at the helm driving these catheters in place, did a phenomenal job this time and with every injection of stem cells inflated a balloon to hold the stem cells in place, for three minutes at a time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-tQOj9SMmHjFJnCaNawU-yEhym5t6GuvRHz3b8fF9XhfWwLQWHN5cPh3jI5AIxYGmFTuWkbMk2_rsNfeJAqKWM5aalOPoR-pqY0PIh1RrHh7_heF0TBOjmnUYn3qcMkqNWo9O5Eupi0/s1600/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-tQOj9SMmHjFJnCaNawU-yEhym5t6GuvRHz3b8fF9XhfWwLQWHN5cPh3jI5AIxYGmFTuWkbMk2_rsNfeJAqKWM5aalOPoR-pqY0PIh1RrHh7_heF0TBOjmnUYn3qcMkqNWo9O5Eupi0/s320/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant17.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">During this three minute interval…both men would back away from the table, sit down and watch the monitors with their arms crossed as seen here. This was the only way I could tell, when they would be done with each branch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There would be three to the left lung…and three to the right lung.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqraNlnCVrSDfhUyfWT5joUVEHOTJqYogHDxyiPtdyPZxpByHgOGR6DjfWvFzN0f5uOZxxGVgJNH8bhxOyrusb-7WmGtyfwCkGjixZR4rC2VNv5e1N5dtKTpH5YNaspmbXDxBMxcrvhCw/s1600/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqraNlnCVrSDfhUyfWT5joUVEHOTJqYogHDxyiPtdyPZxpByHgOGR6DjfWvFzN0f5uOZxxGVgJNH8bhxOyrusb-7WmGtyfwCkGjixZR4rC2VNv5e1N5dtKTpH5YNaspmbXDxBMxcrvhCw/s320/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant20.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Max congregated with the rest of the crew in the cath lab’s observation and monitoring room. He and Greg were in charge of photographing and videotaping for procedural documentation of Mailia’s stem cell transplant.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0d0nmOEm7DE4v9wQJAKtLnA7PdR1s2QMuMP6b9aio2ZfD6wlSVLrQ5C3i2J1HSkRYaMW4Uy8QwA2N8TwE6uSKcBGF65daEwld5l0HS63MXce6IOhMMHSAhiG5ftYFrZr-B00WDzFtGvg/s1600/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant11.9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0d0nmOEm7DE4v9wQJAKtLnA7PdR1s2QMuMP6b9aio2ZfD6wlSVLrQ5C3i2J1HSkRYaMW4Uy8QwA2N8TwE6uSKcBGF65daEwld5l0HS63MXce6IOhMMHSAhiG5ftYFrZr-B00WDzFtGvg/s320/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant11.9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1_MnfPaaLppWxZ6eDu9HZ6k8bZKFXNH59PUnGHUISJ7GWAoAuvVGV1o38hbEGoVmJqFomFdBMBzGcq05VoTcjrqJ6Efr1GKMEhphkK4VtnKQWu_nETKp-55tngplyr7zZviLZx22z0rM/s1600/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant11.7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1_MnfPaaLppWxZ6eDu9HZ6k8bZKFXNH59PUnGHUISJ7GWAoAuvVGV1o38hbEGoVmJqFomFdBMBzGcq05VoTcjrqJ6Efr1GKMEhphkK4VtnKQWu_nETKp-55tngplyr7zZviLZx22z0rM/s320/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant11.7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3pL5v6PEx0NvOpeAQUnHz5Z_xyotj9M_jA3caPaS_hQuqKbuWGgayBJZLYbAg_PmK_UxCDQ1zBiLRdsbNSy5YC46LVghN2zsp5uSp3hl8LT5_kDqg5BdX_Uu1B7r8OyPNxe7WidZOag/s1600/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3pL5v6PEx0NvOpeAQUnHz5Z_xyotj9M_jA3caPaS_hQuqKbuWGgayBJZLYbAg_PmK_UxCDQ1zBiLRdsbNSy5YC46LVghN2zsp5uSp3hl8LT5_kDqg5BdX_Uu1B7r8OyPNxe7WidZOag/s320/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant14.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS50GTAIT_NS5_y1iiBNAlbBeA1zuxKlfu-eALdCy9KRzKZkLThzwC-fJHrfObiB5eZVbJDhN9aHsrYWV8KvCHrggHVTdCx87TFf0yb1aJAU5P0QCUj2RdsBAf74I-nx3fhwUXJSi0A7Q/s1600/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS50GTAIT_NS5_y1iiBNAlbBeA1zuxKlfu-eALdCy9KRzKZkLThzwC-fJHrfObiB5eZVbJDhN9aHsrYWV8KvCHrggHVTdCx87TFf0yb1aJAU5P0QCUj2RdsBAf74I-nx3fhwUXJSi0A7Q/s320/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant15.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Approximately 50 minutes after they started, Mailia’s last stem cell delivery was completed. I could not believe how quickly and smoothly it went this time unlike the two hours it took during her first stem cell transplant.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Dr. Grekos pointed out…she is a different person now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is able to tolerate the invasiveness because she has gotten stronger.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">They held pressure on her femoral artery and Victor worked to get her back to full consciousness. I went and grabbed some bandaging I had brought with me from Regenocyte’s clinic in Florida and gave it to our nurse to use on Mailia.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOIdaGX5Xa2SMgYR8PQUv3yNTMQrkj0SU4evzT1Fs263r17gtIX-D2YSsL4TlhtBnFfQQEF3OQsda_0_Bkc-paIFkqX4JZXvDD623zsEEsFG29IzZ-l4haCAzAQxG8fYPJax6nKXuERDE/s1600/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOIdaGX5Xa2SMgYR8PQUv3yNTMQrkj0SU4evzT1Fs263r17gtIX-D2YSsL4TlhtBnFfQQEF3OQsda_0_Bkc-paIFkqX4JZXvDD623zsEEsFG29IzZ-l4haCAzAQxG8fYPJax6nKXuERDE/s320/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant21.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">When we got our precious Mailia back to her recovery room, she was not a happy camper as seen here compared to her before pictures earlier. She was still so very groggy and a bit uncomfortable which was to be expected.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlqtmVbYTAB5Ul7AvTGYRNeR6sHoEUg1p1Pb9dBPZKXP86elvyIaD6nNFbTThhNOu1bJ2p2VqAfZJTbFvWZ7VPA_mt6kfDwdmRoaLdKLaXr8hPx3euzKJgJjv9pXCRt2pMXaUuZYVXZE/s1600/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlqtmVbYTAB5Ul7AvTGYRNeR6sHoEUg1p1Pb9dBPZKXP86elvyIaD6nNFbTThhNOu1bJ2p2VqAfZJTbFvWZ7VPA_mt6kfDwdmRoaLdKLaXr8hPx3euzKJgJjv9pXCRt2pMXaUuZYVXZE/s320/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant19.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">After visiting with the doctors, Max and I thanked everyone so very much knowing that this second treatment for Mailia, was truly going to help make a difference in her overall pressures and lung vasculature healing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Dr. Grekos told me that Mailia needed to stay the night in the hospital as it was already 5 p.m. and to make arrangements with Yanely to come fetch Mailia and I in the morning. Max would go back to our hotel with Greg and Dr. Grekos and enjoy dinner and a nice relaxing evening before they would fly back to Florida tomorrow afternoon.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Dr. Karina helped me get Mailia all taken care of while later that evening, we would wait for Yanely to bring Mailia pizza from Pizza Hut for dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mailia ate half the pizza all by herself…she was famished! We watched a couple of movies on her laptop and when Dr. Karina came back into the room to stay with us, she helped me push one of the beds closer to Mailia’s and with all the pillows and blankets we could muster, she too…settled in with us for the night. Just like an old time “slumber party”…as it should be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so humbled and grateful that night…counting our blessings and so very proud of Mailia and her incredible strength and courage to have endured such an amazing journey thus far.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">At 4 a.m. as promised, Dr. Karina awoke us both and we got the nurses in to take Mailia’s I.V. out so she could gimp over to the restroom and get dressed and ready to head back to our hotel. Yanely was there at 5 a.m. like clockwork, and got us all loaded and headed back to the hotel.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What a blessed morning that was to be…not a lot of traffic on the roads. Back at the Intercontinental…I was dying for a cup of café con leche so went down to the restaurant and fetched my lifesaver before they opened. Everyone asking…how is Mailia with their beautiful smiles.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">By 9 a.m. Max, Mailia and I ventured down to the restaurant to meet Dr. Grekos and Greg for breakfast and a quick goodbye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxARXavIjfj48zAlDhAWZi_QA7tEDQgrFXOXMJV41SZl5SogZCeeIE2kqYzM3va-tMHd__XxePbYT6LKvrI213OAMcsrEVV248av-X4K5BkMxJKx0QSmjY4fNmwCQnFaz-tSN4VTzlyNk/s1600/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxARXavIjfj48zAlDhAWZi_QA7tEDQgrFXOXMJV41SZl5SogZCeeIE2kqYzM3va-tMHd__XxePbYT6LKvrI213OAMcsrEVV248av-X4K5BkMxJKx0QSmjY4fNmwCQnFaz-tSN4VTzlyNk/s320/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant25.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhda2p3fECvuLC_-wcxmoW5tl1ulOBTYoDrXaTvmhxNKtGjM6luI1YjiIgy5QHBYiS5Jtjl8gLLAlKCnGgVJM-ZS890BkEjxkrjV6qZZWyQn7Jt2nl5C9wzfN54DT_LTxXXmfaZZ6sP6sQ/s1600/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhda2p3fECvuLC_-wcxmoW5tl1ulOBTYoDrXaTvmhxNKtGjM6luI1YjiIgy5QHBYiS5Jtjl8gLLAlKCnGgVJM-ZS890BkEjxkrjV6qZZWyQn7Jt2nl5C9wzfN54DT_LTxXXmfaZZ6sP6sQ/s320/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant26.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIO61zweMXJoq_7f7EDluCIGvdPNzcbwAk_6IoLasD9e6sU0R7cquh6B-QWmAJSLtzJ0KbJ9GrOn0E4m0JqZfJjJqB7Tth1VtIQPtXdd8UOOXFHTTuFnFYwV_d2Oymiio9cV1z2K4aiYw/s1600/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIO61zweMXJoq_7f7EDluCIGvdPNzcbwAk_6IoLasD9e6sU0R7cquh6B-QWmAJSLtzJ0KbJ9GrOn0E4m0JqZfJjJqB7Tth1VtIQPtXdd8UOOXFHTTuFnFYwV_d2Oymiio9cV1z2K4aiYw/s320/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant23.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2zgVhq6FqXRzQjJevKRZWX6hMZ6P_Z-kVak-KIr05AupQW43pio614r6iv_rkHUjD0ftt9-0YC5YpfJNUSb6zb1IO9rvDdT_G6PWaW_jmFGPk5jZ-Mce7xoBEcWs_92W-GSz_bcdZwY/s1600/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2zgVhq6FqXRzQjJevKRZWX6hMZ6P_Z-kVak-KIr05AupQW43pio614r6iv_rkHUjD0ftt9-0YC5YpfJNUSb6zb1IO9rvDdT_G6PWaW_jmFGPk5jZ-Mce7xoBEcWs_92W-GSz_bcdZwY/s320/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant24.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">We discussed the procedure and what our expectations were. We told them we would fly out tomorrow Nov.3 back to Miami then head north to West Palm Beach for Mailia’s appointment the next day with heart surgeon Dr. Michael Black.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After our visit with him, we would then be returning back to Bonita Springs to rest Mailia and catch up with them for a few days.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfyi9JKBzzRl0xrp5hkbMNjHAJ8WAqnvp0jR0UKBui8veUPEgN8nfuV3yPQTcNNGjvVzCb0xsRgP_gEjcdYBlQQYczKDlVFHbzgWvEAqAsSX8GQOUQVBDaOzJjIn5rcpdhO5GhjOs7S1w/s1600/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfyi9JKBzzRl0xrp5hkbMNjHAJ8WAqnvp0jR0UKBui8veUPEgN8nfuV3yPQTcNNGjvVzCb0xsRgP_gEjcdYBlQQYczKDlVFHbzgWvEAqAsSX8GQOUQVBDaOzJjIn5rcpdhO5GhjOs7S1w/s320/Day+of+Stem+Cell+X-plant29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">After our goodbyes, we took Mailia back to the room to rest and relax where she played on her wii and I got busy with packing and cleaning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yanely kept checking in with us and wanted to see if Mailia would be interested in attending a baseball game that evening since the Aguilas were back home again and it was destined to be a great game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yanely’s boyfriend had been given tickets to a whole front row behind home plate. We sadly declined, as it looked like a monsoon had positioned itself in the west and we did not want to put Mailia in jeopardy so we opted to stay at the hotel…and just have a nice last supper and watch the game from the comfort of our room on the TV.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Upon finishing dinner we said our goodbyes and thanked everyone dearly for their wonderful help and service to us and Mailia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We decided to take Mailia out back of the hotel by the pool to see where they had set up earlier in the day, an area where they were going to have a traditional folklore event about the traditions of the Dominican Republic.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvM6rG3PyG9LTf_4B0Y8UVVlegyjrL1AVajyDxQ_iErxZvliY4JK1UnVJqRskkpvB6K81SOhiAGyeJlFo0QqadBR-w95o1PeuODcT0AxE8M2r94Na1N5h88mhV6mp6hCxqmKqJxXw2moM/s1600/Dancers01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvM6rG3PyG9LTf_4B0Y8UVVlegyjrL1AVajyDxQ_iErxZvliY4JK1UnVJqRskkpvB6K81SOhiAGyeJlFo0QqadBR-w95o1PeuODcT0AxE8M2r94Na1N5h88mhV6mp6hCxqmKqJxXw2moM/s320/Dancers01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">A band of musicians set up playing beautiful meringue and calypso music and dancers came out in droves…leaving only a short while to go change costumes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mailia was thrilled to see them and enjoyed this so very much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told her that this was for her benefit to remember the gracious and beautiful people of this country and all they have offered her in her incredible journey to becoming healed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They too, are part of her miracle.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadIEdkEl4_bx72eaI8mqO_PKphypAXjqWXRF9vcs9jUxCZ83pEtf1IAa_tyIsmbhU65Ix354m-w4UwI77LPGD8SQ0W2CSIA64HXAQlJZEJmUUoGDtQ5abztlDJGSTqcyY9k6zgN6mAl4/s1600/Procession+for+Cardinals+BD07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadIEdkEl4_bx72eaI8mqO_PKphypAXjqWXRF9vcs9jUxCZ83pEtf1IAa_tyIsmbhU65Ix354m-w4UwI77LPGD8SQ0W2CSIA64HXAQlJZEJmUUoGDtQ5abztlDJGSTqcyY9k6zgN6mAl4/s320/Procession+for+Cardinals+BD07.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I pray we will be back to visit this beautiful place someday, if not for another round of stem cells then maybe to give back in some way. We also wish to thank everyone who has patiently waited for this late and heartfelt update, one we could not have accomplished without the help, support and prayers from our wonderful team of doctors & staff, family and friends, of Mailia’s Miracle.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">But most of all…we wish to thank and acknowledge our beautiful daughter Mailia for making us the people we are today. We are truly honored and grateful…she has chosen us to be a part of this great miracle and part of her incredible "Dream Team".<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">We love you Mailia!~<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>MailiasMiraclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06334694914317133151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5978731390479059014.post-2431560418064703572011-12-31T22:19:00.000-08:002011-12-31T22:19:09.035-08:00Mailia's Miracle in 2011 Brings Hope for Her Cure for Eisenmenger's Syndrome<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-URSit2VjLH8/Tv_4CvY4SmI/AAAAAAAAATo/6RgYeUXicEo/s1600/2011+Mailias+Miracle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-URSit2VjLH8/Tv_4CvY4SmI/AAAAAAAAATo/6RgYeUXicEo/s320/2011+Mailias+Miracle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Greetings dear ones…and Happy New Year on the wonderful eve of 2012. We pray this finds everyone blessed and happy this holiday season and wanted to send each of you a personal note of gratitude for your ongoing support, prayers and love shown to our Mailia and her incredible healing journey and ask…if you have had a chance to read the updates to her blog and story. 2011 was indeed a blessed year for us and Mailia. She has continued to work hard at doing what it takes to be “alive” right now, on this planet. She truly amazes us all.<br />
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Our year started out being given the opportunity once again, to look hard and strong at the fact that Mailia’s healing in her lungs from her first stem cell transplant in 2010, had pretty much reached a plateau and she was no longer improving but at least, she was not regressing in her disease and the pulmonary hypertension was not progressively getting worse.<br />
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After her Nov. 2010 right heart cath validating her conservative 30% overall improvement and much discussion with her doctors, it was decided that Mailia would definitely benefit from another adult stem cell transplant.<br />
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Throughout 2011 Mailia maintained her physical stamina but would occasionally crash and burn when over exerting herself, a constant reminder to Max and I…just how fragile she still was…and is. But she learned to pace herself…and allowing her the benefit of getting out into the fresh air, to go to summer baseball games was giving life to her and affording her freedom and happiness.<br />
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Fundraising abound throughout 2011 for Mailia’s Miracle benefit fund…as did an unforeseen donation that came in the form of an “unexpected” turn of events…my being laid off from my job of the last 10 years. With that layoff…came a truly blessed severance package and also, the same day I received my “pink slip” a wonderful manager in my department had stopped by to hand me a monetary “incentive award” for helping her team and projects. All these monies…straight into Mailia’s fund. YES! Thank you God!~ It helps to find the good in everything, does it not?<br />
I found another temporary job that had me bleeding through my ears for 5 hard months but this too, was another blessing to help us financially catapult Mailia closer to her second stem cell treatment.<br />
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Then…we got the most awaited news in the fall that Regenocyte was ready to schedule Mailia’s procedure in Florida and the Dominican Republic. They would take what we had raised so far, and allow us to pay back as soon as we could, using the honor system.<br />
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Mailia was able to fly by commercial air now, keeping all our fingers and toes crossed, we found a direct flight out of Seattle to Miami and her oxygen provider Lincare, supplying Mailia with a portable oxygen concentrator. Her blood draw was on October 24 and 8 days later, after mobilizing into the Dominican Republic, Mailia had her second adult stem cell transplant, and was able to handle the anesthesia this time, so her three cardiologists, Dr.’s Rosario, Fernandez and Grekos were able to ablate and hold the balloon catheter in place for 3 minutes at a time, to allow her stem cells to "stick" to the walls of her lung vasculature. Unlike last year…where her stem cells had to be delivered “Hale Mary style” because of being much more fragile and sick. See blog post…<br />
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Our return to Miami had us scheduled to meet her heart surgeon Dr. Michael Black, who has now a dual role doing surgery both in San Francisco, Ca and now…St. Mary’s in West Palm Beach. On Nov. 4th, Mailia visited with Dr. Black and met another cardiologist on his team, Dr. Emmanouil Tsounias to do some post stem cell exams, echo’s and follow up that went incredibly well. Another blog post… <br />
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Now...we are in the holding pattern... Mailia is scheduled for a 3 month follow up on Jan. 25th…which will involve an ECHO to her heart here at home. At 6 months post stem cells or around the end of April 2012, Mailia will then be scheduled to undergo another right heart catherization to measure her lung pressures, this time….possibly back in Florida.<br />
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While we are waiting for her stem cells to do their repair work to her lungs we are anxious as all of you to see if this will lower her pulmonary vascular resistance enough to warrant a future repair to her heart defect...a large hole in her lower chamber or VSD which would possibly involve a temp artificial heart (a RVAD) to offload the right ventricle or...a double flap patch with banding of her pulmonary artery per our discussions with her heart surgeon, Dr. Michael Black.<br />
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If her pressures are still too high, then we revert back to our Regenocyte team once again, and hope one more round of stem cells will finally take hold and make a difference but this time, we will not wait 15 months between treatments. Come this summer…it will have to either be heart surgery or stem cell transplant. Does this sound urgent? Can we do it once again? Yes we can…with everyone’s help and prayers and our hard work Mailia will get there!<br />
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To Mailia’s incredible doctors and their staff…we pray this will be her year and you will be graced with the power of love and hope for it is through your pioneering spirit that Mailia and others lives will be forever changed. Thank you!<br />
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This has been a very challenging journey for us all...but we know it is for a higher purpose, and Mailia is definitely an agent of change in this world who will make a big impact to others with her future contributions and incredible story of her miracle journey. She is pioneering this new procedure for us all and we pray...it will help so many more in our country and around the world.<br />
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Max and I will continue to stay busy working hard to help our sweet Mailia and we continue to be so very grateful especially to all our friends and family who have come forth to help us in so many ways by giving of themselves, their time, their resources, donations, prayers and comfort and being an integral part of Mailia’s Miracle.<br />
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We leave you hopefully connecting in 2012 to a message found here…you may recall the starfish story. On the beach where thousands of starfish have been stranded, an old man is throwing them back into the ocean. A young man walking by tells the old man “You can’t possibly make a difference.” As another starfish lands safely back in the sea, the old man replies… “It makes a difference to that one.” And he keeps picking them up and saving them, one by one.<br />
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We must be like the old man who is willing to make a difference in someone’s life and to see the opportunity that we have, to save and transform lives. We are honored and thankful you have allowed us to share Mailia’s Miracle with you and your loved ones.<br />
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We love you…Max, Andrea, Mailia and SteelDustMailiasMiraclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06334694914317133151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5978731390479059014.post-39930062114597514142011-12-31T21:23:00.000-08:002012-01-05T09:40:16.484-08:00Hurricane Rina, Marriot Resort Marco Island Beach Music Festival with Casey Weston a Gift to Mailia's Miracle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nGhWsGLYq60/Tv_OTc7yQ4I/AAAAAAAAAOw/bNI4y6z4Xg4/s1600/Rina-path.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nGhWsGLYq60/Tv_OTc7yQ4I/AAAAAAAAAOw/bNI4y6z4Xg4/s320/Rina-path.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Have you ever found yourself at the front door of an incoming Hurricane?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watching computer models on the news and hurricane center’s web site made for some interesting times while we were sitting tight in Bonita Springs.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B23pGs5UyqM/Tv_Yd2j9KgI/AAAAAAAAAO8/E9mM14hwkmE/s1600/rina_hurricane-300x228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B23pGs5UyqM/Tv_Yd2j9KgI/AAAAAAAAAO8/E9mM14hwkmE/s1600/rina_hurricane-300x228.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">October 28<sup>th</sup>…was a Friday and we decided early that morning to take a drive over to Sanibel and Captiva Islands which are famous in south Florida for having some of the best sea shelling around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mailia was forever asking…”can we go to the beach today”?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So today…after getting a raving recommendation from Nancy at Regenocyte to hit the beaches at Sanibel…we loaded up our little rental car with oxygen, snacks…and plenty of towels and bags for our shellacious booty!</span></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Is there such a word...Shellacious?</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Oh well…when we left Bonita Springs to head north…it was very overcast and wouldn’t you know it…the rain started as soon as we started across a long causeway heading straight for the Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made a pit stop at a local visitor center and got some directions to an accessible “handicap” beach for Mailia’s wheelchair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">We did not stay too long, as it was quite apparent the weather was taking a turn for the worse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hustled, both Max and I to comb the beach for shells while Mailia sat amused by a little hermit crab who would not give up his residence for anything.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O2Yp0niAheM/Tv_Z7NRP6eI/AAAAAAAAAPU/MIlYiBDL2tg/s1600/Sanibel+Island2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O2Yp0niAheM/Tv_Z7NRP6eI/AAAAAAAAAPU/MIlYiBDL2tg/s320/Sanibel+Island2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">She was in heaven!~</span></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pVs9JFNupq0/Tv_aMgzwDUI/AAAAAAAAAPg/AdbFu5ZBYDc/s1600/Sanibel+Island3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pVs9JFNupq0/Tv_aMgzwDUI/AAAAAAAAAPg/AdbFu5ZBYDc/s320/Sanibel+Island3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Beachcombing on the verge of a monsoon...<br />
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Heading back to our wonderful warm condo…pinching ourselves daily at how blessed and grateful we are to Nahla and her parents for affording us such a wonderful place to stay, we were thrilled to get back to watch the final game 7 of the World Series between the Texas Rangers and the St. Louis Cardinals…and what a game, that turned out to be…what a finale!<br />
