Richard in Poland
Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2010 1:24 pm
I have been slow in posting the details of my trip to Katowice, partly to get a better assessment of where I stand (lol), and partly out of sheer inertia, but here goes.
Left mild Vancouver on February 7, and arrived in blustery, cold, and snowy Krakow the next day, travelled via Lufthansa and LOT Polish airlines, who were both excellent at getting me in my wheelchair to the right gate at the right time. Picked up at the airport by Marek from Euro Medic, who turned out to be as well as our driver to the various medical sites, an entertaining guide and raconteur...then to Qubus hotel in Katowice, our room had a disabled washroom, much appreciated, and has a great breakfast buffet ...had the pleasure of meeting Alby who was there for the same treatment, and his son Allan ....rested on Feb 9, and then to Zabrze (abt 35 min away) for MRV....next day to Euro Medic clinic, where Dr Simka did the ultrasound testing. Diagnosed with stenosis in R Jugular and azygous veins, and treated with angioplasty immediately after....stayed that night in the clinic with Alby, and a fellow from Krakow undergoing the treatment (there also was a woman from Ontario that day)....the next day after a talk with the doctor, (I recommend having as many questions as possible for the doctor at this time, as it's unlikely you'll see Dr S again) I went for an eye test, presumably as a comparison to any later improvement in visual ability...the doctors all speak excellent English, support staff less so, and my Polish is abominable, limited to Dzien dobry (hello) and Dziękuję bardzo (thank you very much), despite having a Polish father who, serendipitously, lived in Katowice between the wars...we could have returned home the next day, but as there had been some confusion as to how long I needed to stay we ended up in Katowice for an additional 3 days...the 5 days that Euro Medic books for you is all that's needed.
For me , there has not been a dramatic improvement in symptoms, but there have been subtle changes that hopefully will improve over time....in general leg pain and spasticity has been reduced, making me able to exercise my legs, and thus to lurch about a bit less terrifyingly, and I can now sleep on my back, whereas previously difficult due to leg twitches...there has been a minor but noticeable reduction in fatigue, I am always self assessing to see whether I have a cold as it will increase fatigue, but as my immune system is working in overdrive, the symptoms of a cold are not always evident.
I will update if and when I note any developments.
Richard
Left mild Vancouver on February 7, and arrived in blustery, cold, and snowy Krakow the next day, travelled via Lufthansa and LOT Polish airlines, who were both excellent at getting me in my wheelchair to the right gate at the right time. Picked up at the airport by Marek from Euro Medic, who turned out to be as well as our driver to the various medical sites, an entertaining guide and raconteur...then to Qubus hotel in Katowice, our room had a disabled washroom, much appreciated, and has a great breakfast buffet ...had the pleasure of meeting Alby who was there for the same treatment, and his son Allan ....rested on Feb 9, and then to Zabrze (abt 35 min away) for MRV....next day to Euro Medic clinic, where Dr Simka did the ultrasound testing. Diagnosed with stenosis in R Jugular and azygous veins, and treated with angioplasty immediately after....stayed that night in the clinic with Alby, and a fellow from Krakow undergoing the treatment (there also was a woman from Ontario that day)....the next day after a talk with the doctor, (I recommend having as many questions as possible for the doctor at this time, as it's unlikely you'll see Dr S again) I went for an eye test, presumably as a comparison to any later improvement in visual ability...the doctors all speak excellent English, support staff less so, and my Polish is abominable, limited to Dzien dobry (hello) and Dziękuję bardzo (thank you very much), despite having a Polish father who, serendipitously, lived in Katowice between the wars...we could have returned home the next day, but as there had been some confusion as to how long I needed to stay we ended up in Katowice for an additional 3 days...the 5 days that Euro Medic books for you is all that's needed.
For me , there has not been a dramatic improvement in symptoms, but there have been subtle changes that hopefully will improve over time....in general leg pain and spasticity has been reduced, making me able to exercise my legs, and thus to lurch about a bit less terrifyingly, and I can now sleep on my back, whereas previously difficult due to leg twitches...there has been a minor but noticeable reduction in fatigue, I am always self assessing to see whether I have a cold as it will increase fatigue, but as my immune system is working in overdrive, the symptoms of a cold are not always evident.
I will update if and when I note any developments.
Richard
I am making some comparisons -- I am also 47, and I use a wheelchair, and my hope is not so much to see major physical improvements as to halt any progression and then have a base for potential rehab.