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All three of us were rooting for both teams but alas…the Cards took it. Congratulations to the St. Louis Cardinals! You are a deserving champion and David Freese is a deserving World Series MVP!!!<br />
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After the game…we looked out the back patio and could hear and see the downpour from the remnants of Hurricane Rina, and wondered if our plans for tomorrow Friday…would be a total wash. You see, two weeks before we left our home in Pasco, we found out that Casey Weston was to be a feature performer at the Marco Island Beach Music Festival on October 29th…the eve before our departure to the Dominican Republic for Mailia’s stem cell transplant.<br />
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Kelly Drouin, the Director of the Alliance…Mailia’s nonprofit, had been given charge by Max, Mailia and I to spearhead any fundraising that we could do, or help her with…during our stay in south Florida. One idea came to see if there would be a way Mailia could participate in the festival by representing the Alliance in some way, but unfortunately, we missed the deadline to have a booth because all their vendor space had already been committed.<br />
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In speaking with Jada Shigley who is the Director of Reservations for the Marco Island Marriot Resort and lead for the festival, Kelly and I were able to work on some options for Mailia and when we got word what those options were…we or I should say…Mailia went ballistic with excitement and happiness!~<br />
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After reading and hearing about Mailia’s story and journey, it was like the Make-A-Wish troops fell into place at the Marriot Resort, only it was Jada and her staff…that made this wish for Mailia, to see Casey Weston…a reality and a dream come true. She and the Marriot Resort gifted Mailia a beautiful Penthouse suite overlooking the event!<br />
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Friday morning came…the sun was out and not a cloud in the sky….but boy howdy, the pond in the back of the condo had rose over a foot from the deluge of Rina. We had heard on the news that morning that Naples had gotten over 4 inches of rain which constituted a lot of flooding for Collier County. <br />
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No matter…we had our sights set on packing our bags and readying ourselves for our departure that afternoon to Marco Island, a beautiful drive and a gorgeous part of the gulf and southern Florida….and extremely relieved that we would be out of harms way now, with no worries about the storm vying for the Caribbean or the Dominican Republic. Another thanks, to God and our guardian angels for continued protection on our journey. A truly humbling time for us.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-24FCdn18wnk/Tv_dyxtEi5I/AAAAAAAAAQE/9PVAvKRORSI/s1600/marco-island-marriott.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-24FCdn18wnk/Tv_dyxtEi5I/AAAAAAAAAQE/9PVAvKRORSI/s1600/marco-island-marriott.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">We found the Marriot and checked in to our suite, not before taking a taste of French desserts being flambe’ed and crafted by a wonderful chef…down in the lobby. We looked for Jada but she was busy putting out fires as you would not believe the condition she found the beach and stage front that morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was frantic…thinking how in the world would they be able to pull off the event with so much water and flooding from the night before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>Another miracle in the making…she and her staff did a remarkable job and by afternoon…the beach was impeccable and ready for people to rock!~<br />
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Jada sent us these before pictures…and we snapped the after ones for you to compare…now tell me God shows no mercy. This truly humbled us…<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QBvFGWdsSWU/Tv_fCkX3CBI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/gICm4sV4VGs/s1600/stage+under+water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QBvFGWdsSWU/Tv_fCkX3CBI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/gICm4sV4VGs/s320/stage+under+water.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-63lmlefb1HA/Tv_fKWUG1hI/AAAAAAAAAQc/cbV7uY1LSGY/s1600/water+on+the+beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-63lmlefb1HA/Tv_fKWUG1hI/AAAAAAAAAQc/cbV7uY1LSGY/s320/water+on+the+beach.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Before photos above...Saturday morning and Below...just a few hours later...Transformation!~<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bp_i75heovE/Tv_fkoGX8FI/AAAAAAAAAQo/M4wkmYroi4g/s1600/Marco+Island+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bp_i75heovE/Tv_fkoGX8FI/AAAAAAAAAQo/M4wkmYroi4g/s320/Marco+Island+03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x_J5DD9paEg/Tv_fsQ1OL4I/AAAAAAAAAQ0/rzAzfVVJbkM/s1600/Marco+Island+04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x_J5DD9paEg/Tv_fsQ1OL4I/AAAAAAAAAQ0/rzAzfVVJbkM/s320/Marco+Island+04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jnsI-_UyNqA/Tv_gQnC0nTI/AAAAAAAAARA/98be7SlmJ6I/s1600/Marco+Island+05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jnsI-_UyNqA/Tv_gQnC0nTI/AAAAAAAAARA/98be7SlmJ6I/s320/Marco+Island+05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The Princess charriot arrives....<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">We got Mailia into her wheelchair and proceeded down to the beach area where we found we could “exchange” her conventional wheelchair for a “Beach Ready” wheelchair so we could push her easily along the beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were all so very fascinated by the beauty of this incredibly gorgeous area…white sandy beaches, sea shells everywhere, birds…hundreds of birds and oh the beautiful horizon and setting sun that afternoon, right after a hurricane or tropical depression is one to behold.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4vX7EJSJjyk/Tv_gpGXGYMI/AAAAAAAAARM/mTZC_p7MdGU/s1600/Marco+Island+06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4vX7EJSJjyk/Tv_gpGXGYMI/AAAAAAAAARM/mTZC_p7MdGU/s320/Marco+Island+06.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UWvEOqbtFTU/Tv_g4_auinI/AAAAAAAAARY/gZMoLXsLInM/s1600/Marco+Island+07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UWvEOqbtFTU/Tv_g4_auinI/AAAAAAAAARY/gZMoLXsLInM/s320/Marco+Island+07.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1eCtdiDWw8g/Tv_hCy3YCtI/AAAAAAAAARk/IhfAXV_DUno/s1600/Marco+Island+08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1eCtdiDWw8g/Tv_hCy3YCtI/AAAAAAAAARk/IhfAXV_DUno/s320/Marco+Island+08.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">More gratitude and love…what can I say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were so relieved in knowing that Mailia was going to be okay now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We learned to have so much faith and trust…and to just get out of the way!~</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7xnPxQ7DHUQ/Tv_hUkAoHYI/AAAAAAAAARw/eSvwt9YZx8g/s1600/Marco+Island+09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7xnPxQ7DHUQ/Tv_hUkAoHYI/AAAAAAAAARw/eSvwt9YZx8g/s320/Marco+Island+09.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We found an beachside bistro, Quinn’s right adjacent to the stage and were graciously seated right to the side of the stage where Mailia could watch for Casey Weston who would be performing shortly. By this time we were starving and decided to order dinner while waiting for Kelly Drouin to come join us. Yum…tropical island food, breathtaking ocean views and sunset. <br />
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How Mailia came to know and admire Casey Weston was also through an unusual turn of events. You see, Greg Finely from Regenocyte had asked us last summer to please go online and vote for Casey who was in a competition on The Voice reality TV show. We did…and also were adamant to come to Casey’s defense when we heard some folks not liking the choice of song she had chosen to perform on the Voice… “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2996hNc-NA"><strong>Black Horse and the Cherry Tree</strong></a>”. Please click on this as it will take you to the video we created for both Mailia and Casey…one we hope you will like and share.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-saMtPVtNbWw/Tv_hmvxgSdI/AAAAAAAAAR8/zICi4nvikiU/s1600/Marco+Island+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-saMtPVtNbWw/Tv_hmvxgSdI/AAAAAAAAAR8/zICi4nvikiU/s320/Marco+Island+15.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">So hence…the connection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our dinner came…as did Kelly and we were all enthralled with seeing Casey up on stage…the acoustics and view…perfect!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--WuaarG-uWk/Tv_h-6807WI/AAAAAAAAASI/KjEsfq0NLP8/s1600/Marco+Island+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--WuaarG-uWk/Tv_h-6807WI/AAAAAAAAASI/KjEsfq0NLP8/s320/Marco+Island+16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DDEnJqNkLEg/Tv_iFMbN25I/AAAAAAAAASU/TgxLDzOnCVI/s1600/Marco+Island+17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DDEnJqNkLEg/Tv_iFMbN25I/AAAAAAAAASU/TgxLDzOnCVI/s320/Marco+Island+17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">I excused myself and went to go up towards the front of the stage so I could get some pictures of Casey for Mailia. Lots of pictures and some video but then came the cool and gutsy gal sitting next to us, Kelly…getting up out of her chair, with half a taco crammed in her mouth saying…I will be right back, I am going to go get some things for Mailia!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">And boy did she!~ She went to the table where Casey was sitting with her mom Toni, signing autographs on her CD’s and posters and told her Mailia was here and wanted to know if she could see her. Casey without batting an eye…excused herself from her fans as Kelly grabbed her arm and lead the way to find Mailia.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jSn4rklZT34/Tv_ie8-Al9I/AAAAAAAAASg/uEkETCzZIzM/s1600/Marco+Island+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jSn4rklZT34/Tv_ie8-Al9I/AAAAAAAAASg/uEkETCzZIzM/s320/Marco+Island+10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Mailia and Casey met and hugged and had so much love to exchange…the energy between the two was miraculous and so very healing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can’t quite compare Casey to Winter and Panama the dolphins from Mailia’s encounter…but she comes pretty darn close!</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gji8iz9nFOA/Tv_iqxdKwyI/AAAAAAAAASs/GuM2lcRo_ZE/s1600/Marco+Island+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gji8iz9nFOA/Tv_iqxdKwyI/AAAAAAAAASs/GuM2lcRo_ZE/s320/Marco+Island+11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Casey gave Mailia a copy of her first CD, Casey Weston and two beautiful posters Mailia now treasures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Casey…thank you so much sweetie, you have filled Mailia’s heart with so much happiness and joy with your love and generosity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We look forward to seeing you do great things and above all…being happy in your chosen path.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mailia will see you again…this we are sure of!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RgyImZD6HB0/Tv_i6sRU1DI/AAAAAAAAAS4/p6N6813TO0o/s1600/Marco+Island+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RgyImZD6HB0/Tv_i6sRU1DI/AAAAAAAAAS4/p6N6813TO0o/s320/Marco+Island+12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Nine o’clock was cut-off time for Mailia…we could tell she was getting a little tired and we still had to get her back to the room where she could shower and get ready for a good nights rest, for we would need to be up by 4a.m. and out the front door of the Marriot by 5a.m. so as to make our noon flight in Miami to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tWWMX46G4HE/Tv_jMKTVgWI/AAAAAAAAATE/QGi-jw88dVA/s1600/Marco+Island+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tWWMX46G4HE/Tv_jMKTVgWI/AAAAAAAAATE/QGi-jw88dVA/s320/Marco+Island+01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Max stayed to watch the Landsharks perform, a band like the Beach Boys only more Caribbean and Jimmy Buffet style, also the fireworks off of the beach which Mailia and I missed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No problem, Mailia collapsed from exhaustion in a beautiful bed and I took advantage of a nice hot Jacuzzi bath…there was no way I was just going to look at it…well…would you?</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uve57T6KCC8/Tv_jXXbZzAI/AAAAAAAAATQ/Tua4dwWSKhE/s1600/Marco+Island+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uve57T6KCC8/Tv_jXXbZzAI/AAAAAAAAATQ/Tua4dwWSKhE/s320/Marco+Island+02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We were so very grateful and appreciative of this incredible gift given to Mailia this day. If you ever find yourselves in south Florida…you must visit the Marco Island Marriot Resort. I know we will be back some day…it is truly paradise!...</span></span><br />
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Thank you Jada…thank you Kelly, and thank you Casey. An amazing experience…so far, Mailia is batting a 100 on this journey…now if Max and I can just relax and not worry about her and her upcoming stem cell transplant , life would be great!~<br />
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Next blog post…Mailia’s stay and procedure in the Dominican Republic.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DN9123bTGV0/Tv_lWZ9esSI/AAAAAAAAATc/9qTb10SNueQ/s1600/Mailia+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DN9123bTGV0/Tv_lWZ9esSI/AAAAAAAAATc/9qTb10SNueQ/s320/Mailia+16.jpg" width="225" /></a></div></span></span></span></span>MailiasMiraclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06334694914317133151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5978731390479059014.post-12336590473294815082011-12-08T16:22:00.000-08:002011-12-08T16:22:16.825-08:00Dolphin Therapy from Dolphin Tale's Miracle Dolphins Winter and Panama Help Contribute to Mailia's Miracle and Healing During Her Adult Stem Cell Journey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsxjUnqUvEKuuCB3gg8I9GQz2kgfqHkH_qxpb51Wcxm33O7NkAlh3EvsGJttwQJeswjNtu2mhN4ukzKdT8wip8-MimY-fJ45HGl9hOu7ZNDQJN3rcYFo3W-W4cUTVyoVbGeEKWckZJgA/s1600/Dolphin01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsxjUnqUvEKuuCB3gg8I9GQz2kgfqHkH_qxpb51Wcxm33O7NkAlh3EvsGJttwQJeswjNtu2mhN4ukzKdT8wip8-MimY-fJ45HGl9hOu7ZNDQJN3rcYFo3W-W4cUTVyoVbGeEKWckZJgA/s320/Dolphin01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><strong><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;"> ...Dolphins: Messages and Meanings: breath work, altruism, playfullness, exploration</span></strong><br />
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our fifth day, Wednesday morning we set out in our little rental car, oxygen and wheelchair in tow…to take Mailia to see the animals and fish at the Clearwater Florida Marine Aquarium. She was so very excited to finally get to meet the star of the movie we had long heard about, Winter…of “Dolphin Tale” and to learn more about Winter and her story.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8tdzs6pWsr5CNiEHQ8Xia8aCpe4S8wtvtXFF-56OiE4ibOxrSu4Bo8-v6JxxOqV0mFl1AkE2pE1V23fDUaCC4VB5W5MUJ3eytWrhWi70sx8MKigzlQYy-Dx6lWqZwOdTt52282FD2ImQ/s1600/Mailia+06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8tdzs6pWsr5CNiEHQ8Xia8aCpe4S8wtvtXFF-56OiE4ibOxrSu4Bo8-v6JxxOqV0mFl1AkE2pE1V23fDUaCC4VB5W5MUJ3eytWrhWi70sx8MKigzlQYy-Dx6lWqZwOdTt52282FD2ImQ/s320/Mailia+06.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had just taken Mailia to see this movie the other day…and had time to go onto the Clearwater Aquarium’s web site where we found so much information and a listing of different activities she could participate in.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We made our reservations on-line that morning, got our entry tickets and also, a chance for Mailia to have a Dolphin encounter. So many incredible things happen from children and adults, communicating, touching and connecting with these incredible animals or so we have read, can happen. I figured why not. The movie had such a spiritual and heartfelt impact on Mailia and she has such a passion and love for animals both virtually and in the wild.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our trip took a little over two hours and we found the Aquarium thanks in part to Google Maps and directions and Max’s wonderful driving and my co-piloting skills or backseat driver as Max fondly refers to me. I will still say…Florida drivers who are not snow birds will definitely getcha if you do not keep up flying down the interstate.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We parked…got our belongings and necessities and Mailia’s wheelchair and headed in for our adventure. No sooner we get in through the gate, a wonderful volunteer approached Mailia to show her a real copy of the prosthetic tail, complete with the entire mechanism and sleeve as soft and subtle as silicone gel. This really complemented the movie…for it was this same device that was finally used and not rejected by Winter…in order to have and maintain her physical therapy.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOPwUgQrLuEFSlsyi5fIX6h6H4c64R6MON1xHuxUTEzatFDKn0T1lvVIKLzxugmCrOP22IAQCLthyphenhyphenlUlrinAUVK8zS9Sh4VQJXaSVIU32cPEWjyizrX829l5bqh1hoI5Igha-kp4TnBOA/s1600/Mailia+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOPwUgQrLuEFSlsyi5fIX6h6H4c64R6MON1xHuxUTEzatFDKn0T1lvVIKLzxugmCrOP22IAQCLthyphenhyphenlUlrinAUVK8zS9Sh4VQJXaSVIU32cPEWjyizrX829l5bqh1hoI5Igha-kp4TnBOA/s320/Mailia+01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We then stopped to visit the first exhibit containing two sister nurse sharks named Thelma and Louise, and many other fish and rays in their watery world. Then it was off to find Winter, where we found her swimming alone without her prosthetic tail in a very large tank that you could see from below…or up above the surface.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33hSAMJGlrOOkl4qT_hojVgH3w0caE1DoTmGy3kxqxfwVJAnXDk2-k0cVWtKvwkwLJH0HsH0TZ35K5PSkfbB0JI2pJOOD7DyJ3XJYU7KvwmPbmjB7KUbEiiT6o2IjewoG6hzwnOslVP4/s1600/Mailia+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33hSAMJGlrOOkl4qT_hojVgH3w0caE1DoTmGy3kxqxfwVJAnXDk2-k0cVWtKvwkwLJH0HsH0TZ35K5PSkfbB0JI2pJOOD7DyJ3XJYU7KvwmPbmjB7KUbEiiT6o2IjewoG6hzwnOslVP4/s320/Mailia+02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Moving through this incredible maze, Mailia also got to see many sea turtles and river otters that were permanent residents of this working hospital and rehab center.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdspXM540NSIt8_2HDsazRfqmVv9yALtAYN_C8LidHM6Qe6qv02PjSKhdNTBHnw0jcvObaahcRtWs9tK6InNBn86N40_8xfVe2MK4qil-yMmbUPO1q9wj4RJNq4kyg2UEHcESFOlsHC8/s1600/Mailia+07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdspXM540NSIt8_2HDsazRfqmVv9yALtAYN_C8LidHM6Qe6qv02PjSKhdNTBHnw0jcvObaahcRtWs9tK6InNBn86N40_8xfVe2MK4qil-yMmbUPO1q9wj4RJNq4kyg2UEHcESFOlsHC8/s320/Mailia+07.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> As we wheeled her around, we came to an outdoor tank that houses one of the newest additions to the center, a young juvenile dolphin by the name of Hope. We captured a couple of photos with her story which was so heart wrenching.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7-xg_AEp5iJRrfwcv9N1NVnpEcQn5jfwya5tOvmbfGZx2mkIK_LVITFdD0YSyLssOIoW8cJESgVRZS0Cri-AYnFqBtl0cioyS_CG0kkD9oARO1vfl4VuUmKnK2P4e68wNZuv2Gr4Ygg/s1600/Mailia+04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7-xg_AEp5iJRrfwcv9N1NVnpEcQn5jfwya5tOvmbfGZx2mkIK_LVITFdD0YSyLssOIoW8cJESgVRZS0Cri-AYnFqBtl0cioyS_CG0kkD9oARO1vfl4VuUmKnK2P4e68wNZuv2Gr4Ygg/s320/Mailia+04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJBUgSM-IffkntWCOcCDDEZHJiuTLXxCR7qUHEqVrGGm046Z9G_ZgQ6090a2HgQ_UEL4YrJoofdcLHDCgdZu5XFAzSWGXB63QKqnUiVrQwy1C9MjDg6gP4MaA48DkRwCQHC1hKA-HL50/s1600/Mailia+09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJBUgSM-IffkntWCOcCDDEZHJiuTLXxCR7qUHEqVrGGm046Z9G_ZgQ6090a2HgQ_UEL4YrJoofdcLHDCgdZu5XFAzSWGXB63QKqnUiVrQwy1C9MjDg6gP4MaA48DkRwCQHC1hKA-HL50/s320/Mailia+09.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then it was a male dolphin that attracted our attention, the amazing Nicholas captured in a video we will try to post here later.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After this exhibit, it was Mailia’s turn to have her dolphin encounter…with a female dolphin by the name of “Panama”…a roommate to Winter. I positioned myself across the tank enclosure so to capture photos of Mailia…all the while holding my breath and praying she would be okay…walking out on a narrow platform, with her oxygen concentrator. She cleaned her hands with hand sanitizer and away she went…smiling </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ever so brightly.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Max stayed close to her…and let the trainers know we were there should the need arise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nope…these incredible dolphins knew the drill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This dolphin Panama…was actually deaf…and could not hear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only hand signals…but I still wonder if she could sense Mailia’s fragility as she was intent on making a connection with her and the little boy next to Mailia.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR72iMpeEa85BBioi7kDfd9hQfcoopJv2YaXt8Pbz7_Obw7ea8uIUx6v7WH1SD40pNFlQO5etyJEmkxQb6LAsfYA5MGXJi91Cd_yCtoUTsLzrb5RiqjyuQuQLlVHvFPU9AiZouUidZgP4/s1600/Mailia+%2526+Dolphin10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR72iMpeEa85BBioi7kDfd9hQfcoopJv2YaXt8Pbz7_Obw7ea8uIUx6v7WH1SD40pNFlQO5etyJEmkxQb6LAsfYA5MGXJi91Cd_yCtoUTsLzrb5RiqjyuQuQLlVHvFPU9AiZouUidZgP4/s320/Mailia+%2526+Dolphin10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZK2v0DxWruvrEcmnebc-8E7ydnsvIsStS7pJhJQlzMpFWvmO9fjqUDYoyMpumcxIrJ2FpvfEfxa0mlYd76DsSTdW1IE4fM3FQop5VEJwUq2aqpMY42-czbc-F0GoL9wkOgXB1Fl8we8/s1600/Mailia+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZK2v0DxWruvrEcmnebc-8E7ydnsvIsStS7pJhJQlzMpFWvmO9fjqUDYoyMpumcxIrJ2FpvfEfxa0mlYd76DsSTdW1IE4fM3FQop5VEJwUq2aqpMY42-czbc-F0GoL9wkOgXB1Fl8we8/s320/Mailia+12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_joiGLEkUhTgMIIQYl_f2I-Y7BgqtTfon-yxIaR_mYbxiPM568UJvcsLTfSKnFWmKD14Uz-CE93QZuWI1ScCpArGqqmFKlMwdYdQeufl5OslC1LbyU8st6ZhXgs6azwRm8rRGnt2XIw/s1600/Mailia+%2526+Dolphin05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_joiGLEkUhTgMIIQYl_f2I-Y7BgqtTfon-yxIaR_mYbxiPM568UJvcsLTfSKnFWmKD14Uz-CE93QZuWI1ScCpArGqqmFKlMwdYdQeufl5OslC1LbyU8st6ZhXgs6azwRm8rRGnt2XIw/s320/Mailia+%2526+Dolphin05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mailia showed such enthusiasm and excitement the entire time…she listened to the trainer’s instructions…asked questions and participated giving hand signals and commands to Panama…and rewarding her with treats of fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In trying to describe this dolphins healing presence, for Mailia…this was such an incredible energetic exchange that we witnessed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Panama’s energy caused Mailia to come away so emotionally lifted and happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have read where dolphins can be biologically drawn to imbalances they sense in the human body and are innately driven to “fix” us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are they kindred souls, as some have described, joining in the healing ritual through an altruistic desire “to help”…or are they both?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think the truth of the matter is…only the dolphin knows.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What I will say…is something very special happened to Mailia that day. She came away from this experience totally changed on a cellular level. We were anxious to see, how her upcoming stem cell transplant would play out after this. Not if, but when we get back to Florida for her next procedure, I think Max and I will do whatever it takes, to get Mailia into another dolphin encounter prior to her next procedure. All she could say was…wow…this is the most incredible thing I have ever felt or experienced. Thank you mom and dad…thank you!...</span></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEircdZsRhCXBLSXtmqPlls0KuJefAI5nQESCSMsDbJ5jcMlprme1wpaTkc4Fj7rf7zHOUPBNRMiopp_Tua6WNKX-_SHWQCzDeFtqX8qkkW2CsbG57KhJdsOR0ffouzcs6qRpPKFWpYCI0g/s1600/Mailia+%2526+DolphinBest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEircdZsRhCXBLSXtmqPlls0KuJefAI5nQESCSMsDbJ5jcMlprme1wpaTkc4Fj7rf7zHOUPBNRMiopp_Tua6WNKX-_SHWQCzDeFtqX8qkkW2CsbG57KhJdsOR0ffouzcs6qRpPKFWpYCI0g/s400/Mailia+%2526+DolphinBest.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">See the movie…be touched by the story. And don’t be afraid to dream and act on what is possible. And if you are ever in Florida...go visit these incredibly loving dolphins who are cared for by the wonderful and inspiring staff and volunteers at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Love, our gratitude and blessings…</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Goforth’s</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr105MOTPmy7fegI4ief6VTz4Zz5yhIspVwEYER8mSHK6kN-VR1ffZKKK0UnkwqDPwK9KqGEpS8FVIp3ecgxmom665UYcz3KTtNzM0FmAiI3AZr4Kpa78oiAiBpQaxd8Om4xu54PBgLY8/s1600/Dolphin02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr105MOTPmy7fegI4ief6VTz4Zz5yhIspVwEYER8mSHK6kN-VR1ffZKKK0UnkwqDPwK9KqGEpS8FVIp3ecgxmom665UYcz3KTtNzM0FmAiI3AZr4Kpa78oiAiBpQaxd8Om4xu54PBgLY8/s320/Dolphin02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div>MailiasMiraclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06334694914317133151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5978731390479059014.post-48923551535660348192011-11-06T12:21:00.000-08:002011-11-06T12:21:28.977-08:00Mailia's Second Adult Stem Cell Blood Draw at Regenocyte Clinic a Huge Success!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGtjDG3p6xT5d_sCzs5MUkjRuh8IPd3F7e1yIWe_F9jC45roFzoq0Ec3u0KhloSfkn3tl5d-X7mohPjUPlmTt8nAh12OF4mEWmrpf_Q1snZQwmcySck_r1J7COvw14dTBiwdJG3tW1nIs/s1600/Mailia+Blood+Draw05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGtjDG3p6xT5d_sCzs5MUkjRuh8IPd3F7e1yIWe_F9jC45roFzoq0Ec3u0KhloSfkn3tl5d-X7mohPjUPlmTt8nAh12OF4mEWmrpf_Q1snZQwmcySck_r1J7COvw14dTBiwdJG3tW1nIs/s320/Mailia+Blood+Draw05.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Mailia and Dr. Zannos Grekos day of Blood Draw</span> <br />
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October 24th…2011 landed us that Monday morning at the Regenocyte clinic in Bonita Springs, a convenient 2 block distance from our temporary residence. We were greeted by everyone and settled ourselves in, to ready Mailia for her blood draw, which would be drawn from a femoral pic through her right side/groin area ( A preference by us..since her arms do not generously give up blood so easily) so why traumatize her with Rosie the Riveter?<br />
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Same as last year, the only difference was that Mailia knew the drill now, and was not so nervous or anxious about this. She relaxed…started her breath work and chatted and laughed with everyone. <br />
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The Regenocyte staff were a little disappointed that her little service dog, “Steel Dust” did not accompany her this trip…she had to leave him back home this time but brought a substitute, a beautiful little Blue Merle Australian Shepherd with blue eyes…the spitting image of her little Steel Dust who she acquired through the WebKinz web site. Yes…he is a “stuffed” toy.<br />
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No matter, he brought Mailia much needed support and comfort and she borrowed SteelDusts “Service Dog Vest” and identification to play the part.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghT6Xrem6hKQ3aRzrJYuhGaJ-0cUMRupiegUnhWEQGSlHNSz3HbAY2dYsTqno2ZDe45OCrgZiQUp04r9ERW0oDNjfjLtNyQRyDW1kwLo7gz9wElpVnPRE2H1wyB0OIMq5vcGNhm48akIU/s1600/Mailia+Blood+Draw01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghT6Xrem6hKQ3aRzrJYuhGaJ-0cUMRupiegUnhWEQGSlHNSz3HbAY2dYsTqno2ZDe45OCrgZiQUp04r9ERW0oDNjfjLtNyQRyDW1kwLo7gz9wElpVnPRE2H1wyB0OIMq5vcGNhm48akIU/s320/Mailia+Blood+Draw01.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Here comes the Poke!</span><br />
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Mailia was later readied into a gown, and hooked up to a heart monitor. I followed her oxygen saturation levels which were in the low to mid 80’s on her standard 5 lpm of oxygen. Her two nurses, prepped the site of her femoral pic, after which Dr. Grekos gently guided the needle into place, and filling the standard 250 cc bag from which Mailia’s adult stem cells, would be derived.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxACImTz-bwY3qBScytncbLPGJDWdFTsC1Y569qRsOcSG3llZZU39Qs0XxmY-Kz7_UOxfjgKAvmulP4FUx6G07ozVXq1NFxTsvE_GI2oZI0xY4tbkOzZgf5tS1MbhrgZi8aredwSuPsHo/s1600/Mailia+Blood+Draw02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxACImTz-bwY3qBScytncbLPGJDWdFTsC1Y569qRsOcSG3llZZU39Qs0XxmY-Kz7_UOxfjgKAvmulP4FUx6G07ozVXq1NFxTsvE_GI2oZI0xY4tbkOzZgf5tS1MbhrgZi8aredwSuPsHo/s320/Mailia+Blood+Draw02.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Mailia's beautiful blood for her stemmies</span><br />
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The courier arrived to pick up Mailia’s and another patient’s blood which was hand couriered to a special biological laboratory in Israel where her stem cells will be activated and multiplied using naturally occurring growth factors. In this process of activation, Mailia’s new stem cells are customized for the purpose of which she is being treated for…her lung vasculature…i.e. Pulmonary Hypertension. They will regenerate lung vasculature…and help her build new blood vessels throughout her lungs.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZewYBD-WCg1tYAfDQ0hLkwVorT1HR4R-vSJAJysxruVpd3lHz9RgJFMfgHie1XUoPHerGgv1DX4D17mRKC2-EuurRxYjfE_61eamyN2MzEwKmIeN_QDImnVr-HirhB7m71QJRfwmas5o/s1600/Mailia+Blood+Draw06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZewYBD-WCg1tYAfDQ0hLkwVorT1HR4R-vSJAJysxruVpd3lHz9RgJFMfgHie1XUoPHerGgv1DX4D17mRKC2-EuurRxYjfE_61eamyN2MzEwKmIeN_QDImnVr-HirhB7m71QJRfwmas5o/s320/Mailia+Blood+Draw06.jpg" width="240px" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Regenocyte's timely and wonderful courier</span> <br />
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This process will take aprox 8 days from today so we will spend the next few days, getting Mailia relaxed, happy and healthy for the next leg of her journey which involves mobilizing into Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic for her actual adult stem cell transplant with the Dominican Regenocyte team.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHXsvzNx4fpdJixasRAcgBBWaGtOdBLRI7UgFuocsB7SYtO7HaFHkY3yjqJseJ0iwFSkfgriUSagxgijLWBzn2UU9CqB-K8ORXvFe9C1r-mvdNw_l8dq0cCvf6kh7R_0_EkGfaOrpY-5g/s1600/Mailia+Blood+Draw07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHXsvzNx4fpdJixasRAcgBBWaGtOdBLRI7UgFuocsB7SYtO7HaFHkY3yjqJseJ0iwFSkfgriUSagxgijLWBzn2UU9CqB-K8ORXvFe9C1r-mvdNw_l8dq0cCvf6kh7R_0_EkGfaOrpY-5g/s320/Mailia+Blood+Draw07.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div> Dr. Grekos, Mailia & Greg Finley <br />
After Mailia’s blood draw was completed…we got her up and ready to leave the office to head out to get her some lunch and replenish her iron levels. Her uncle Greg Finley joined us as we drove north to have lunch at Ted’s place (Ted Turner) where you can find the best all natural buffalo burgers. Mailia…had a beautiful chicken salad instead.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8mBMMegoj_W3zTw3y98T5IH5gOml2Ixhq5Yr2NBlKg1lpH__kzGFZ1rrNrFM9K92aVk-FM_AFzLTc1aV9lEu9VwdvDel8FBNHoA0NsPl8SynuZ6LmuwcNjlTNBaOwNtZ7wUSOMvpUEqc/s1600/Mailia+%2526+Greg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8mBMMegoj_W3zTw3y98T5IH5gOml2Ixhq5Yr2NBlKg1lpH__kzGFZ1rrNrFM9K92aVk-FM_AFzLTc1aV9lEu9VwdvDel8FBNHoA0NsPl8SynuZ6LmuwcNjlTNBaOwNtZ7wUSOMvpUEqc/s320/Mailia+%2526+Greg.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
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The following day Tuesday, we were scheduled to bring Mailia back into Regenocyte for an ECHO and further discussion with Dr. Grekos about Mailia’s procedure and where we would go from here. Her right ventricle looked very good and Dr. Grekos was very pleased with her overall heart function.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNkr-eESDUbewYPwRX2-ZFUH-cyusZ6L3bnDyH69I0-8JVgrJdhzC8NvxyF65xYjAO_DUg3gO90Kgbql3ypaGF6HfXYqC9KT8B9gmizV4o2Gh0JB66VBGj67WOcbazLq_WEDkSSecej0/s1600/Mailia+ECHO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNkr-eESDUbewYPwRX2-ZFUH-cyusZ6L3bnDyH69I0-8JVgrJdhzC8NvxyF65xYjAO_DUg3gO90Kgbql3ypaGF6HfXYqC9KT8B9gmizV4o2Gh0JB66VBGj67WOcbazLq_WEDkSSecej0/s320/Mailia+ECHO.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
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Our expectations are to see Mailia’s pulmonary pressures come down further and her energy level improve equal to or better than last year. Will this be low enough for surgical repair being afforded her?...that, time will tell and if not, then another course of stem cells, her third…would not be out of the question.<br />
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In the interim…we continue to give Mailia a balanced regime of supplementation we have found will complement her stem cell therapy…and she will keep up with her breath work, Pranayama.<br />
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Tomorrow…she is delighted and happy to know we will be taking her to see Winter…from Dolphin Tale. If the day is anything like the movie…she will be so very happy and at peace.<br />
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Thank you for being a part of Mailia's continued journey towards her miracle. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers for her successful transplant next week.<br />
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All our gratitude and blessings!<br />
<br />
Andrea, Max and MailiaMailiasMiraclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06334694914317133151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5978731390479059014.post-41779349815648886152011-11-06T07:00:00.000-08:002011-11-06T07:00:49.895-08:00Florida Bound for Mailia's Miracle 2nd Adult Stem Cell Transplant<div align="center"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR2e_lPStfd-bFlchkdjhfqBVZspcFU5nXCgSQhSAmbIXz3g3UK-NZlYGJYj_C2KXUF0DptuckLxg6zCuM6NXMVzoc7G4tR6KUJ0ATSWBH0CqjuQVqN5_rAFGp-_4pY2JAjXZXQ66JSBw/s1600/Mailia+Airport01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR2e_lPStfd-bFlchkdjhfqBVZspcFU5nXCgSQhSAmbIXz3g3UK-NZlYGJYj_C2KXUF0DptuckLxg6zCuM6NXMVzoc7G4tR6KUJ0ATSWBH0CqjuQVqN5_rAFGp-_4pY2JAjXZXQ66JSBw/s320/Mailia+Airport01.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div></div><br />
She did it! We stressed for months, both Max and I whether or not Mailia would be capable of flying to Florida this time instead of taking the long road trip like last year in order to keep her closer to sea level because of her lung pressures being so very high. <br />
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We trusted our Mailia...knowing how much stronger and more energetic she became from her first round of adult stem cells (see May/June 2010 blog entries) that yes, quite possibly she would be able to tolerate a 5 hour flight with supplemental oxygen and her new found Power of Breath or Pranayam technique.<br />
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So after a lot of prayer, consulting between doctors and physical therapists and much discernment we decided to go forth with plans to fly Mailia...this time and oh, are we so glad she did.<br />
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Mailia's wonderful grandparents, John and Janet Goforth came to spend the last couple weeks with us helping us all get ready with many honey do's and last minute details prior to our trip. They also graciously gave us a donation to help offset some of Mailia's stem cell procedure costs, to her non profit The Alliance for the Advancement of Adult Stem Cell Therapy and Research, for which we are so grateful.<br />
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The night before we left on October 20, our local Tri Cities Dust Devil’s baseball organization held a World Series opener party which became Mailia’s official send off party. It was an exciting time and event for Mailia, one she will cherish and remember always. Our thanks to the Dust Devils management team…for an incredible year. <br />
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We landed in Florida on Friday October 21th, so very tired and exhausted from our late night/early morning flight, straight to claim our baggage and find our rental car with such a great relief. We managed to find our way out of the maze of streets surrounding Miami International and Max promptly got us headed west along Alligator Alley…or I-75 west heading for our destination of Bonita Springs. A quick stop to our favorite little restaurant chain in the South and Mid-West, Cracker Barrel restaurant…for a good breakfast and new Webkinz for Mailia, a polar bear she named Knut, after the famous polar bear from Germany.<br />
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Upon our arrival in Bonita Springs, we were instructed to visit the Regenocyte office to pick up a key to the condo where we would be staying. You see…our dear friend Nahla Abbo, who is Cal’s mom…who you have heard us reference in previous posts being so very connected to Mailia as they share a similar journey, so graciously offered us her parents condo so we could stay rent free…helping us out immensely!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWRwM3MalCgIqeBG6DCD2-XP-evHIzhZ1HA7uBGOCTfOkeRfuneYe0dyP29666exENBTuEP7UVHoZv5TO1c549lKdwrPFUm7XQEcTdSQD_7wISrv-Lj5eHguXai3MjGPX_nzDUbkP7qU/s1600/Mailia%2527s+MiracleMobile+At+Regenocyte14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWRwM3MalCgIqeBG6DCD2-XP-evHIzhZ1HA7uBGOCTfOkeRfuneYe0dyP29666exENBTuEP7UVHoZv5TO1c549lKdwrPFUm7XQEcTdSQD_7wISrv-Lj5eHguXai3MjGPX_nzDUbkP7qU/s320/Mailia%2527s+MiracleMobile+At+Regenocyte14.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
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We were all greeted at Regenocyte…despite our exhaustion and gaminess with open arms, hugs and smiles. They were so very thrilled to see Mailia again, gave us a bottle of oxygen to tie Mailia over as the batteries in Mailia’s oxygen concentrator were all coming to an end. Max and Kelly Drouin from the Alliance, ran and fetched an oxygen concentrator from the Naples Lincare oxygen service provider, and she was all set up with a permanent source for oxygen.<br />
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Bear in mind…for those that might read this who will at some point, consider traveling with a portable oxygen concentrator, Mailia had a unit while traveling to and from the airports, and while in flight only between Seattle and Miami…a direct 5 hour flight, a unit called a Respironics concentrator. It delivers up to 6 lpm but only by pulse…not constant flow which is what she is used to.<br />
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Mailia had a week to practice with this unit while using it at home. It worked well…along with her breath work, the only problem we had while in flight was when Mailia dozed off, and went to mouth breathing. Then…I would have to wake her, giving her the elbow and drill to breathe through her nose. Her sats dropped a little while in flight…but then again, so did mine and Max’s. <br />
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We made sure that Mailia was well hydrated before and during our flight and that she moved her legs and extremities enough so to avert possible complications with any DVT. She knew what to do instinctively and told her dad and I…not to worry, she was good to go!<br />
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<br />
Back to the condo where we were staying in Bonita Springs…that evening after resting up and unpacking, we went out to grab a bite for dinner. We decided on Outback steakhouse as Mailia had a hankering for a salad and shrimp. Mailia made a friend last year who she met at our stay at the Trianon Hotel here in Bonita Springs for her first stem cell transplant, a beautiful young woman by the name of Dana Foster who also works at Outback. Imagine our surprise, when Dana saw Mailia…and the two, got to greet and meet for a second time…incredible and heartwarming that these two souls would reconnect with each other. We are grateful to Dana for staying in touch with Mailia…this past year, as her friendship has meant so very much to her.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7loSDAc8XZhimkpyBqlgD1lXjKs5DNiCTNpPEUhmTHLP9NWQYeVGtgS2obwTrhusQqeQ_T1ToYalJ7F2MtTpsA0BiZDtQJBW6rAKwNhJ__K-I6MpSkXmR3WkwSvIZQbX4nkqRucy0nw/s1600/Mailia+%2526+Dana05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7loSDAc8XZhimkpyBqlgD1lXjKs5DNiCTNpPEUhmTHLP9NWQYeVGtgS2obwTrhusQqeQ_T1ToYalJ7F2MtTpsA0BiZDtQJBW6rAKwNhJ__K-I6MpSkXmR3WkwSvIZQbX4nkqRucy0nw/s320/Mailia+%2526+Dana05.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Arriving here Friday, we had the weekend to just relax and give Mailia some much needed rest before her blood draw on Monday. We made a few trips to the grocery store to stock up on food for our meals so not to each out as much thanks to Nahla’s folks condo’s beautiful kitchen. We also procured a juicer so Mailia could continue her daily cabbage juice routine…an important source of Glutamine to help avert lung bleeds…(really works)!<br />
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The baseball World Series was also on…and we watched with great anticipation, the head to head matchup between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Texas Rangers. Mailia of course, rooting for both teams.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLLVp82IgceePz3v0csNGHIm6mh4_Lny_Mjku-Ka8JdASQ-CP_mpT_ysZN6UJBjy2KhBAv3O1MSfTvgT-iaNbNevUfhYuK8F3Xjm-UED6H80AmAa9dTq2T-LoD5ISEYWwxCYNVgn2Dpg/s1600/Baseball+world+series01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLLVp82IgceePz3v0csNGHIm6mh4_Lny_Mjku-Ka8JdASQ-CP_mpT_ysZN6UJBjy2KhBAv3O1MSfTvgT-iaNbNevUfhYuK8F3Xjm-UED6H80AmAa9dTq2T-LoD5ISEYWwxCYNVgn2Dpg/s320/Baseball+world+series01.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
That Saturday…we had to go procure a replacement modem for our laptop as the one we had, which was an external thumb drive, accidently broke. After leaving Bestbuy…we found a movie theater nearby recommended by Kelly called the Spotlight…and decided to take Mailia to see the movie she had been wanting to see called “Dolphin Tale”.<br />
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The theater was unlike any we have ever seen or experienced. Internal restaurant and bar…instead of snack bar. Huge plush high back leather soft seats and 3-D viewing. We opted for lemonade and popcorn. The movie…was incredible. I cried and cried…throughout. This movies story hits close to home. A broken dolphin, broken humans…a broken business. Sound familiar?...well, it was.<br />
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When we returned back to the condo, Max told Mailia how very proud he was of her and her unbelievable will and courage, especially during our flight and trip. The movie…impacted and moved Max and I deeply. Mailia asked…if we could take her to see Winter, the dolphin from the movie that resides at the Clearwater aquarium near Tampa. We said…of course without batting an eye not knowing how life changing this experience would be for her…and us.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG6hTRRHBCZU1pwJMaGqvvxpZauV8gJg9DVpKKFTI5sejhmgf0G7gf5vT1tqzbzfU-YAOHX_6UJApWdfBHcrmk5TbeOSKyb1htWSnliMkKLlz3oQB4lGMQaqLimcpSJA0xlSLQi5u3Vbo/s1600/Dolphin+Tale+movie01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG6hTRRHBCZU1pwJMaGqvvxpZauV8gJg9DVpKKFTI5sejhmgf0G7gf5vT1tqzbzfU-YAOHX_6UJApWdfBHcrmk5TbeOSKyb1htWSnliMkKLlz3oQB4lGMQaqLimcpSJA0xlSLQi5u3Vbo/s320/Dolphin+Tale+movie01.jpg" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
All I can say is that it is a movie and story worth seeing. Mailia did…and is so very happy and grateful. Maybe Wednesday, after Mailia’s blood draw, we will make the journey north to see Winter and the animals at the aquarium. For now, rest and relaxation for Mailia. Did I mention how she has befriended a little moorhen duck she has fondly named “Stanley” out in the back yard pond of the condo? We leave you with this picture she took of him. What a beautiful bird!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpzX_em0BNqBJ-HfhlGdnyH5hoyg5as4c66823n_l1G1Ce2rzMG3rJHi_DA2FiDvCX-U3Iaq-bXpwri_zG-BOgFYD-P229Dl7fMpyywn-ebD0kP99DeH3MkV8x5H_CjVQY4IVgs0l_xS4/s1600/Stanley01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpzX_em0BNqBJ-HfhlGdnyH5hoyg5as4c66823n_l1G1Ce2rzMG3rJHi_DA2FiDvCX-U3Iaq-bXpwri_zG-BOgFYD-P229Dl7fMpyywn-ebD0kP99DeH3MkV8x5H_CjVQY4IVgs0l_xS4/s320/Stanley01.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Love and blessings…<br />
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The Goforth’sMailiasMiraclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06334694914317133151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5978731390479059014.post-25605250731767812442011-10-10T16:23:00.000-07:002011-10-10T16:23:37.511-07:00Dr. Zannos Grekos & Regenocyte Clear Mailia for Second Adult Stem Cell Transplant<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibD7Hkj9l-0n3WwprR6_3AwQawTOJs6k0pZdGwT1y-yITKnDfUP_6_2iNhX8zxFp0kDfwqGuQCEcViMzQtTttHNMo1EdJTvx7v56rfWdRdOk5fLkXuqRjOTSFBgra2O-ndwoHNklhGIAw/s1600/Mailia%2527s+MiracleMobile+At+Regenocyte06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibD7Hkj9l-0n3WwprR6_3AwQawTOJs6k0pZdGwT1y-yITKnDfUP_6_2iNhX8zxFp0kDfwqGuQCEcViMzQtTttHNMo1EdJTvx7v56rfWdRdOk5fLkXuqRjOTSFBgra2O-ndwoHNklhGIAw/s320/Mailia%2527s+MiracleMobile+At+Regenocyte06.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong>Mailia at Regenocyte May 2010</strong></span><br />
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Today...the 10th of October, we set out to see Mailia's Dr. Nazar, her wonderful GP who has followed her care for the past 10 years now. We were instructed by the folks at Regenocyte that Mailia needed to have some pre op blood work done prior to our trip to Florida and the D.R. so off to Dr. Nazar she goes, straight in to the phelbotomists lab this morning to do, exactly that. Oops, did I spill the beans or fail to mention that YES!...Mailia has a date with her hero, her favorite Cardiologist and Stem Cell doc and his wonderful staff in Florida THIS MONTH!!!!<br />
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One evening last month...we recieved a phone call from Dr. Zannos Grekos telling us it was time that Mailia be treated with another round of stem cells and that we should start planning this as soon as possible. Nancy Trombino, who is Regenocyte's Director of Patient Services, arranged Mailia's procedures to coincide with the following dates:<br />
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<strong>Oct. 24th...Blood Draw at Regenocyte in Bonita Springs, Florida</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>Nov. 1st...Adult Stem Cell Transplant at Regenocyte in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic</strong><br />
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One thing Dr. Grekos mentioned to us is that this next procedure being done on Mailia would go a little differently. It was his hope...that Mailia's next blood draw would be able to produce a more viable amount of stem cells, meaning instead of the 58,000 million stem cells delivered during her procedure in 2010, this year he wanted to see closer to 100,000 million stem cells produced from the lab in TelAviv Israel....almost double the amount of heart and lung adult stem cells!<br />
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It was also his wish to see the second half of the procedure, go a little differently than the last one. Dr. Grekos wants to use a balloon catheter to hold the stem cells in place, long enough for them to actually "stick" and adhere well to the delicate walls of Mailia's lung vasculature. The benefits of being able to do this now...this time around far out weigh the risks involved last time, for you see...Mailia's lung pressures were so very high last year and she was so very fragile, there was no way to do this then, for they would have lost her on the table. <br />
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Now...Dr. Grekos believes with her 30% improvement from last year...she should be able to handle this well and come away with some huge gains...or let me rephrase that...better numbers where it concerns her pulmonary vascular resistance. <br />
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He did, however...ask that we consider doing something before hand...to better prepare Mailia for another successful outcome. I asked what that was...and to my amazement, he said the following: I have a patient who is paraplegic from a spinal cord injury that I am treating with his Adult Stem Cells. The patients mother and father are physical therapists and I would like for you to contact them and discuss what they are doing for their son. The name of their organization is the Power of Breath dot org. You can google it if you like and go from there but I really do think it would improve Mailia's overall results.<br />
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I thanked Dr. Grekos profusely and came away from this phone conversation so elated and happy for our precious Mailia and GRATEFUL...oh how thankful we are to everyone who has helped us and are continuing to help in so many ways.<br />
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My last day of work due to completing our proposal and my contract...at my present job would be September 30th, which is something I have no control over but see it as...perfect timing so as to give us 3 weeks to get Mailia ready for this huge trip. We are still short on our funding for Mailia's procedures...no matter, we will figure it out...and TRUST and have FAITH in God and the universe, it will all work out, and we will continue steadfast to work as a team to get Mailia her Miracle. We HAVE to! So please everyone...we humbly ask...once more for your prayers and any contributions or creative resources on your part to make this Miracle happen for Mailia.<br />
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Thank you...all our love and gratitude now, and always.<br />
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The Goforth'sMailiasMiraclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06334694914317133151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5978731390479059014.post-24156288147373274772011-10-09T16:23:00.000-07:002011-10-09T16:23:36.596-07:00Mailia Meets Bret Michaels and dreams of being part of the "Something To Believe In" charity reality show.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7FmmuhqqDTUOcd5fs910xfVPQvexsUCR6gUJShjugpmF1NXjO1nLebzjH9Mb87GTkfbxXzy40VjbckRH7zQzb4oGUdGbFl0Tq02CiY8ZY0pdRSNCCRnl90eqlqIHbnxLDx8wLV9EhS1M/s1600/Bret+Michaels+%2526+Mailia2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7FmmuhqqDTUOcd5fs910xfVPQvexsUCR6gUJShjugpmF1NXjO1nLebzjH9Mb87GTkfbxXzy40VjbckRH7zQzb4oGUdGbFl0Tq02CiY8ZY0pdRSNCCRnl90eqlqIHbnxLDx8wLV9EhS1M/s320/Bret+Michaels+%2526+Mailia2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Mailia & Bret Michaels Aug. 24, 2011</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Well wouldn't you know it. After teasing Mailia's dad Max about what an absurd idea it would be to ever wish let alone believe that a meeting between that infamous rock star from the Poison days, Bret Michaels, would ever materialize...I am here to tell you it was WORTH...believing in.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I will always remember Max coming in to tell me...this, is who you need to get a hold of to help Mailia...as he hands me a piece of paper with Bret Michaels name written on it. Who is Bret Michaels?...I asked...as Max just rolled his eyes, knowing I never cared nor listened to his music (sorry BM fans...but that is a fact).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Max told me he had just won the Celebrity Apprentice show (another one I did not watch obviously)...as most of my spare time is glued to the computer and internet looking for therapies and treatments for Eisenmenger's and pulmonary hypertension i.e. Adult Stem Cell Therapy and at time, we were so wrapped up with Mailia's first stem cell treatment and trip and raising the necessary funds to facilitate it all.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">No...I thought to myself...well, if he is who you know him to be...then try to contact him Max.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Not...at least for the time being.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Spring ahead to March 2011 while perusing through our local news paper, the Tri-City Herald I happened to see who the concert line up is for our local small town/city Benton Franklin county Fair and Rodeo...and when I saw that Bret Michaels was included...my jaw hit the floor!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">It's a sign...it's a sign! I remember orating to myself and Mailia...and quickly contacted Max to let him know. Max spent the next several months trying to figure out an opportunity where Mailia could actually meet Bret Michaels. He wrote letters to the BM fan club, to his publicists and road Manager, who we heard...had graduated from Kennewick high school.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">But during this time, we also found out that Bret had been diagnosed with a hole in his heart, a PFO or patent foramen ovale that was a possible cause of stokes he had experienced early on. Unlike Mailia's heart defect or hole in her heart (VSD), doctor's were able to repair Bret's heart defect with a right heart cath and PFO closure device.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">A true Miracle...and now with this added caveat and circumstance that hit sooo close to home, we knew in our hearts that Bret and Mialia...were destined to meet and connect in some meaningful and heartfelt way.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The day of the fair and concert came, August 24th 2011 and Max took the day off work...and left the house early to find a way so Mailia could meet Bret Michaels. He spent the entire hot and sweltering day combing through the entire fairgrounds...a paparazzi troll if you will, asking and inquiring until he landed at the Bret Michaels concert booth. After talking to several of the Bret Michaels staff setting up for the pending concert, and a 1-1/2 hour waiting period, Max was finally told that Mailia could have a meet and greet with Bret prior to the concert. Max immediately called home to tell us that his baby girl was going to get her wish.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I loaded up Mailia and her little service dog SteelDust and we headed for the fair late that afternoon and found her dad harboring a wrist band for her. Came time for the meet and greet, Mailia and Max were whisked back stage behind so much security and secrecy where Mailia got to say hello to Bret, shake his hand and have her picture taken with him. His band members and staff were all over little SteelDust...and Max, so humbled and grateful to them all...handed Bret an envelope with a letter he had written with one of Mailia's cards that said the following:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><em>Dear Mr. Michaels,</em></div><em>Let me begin by saying congratulations on your successful heart surgery and for remaining to be a positive role model in lieu of your other recent health challenges. I have been a fan of your music since the Poisonous 80’s. Having recently watched you on Celebrity Apprentice, Barrett Jackson, and other media outlets, I have gained a tremendous amount of respect for you as an individual, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and most importantly a DAD. The way that you responded to the news of your daughter’s diagnosis of Juvenile Diabetes, on Celebrity Apprentice, was very commendable. Like they say “Any man can be a father but it takes a special man to be a DAD”.</em><br />
<em></em><em><br />
</em><em>My name is Max Goforth and I live on a small farm in Pasco, Washington with my wife Andrea and daughter Mailia. My wife and I work full time day jobs and we also breed horses and dogs in our spare time. Our 17 year old daughter Mailia , like you, was also born with a hole in her heart that went undiagnosed until she was 3 ½ years of age. Mailia developed secondary pulmonary hypertension due to the large hole in her heart, or Eisenmenger’s Syndrome, and has required supplemental oxygen 24/7 for the past 14 years. Until recently Mailia’s prognosis was not good, as the traditional treatment protocols have had no noticeable benefit and Mailia’s pulmonary pressures are too high to safely close the hole.</em><em><br />
</em><br />
<em>Mailia is a beautiful 17 year old with a strong desire to live life to its fullest. She amazes her mother and I everyday with her positive outlook and we are extremely blessed to be her parents. We made a trip last summer to Florida and then to the Dominican Republic where Mailia underwent a controversial Adult Stem Cell Transplant that has shown very positive results. This technology is currently the only viable option that Mailia and some other Eisenmenger’s patients have to live long and prosperous lives. We are in the process of planning another similar trip in the near future to allow Mailia to have a second stem cell procedure. You can view Mailia’s story and the chronicles of our whirlwind trip at <a href="http://www.mailiasmiracle.com/">www.MailiasMiracle.com</a>.</em><br />
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<em>When I heard about your own heart condition and successful surgery, I told my wife, it sure would be cool if Mailia had the chance to meet Bret Michaels someday. Just two unique individuals bound by a common challenge.</em><br />
<em>As fate would have it, I see based on your current concert schedule that you will be performing live at the Benton/Franklin County Fair on August 24, 2011. This happens to be the County Fair for the area of Southeastern Washington where we live. We would consider it an honor and a pleasure if you could spare a few moments of your time while you are here in Kennewick, Washington to meet with us and Mailia. You would make the proud parents of an amazing 17 year old very happy.</em><em><br />
</em><br />
<em>Respectfully,</em><br />
<em>Max Goforth</em><br />
<br />
The meeting that coincided with Bret's concert was amazing. Hearing his song, Something To Believe In was heartfelt. The next day...while googling the lyrics to the song, I found out that Bret is working on another reality show with Donald Trump called non other than "Something To Believe In"...a show based on "Charity" and Bret's intention of traveling the country helping those in need of a miracle.<br />
<br />
Well...if FAITH and TRUST have anything to do with it...and taking Bret's last sentence or words said to Max and Mailia (to heart)..."I will talk to you later"...I think, Mailia has a very good chance indeed, of being a part of Bret Michaels circle...once again. And who knows, maybe a special "angel" will intercede and open a wonderful door so this will come to pass. <br />
<br />
Please everyone...keep Mailia in your on going prayers that she will be healed and have her miracle. Thank you Max...you are an awesome dad and husband. We will never forget this sweetie...you are the best and YOU ROCK too!~<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBls7gG5TO2W8WE62xIZInqOsn8fqigC7wYjvgNkW5NenV3fmiOLjXjHcGEKjV61kVhoCNcc7m_ML9h5zwxRjLAEbnBL3FMwCniWE_WH4k-JM2E5r7xwbL97Oo4Av3Miu8kr2HXTyxkGo/s1600/Bret+Michaels+%2526+Mailia4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBls7gG5TO2W8WE62xIZInqOsn8fqigC7wYjvgNkW5NenV3fmiOLjXjHcGEKjV61kVhoCNcc7m_ML9h5zwxRjLAEbnBL3FMwCniWE_WH4k-JM2E5r7xwbL97Oo4Av3Miu8kr2HXTyxkGo/s320/Bret+Michaels+%2526+Mailia4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Mailia, Max and Bret Michaels.... <em><br />
</em></div>MailiasMiraclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06334694914317133151noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5978731390479059014.post-51251356074186390442011-09-05T17:23:00.000-07:002011-09-05T17:29:49.805-07:00Mailia's Miracle 2nd Annual Night of Hope Fundraiser a Huge Success for her 2nd Round of Adult Stem Cells<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGYnJlDRcgQTFlC5cm6yDKTtyOU-jnD7hrqXgqayC43v0rFuCA6dlrxViHSeU8fMLwyulvRteuQsZnQc3b6n7jPyExAgwb7iqP7OvYrBGlcqtBeqPgTCbngpGiE2v78cMvSLul0T2LCoY/s1600/Mailia+%2526+Jesica01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGYnJlDRcgQTFlC5cm6yDKTtyOU-jnD7hrqXgqayC43v0rFuCA6dlrxViHSeU8fMLwyulvRteuQsZnQc3b6n7jPyExAgwb7iqP7OvYrBGlcqtBeqPgTCbngpGiE2v78cMvSLul0T2LCoY/s320/Mailia+%2526+Jesica01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Jesica Dawsey & Mailia with proceeds from her 2nd Annual Night of Hope Benefit Fundraiser</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="left">Oh dear, I'm Late...I'm Late for a very important date! No time to say "hello", "good-bye" I'm Late, I'm Late I'm Late! I feel like the rabbit in Alice in Wonderland...been down in a deep rabbit hole for the past 4 months so will try as best I can to explain and say...oh how I have missed blogging about Mailia!<br />
<br />
<br />
I wish to start out this update explaining that the reason I have been out of pocket for these past several months is that right after Mailia's benefit fundraiser in April, I was unexpectedly laid off from my job but fortunately was able to connect with a new company that needed help with a short term project, so hence...have been busy working non stop and spending what quality time I can, with Mailia and championing her cause on every front we can.<br />
<br />
Our priority right after Mailia's event, was to send out personal "Thank You" cards and letters to everyone who donated their time and resources to make Mailia's Miracle 2nd Annual Night of Hope a huge success, but now, also wish to share our letter of gratitude within Mailia's blog:</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><em>Max, Mailia and I wish to recognize and thank everyone for coming out to Mailia's Miracle "2nd Annual Night of Hope" benefit fundraiser and to also thank Jesica Dawsey and all the volunteers, businesses and generous donors who contributed to this event and the live and silent auction. We were blessed with raising over <strong>$14,041.00</strong> this year for Mailia's next scheduled therapy of Adult Stem Cells which now brings her benefit fund balance to over <strong>$20,000.00!~</strong></em></div><em></em><br />
<em>We wish to convey, that this event was not all about Mailia…but about the sense of generosity, compassion and love that a very special young lady can inspire. By having been a part of Mailia’s event, you will be blessed with the knowledge that you have made Mailia…so very happy and that you are a part of an ongoing miracle to see her and others healed from Eisenmenger’s Syndrome.</em><br />
<em>At her event and a year after her first round of stem cells, folks commented how well Mailia is doing and looking compared to the same time last year. To see her smile, to see her so very happy and full of energy...we can only hope you know how much your support means to us and acknowledge she is where she is today because of your help. We humbly…Thank you!</em><br />
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<em>We know while Mailia’s personal courage and strength have played a significant part in this ongoing miracle, it is the prayers, encouragement and ongoing support of many folks who have made this possible.</em><br />
<br />
<em>This event...was no exception.</em><br />
<br />
<em>We owe so much gratitude to Jesica Dawsey for once again, taking time out of her busy life and committing herself to helping Mailia. Jesica’s action sends a message to everyone that taking time for others, and giving from the heart is what truly makes a difference in one’s life…and the lives of others.</em><br />
<br />
<em>With experience in the fundraising arena…Jesica not once, but twice…took the bull by the horns and started down the path to pull together, an incredible team of volunteers and angels. She solicited help from friends Tassie Alderliesten and Tammi Bitton, Alison Graff, Sarah Clouse & Haylee Bitton.</em><br />
<br />
<em>Jesica and her angels asked for donations from individuals and businesses. She brain stormed on a daily basis…some nights, losing sleep worrying about the fundraiser. But she persevered and came through with a beautiful and successful event once again. We are proud and commend her highly on her integrity, hard work and dedication...she is a true inspiration that anyone can do great things...if they set their minds and heart to it. Thank you Jesica...we love you and Kolin dearly and will always remember your incredible gift of friendship, love and support for Mailia…this we will always treasure! </em><br />
<br />
<em>Chuck Hall was an integral part in helping us get the word out about Mailia’s Miracle in the community with public service announcements. To be the Emcee and helping out at this year’s event…and all the advertising through his radio station 102.5 KORD...we wish to recognize and thank him so very much, for supporting Mailia and affording her future opportunities to come out to the station to “hang out” with him.</em><br />
<br />
<em>To the owners and incredible staff from Eagle Printing & Graphic Design, we owe them so much for their help and services. Chris Steel has been around this fundraising block…more times than I can count. But they too…have played such an instrumental part in helping Mailia’s Miracle touch the world. Chris is a wonderful and neat lady…she has a knack of knowing what to say to make your day a whole lot brighter. Her laugh is contagious…her light…is one of the brightest we have seen! Thank you...so very much!</em><br />
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<em>Web Master extraordinaire…Thomas Granbois…a dear soul who has built Mailia’s Miracle web site and blog…and assisted us from a technical standpoint…to you, we thank you too...you are our angel! Mailia’s web site has been an important conduit to sharing information about Mailia’s condition, her incredible therapies and outcomes with thousands of other people around the world looking for help and answers…and will continue to afford us a means to reach out for help for Mailia…and others.</em><br />
<br />
<em>Mailia’s caregiver Ramona Torres…you know how much we love and value you and your wonderful family. Your taking Mailia’s care so personally…and to heart…treating her as one of your own, means the world to us too. We hope you will always know…how much you truly mean to us and how grateful we are for being a part of Mailia’s life.</em><br />
<br />
<em>To Lance Sawyer, the staff of O’Callahan’s and the Shilo Inn…Delbert Olson and staff of RDO Equipment, Kennewick Ranch and Home, D.J. Bob from Sight & Sound Services, Auctioneer Doug Swenson, The Entertainer Newspaper and KNDU, Randy Hickman and his counterparts at Twin City Metals, Jeff & Jill Rottinghaus, Austin Bitton, MaryLee & Charles Dawsey, June Robinson, and to everyone else who contributed wonderful auction items, helped organize and worked so very hard at this event, our friends, our incredible co-workers and our family that made time and sacrifices to come help and support Mailia…we thank you and appreciate you so very much!</em><br />
<br />
<em>In summarizing…Mailia’s spirit reflects she has so much more…to offer this world. As her parents we have a huge responsibility to her…to see to it that she has the best medical and spiritual assistance to make this life, a reality for her. We don’t have a choice…that is what we are supposed to do. And because of the generosity and support we have from all of you, it will help make it all possible.</em><br />
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<em>We wish for all of you to cherish your loved ones and friends like there was no tomorrow and to live your lives to the fullest by continuing to help one another, and to be true to yourselves. We will post photos of the event up on Mailia's Miracle Facebook page here shortly.</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>We love you and humbly thank you. May God Bless you richly.</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>Max, Andrea and Mailía Goforth</em><br />
<a href="http://www.mailiasmiracle.com/"><em>www.MailiasMiracle.com</em></a><br />
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</div>MailiasMiraclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06334694914317133151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5978731390479059014.post-31811749243702481612011-03-09T08:05:00.000-08:002011-03-09T08:05:12.077-08:00March 9, 2011 Mailia's Miracle is Celebrating Her Birthday & Blessings TodayIt has been a very busy and challenging time for us and Mailia since our last blog post...we have spent the last 4 weeks getting Mailia over another bout of crud she picked up with more visits to her doctors and antibiotics. This time...we are grateful her cough was not intense and she was successful at keeping the bleeds to her lungs at bay. She is almost 100%...back to her old self and enjoying the fruits of her daily creations.<br />
<br />
Mailia...as some of you know, has been raising some puppies to sell to help us generate funds for her upcoming stem cell therapy and heart surgeries. She is now affiliated with a non profit group, The Alliance for the Advancement of Adult Stem Cell Therapy and Research. It is Mailia's hope that with the help of her supporters and her "miracle"....she will be able to help so many others through sharing her story and journey, by giving of her time and resources to help raise awareness and funds for others like her.<br />
<br />
Mailia was approached and asked if she would consider donating one of her puppies, a beautiful Toy Australian Shepherd named Li'l Dottie....to a benefit fundraiser for our local "Pink Night to Remember" Making Strides for Breast Cancer event last Friday. The event, was organized by a wonderful group of women who helped us with Mailia's Miracle Night of Hope fundraiser last year. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNbkVodoIA5CjMrA85lXQuOXJg2Kr5fK6VmCPVNBS7jT2EQqkCn0XBVwQH3eCWhJ2vJMCO_mR1AwChycg3HL2IbJx4a6w_wGNZhL-dSPhxxH3BxSrfXUUvd3i6M-Ra5_IvuIwuHGewh54/s1600/untitled.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNbkVodoIA5CjMrA85lXQuOXJg2Kr5fK6VmCPVNBS7jT2EQqkCn0XBVwQH3eCWhJ2vJMCO_mR1AwChycg3HL2IbJx4a6w_wGNZhL-dSPhxxH3BxSrfXUUvd3i6M-Ra5_IvuIwuHGewh54/s320/untitled.bmp" width="247" /></a></div>The event was a huge success bringing in over $31,000 dollars but the best part of all was the generosity of folks shown to Mailia's and her gift of her little fur baby. Mailia and Dottie's contribution brought them $2,100.00 that night...but more importantly, it brought a wonderful loving home for Mailia's special little girl and gift. Breast cancer survivor Paula Boone, a registered nurse from Parker, Colorado won the opportunity to claim Li'l Dottie and take her home to Colorado to her forever loving home.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGh0Ho5GVsAT-BYeRDNTd4HpbmvXQR9l9qZWdlba0Ito0UavVIkr0LmWHcrk0Vu37JgBlc1ZGKEpTBL9lzoswkeNfhhETZP1QqLF884jwO2KrsZBSSC71q3V34NktGsVOG6IH-UndPtg/s1600/Pink+Night01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGh0Ho5GVsAT-BYeRDNTd4HpbmvXQR9l9qZWdlba0Ito0UavVIkr0LmWHcrk0Vu37JgBlc1ZGKEpTBL9lzoswkeNfhhETZP1QqLF884jwO2KrsZBSSC71q3V34NktGsVOG6IH-UndPtg/s320/Pink+Night01.jpg" width="284" /></a></div>An emotional and heartfelt evening...or actually day, for earlier that morning...we were once again blessed with the opportunity to tell Mailia's story on our local NBC news station KNDU. Reporter Chris Holmstrum came out to the house to visit Mailia and do a follow up story about her stem cell therapy last year, and to also share where she is at today...and future therapies to come.<br />
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<br />
Chris interviewed Mailia and asked how she now feels after her initial adult stem cell procedure last summer. She told Chris that after about a month from having her stem cell procedure, she had in fact felt so much more energy and was able to do so much more physically without her lungs and heart becoming overloaded from all the extra exertion and activities she was now able to do.<br />
<br />
Chris was also able to speak over the phone with Dr. Zannos Grekos from Regenocyte to get his perspective of Mailia's initial procedure and his recommendations for another round of stem cells, the next...we are praying will come about in the very near future. Chris also helped us convey the need to help us raise funds for Mailia's next treatments through a benefit fundraiser event scheduled for April 22nd 2011 and how folks could learn about Mailia through her web site and blog.<br />
<br />
We wish to thank Chris Holmstrom and the producers and staff of KNDU for their wonderful follow-up story for Mailia's Miracle...we are truly grateful! Thank you!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_p9g-QWuCfUSjm2JBI5RXREw5IEt1BA1UCVVt4WcQfU16uZm8Do-AgkLQnRHcB_EMRhp3RMYly3Tb0-CN8gX_RN82XO0hLqTWbTKhP1MnR2mMLyuRj_KxB-bcV9o84-i6YEeqnAARgw/s1600/Mailia+%2526+Chris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_p9g-QWuCfUSjm2JBI5RXREw5IEt1BA1UCVVt4WcQfU16uZm8Do-AgkLQnRHcB_EMRhp3RMYly3Tb0-CN8gX_RN82XO0hLqTWbTKhP1MnR2mMLyuRj_KxB-bcV9o84-i6YEeqnAARgw/s320/Mailia+%2526+Chris.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>While driving to work last week, I was pondering my thoughts about Mailia and her life up until now, and what a miracle and blessing it has been. Not a day goes by, that we do not give thanks to God for blessing us with such a beautiful child.<br />
<br />
I'll bet...my own mother felt the same way about me...when I was born. You see...I was not supposed to even be here. I am alive today...because of the love and generosity of one great man who I owe my life to.<br />
<br />
Before I was born, my mother and father lost 3 sons at birth that were "blue babies". My mother Josefina worked for a great man by the name of Herbert Fleischhacker, businessman/banker and philanthropist from San Francisco. He adored my mom...and during her pregnancy with me, made sure that she would have the best in medical care that could be afforded at that time (1957). Sadly, Mr. Fleischhacker died in April of that year and I was born the following month in May. A Blue Baby! <br />
<br />
True to his word, I was delivered at Mt. Zion Hospital in San Francisco and transfused with my mother's blood right away...saving my life. As I was driving to work, I remember these stories told to me by my mother and I gleaned the true meaning of love and faith and how truly grateful I am...to my parents and Mr. Fleischhacker. Mr. Fleischhacker, if you are in heaven and looking down on us, you must know what goodness has...and will come to pass from your life's work and contributions.<br />
<br />
And so now...here go we. Our beautiful daughter...whose life we are trying to save with the help, support and prayers of so many.<br />
<br />
I peeked in on Mailia this morning...gratitude and love pouring from my heart for giving us another year with her. Happy Birthday sweetheart! Today marks your 17th year and we get to celebrate it with you today. We love you so very much and thank you...for choosing us as your parents and guardians in this life.<br />
<br />
Let's get the party STARTED!!!!MailiasMiraclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06334694914317133151noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5978731390479059014.post-74556981856819627572011-01-30T19:21:00.000-08:002011-01-30T19:21:46.125-08:00Mailia's Miracle Finds New Eisemenger's Syndrome Patient in Mumbai, India<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdKIjbeZkRbOiGRjuBl-PnvTz_fL-nJ-fVqrihYmnaDxbPaDrcEaWmrj7JvQ_U9t0PZQWbt72acy31DzHeoFnLJkG9cpEj3JAbCicNxHqU_M3cORqODqmq6_HOW1zUWBWfrzHQa1YVIpk/s1600/Taj-Mahal01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdKIjbeZkRbOiGRjuBl-PnvTz_fL-nJ-fVqrihYmnaDxbPaDrcEaWmrj7JvQ_U9t0PZQWbt72acy31DzHeoFnLJkG9cpEj3JAbCicNxHqU_M3cORqODqmq6_HOW1zUWBWfrzHQa1YVIpk/s320/Taj-Mahal01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Taj-Mahal Photo for Mailia from Hari</span></div>2011 found us bringing in the New Year with a beautiful email and greeting from a young man we have fondly come to know as "Hari" who is also Eisenmenger's Syndrome like Mailia, but a world away living in Mumbai India...and with his permission granted...we wish to share his first email to us, with you:<br />
<br />
Hi Mailia and her wonderful parents,<br />
<br />
My name is Harikrishnan K R. I am 28 years old and am a VSD - Eisenmenger's Syndrome patient. I was diagnosed with VSD at the age of 6 which was obviously beyond surgical stage. Doctor's suggested my parents that there is a chance for the defect (ie, the hole) to close by itself as age goes by. The medical follow up facilities in the country where I live (Kerala, India) was very minimal during my childhood and my family believed the doctor's word of a self future cure. I never had critical issues with my illness apart from panting when I run or walk through slopes and a blueish tinge on my finger nails and lips. I had myself involved in all sort of sports and games despite my physical limitations due to my illness. I had only 2-3 medical follow ups done in my life and I was 27 years old when I felt the first gear change of my illness.<br />
<br />
I started coughing up blood due to the high pressure on my lungs. It happened in Feb-March 2010. Ever since then I am in regular medical follow up and now I live in Mumbai, India. I am seeing Dr. James Thomas a famous thoracic surgeon in India. He suggests a heart-lung transplant for me. My condition is getting worse for the past 2 months. I gave up my IT job and started working as an Office Clerk in an Import Company near to my home. Due to a recent hospitalization I'm afraid of losing that job too. <br />
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It was during my idle hours in home I started searching on the net for possible modern technics for a cure from my situation. It was during one of those session's I came across "Mailia's Miracle". I felt extremely positive after going through the entire story.<br />
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I want to thank from my heart for initiating such an online resource for sharing Mailia's story. In my lifetime I haven't seen a person who shares my grief. Later I found out it happens only to 1 out of 8 Lakh people. Even the right information about this condition is very rare in India. I came to know that my oxygen saturation is only 84-85 only when I was hospitalized last year. Mailia's story gives me hope and light to an extent that cannot be expressed by words. I wish and pray for the well being of Mailia as early and smooth as possible. <br />
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With lots of prayer's and wishes for Mailia. <br />
<br />
Harikrishnan K R<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vPWsoLjgVwDmVMdEMXgcJ9hk_t0Hk0LEX8DxxBDoQVnTfiFANkynQlulntiApBABueZM8X14mQc7qXsdSHUe3Ws2yvEfjd5SNKPbkM_7r0o5_FFvTqR5TPzNIWsnCx1vR834XHSRAdU/s1600/Hari01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vPWsoLjgVwDmVMdEMXgcJ9hk_t0Hk0LEX8DxxBDoQVnTfiFANkynQlulntiApBABueZM8X14mQc7qXsdSHUe3Ws2yvEfjd5SNKPbkM_7r0o5_FFvTqR5TPzNIWsnCx1vR834XHSRAdU/s320/Hari01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Harikrishnan "Hari"</span></div><br />
So over the course of this past month, we have chatted and emailed Hari back and forth, covering all aspects of potential therapies and research he has inquired about, where it concerns Mailia's journey to be healed from Eisenmenger's.<br />
<br />
One was the opportunity for us to email information to his Cardio Thoracic Surgeon, Dr. James Thomas about the path we are exploring for Mailia's future surgical treatments and Adult Stem Cell Therapy. Dr. Thomas so graciously accepted our communication with him...and we know, Hari is in good hands and we pray, will too...have a positive outcome now and bright future like Mailia.<br />
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Adult Stem Cell Therapy is in its infancy in India...but being afforded to those wanting to obtain it. Hari has a great support system both at home and in his medical team. Both Hari's parents are Ayurvedic physicians in India...hence, probably why Hari has been able to survive Eisenmenger's well into his late 20's including his practice of daily yoga. Ayurveda is considered a form of complementary and alternative medicine here in the west.<br />
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We encouraged Hari...to do his due diligence and find the means to possibly connect with Dr. Randas Batista down in Brazil so as to work with his heart surgeon with a possibility that might afford Dr. Batista to come to India to help him. We also encouraged Hari to start a web site and blog to start documenting his incredible journey, so as to help others in his region and country.<br />
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We humbly ask all of Mailia's followers to please send prayers and blessings to Hari...he too, is so diserving of our love and help. Thank you Hari...for finding Mailia's Miracle!<br />
<br />
Namaste...<br />
<br />
The Goforth's...Max, Andrea & Mailia<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"></div>MailiasMiraclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06334694914317133151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5978731390479059014.post-74624648234481951972010-12-04T16:21:00.000-08:002010-12-04T16:34:08.202-08:00Gratitude...Mailia's 5 Month Follow Up, Right Heart Cath & Second Stem Cell Transplant<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghvzq9o1H1p5oxbuyhom1npCAtLX100oY-7ESsJV-Pk41UU_mff_yxMsIclIolHeakmjH12TgcNDYCWnu_LSLv2qqYgIerXUear3003Sq579Kk5aCClY6bQ7p7m5gupEFQ1M0sJhNAXf0/s1600/RCH+Nov+2+Spokane05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghvzq9o1H1p5oxbuyhom1npCAtLX100oY-7ESsJV-Pk41UU_mff_yxMsIclIolHeakmjH12TgcNDYCWnu_LSLv2qqYgIerXUear3003Sq579Kk5aCClY6bQ7p7m5gupEFQ1M0sJhNAXf0/s320/RCH+Nov+2+Spokane05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Mailia and Dr. Carl Garabedian - Nov.2, 2010</span><br />
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November 2, 2010 was a day we had so anticipated. The night before, Max, Mailia and I ventured up to Spokane, Wa. in rediness for Mailia's right heart cath procedure. We drove over to Post Falls, Idaho to have dinner at a the HotRod cafe and catch the opening game of the World Series. The 20 or so LCD's in the place had Monday night football on and Mailia asked if they would let us have one TV to ourselves and put on the game for us. What a wonderful bunch of folks! They did and Mailia prayed, she rooted hard for her favorite team...the Giants.<br />
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After dinner, desert and most of the game...we ventured back to our hotel adjacent to Sacred Heart Childrens Hospital. We took Mailia in to the room with her companion Steel Dust to catch the remainder of the game while Max and I fetched Mailia's belongings...as she never travels light.<br />
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She was so happy and ecstatic to see the San Francisco Giants win the first game of the world series, while her dad and I sat there and sulked for the losing Texas team. I think it is wonderful though, to consider all that we might accomplish when in tune with our heart, we put others so gracious about the game, or an event that brings so much unification and joy to so many, or even activities that galvanize the world through play and good sportsmanship into the mix of possibility.<br />
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And on this eve...Mailia has her own game she intends on winning. I wonder how she will bring her own giant transformations forth?...but we all know, it is time for a Grand Slam rally so to speak.<br />
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At 6:00a.m. the following morning, we found ourselves going through the hospitals admissions and getting all or Mailia's vitals and records in order. We met with nurses and Dr. Garabedian's cath team prior to their taking Mailia, who at the time...was doing a great job of staying clear, calm and focused. As they came to take her to the catherization lab for her procedure, we accompanied Mailia, stayed close and held her hand until she was anesthetized enough to warrant our dismissal.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSjyfQJHvp3Zh9NYZMHnB47NFrqReB7oFm6QgGI0QGFQl7qiu_WsCuYOvFnxFi-VFyQYbojUiEM3ZY95h4CPJEoZl8d6BPEMADda9R4y6Y_OZ6wR2h_ZKs6Xus0BgdeSuoERmoVOQ_bm8/s1600/RCH+Nov+2+Spokane06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSjyfQJHvp3Zh9NYZMHnB47NFrqReB7oFm6QgGI0QGFQl7qiu_WsCuYOvFnxFi-VFyQYbojUiEM3ZY95h4CPJEoZl8d6BPEMADda9R4y6Y_OZ6wR2h_ZKs6Xus0BgdeSuoERmoVOQ_bm8/s320/RCH+Nov+2+Spokane06.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Max and I stayed close by in the family waiting area, praying for our Mailia while every 35 minutes or so, someone would pop their head in to tell us she was doing okay. Finally, we met up with Dr. Garabedian and had a conversation about what they had found during their procedure.<br />
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Basically...they did not notice a huge change from a baseline cath that had been done in June 2006 to present. He said what he had learned from this cath is that Mailia still has severe Eisenmenger's Syndrome and high pressures in her lung vasculature but one thing they did notice, was that she was very responsive to medications given i.e. oxygen and nitric oxide, which in the past...she was not.<br />
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He said he was going to send this cath data to Dr. Black in San Francisco to think where we should go from here because based on these numbers...he was concerned about banding her pulmonary artery for reasons that would increase her right heart pressures and have risks of causing acute right heart failure. Garabedian thought it best to pursue a more conservative plan like treating her with medications that she might respond to now and take the wait and see approach to see if her pressures come down...and if they do come down then consider further banding or other types of procedures.<br />
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So concerned with the data we had in hand...I sent these reports directly on to Dr. Black and Dr. Zannos Grekos at <a href="http://www.regenocyte.com/"><strong>Regenocyte</strong></a>. A week later, while driving home I received a wonderful call from Dr. Grekos telling me he had reviewed the caths...both 2006 and the most recent one, against Mailia's cath from June 2010 that she had in the Dominican Republic...that Dr. Garabedian did not have in hand at the time, to take into account...and that he could see at least a 20 POINT PRESSURE DROP! That was from the time her stem cell transplant was done 5 months prior to present cath on Nov. 2.<br />
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So yes...that makes perfect sense. Why all this time, during this summer and fall we have been witnessing Mailia getting stronger and showing more bouts of energy. I had said in earlier posts that I though Mailia had at least a 30% overall improvement due to the stem cells...but confirming that a 20 point drop has materialized sent us reeling!<br />
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Dr. Grekos told us to go celebrate and hopefully we could sit down and plan another round of stem cells for Mailia...as he explained to me that when Mailia underwent her transplant in the Dominican Republic this summer, she was only afforded a "mini stem cell delivery" so to speak. Dr. Grekos and his 3 other cardiologists would have liked to have seen the ablation or balloon they use through the catheter hold the stem cell solution in a little longer so as to have better vascular adherence...but were fearful Mailia's lungs would not handle it and they would risk losing her.<br />
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But to see how she improved...with the mini delivery even, sets up the opportunity to do another round of stem cells that will hopefully guarantee a better outcome yet.<br />
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So what does this all mean?...well, looks like we have to jump ahead to Phase 3 before Phase 2 can even be considered. Another round of adult stem cells...and soon.<br />
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Then...just as we are happy celebrating the good news Mailia takes a turn for the worse. A week after her cath...she had been complaining of the sore throat she had upon leaving the hospital, as her throat was severely irritated with road rash from being intubated. <br />
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I started to give her everything in my arsenal...in hopes of keeping the crud that had hit her father the week prior and kept him home from work for 3 weeks with a bronchial infection, the worse I have ever seen Max debilitated by. I contacted Mailia's doctor and asked if we should go ahead with antibiotics for Mailia...and he said no, to wait...see...especially since she showed no signs of fever.<br />
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The sore throat developed slowly into a cough...and her doctor prescribed her cough medicine, the strongest and safest she could take plus antibiotics. That did not help, for a week ago Monday she went into a coughing spat and low and behold...she caused a horrendous lung bleed or what is called hymoptysis.<br />
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I acted fast...and prayed hard. Her doctor said to watch her and to bring her in to the ER if it got really bad. Max ran to town and brought home some fresh organic cabbage which I juiced for Mailia that very day. Cabbage juice has been used to stop bloody ulcers...and has helped her previously. I gave her an entire 32 oz bottle of ASEA which are reactive molecules based on redox signaling. Both these together, had the bleeds under control Tuesday the next day. I kept up this protocol and worked hard at keeping her from coughing. Two weeks now...she is feeling better and on the road to mending from another frightful ordeal.<br />
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There is one thing I notice that consequently happens every time Mailia goes in for a procedure...she gets very anxious and when she stresses...her immune system goes into the tank. Something we will work on...prior to the "next" one.<br />
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I pray for the day when Mailia will be triumphant over all that we and everyone else...has put her through.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Batter Up Mailia!~ Your day will come sweetie!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>MailiasMiraclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06334694914317133151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5978731390479059014.post-48439824536573608372010-10-03T21:27:00.000-07:002010-10-03T21:33:45.099-07:00In Gratitude For Mailia's Miracle Phase 2 & 3 We Trust Will Unfold BeautifullyPhase 2 and Phase 3 you are asking? Well yes, Phase 1 we considered the journey in finding all the players and team so to speak, that would catapult Mailia to have her first treatment with adult stem cells in Florida and the Dominican Republic. <br />
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But...so what has happened since Mailia's stem cell transplant this past June? This is where I will begin explaining what has transpired and hopefully bring everyone up to speed...with an update I have so wanted to share this weekend.<br />
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About a month ago, I decided to drop Dr. Randas Batista, who is a heart surgeon from Brazil, a quick hello and update on Mailia. He told me that the 30 year old female Eisenmenger patient he operated on last year in Syria, was doing well and getting married and that he would be attending the <a href="http://razavihospital.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=RnRSUlA%2bydQ%3d&tabid=706&language=en-US"><strong>3rd Razavi International Cardiovascular Surgery</strong></a><strong> </strong>Congress in the city Mashhad Iran October 5-8 and extended an invitation to Dr. Black and I...to come see his procedure first hand. I replied back to him and also to Dr. Ahmad Rajaii-Khorasani that I was thrilled and grateful for the invitation, but after checking flights, costs and logistics, there just was no way I could do it with our limited financial resources...thinking we must save for Mailia's future procedures although this had great merit for my going and attending, so as to futher document the advantages and benefits of Dr. Batista's procedure in treating Eisenmenger's syndrome...I had to regretfully say that I could not go.<br />
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So after taking Mailia to California for her 3 month follow up appointment to see her other Cardiologist Dr. Popper, we waited with great anticipation during this past month, to see what he and Mailia's heart surgeon, Dr. Michael Black would recommend as far as a surgical option or path forward. Bare in mind, Eisenmenger's syndrome is a condition that has no viable medical fix curently here in the US, only double lung and heart transplantation which has never been an option for Mailia per many doctors recommendations and expert medical opinions.<br />
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While waiting for direction from California...Mailia had a scheduled followup appointment last Wednesday with her local cardiologist Dr. Carl Garabedian from the NWCCHD in Spokane, Wa. He was happy to see her, and asked how she was doing. We told him she was doing much better, but that after a month, we were still in limbo with our team down south...as to a path forward. He excused himself for a moment...and disappeared out of the room only to return 5 minutes later, saying he had made a call to Dr. Black, and discussed Mailia and wanted to know Dr. Blacks and Popper's plan for her and also if it might not be best to perform a new right heart catherization to measure her pressures and get good data, if she will be able to go forth with the banding of her pulmonary artery...or, the placement of a double flap patch to her VSD or...a RVAD or ????<br />
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Dr. Black felt this was a good idea and said to proceed with the cath. We thanked Dr. Garabedian and headed home, feeling anxious but relieved that we were going ahead with additonal testing to validate her potential surgical procedure(s). Mailia of course...was oh No...not again!<br />
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The following day, I placed a call into the NWCCHD to make Mailia's appointment and while waiting to hear back from them, decided to touch base with <a href="http://www.regenocyte.com/"><strong>Dr. Zannos Grekos of Regenocyte</strong></a>, who performed Mailia's initial stem cell transplant in the Dominican Republic. I mentioned to Dr. Grekos that we had a plan now, and that was to have Mailia go through another right heart cath so a decision could be made on if or when, she could have her initial heart surgery. He asked me...to tell him, how she was doing. By that...he meant, what do you see that is different? I told him...that Mailia has more energy. Her oxygen saturations have not changed, she still requires oxygen but she has more energy. He asked again, but to what extent...would you say, a 10%, 30% or 50% improvement overall? I told him that I felt she was about 30% and that was conservative.<br />
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Dr. Grekos told me..."You need to tell her doctors that, and hopefully this will be the conduit to giving us the go ahead to band her PA, but I still think, she is going to need a second round of stem cells". I asked Dr. Grekos, this question: If after Mailia has this upcoming right hearth cath, and they then decide to go ahead as planned with banding her PA...how long after this, should she have a second round of stem cells? Dr. Grekos said...that after 6 weeks post surgery, allowing enough time for her to heal, she should benefit from having her second round of stem cells.<br />
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Great! Wow! Okay...<br />
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So now, I feel a whole lot better, but still a little perplexed about the potential nay-saying and concern surrounding the PA Banding or double flap-patch or RVAD. Dr. Black, has not yet sold the IRB (Internal Review Board) of his hospital, on the idea of treating one very special patient with this modality. Has never been done for a VSD successfully...at least with a stem cells backup...but it has been done, abroad of course.<br />
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So here I go again, my top guns who I lovingly and fondly call my angels, prompting me to contact Dr. Ahmad and Dr. Batista once again, before the conference next week in Mashhad Iran. I told them I was so grateful for their gracious invitation but would not be able to come to witness Dr. Batista's operations nor be able to validate the one Eisenmenger patient he operated on last year who would be in attendance at the conference to give her testimonial of her healing miracle. And if they could please share their clinical data or videos on their presentations with us and Mailia's doctors.<br />
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Dr. Batista wrote me back, as did Dr. Ahmad <span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">Rajaii-Khorasani</span> </span>and said that it was handled. Dr. Batista forwarded an email to me that he received from <a href="http://www.ctsnet.org/home/joeldunning"><strong>Dr. Joel Dunning</strong></a> from London England, who is planning on attending the conference in Mashhad Iran and will be interviewing Dr. Batista, for a series titled <a href="http://www.ctsnet.org/sections/videosection/giants/index.html"><strong>"The Giants of Thoracic Surgery"</strong> </a>to be featured on CTSNet which is the World's Premier Website for Cardio Thoracic Surgery!<br />
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Of course, I quickly emailed back and thanked them and quickly emailed Joel Dunning to ask humbly if he would be able to focus more on questions relating to Eisenmenger’s syndrome and how and why Dr. Batista believes that banding the PA is so important to a patients regression of the disease and HOW this can be accomplished?<br />
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I explained our situation, and the need for more clinical data to substantiate Dr. Batista's stance on banding the PA in Eisenmenger's syndrome and also gave him Mailia's web site and blog in hopes, that he would agree to document not only the interview, but his patient as well.<br />
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Well, bless his heart, Dr. Dunning graciously replied to my e-mail and said the following:<br />
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<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><em>I have already seen your website in my research for the interview. Do not worry. I will be putting this interview on the front of <a href="http://www.ctsnet.org/"><strong>CTsnet</strong></a> the worlds biggest cardiac surgery website.</em></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Wow...! I emailed this to Dr. Black in California and he too...said "The more information for the IRB...the better!</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">So this is where we are at. We have confirmation that Mailia is scheduled for her next right heart catherization procedure on November 2nd up at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, Wa. Next we will hopefully get a path forward on Mailia's surgical procedure(s)...this herein, reflects what we have termed Phase 2!</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">After Mailia's procedure, we will figure out the logistics for another round of stem cells for her. This will eventually be her Phase 3!</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">How will we fund all this?...I am chuckling right now because I truly don't have a clue but you know what?...We trust...and we have faith! It will happen and it will all unfold beautifully!</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">How did we luck out?...I am humbled and intrigued at the incredible team of doctor's and surgeons we have assembled but credit a higher power with this blessed and unique opportunity for Mailia.</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Our heroes of medicine, those unique individuals who in their communication tell me "Not To Worry" my God, I have so much faith and admiration for the lot of them.</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
Thank you good doctor's! We love you and appreciate all you are doing for Mailia and her Miracle of healing.</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<a href="http://www.mailiasmiracle.com/dr_batista.html"><strong>Dr. Batista, Randas</strong></a> - Curitiba, Brazil</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://www.cpmc.org/advanced/pediatrics/services/heart_surgery_team.html"><strong>Dr. Black, Michael</strong></a> - California Pacific Medical Center</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://www.nwcchd.com/doctors_cgarabedian.php"><strong>Dr. Garabedian, Carl</strong></a> - NW Center For Congenital Heart Disease</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://www.regenocyte.com/medical-team.html"><strong>Dr. Grekos, Zannos</strong></a> - Regenocyte</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div>MailiasMiraclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06334694914317133151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5978731390479059014.post-1054845875172057852010-08-29T22:05:00.000-07:002010-09-01T21:11:50.084-07:00Mailia’s 3 Month Follow up in Crescent City, CA., Various Dr.’s Viewpoints and One Happy Tiger Cub<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDlXLD8RS_E7w3iLDU6u5rQMpW_ip9xHZFHgG-qKVlk_hJf1LzVRe9x9xlOBGsMmpnoAKZbodsA6h8pFUBxT_QWl_7FVg5hFlZbs3hA_mm1-0SrQgi8gO-KNsy_lCXT2Ufw0rH5Y8L90/s1600/Mailia+80%27s+night1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDlXLD8RS_E7w3iLDU6u5rQMpW_ip9xHZFHgG-qKVlk_hJf1LzVRe9x9xlOBGsMmpnoAKZbodsA6h8pFUBxT_QWl_7FVg5hFlZbs3hA_mm1-0SrQgi8gO-KNsy_lCXT2Ufw0rH5Y8L90/s320/Mailia+80%27s+night1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
What a month it has been dear ones, since our last post…mostly, what a blessing to see Mailia getting stronger by the day and enjoying her new found energy. We cannot believe she is the same person from just 3 months ago. Prior to her adult stem cell procedure, she was lucky to walk from the living room to the bathroom without getting short of breath, but now…we have witnessed her having the stamina to pick up her heavy E tank of oxygen and walk out the door to our vehicle without passing out!~<br />
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We try to encourage her to still pace herself and to refrain from over doing it…for we know how she so wants to be free of the oxygen and constraints the pulmonary hypertension brings, but we also want the stem cells to keep building and helping her lung vasculature to the point where she will be able to tolerate surgical repair to her heart.<br />
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<a href="http://www.regenocyte.com/"><strong>Regenocyte</strong></a> has charged us with follow ups for Mailia at 3 month intervals…so in light of her having her baseline ECHO done in San Francisco by her future heart surgeon, Dr. Michael Black…Dr. Black afforded us the opportunity to meet Cardiologist Dr. Robert Popper, who is also from California Pacific Medical Center, up at their satellite clinic at Sutter Creek Hospital in Crescent City, Ca. This saved us having to drive all the way to the S.F. bay area…and Max once again, fired up the Mailia’s Miracle mobile and loaded us up…for a much shorter trip and adventure than the last road trip we just made this summer in taking Mailia to Florida and the Dominican Republic.<br />
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We left at the crack of dawn this past Thursday and 10 hours and 543 miles later, we arrived into northern California’s Crescent City…after a beautiful and scenic drive through southern Oregon and some gorgeous stands of old growth Redwoods. We checked into our hotel, had dinner and set Mailia’s Wii up much to her relief…the TV was accommodating for this.<br />
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Friday morning we ventured out to find the hospital and got there an hour and a half early not knowing what to expect, other than getting Mailia in for an ECHO. Dr. Popper’s assistant Darlene had been trying to reach us for a couple of days to see if we could in fact, come in earlier because like us…Dr. Popper travels up to the Crescent City hospital every 3 months for 3 days…to see his long standing patients…and drives the 15 hour round trip…every time. Plus…Dr. Popper is no spring chicken…he is 80 years young and still going strong!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We were met by a gracious and spirited technician by the name of Randy who took charge of getting Mailia all set up for her ECHO. It was a pleasure to be able to discuss with him, about Mailia’s recent journey to the Dominican Republic and he was very interested to learn about her treatments and what is forthcoming for her. Unfortunately…he was not able to get very good views of Mailia’s heart in the room where we found ourselves initially…so he asked if we could remobilize Mailia in the hospitals imaging department where they were better equipped.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSjg-HQeMOS37VbF5a5d3yZBB2aCmhcR35diYIJsvBVb0uG78ynPh5oDM3cqyU6z9YkiUUSGEhZfma4iUDpX6ZqnPYcHBAGxWpPN3pkcfk2k5qhplIT2eGG82LIS2OOsAZ-IMraR_uokY/s1600/Mailia,+Randy+%26+ECHO1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSjg-HQeMOS37VbF5a5d3yZBB2aCmhcR35diYIJsvBVb0uG78ynPh5oDM3cqyU6z9YkiUUSGEhZfma4iUDpX6ZqnPYcHBAGxWpPN3pkcfk2k5qhplIT2eGG82LIS2OOsAZ-IMraR_uokY/s320/Mailia,+Randy+%26+ECHO1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
After 3 hours, we finally finished up with her ECHO and Dr. Popper came in to check all the various views and stats…he asked a few questions about Mailia’s initial diagnosis, how many caths she has had and previous treatments. When I mentioned about the stem cell therapy she recently underwent, similar to Cal’s…he said, I am going to say something but do not want you to take it personally. He asked if I had ever heard of a heart surgeon back in the ’60 who used to close VSD’s with high pulmonary resistance and how he lost every single one of them. I told him no…but that yes, we are aware that closing Mailia’s defect might be contraindicated at this point…that what we are truly looking and hoping for is a means to facilitate her lungs to further heal…not only with the stem cells, but with a mechanical means such as banding her pulmonary artery, or applying a double flap patch on her VSD…or even, a RVAD to help offload her lungs and relieve her heart…giving the stem cells more umpf to help regenerate her lung vasculature…so that later, as her pressures really come down…to safely and permanently close the VSD.<br />
<br />
He said after I conveyed this…you are right on!<br />
<br />
So…now we wait a few more days for Dr. Popper, in all his wisdom and experience to review Mailia’s ECHO results at 3 months against her baseline ECHO so he, along with Dr. Black can decide a path forward for Mailia. We trust both Dr. Black and Dr. Popper to find a workable solution and path forward and look forward to really doing some serious discussions here shortly.<br />
<br />
This brings me to a related case in point. Wow…another incredible sign divinely sent…that we are on the right track.<br />
<br />
Last week, I received an email from Brazilian Heart Surgeon Dr. Randas Batista with new photos of his hospitals construction, still in progress with interior fitout. He also told us that a young girl with Eisenmenger’s from Syria, who he had banded last year, was doing great now, confirmed by the attending heart surgeon, Dr. Ahmad Rajaii-Khorasani from Mashhad Iran with the following:<br />
<br />
<em><strong>Hi Dear Randas:</strong></em><br />
<em><br />
<strong></strong></em><br />
<em><strong>The girl who had PA banding is now doing great & she is getting married soon. I have two other patients for this year .One VSD and the other one PDA.</strong></em><br />
<em><br />
<strong></strong></em><br />
<em><strong>I have asked the nurse who took care of your patient in the ICU to get her case ready to be presented and the patient will also be invited to come to the conference and answer any questions. Love you man. Looking forward to see you here. Thanks Ahmad</strong></em><br />
<br />
I am hoping to make contact this week, with Ahmad and ask if he would also send us and Dr. Black their published work and findings pertaining to this young woman. Now granted…she did not have stem cell therapy, but as I have believed and said all along, the lungs and body can heal…given the right elements. I pray they will continue to find ways to help improve their patients lives and outcomes…to that extent, I pray for all our world healers and physicians that they too, continue to find ways to help afford positive healing.<br />
<br />
Mailia chanted her wishes repeatedly to see a wildlife safari in route to our next evening stop before our long leg home. We were going to spend the night in Bandon…by the sea and so tried to make our way north on hwy 101 along the coast. We got to the Wildlife center about 35 minutes before closing and Mailia was so thrilled to see adult leopards, lions, tigers and their beautiful babies. Mailia even had the opportunity to pet some little black leopard babies and also bottle feed a gorgeous baby Bengal tiger cub. We were so grateful to the staff there…for allowing Mailia this amazing experience…one she will never forget.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-VYYPyA56ITibg7DWi53PrRJK07-M-2PUbNbk9Z_GxbI4Ol41UmPEBigo5gFs9hJrd1SBFUjE1c203ys-z4AG8Kst4Rd0tS3FB_Z1S9z26eG8HBiHhd1GWxbC-ksTnsAYRgf4qF3gGAk/s1600/Mailia+%26+Baby+Bengal+Tiger1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-VYYPyA56ITibg7DWi53PrRJK07-M-2PUbNbk9Z_GxbI4Ol41UmPEBigo5gFs9hJrd1SBFUjE1c203ys-z4AG8Kst4Rd0tS3FB_Z1S9z26eG8HBiHhd1GWxbC-ksTnsAYRgf4qF3gGAk/s320/Mailia+%26+Baby+Bengal+Tiger1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
We ventured into Bandon and found our hotel near the beach…a gorgeous place with a beautiful setting and view. The next day…we got up early…loaded up after a quick breakfast and high tailed it home, in time to meet our wonderful and incredible friend and family member…Ramona, who without her help caring for our home and critters…we would be hurting in a big way. She hugged and kissed Mailia and ran out to her car to head home and then to the hospital…as her second daughter was going into labor with her first grandson. We are so blessed with Ramona…and grateful for all her love, support and help.<br />
<br />
After a quick accounting of all our fur kids…we headed to Dust Devil Stadium for Mailia’s baseball fix for the evening. She is pictured here, one last time with two wonderful men and brother's who met Mailia last season, Dale Moe from Delaware and Duane Moe from Kennewick, Wa. and who are part of her miracle. Only one more week of baseball left now…as fall is quickly approaching and Mailia is feeling the anxiety of summer’s end once again. I think…we all have a greater appreciation of our daily lives and the events that are beautifully unfolding before us.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzwQ-ds5a6uwhUt6HgKimfroKREkr0BQiTpMHlCGuc7WOLYIorTUgK83mjTfzrnTQg6imz2LEuVL2YfxWtS3BpklzFHbfvq8htRkZjvvTa-5WQ4PJmz5sG0BXUaFTMm9Z66vAAj4tOlA/s1600/Mailia,+Dale+%26+Dwayne1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzwQ-ds5a6uwhUt6HgKimfroKREkr0BQiTpMHlCGuc7WOLYIorTUgK83mjTfzrnTQg6imz2LEuVL2YfxWtS3BpklzFHbfvq8htRkZjvvTa-5WQ4PJmz5sG0BXUaFTMm9Z66vAAj4tOlA/s320/Mailia,+Dale+%26+Dwayne1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
It is time to get busy again…staying focused and requesting much needed and appreciated help to continue fundraising for Mailia’s next big step and procedure and to continue however we can…to help others to do the same. We will keep everyone posted, as soon as we hear from Dr.'s Black and Popper on Mailia's next path forward.<br />
<br />
We thank everyone for their continued support and prayers...we are so very grateful and humbled.<br />
<br />
Love and blessings...<br />
The Goforth'sMailiasMiraclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06334694914317133151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5978731390479059014.post-75026794534510050572010-07-22T21:42:00.000-07:002010-07-22T21:45:48.355-07:00One More "Impossible" Disease Reversed By Repair Stem Cells---NOT Embryonic Stem Cells<div style="text-align: center;"><script src="http://www.kndu.com/global/video/videoplayer.js?rnd=172240;hostDomain=www.kndu.com;playerWidth=300;playerHeight=240;isShowIcon=true;clipId=4954450;flvUri=;partnerclipid=;adTag=null;enableAds=false;landingPage=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.kndu.com%252Fglobal%252FCategory.asp%253Fc%253D190420;islandingPageoverride=false;playerType=STANDARD_EMBEDDEDscript" type="text/javascript">
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Last Sunday we were contacted by our local NBC affiliate, <a href="http://www.kndo.com/Global/story.asp?S=12829696">KNDU</a> reporter Hilary Whittier who asked how Mailia was doing and if she could come out to do a follow up story about Mailia’s Stem Cell procedure. We were thrilled to see Hilary and it was truly wonderful and humbling to be able to tell another soul…all about Mailia’s incredible journey. </div><br />
It has been six weeks since her lungs accepted all her own adult stem cells and we are thrilled and truly blessed to see Mailia thriving and healing…every single day.<br />
<br />
We owe so much gratitude to everyone for their help and prayers and hope that it is evident in the miracle they have chosen to support.<br />
<br />
Today we were also blessed with seeing a wonderful post on Don Margolis’s web site which I have copied below and I also encourage folks to visit his web site from time to time to learn all they can about Adult Stem Cell Therapy and people’s stories…and speaking of which, I encourage EVERYONE who is part of “the family” or “club” who has received and benefited from Adult Stem Cells to send Don Margolis an email or letter telling him of their journey so as to help inspire others.<br />
<br />
Here is the post from <a href="http://donmargolis.com/">DonMargolis.com</a>:<br />
<br />
<strong>If you ask your pulmonologist if stem cells can help your lung disease (COPD, emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis, etc. etc.) he/she will tell you “No---stem cells are snake oil.” That is what we hear from almost every lung patient who comes to us trying to get out of the medical prison imposed by all lung conditions. We know that stem cells have helped dozens treated in Latin America and Europe, but a disease almost no one has heard of?</strong><br />
<strong>Ten years ago, one teen in the state of Washington was told she only had months to live, but today, 16-year-old Mailia Goforth has defied the odds and continues to surprise doctors.</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>At the age of 3, Mailia was diagnosed with Eisenmenger's Syndrome. It's a heart defect that causes high blood pressure in her lungs and doesn't allow her to breathe on her own.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>But recently, Mailia and her family took a trip across the country for a special procedure using stem cells. The hope, to fix her lungs and be one step closer to closing up a hole in her heart.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>After more than a month of recovery, Mailia says the $50,000 operation worked, and she's getting stronger everyday.</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>She can now take out her breathing tube and even find enough energy to play outside. She tells me, after a few more operations she could be able to run, jump and do everything most 16-year-olds can do.</strong> <br />
<br />
<strong>"It feels amazing," she said. "I know I'll be able to do everything I've always wanted to do without having to get sick anymore... just to be free at last."</strong> <br />
<br />
<strong>Free at last from the worry and stress of her disease is what the family is wishing for. To get there, she still needs her lungs to get stronger from the stem cell surgery. Once the lung pressure goes down she will be able to have heart surgery.</strong><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.kndo.com/Global/story.asp?S=12829696">The video is HERE.</a> <br />
<br />
To follow Mailia's progress or donate to her cause go to <a href="http://mailiasmiracle.com/">http://mailiasmiracle.com/</a> <br />
<br />
Thank you Don. Thank you Dr. Grekos and Regenocyte. Thank you God and everyone for your help and prayers once again…all our gratitude!<br />
<br />
Max, Andrea and MailiaMailiasMiraclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06334694914317133151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5978731390479059014.post-87927073253882944692010-07-17T16:57:00.000-07:002010-07-17T17:01:39.285-07:00Mailia's New Stem Cells, New Cardiologist, New Friend and New Mountain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTGLeMRcknHF-ZBWCUTiLJBdHfdV7Svc2_gxg1k_-yrbdy2E2ZBVtqd7QVR1Kf7q82MGf7VNN69f61o3a45A7x8ZPebfkhmfB-bZR7jsnnRyz9MNtpAQ01tctnaYvPH2O4t9aJrCgFMY/s1600/Mailia+%26+Carl04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTGLeMRcknHF-ZBWCUTiLJBdHfdV7Svc2_gxg1k_-yrbdy2E2ZBVtqd7QVR1Kf7q82MGf7VNN69f61o3a45A7x8ZPebfkhmfB-bZR7jsnnRyz9MNtpAQ01tctnaYvPH2O4t9aJrCgFMY/s320/Mailia+%26+Carl04.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dr. Carl Garabedian and Mailia</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Follow up is an important part of Mailia’s stem cell therapy and the staff at<strong> </strong><a href="http://www.regenocyte.com/"><strong>Regenocyte</strong></a> came through loud and clear on this. It is requested that she be seen for follow up and testing after one month…and subsequently every three months there after. It is part of the plan laid out for all Regenocyte patients who are now part of a unique club and family. We are truly grateful for the followup aspect to this therapy...for how else can it be let known, how a patient does and how they ultimately will benefit from their stem cell therapy without historical data to support it?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sounds good to me...for I know each patient is playing an important role in their individual cases where it concerns their documented progress. It is part of the protocol...a necessary tool so to speak....but I say look, the proof is in the pudding. Click on the <a href="http://www.regenocyte.com/"><strong>Regenocyte</strong></a> link and look into the faces of actual people who have been there....and been blessed! </div><br />
So with prescription in hand, we set out to find a new Cardiologist closer to home and one that could follow her locally. Mailia’s pediatrician…Dr. Nazar, recommended we touch base with <a href="http://www.nwcchd.com/doctors_cgarabedian.php">Dr. Carl Garabedian from the NCCHD in Spokane Washington</a> saying that although Mailia has benefited from going all the way to Portland, Oregon to be seen by Dr. Douglas King, her pediatric cardiologist for the past 10 years…that it was time she be followed by an adult cardiologist. <br />
<br />
Adult and Pediatric Cardiologist Dr. Carl Garabedian comes down to the Tri-Cities a couple of times a month to a satellite clinic…and it was here that we had the opportunity to meet him personally for Mailia’s one month appointment.<br />
<br />
He was very interested in meeting Mailia to learn about her procedure…for he told us he had several of his patients wanting “other options” and how open he was…to alternative medical breakthroughs…adult stem cells, being one of them.<br />
<br />
We spent a good THREE HOURS with Dr. Garabedian, educating him…going over Mailia’s history, all her medical records and especially her recent trip to Florida and the Dominican Republic. He listened to us, to her heart…spoke kindly to her…he did an ECHO and confirmed that her heart function looked good but no changes…yet, at one month post x-plant.<br />
<br />
We mentioned that her three month appointment might be done in San Francisco with heart surgeon Dr. Michael Black to assess her for heart surgery and that we would keep him abreast of her progress.<br />
<br />
We thank Dr. Garabedian so very much for kindly affording us this important after care Mailia will require and also, thanked him from a deeper and a higher place that brought us all together to hopefully…make a huge difference in helping others.<br />
<br />
Which brings me to a case in point…or something I need to interject or reference now. When I raced home that day from work to pick Mailia up to take her to meet Dr. Garabedian, I stopped at our mail box and found a card that was addressed to her. I handed the card to Mailia as we raced towards town…and she said, Mom! You won’t believe this…you got to see this it is a letter and a donation! I quickly pulled over…and read the following to my utter surprise and astonishment:<br />
<br />
<em>Dear Mailia,</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>My family and I truly hope you are doing well and have you in our prayers. Finding you and hearing about your treatment has given us hope. </em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>My dad has pulmonary fibrosis and his only option was a lung transplant. Because of you we have a new and better option.</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>Anyway, we are very grateful to you for sharing your story and look forward to seeing your new blogs. I feel in my heart that your treatment will be successful. I hope sometime we have the opportunity to meet you. </em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>We wish you all the best and many blessings.</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>Shannon, Mario & Martalicia Toranzo</em><br />
<br />
Wow! From their heart…to her heart…to my heart and now to yours. I believe it is God’s plan that we all remain in faith and gratitude. Thank you for allowing me to share this Shannon…and thank you for your generous gift to Mailia’s Miracle, we are truly grateful.<br />
<br />
Mailia continues to thrive every day. She gets outside for her daily dose of sunshine, oxygen still in tow as her oxygen saturation levels are still hovering around a lower mid range but one thing she and we do notice, are little bouts of energy here and there. A little more energy. Okay…we will take that as a sign the stem cells are busy doing their job. Building blood vessels in her lungs. <br />
<br />
We will continue to monitor her progress and try additional therapies we feel she will benefit from that we will list on her therapies page. Her diet consists of healthy food with lots of organic vegetables and fruit, staying hydrated throughout the day and detoxifying and chelating all of the chemicals like contrast dye she was exposed to during her cath and the CT exams and hospital stay.<br />
<br />
I leave you all…with a photo of Mailia and friends Stu Saslow and Allen Minton on top of the summit of Mt. Baker in western Washington this past week. The little “Peak Bagger” has two mountains under her belt now…the stem cells are doing their magic…creating her miracle! Thank you Allen and Stu!! We love you!...and thank you friends and family, for stopping by, and keeping Mailia in your thoughts and prayers!<br />
<br />
Love and blessings…<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhMkbQ_2Y-YG4GWYnIsvk2TexkL1v6b5S4c__2e_n0xGod6IfFFdU0Cxc941zLRdTOGFOW2_Tbu28_XEZMgeEUTAlHT4UW2J8FAPTIQH8-817gFJKwtg_A15Xl8oz9Q1LFwRyJ-3xE6KM/s1600/Mailia,+Stu,+Allen+Mt.+Baker1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhMkbQ_2Y-YG4GWYnIsvk2TexkL1v6b5S4c__2e_n0xGod6IfFFdU0Cxc941zLRdTOGFOW2_Tbu28_XEZMgeEUTAlHT4UW2J8FAPTIQH8-817gFJKwtg_A15Xl8oz9Q1LFwRyJ-3xE6KM/s320/Mailia,+Stu,+Allen+Mt.+Baker1.jpg" /></a></div>MailiasMiraclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06334694914317133151noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5978731390479059014.post-34141552445216274622010-06-27T22:44:00.000-07:002010-06-27T22:50:43.575-07:00Three Weeks Post 58 Million Adult Stem Cells - Mailia Ascends Mt. Rainier with Friends!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sUbO5y3V5ek3ZAcBaJWsypgkJlbecXo_pl2H5GSekTnjuyM5meqVIo1rgsgOSuKjFNf384B_5RKBlehlCUgn27_2il3nz6R64ODV0c1v5fHFYbSQOzQP61pdcS5fjjsI8jq4EkTWwTE/s1600/Mailia+up+on+Mt.+Rainier+w-Friends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sUbO5y3V5ek3ZAcBaJWsypgkJlbecXo_pl2H5GSekTnjuyM5meqVIo1rgsgOSuKjFNf384B_5RKBlehlCUgn27_2il3nz6R64ODV0c1v5fHFYbSQOzQP61pdcS5fjjsI8jq4EkTWwTE/s320/Mailia+up+on+Mt.+Rainier+w-Friends.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><strong>Stu Saslow, Larry Richards, Mailia Goforth, Dave Koontz and Allen Minton</strong></span></div><br />
Well...sort of. You see...Mailia has always dreamed of someday, climbing some of the most majestic mountains on earth, in addition to all the other worldly and sporting activities she breathes life into on a daily basis. Having Eisenmenger's syndrome never dawned on her...that she could not do any of these things.<br />
<br />
Three years ago, while at a seminar called Life Directions, Mailia was asked to draw a picture of her ideal life...a scenario where she could picture herself being the most happiest. She drew a picture of herself on top of a mountain in Tibet...holding an eagle stretched out on her arm...saying "I am a warrior of the Light...This is my destiny! And she told her story to 700 people that day and gave the gift of inspiration to so many there.<br />
<br />
On the way home from Vancouver, B.C....she insisted she wanted to climb a mountain and that she was ready for it. To humor her so she would stop asking...and so I would rightiously appear apathetic with her, I asked Max to pull over on one of those "view" exits just past Ellensburg ascending Montash Ridge and I proceeded to tell Mailia...okay sweetie, before you are able to launch on one of the bigger mountains, lets start on these small ones first and see how you do.<br />
<br />
I helped her out of the Excursion, with oxygen in tow...and told her we would try to climb to the top of this snow covered hill and she would lead the way, and I would carry her O2 from behind...wink...wink. My mom had a saying in Spanish...a dicho which went like this: Tanto quiere el diabol a su hijo que lo persina! That of course, came to my mind...translated it goes like this...The Devil loves his son so much that he will give him the sign of the benediction. Well...what can I say.<br />
<br />
Needless to say...Mailia made it a mere 30 feet...and stopped dead in her tracks sobbing and said she could not do it. I felt horrible and grabbed a hold of her and hugged her hard and told her she was and always will be a very powerful being and to never give that power away, especially to a belief.<br />
<br />
I encouraged her to keep believing she was capable of doing so many incredible feats, and her life thus far...has been miraculous!<br />
So when my co-workers David Koontz, Larry Richards, Allen Minton and Stu Saslow told us that they were going to be climbing to the summit of Mt. Rainier I quickly asked...if they would PLEASE take Mailia with them! I told Dave...it is not about the mountain...it is the climb and for Mailia, going up with them in spirit held to her own vision and desires. What a gift they were able to give our precious Mailia. They took a full blown photo of her all the way up to the summit of that majestic mountain and told us that "she did just fine...and how it was a privilege to climb with her". We give our heartfelt thanks to these wonderful men and friends for giving Mailia such an incredible opportunity...one for personal growth and extreme happiness!<br />
But there is another interesting facet to all this so please allow me to explain further. For Mailia's 15th birthday last year, it was her wish to meet her idol Michael Phelphs at a Power Within seminar up in Vancouver again. For some reason...that city has our number! Michael Phelps was nixed from the lineup at the last minute so she had to settle for meeting Dr. Mehmet Oz. <br />
<br />
There was quite the line-up of motivational speakers...but one that mesmerized and clicked with Mailia was a wonderful man by the name of Jaime Clarke and his childhood dream was to be a mountain climber.<br />
He spent most of his life either preparing for or climbing mountains. And he also had the great fortune to climb the tallest mountain in the world, Mount Everest.<br />
Little did he know that his greatest reward would not be reaching the peak, but the lessons he learned on the way, because the mountain climber’s true measure of success is not about reaching the top, but the journey it took to get there. <br />
<br />
So I wish to include an insert Jaime wrote from his web site <a href="http://www.yoursummitawaits.com/"><strong>Your Summit Awaits</strong></a> and <a href="http://www.jaimieclarke.com/"><strong>Jaime Clarke</strong></a> <br />
to add one final breath of inspiration to Mailia's Miracle...Thank you Jaime! <br />
<br />
<strong>Your Summit Awaits...</strong> <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">The dream of the mountain climber is to stand on the summit. The successful climber will stand there for only five or ten minutes.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">The preparation and the training to get there? Well that takes five or six years.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It’s very physical training obviously designed to build the body.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It is also designed to PREPARE THE MIND.</div><br />
Your Summit Awaits Key Concepts<br />
• Make Your Dreams Your Goal<br />
• Care Enough To Confront<br />
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• Follow Your Passion Without Obsession<br />
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• Keep Your Promises Through Your Actions<br />
• Face Your Fears, Focus on What’s Important<br />
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• Thank Those Who Help You to the Top<br />
• Look to the Future, Your Summit Awaits<br />
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Key Concept 1 – Make Your Dreams Your Goal<br />
• Don’t be afraid to hold really big dreams<br />
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• Make every step, even small one, move you toward your goal<br />
“My Childhood dream was to be a mountain climber.<br />
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Key Concept 2 – Care Enough To Confront<br />
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• Find the courage to be sincerely honest<br />
• Embrace conflict, ask questions, don’t take it personally<br />
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“Life demands that we care enough to confront.”<br />
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Key Concept 3 – Follow Your Passion Without Obsession<br />
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• Passion fills us with the joy to achieve<br />
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• Obsession blinds us from reaching our goals<br />
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“Passion will get you to the top, but obsession…obsession will get you killed. And we need to know the difference.”<br />
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Key Concept 4 – Keep Your Promise Through Your Actions<br />
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• Your beliefs are reflected in the promises you keep<br />
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• Make a commitment to keep your word<br />
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“In our lives, what matters is not the promises we make, but the promises we keep.”<br />
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Key Concept 5 – Face Your Fears, Focus on What’s Improtant<br />
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• Momentum is created with the first step you take<br />
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• Act boldly, live the life of your design<br />
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“Focus on what’s important: the relationships we build, the work we do, the people we care about, the skills we cultivate.”<br />
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Key Concept 6 – Thank Those Who Help You To The Top<br />
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• Affirm the very best in people<br />
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• Value the contributions of others<br />
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“It’s important, when we get to the top, to look back and appreciate all the others who made it possible o get there and give thanks.”<br />
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Key Concept 7 – Look To The Future, Your Summit Awaits<br />
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• Hold a positive image of your future<br />
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• Share your dreams<br />
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“Go forward in the work that you do and in the life that you live knowing that your summit, however distant, or veiled by clouds, is ready to welcome you”.MailiasMiraclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06334694914317133151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5978731390479059014.post-23561470062011363742010-06-17T21:16:00.000-07:002010-06-18T20:52:19.578-07:00Mailia Hits a Roadblock…We Detour to Memphis, Tn.Upon our return to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic, we were so very anxious to see how Mailia would fair the plane trip three days post stem cells. She seemed to do alright, despite desaturating some and being a little tired. <br />
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After checking Mailia upon arrival to our hotel in Miami…we spoke with <a href="http://www.regenocyte.com/">Dr. Grekos</a> and his team back in Bonita Springs and they told us if Mailia was doing okay…they would give us their blessings to go ahead and head home. We spent the morning on Sunday June 6th catching up on laundry and repacking the Excursion for our long adventure back home.<br />
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Mailia’s cath site around her right groin was still very sensitive and painful so she kept walking to a bare minimum and used her wheelchair extensively. As we headed north passing through Orlando, not even the signs of Disney World and Sea World peaked her interest…as she was still wrought with soreness from the procedure and just home sick and glad to be back and heading in a westerly direction.<br />
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Max and I too were so relieved that Mailia had come through the procedure in the Dominican Republic and weathered the trip there and back, for that part was not an easy feat for Mailia. One, being on oxygen and a high flow at that, required us to navigate the system to make sure that American Airlines, who flew us there and back…and I might add, did a superb job at handling Mailia’s needs for oxygen support and shuttling to and from the check-in points to the gates. We took her wheelchair with us to the D.R. and <a href="http://www.regenocyte.com/">Regenocytes</a> DR representative Yanely, saw to the supplemental oxygen she would need while there in the form of portable E-tanks and oxygen concentrator.<br />
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If we had it to do over, I strongly believe transporting by air ambulance is the way to go for anyone with high pulmonary pressures. It is sad our medical insurance would not cover this for Mailia and we did not have an extra 20k to fund this but believe now, she would have done so much better all around.<br />
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But as we headed north…our final destination being Pasco, Wa. we would get as far north as Valdosta, GA for the night. The next day we ventured through some beautiful country through Alabama working our way towards Tupelo MS for our second night stay. It was during this late afternoon that we noticed Mailia was just not herself…and her oxygen saturations seemed lower than norma.<br />
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The next morning she was very lethargic and not looking well at all…so I got in touch with Dr. Grekos office and told them my concerns. Mailia’s nurse Micheline asked what the closet city was to us…and I told her Memphis, TN. She contacted the ER doctor on site at the LeBonheur Children’s Hospital and told us to head straight there…and she would fax all of Mailia’s medical records to them and let them know her status so they could check her out.<br />
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We arrived at the hospital and the ER staff took charge of assessing Mailia. We met with a Dr. Ciega who took all of Mailia’s medical history and also with their staff cardiologist Dr. Rush Waller. While on the phone with Dr. Grekos back in Florida, I handed the phone over to Dr. Waller to converse with him relating to Mailia’s stem cell procedure. With Mailia’s saturation levels being so low and her hemocrat levels a little low also, Dr. Waller wanted to rule out any embolisms that might have occurred in her lungs or cath site. He ordered a Cat Scan, ultrasound and ECHO which all came up normal thank God!<br />
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Dr. Grekos had told us that it was his feeling that Mailia’s saturations were dropping due to the fact that he has seen several of his patients who underwent the stem cell procedure go through a period experiencing cold like symptoms with coughing and that the stem cells are making new vessels but are not connected yet. So he told us there was going to be some shunting of blood through her heart which would reduce oxygen.<br />
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Dr. Grekos was right on…but we had no way of knowing for sure and it was better to be safe than sorry. We are so very grateful to<a href="http://www.lebonheur.org/portal/site/lebonheur/"> LeBonheur Children’s Hospital</a> and the staff there who cared for Mailia during her stay. It is a teaching hospital just down the road from St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital also…and we were very impressed with their old facility…soon to be replaced by their brand new Children’s Hospital which they will be moving into in September.<br />
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We are also so grateful to <a href="http://www.regenocyte.com/">Dr. Grekos</a> and his staff for their responsiveness and availiability 24/7 where it concerned Mailia's well being and making themselves available to help us navigate through this.<br />
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Mailia was discharged the next day in the early afternoon and we headed west…just a few short hours into Little Rock Arkansas for the night. Max and I had been craving some southern barbeque so we opted for that. Mailia had a chicken caesar salad and Max and I paid dearly the next 24 hours for our indulging in pork and beef barbeque at a local favorite. It did not agree with us at all and were glad that Mailia is not much of a meat eater…preferring salads. Smart girl!~<br />
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We left the following morning heading north through the beautiful Ozark country of northern Arkansas and southwestern Missouri to finally land in Springfield for Mailia has been dreaming of the day she could meet up with her brother Cory Riordan, since she reminds us constantly how it has been 3 years since she has seen him.<br />
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We spent a day in Springfield and got to see Cory pitch against the Springfield Cardinals at Hammon’s Field, a baseball minor league AA affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. Many of you know what a huge baseball fan Mailia is…and seeing her brother Cory meant the world to her and to us…for we knew this opportunity would be “big medicine” for her.<br />
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Cory is a wonderful pitcher for the Tulsa Drillers, affiliate to the Colorado Rockies and it is our hope and that of Mailia’s…that her brother will make it to pitch for the Rockies soon. Cory and Mailia spent some wonderful quality time together…catching up and bickering and teasing each other most of the time. Her laughter was/is healing and so contagious. <br />
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Thanks to Cory, we were graciously treated to a wonderful game and several stadium employees and local fans came around to meet Mailia and Steel Dust and showered her with attention and gifts that we are so very grateful for. After her release from the hospital, Mailia was so congested from allergies and with a sinus infection going, I called her pediatrician Dr. Nazar back in the Tri-Cities and he ordered her some antibiotics to help knock it out. I hit her with everything else I had in my eastern medical arsenal and she started to feel better…much to our relief.<br />
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After hitting a local Lincare for more oxygen and saying a tearful goodbye to Cory…we returned once again into the Mailia’s Miracle mobile and headed north to Sioux Falls, S.D. after deciding not to go directly west, for California and then north the same way we came. It was our intention to head back to San Francisco on the way home to see Mailia’s heart surgeon, Dr. Michael Black, but after conversing with him…he too thought it best that we head straight home with Mailia because he suspected there would be no significant positive changes in Mailia’s pressures for a few more weeks and that an ECHO in 3 months would be much more informative. <br />
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The Midwest was so green from rain…which we hit once we arrived in South Dakota and it followed us all throughout the state until we reached Deadwood, SD for the night. We stayed at a brand new non smoking hotel and set Mailia up with her wii and games after a nice dinner. The weather was cold and wet for June…in the low 50’s and quite a shock after coming from the hot temperatures in the south. Mailia had hoped to see Mt. Rushmore but no luck, the clouds were socked in so we continued our journey and long drive making it into Missoula, MT for the night. Along with the inclement weather came the disconcerting fact that we had no cellular service or data service between AT&T and Sprint for almost 4 days so we could not call or send updates midway and along our trip home.<br />
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The next day, Tuesday June 15th…an incredible 32 days after leaving Pasco for Florida and the Dominican Republic…we finally arrived home, safe and in tack thanks to God….and everyone and everything that helped afford our initial journey in making Mailia’s Miracle a reality.<br />
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We met so many wonderful people along the way, reconnected with family and friends and made new ones. Mailia I believe…left an impression with them all and in doing so, opened so many hearts including our own…to make a difference in the world, one day and one person at a time.<br />
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Traveling across country gave us the opportunity to see first hand, the status of our great nation and the people struggling to stay afloat and start anew. It gave us such a sense of appreciation and gratitude for not only what we have, but what we are a part of. Venturing beyond our U.S. borders, to the Dominican Republic and the beautiful people there also gave us so much to be thankful for. Everyone's contribution...in Mailia's Miracle is HUGE...and will never be forgoten. This was truly humbling. We will forever carry gratitude in our hearts for everyones participation in returning the gift of life to our daughter Mailia. Especially to you Dr. Zannos Grekos and your incredible team...thank you!MailiasMiraclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06334694914317133151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5978731390479059014.post-90672105298992983602010-06-17T21:15:00.000-07:002010-06-17T21:15:16.832-07:00A Miracle For Mailia - Tri City Herald Article by Michelle Dupler June 7, 2010<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNUnYo7QqYCEjr9IqadP9TC2vM_deYf0zppSqMHaFw0RduQP-dbfy1jhj0hgigYUG4JhuPQdE_1DNQAzk2NuUFEBP7MYcjAiEn-rAc0_G4fHD1zTgcrW30VsHIyyF-Bx5SXbTuMeD6WDE/s1600/W_Mailia_Update__standalone_prod_affiliate_13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNUnYo7QqYCEjr9IqadP9TC2vM_deYf0zppSqMHaFw0RduQP-dbfy1jhj0hgigYUG4JhuPQdE_1DNQAzk2NuUFEBP7MYcjAiEn-rAc0_G4fHD1zTgcrW30VsHIyyF-Bx5SXbTuMeD6WDE/s320/W_Mailia_Update__standalone_prod_affiliate_13.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mailia Goforth, center, prepares to undergo an experimental stem cell procedure in the Dominican Republic. Doctors hope stem cells from her own blood will help heal high blood pressure in her lungs so she can have a life-saving heart surgery. Nurses Amie Ryan, left, and Emily Storrer, right, from RADY Children’s Hospital in San Diego, observed the procedure while volunteering in the area.</span><br />
<strong>Pasco teen begins experimental stem cell treatment</strong><br />
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<strong>By Michelle Dupler, Herald staff writer</strong><br />
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PASCO — Once upon a time, Mailia Goforth was a young girl dreaming of a miracle that would break the curse cast over her as a child.<br />
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She waited 12 years for someone to fix her heart, which while full of love has a defect that makes her weak and steals the breath from her lungs.<br />
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Last year, a wizard entered the tale holding in his hands an almost magical treatment using her own blood, but it appeared it might take more time than Mailia had for her parents to find the money to pay. <br />
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Max and Andrea Goforth wished for a miracle for their daughter, but Mailia grew weaker and her parents grew more afraid, even though they never gave up hope.<br />
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But across the land, a fairy godmother heard of Mailia's curse and waved a wand to grant her dearest wish -- a chance at life free from the curse that has bound her.<br />
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Mailia Goforth on Wednesday became one of a handful of people in the U.S. to get an experimental stem cell treatment that could end up not only saving her life, but allow her to live the normal one she's never been able to experience.<br />
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Mailia, 16, has Eisenmenger syndrome, a condition that affects the blood flow to the heart that in her case is caused by a hole in her heart's wall. <br />
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She also suffers from secondary pulmonary hypertension, or high blood pressure in her lungs. Her blood pressure is high because the hole in her heart allows too much blood to flow from her heart to her lungs, causing her blood vessels to constrict and stiffen and strain her heart. The pressure also stops surgeons from closing the hole.<br />
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That in turn means not enough blood flows into her lungs and she becomes fatigued and short of breath.<br />
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She can't walk more than a few steps without tiring, and for seven months of the year -- when temperatures are cool -- she can't venture outdoors because of the strain on her lungs and her susceptibility to viruses.<br />
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A double-lung and heart transplant -- the customary treatment for Mailia's condition -- is not an option, as doctors have told the family Mailia would not survive.<br />
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Andrea Goforth believed she found an answer to Mailia's problem when she learned about Dr. Zannos Grekos -- Mailia's wizard.<br />
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Grekos developed an experimental technique to repair pulmonary hypertension using adult stem cells. In fact, it's so experimental it can't legally be done in the United States because it isn't approved by the Food and Drug Administration, so Grekos flies with patients to the Dominican Republic to perform the procedure.<br />
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Because it is experimental, the $64,000 cost of treatment is not covered by the family's insurance.<br />
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Blood is drawn from the patient and flown to a lab in Israel where stem cells are extracted and activated with a protein known as a growth factor to cause them to multiply.<br />
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Growth factors are produced normally in every person's blood and tell other cells to become brain tissue, heart tissue or liver tissue, Grekos told the Herald in August.<br />
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"We use ones that are specific in this instance for blood vessels," he said.<br />
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Every person also has stem cells running around in their body like miniature repairmen, and when they can be extracted, multiplied and told what to do, they can repair damaged blood vessels and even make new ones.<br />
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The stem cells are flown from Israel to the Dominican Republic, where Mailia would be waiting to have them inserted into her lungs through a small tube. The stem cells would attach to her pulmonary blood vessels and help them regenerate.<br />
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For Mailia, that would reduce her blood pressure, making it easier for her to breathe and allow surgeons to give her a pulmonary artery band, which would reduce the blood flow through the hole in her heart.<br />
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Once Max and Andrea Goforth knew they wanted Grekos to treat Mailia, they started raising money as fast as they could. They figured they'd need the $64,000 for the stem cell treatment, plus $10,000 for travel and expenses. <br />
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They also expect to need the money for a second stem cell treatment in about a year. They hope the surgery to correct Mailia's heart defect will be covered by insurance.<br />
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By the end of April, the family had raised $47,000 -- significant progress, but not enough to start Mailia's journey to the Dominican Republic.<br />
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Andrea Goforth said she's stayed in constant contact with Dr. Grekos and e-mailed him an update after their last fundraiser in April to tell him how much they'd been able to raise.<br />
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In response, she got a surprise she's describing as Mailia's miracle come to life.<br />
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Dr. Grekos' staff at his company Regenocyte wrote back to tell Mailia's parents he was willing to take $42,000 of the money they'd raised to perform Mailia's stem cell procedure, and that a nonprofit called the Alliance for Adult Stem Cell Research and Therapy -- Mailia's fairy godmother -- was going to pay the rest.<br />
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After they got the news, Max and Andrea Goforth each scheduled a month off from their jobs, got the family's SUV in shape for the more than 4,000-mile, nine-day drive, and set off on a cross-country adventure.<br />
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They arrived in Florida about a week ago, where Mailia underwent preliminary tests and her blood was drawn and whisked away to Israel to make stem cells.<br />
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She flew to the Dominican Republic a week ago, and on Wednesday had nearly 58 million stem cells pumped into the arteries in her lungs through a catheter. <br />
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Within days, she'll be on her way back home.<br />
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"This is an adventure," Andrea Goforth said by telephone from Florida. "This is a first for us, as it is for many. I hope Mailia will be able to come back and tell a very positive story about her journey for others."<br />
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Grekos has said if the stem cell therapy is successful, Mailia's pulmonary hypertension could be reduced enough that she could have a relatively normal life without an oxygen tank and perhaps even be able to play sports.<br />
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Mailia has dreams both simple and lofty -- she'd like to go to the mall like other teenagers and be able to swim like her idol, Michael Phelps. She also envisions one day running her own animal sanctuary in Costa Rica where she'd preserve endangered species.<br />
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Right now, Andrea Goforth is focusing her prayers on a successful stem cell procedure that will allow Mailia's heart repair within a matter of months.<br />
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But she's also worried about how the family will pay for additional procedures with just $33 left in the Mailia's Miracle fundraising account after the costs of the procedure and trip.<br />
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The family plans additional fundraisers when they return home, and has set up a website called <a href="http://mailiasmiracle.com/">mailiasmiracle.com</a> that tells Mailia's story and gives information on how people can donate.MailiasMiraclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06334694914317133151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5978731390479059014.post-39994337451407262472010-06-03T19:17:00.000-07:002010-06-03T19:36:23.111-07:0057,800,000 Adult STEM CELLS - for Mailia's MiracleWe are exhausted but exhilarated and relieved. Our prayers, your prayers I believe have been answered! We arrived in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic after leaving Bonita Springs Florida on my birthday, Sunday May 30th to stay in Miami in order to fly Mailia to the DR.<br />
We were very nervous how she would do flying...but to our relief, 20 minutes after we pre boarded our flight, to our utter astonishment and amazement, we met both Dr. Zannos Grekos and Greg Finely from Regenocyte as they walked down the aisle to their seats. Mailia... bounced up and down in her chair in total relief...knowing that Dr. Grekos was right with her! The anxiety and extra stress she had about flying all but disappeared. They said they wanted to surprise Mailia...and surprise her they did!<br />
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Our flight required Mailia to be on oxygen...a lot of oxygen and she went through two large tanks in the two hour flight. We had expected our Regenocyte liaison, a beautiful woman by the name of Yanely Acosta to meet us at the gate with additional oxygen...but to our dismay, she was not allowed into the boarding area and it was too late to go back to the plane for the other full tank of oxygen. Dr. Grekos grabbed Mailia's O2 tank as I wheeled her down the corridors through customs when we she said..."Mom, I am out of oxygen now". Zannos and I took off like a shot to get her to where Yanely was waiting for us...totally in a panic that we rushed her through customs or I should say...the Department of Agriculture's officials who were demanding documentation on Mailia's little service dog "SteelDust". I told them in my most eloquent Spanish that we could not stop for this, Mailia needed oxygen and I would pay the consequences later.<br />
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We got Mailia to the front of the Airport, got her hooked up to her oxygen and made sure she was okay and while she stayed with Dr. Grekos and Yanely, Max and Greg went to fetch our luggage and Olando (translator and porter) and I went to make amends and pay restitution to the animal federales. The head of the department of Agriculture was a sweet woman named Margarita who not only was understanding with our plight but also instrumental for offering up some extra prayer support for Mailia's procedure. I know...playing the Mailia card had it's merits.<br />
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We then loaded ourselves into Yanaly's SUV and she proceeded to take us to our hotel. Thank goodness Max was riding up front with Yanaly...as Mailia and I did not need to see the unbelievable way people drive and get around, here in the Dominican Republic. We were amazed at how folks could drive as recklessly as they do and not wind up in a serious or even minor car accident. Yanaly, was no exception. She told us there are 6 different horn beeps that each have their own meaning. She mostly used the toot toot...I am coming, or toot...thank you....or beeeeeeep, get out of the way!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOsvEWj8g0TnjadxHYBTwtwjjbET3N4vvL1S_62SDpnW6xMspDeWkpGCrrTGl55KmOMPXh4FqG7ccmlKKmaE-Xg8D2P0OP8k_G2f5O64bEYbWTZvJNDsKvI8jT1Vd_4p6fCoDjoZ0VL0k/s320/Mailia+eve+of+stem+cells08.jpg" /></div><br />
Our journey to the hotel was nothing short of miraculous as well. We were personally greeted by the hotel manager Mario Mendez and assistant manager Lenin Casanova and most of their staff, who had been expecting Mailia's arrival. It is the off season now...and we were graciously received and accomodated into a nice room and upgraded for free to an executive suite facing the ocean. Mailia, Max and I had a nice dinner at the hotel and a restful evening.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9c9lmGrnN8wHeRqfUYDjY6sobN_r2LPA4Y2tLshxmvRP3ZhbsVNRsJoN3CAifoxkz07cSA6yIuXvph5yNXZUlCHBBy39ZDN4RTENMFGS6_vzYuS6P1S0Vy9gNIXK6uvqjOkNcC_B9j4/s1600/Mailia+eve+of+stem+cells05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9c9lmGrnN8wHeRqfUYDjY6sobN_r2LPA4Y2tLshxmvRP3ZhbsVNRsJoN3CAifoxkz07cSA6yIuXvph5yNXZUlCHBBy39ZDN4RTENMFGS6_vzYuS6P1S0Vy9gNIXK6uvqjOkNcC_B9j4/s320/Mailia+eve+of+stem+cells05.jpg" /></a></div><br />
The next day Wednesday, was a day which brought a huge surprise as a friend of Mailia's came with her traveling companion all the way from Pennsylvania to be with her for her stem cell procedure. Janette and Jaunita arrived at our hotel while Mailia and I were having breakfast and Max was taking Steel for his morning relief. The potty reflief jaunt involved Max running, no sprinting across a four lane (very busy) street in front of our hotel to the beach area...without getting hit. Pedestrian crosswalks...they crack me up here because they are never used...or can't be used safely.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuEiobQ-b4Tf0UcbjFDZlu1dxU_H9De8ExwDzhfNwbrkLwAypquyM7GrP9vbYk4aDqTdY95_7GLQyhSY3gSVp1X4dy4uI18d68VntMgUidw_f9euBNKeorcUArb12LcysY7hUKskosdTI/s1600/Mailia+Janette,+Jaunita+%26+Steel03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuEiobQ-b4Tf0UcbjFDZlu1dxU_H9De8ExwDzhfNwbrkLwAypquyM7GrP9vbYk4aDqTdY95_7GLQyhSY3gSVp1X4dy4uI18d68VntMgUidw_f9euBNKeorcUArb12LcysY7hUKskosdTI/s320/Mailia+Janette,+Jaunita+%26+Steel03.jpg" /></a></div>Shortly thereafter, we met Yanely at our hotel and were so happy that she had picked up our dear friend Nahla Abbo, Cal's mom.<br />
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Nahla had flown in the night before and was staying at the same hotel as Janette and Jaunita at the Intercontinental. We all piled into Yanely's vehicle...including Mailia's oxygen and wheelchair and we headed for a nice ride through the colonial part of town where we stopped to see the oldest Catholic church on this continent. <br />
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We got Mailia into her wheel chair and proceeded to the church where a man by the name of "Angel" approached us and offered to give us the grand tour. He was a nice man, very humble and humourous. He spoke to Mailia and asked why she was sick. We told him she had come for a very special procedure for stem cells for her lungs and heart. He right away...told us that he had also experienced talking to and praying for a woman two years ago...who came to the Dominican Republic for stem cell therapy. That...was Barbara McKean who he said could barely walk and was so sick with COPD and pulmonary hypertension. He prayed for her...and now, he said...she writes to him from time to time to let him know how well she progressed after stem cell therapy.<br />
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Angel offered to pray for Mailia. Max and I took Mailia into a small chapel within the church...and we prayed. We see Mailia getting well, happier than ever...her miracle before her. We all left there...pretty exhilarated and optimistic everything was in God's hands now. No turning back.<br />
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That evening, we all got together for a special dinner to celebrate the eve of Mailia's stem cell procedure and to see her relinguish the anxiety and worry she has been carrying now for so long. Nahla brought a beautiful letter from Cal for Mailia, and also a beautiful pendant from her gorgeous and sweet daughter Justine. Cal's letter helped Mailia and we want him to know it really made a difference for Mailia...knowing that Cal has helped her by pioneering the way for she and others. Cal still has to climb that mountain to get to his final destination...and he will do so with great courage and love from an incredible support system.<br />
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The next morning, June 3rd will be a day that Max and I will never forget. It was to become the clincher for Mailia's Miracle. Mailia was not to have any food after 9:30 a.m. so we went up to the 20th floor of our hotel for a quick breakfast before being picked up by Yanely to take us to the hospital Centro Cardiovascular Dominicano. When we got there...Mailia's service dog SteelDust became the target of descrimination...as animals, no matter the connection or service, they are not allowed on any premise in this country. We spoke with the doctors and he was allowed minimal access...so he was temporarily stripped of his duties and found loving and caring arms in those of Mailia's dear friend and animal vet tech, Janette and her friend Jaunita who stayed and took care of him while we admited Mailia for her procedure.<br />
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Mailia was taken to a room where she and another couple from Florida were waiting to go first, for their stem cells. The reports came in...Zannos told the other patient that he had over 62 Million stem cells and that Mailia would get an astounding 57.8 Million! As we got Mailia settled in and changed into a lovely gown, an x-ray technician came in to get a chest x-ray for the doctors. Later...one by one...the cardiologists started to arrive and come in.<br />
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We met with Regenocyte's Dr. Lionel Fco. Liriano or (Chiqui) as he is fondly called, the one who would orchestrate all the work in the control room. Then Dr. Roberto Fernandez de Castro and lead Dr. Hector Rosario Figueroa came in to meet us and Mailia. They had just drove in from another main city from the north, Santiago and were going to get ready to study their patients records and consult with Dr. Zannos Grekos.<br />
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Mailia was also visited by two traveling pediatric nurses from San Diego, Ca. Amy and Emily who were on R&R in Santo Domingo after having traveled from Haiti for a 2 week relief effort. They had met Dr. Grekos and Greg at the hotel and were given the opportunity to come bear witness to his procedure he has spent years developing and perfecting and asked if we were okay if they could observe. We were very happy to have them...as I quickly put them to work helping me get Mailia prepped and hooked up to all their monitors.<br />
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Then Max and I quickly went into change into our scrubs for Max was allowed to be in the control room with Dr. Chiqui, Amy, Emily and Greg Finley as well, who was video taping and documenting Mailia's procedure and Max, too...taking pictures that you are now previewing.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRleIikrvPOIp5LV1N94JTQ0IfEuuaRHPgrvxiD9J3c7HDPJvCKFn7r9Abh8ramFqRHJQlslsvgEkcfPY4WBftsXF6TZjsrrLIskTSWU4TEeb6ph8AHQuFFDebVWb5tEnZZZrPlCaz5yE/s1600/Cath+Lab19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRleIikrvPOIp5LV1N94JTQ0IfEuuaRHPgrvxiD9J3c7HDPJvCKFn7r9Abh8ramFqRHJQlslsvgEkcfPY4WBftsXF6TZjsrrLIskTSWU4TEeb6ph8AHQuFFDebVWb5tEnZZZrPlCaz5yE/s320/Cath+Lab19.jpg" /></a></div>I was afforded the best seat in the house. At my babies head...right at her side to hold her hand and relax her to the point where she did not require any anesthesia. Dr. Grekos felt it was better to forgo the anesthesia for he feared it would raise her heart rate and cause her more left to right shunting thereby increasing the pressures in her lungs. No, only a local anesthetic was to be used where they would be inserting the cath into her groin and femoral artery.<br />
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Mailia was explained the procedure by Zannos and Vicente...her anesthesiologist whoes cell phone drove me nuts at times. The pictures shown here are of Dr. Fernandez and Dr. Rosario who were the ones running the whole show with Grekos all around the lab making sure everything was coreaographed perfectly despite the pandemonium going on.<br />
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</div>Mailia's blood draw produced over 57.8 million adult stem cells which had arrived only hours before. Paperwork was verified, control and batch numbers matched to her wrist band...all in order. I watched Mailia's heart vitals constantly...while stroking her forehead, wanding and calming her, putting her into a total state of relaxation. There were three separate times where she went into a deep meditative state that made me nervous and later relieved to see this was her way, of allowing the invasiveness not to overpower her. She remained connected and strong...amazingly strong!<br />
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The procedure took a cool two hours and they managed to get all the stem cells, which were in 3 separate syringes into all 6 of her main lung artery branches in both lungs, and before removing the cath Dr. Grekos had Dr. Rosario place the last cc of stem cells in her pulmonary artery...just for good measure. We were so impressed with this teams profesionalism, their internal Q.A. and expertese while working to help our Mailia.<br />
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She was done!<br />
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After a restful night recouperating in the hospital and being monitored, we were escorted back to our hotel this morning by Yanely. The staff at the hospital was courteous, helpful and very gracious to us and we thank them and everyone here in Santo Domingo for their hospitality and willingness to help and care for Mailia.<br />
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It has been a truly humbling experience for all of us...as it should be.MailiasMiraclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06334694914317133151noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5978731390479059014.post-23465058477078481912010-05-27T20:18:00.000-07:002010-05-27T20:18:29.973-07:00Mailia's Blood Draw a Success at Regenocyte<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQhuPU6W9d8Hhj-esA5crn2gKPzfYi9qW2INpaOmLWoteLNipajCuhHb-7Br5Fq_ie6Xb-UtS0sGy8n9pYdagDP8oPgJbL33ehq7YaeNb0mjL_1dyxPur0wjd_YOJgNRhbYYyJqTnmKc/s1600/Mailia03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQhuPU6W9d8Hhj-esA5crn2gKPzfYi9qW2INpaOmLWoteLNipajCuhHb-7Br5Fq_ie6Xb-UtS0sGy8n9pYdagDP8oPgJbL33ehq7YaeNb0mjL_1dyxPur0wjd_YOJgNRhbYYyJqTnmKc/s320/Mailia03.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mailia's Stem Cells - The Ultimate Gift</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tuesday morning, we were greeted at Regenocyte by Nancy Trombino and Roxanne Pleva who are patient coordinator's at Regenocyte. Everyone was so thrilled to finally meet Mailia...a young patient who has traveled so far in hopes of reaching her dream of a miraculous healing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mailia was very nervous about the procedure and Dr. Grekos and his incredible team of nurses, Michelene and Felicia, were able to talk to Mailia and give her the necessary dialog on what they would be doing, step by step...in order to draw her blood successfully with minimal stress to her body and psyche.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In speaking with Dr. Grekos about our concerns relating to Mailia's previous blood draws via her arm's and how difficult she is to do in this manner, I asked if he would consider doing her blood draw through a femoral pic line through her groin instead. He agreed to do this validating that it is the parents that know their kids specifics and he is all about listening and taking these things into account. Boy...big relief!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They preped Mailia in their catherization lab and lightly sedated her while monitoring her heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturations. Once she settled down...they inserted the line and were able to draw around 30% more blood which for Mailia...means more stem cells we hope.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After Mailia's blood draw, we took her for a good meal to replenish her strength and gave her alot of fluids and supplements to replenish her blood. She did well, and expressed excitement about finally getting her stem cells. We also had a wonderful interview with Tri City Herald reporter Michelle Dupler who is doing a follow up article on Mailia's Miracle and her journey now to Florida and the Dominican Republic for stem cell therapy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today...we needed to replenish her oxygen once again, so headed to LinCare to exchange 20 empty E tanks for 20 full ones which should last her through the weekend, for we will be planning to check out of our hotel here in Bonita Springs, and head in to Miami this coming Suday. Our flight to Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic will be Monday May 31st...for her scheduled procedure on June 2nd.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
We also spent some time this afternoon at the Regenocyte clinic meeting with Dr. Grekos and discussing Mailia's procedure and the options and opportunities this would present for her. We also had the chance to meet Howard Linderman, a<strong> </strong><a href="http://www.regenocyte.com/"><strong>Regenocyte</strong></a> patient who underwent stem cell therapy two years ago. To hear his story is one of true inspiration and can be seen by clicking the Regenocyte link. He offered Mailia so much hope and motivated her to stay positive and believe in herself...and her doctors. She is now...part of their exclusive club! He offered to teach Mailia how to scuba dive at some point...she told him she already was an accomplished diver...in her Wii game "Endless Ocean". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1tg2Mj4ic5_AVZL4vBBeRzza5PhQXMEkcZpRnubF11MioZvBqQoYtS9mGVUQ_86t-IbWpSpoFXl4taI8cSZ3NuZ7_hynV_wfZLSfH4I48KtUxnyox5oTy_Lq5vlz2sMMedeeY4lpzopg/s1600/Mailia+%26+Howie2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1tg2Mj4ic5_AVZL4vBBeRzza5PhQXMEkcZpRnubF11MioZvBqQoYtS9mGVUQ_86t-IbWpSpoFXl4taI8cSZ3NuZ7_hynV_wfZLSfH4I48KtUxnyox5oTy_Lq5vlz2sMMedeeY4lpzopg/s320/Mailia+%26+Howie2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Howard Linderman and Mailia</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">During our visit with Dr. Grekos and Howard, we also were visited by WINK CBS tv reporter Carlos Suarez who I had contacted to see if their station would be interested in doing a story on Mailia's Miracle and Regenocyte. More on this...shortly.</div>MailiasMiraclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06334694914317133151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5978731390479059014.post-37791362061908788312010-05-23T20:05:00.000-07:002010-05-23T21:08:46.415-07:00We Made It Today...Sunny Bonita Springs Florida!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubRjUpUL7GzJ8GXqNhCv0KRfOL6cJzsEli5vdS0BIZ0IQBFqaimljkOTgJ2saR5Z8z7qRBvXGCkuiUeywoqnuhyPSkKsj8MKhY-bSjuKFtjH0fYJqbHFfcPexAfKs2eXu-1VcNA9x0to/s1600/Mailia's+MiracleMobile+At+Regenocyte01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubRjUpUL7GzJ8GXqNhCv0KRfOL6cJzsEli5vdS0BIZ0IQBFqaimljkOTgJ2saR5Z8z7qRBvXGCkuiUeywoqnuhyPSkKsj8MKhY-bSjuKFtjH0fYJqbHFfcPexAfKs2eXu-1VcNA9x0to/s320/Mailia's+MiracleMobile+At+Regenocyte01.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Regenocyte Clinic-Bonita Springs, Florida</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">May 23, 2010</div><br />
Greetings everyone...First off...I have to give my love and gratitude to one incredible man and dad, Max drove like a mad man to get his baby safely to Florida for her blood draw, and with a day to spare! He drove the entire 3,900 miles...oops, make that a cool 4,400 miles for the backtracking we had to do in Texas. Yep...he is a keeper in my book.<br />
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Mailia made the trip well...she ate, rested, watched movies, played on the computer, played games, wrote in her journal, talked to friends and family...and all her fur kids while in the comfort of her Mailia's Mobile.<br />
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After leaving Casa Grande...in our last post, we wound up spending the night in Benson, AZ. at a nice motel there. The following morning we headed out with the intention of making it in to Ozona, Tx. When we crossed into Texas...after getting through the heavy traffic in El Paso, we went through another time change and also saw the speed limit increased to 80 mph! Sort of made up for the lost hour...you would think.<br />
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We got into Ozona, Tx. about 11:00 p.m. last Wednesday evening...very tired and ready to rest. Normally, I would not wait until we just showed up at a motel...I would wait until 3 p.m. to guestimate our ETA at our resting stop for the night and call ahead for a reservation. That said...we were out the door pretty early, headed east and having breakfast at a Crackerbarrel when I get a call from the hotel we had just stayed at telling me the office clerk forgot to give me back my credit card...so 5 hours and 400 miles later...here we go, back to fetch it. Poor Mailia...we arrived in Texas...with the sun setting on our butts, we barely got to Houston that evening...with the sun still setting on our butts! I started to have reservations about ever making it out of that state...but we did.<br />
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We needed to refill Mailia's oxygen tanks again...so we called ahead and found a Lincare in Lake Charles, LA and the folks there were so helpful and wonderful....even holding their doors open at closing time to accomodate us finding them...everything falling into place as planned. I often wondered about the events of this trip...and how things unfolded after our little snafu in Ozona...and realize now...it was all perfect.<br />
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Lafayette, Louisiana was our resting spot the following Friday evening and oh my gosh...how these folks like to drive FAST! Rajun Cajuns for sure! The brakes don't work too good on the passenger side of our rig though. We made it a point to take Mailia in to Prejean's for dinner, a local favorite. She ate a wonderful shrimp gumbo and had another shrimp feast similar to the one in S.F. She could not believe the live cajun music the restaurant offered and the photo op with a nice large stuffed gator was hard to resist. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJF5jjvbtNMOtlFZMcy0CRxkz12lTGI1cKGkz8ciKV9V70D9wrFKJgLKQgcY99-Gn9-gt-wWFcWHfosHb1CdVMNOyjJdXEXEkI3SZZFRH3h_vTOchs6KliroJbDTtzAg9eDngqkcEpKY/s1600/Mailia+Prejeans2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJF5jjvbtNMOtlFZMcy0CRxkz12lTGI1cKGkz8ciKV9V70D9wrFKJgLKQgcY99-Gn9-gt-wWFcWHfosHb1CdVMNOyjJdXEXEkI3SZZFRH3h_vTOchs6KliroJbDTtzAg9eDngqkcEpKY/s320/Mailia+Prejeans2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After leaving Lafayette, we really made progress getting through and to...4 states. The rest of Louisiana, a little bit of Mississippi and Alabama, then ending up in Tallahassee Florida this past Saturday night. We stayed at a hotel way off the interstate that was so green and beautiful but oh...the heat and humidity has been something else. We ordered a Pizza and wings for dinner and dined in our room, so thrilled we had gotten so far. The Mailia's Mobile...my trusty Excursion...just turned 100,000 miles and I am so grateful Mailia has had this charriot at her beckon call all these years...and I pray, it will continue to take care of her and meet all her needs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All along our trip, folks have been friendly, kind and compasionate. It has given us a glimpse into what so many have and are enduring with our coutries challenges...it is humbling and consider ourselves so very blessed and grateful for what we have.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Arriving her today...was so emotional and words cannot explain really...the gratitude and happiness we are experiencing right now, in hopes that Mailia will soon...have her miracle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After dinner, we ventured over to the Regenocyte clinic to one, locate it and two...to take some photos, being Sunday...not being an intrusion on anyone. It was glorious! Then we drove 3 miles from the clinic and found a beautiful beach here in Bonita Springs. We allowed Mailia to walk onto the sand...to the waters edge and feel the southern gulf...on her feet. She was in heaven! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So we are here for a while...we will meet Dr. Grekos and his team this Tuesday for Mailia's blood draw and we ask that you keep her in your thoughts and prayers...that it will all go well. We will then try to work on the rest of the logistics of getting her to Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, so will know more later this week and will share this...shortly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWG1sGuMQDbKkdmNr37YQHQBbul7kOZLPtUTL1mjvYE2Q1nJY8LhqWXUF4bc8_OKzA9kdNyaWl-xoKqIaIe05gdaoa52b6lVn6r6v80_LJrFSc1NNGfIn-AkxNgetaakfy8QBtNXVGbE/s1600/Bonita+Springs+Beach14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWG1sGuMQDbKkdmNr37YQHQBbul7kOZLPtUTL1mjvYE2Q1nJY8LhqWXUF4bc8_OKzA9kdNyaWl-xoKqIaIe05gdaoa52b6lVn6r6v80_LJrFSc1NNGfIn-AkxNgetaakfy8QBtNXVGbE/s320/Bonita+Springs+Beach14.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I leave you all with this photo of Mailia...as the sun sets this evening here in Florida, she is at a place in her life where she is confident and strong...scared and concerned, yes...but ultimately she knows in her heart she is loved so very much and that life has so much to offer her. Thank you eveyone...we love you all very much!<br />
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Good night...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div align="center"></div>MailiasMiraclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06334694914317133151noreply@blogger.com0