31st of August, 2010

5.13pm Tuesday afternoon. Time for a short update. Today was a rather busy day. First Jaana had some blood draw for normal blood test etc, then bone marrow from both her hips were drawn. Different from last time, this was a bit pain full, but extra marrow was drawn to make sure there would be enough good stem cells for the surgery on Thursday. After this, she rested a bit and then there was a meeting with both the anesthesiologist and then the neuro surgeon. Both of them described in detail the agenda for Thursday. Now we are back in the hotel for her to rest. Tomorrow it is back to the hospital for MRI scans to assist the surgeon on Thursday so the can do this with the highest accuracy possible. I will keep you updated on Thursday after the operation which is scheduled for 9.30am CET.

27th of August

9.07am Friday morning. As we are packing up for the summer and preparing our departure, I will not write anything more for a week. Therefore I would like to communicate the next scheduled events concerning Jaanas stem cell treatment.
On Monday the 30th of August, Jaana, Parmi and me fly to Dusseldorf. On Tuesday bone marrow from Jaanas hip will be extracted. On Wednesday there will be MRI, PET and CT scans and the stem cells will be separated from within the bone marrow. Thursday is the critical day. The stem cells will be put back into Jaans brain through neuro endoscopy. This is done under full anesthesia and even though it is done regularly and weekly at the center, it is not a small thing. To my understaning, the general idea is to be as quick as possible and be as non-intrusive as one can. The operation should not take longer than 20-30 min if everything goes well. So for all of you, Thursday is time for thoughts and prayer for Jaana. I will write as soon as possible after she wakes up. Her occupational therapist, Giselle, will come from Barbados and talk to the center about special training after the operation. I will be in Lugano on Friday to help Ludwig in this new school and will take Camille and Jonathan to Dusseldorf on Saturday. Jaana will be in the hospital until Saturday when she will be at our hotel for 2 nights. On Monday we fly to Sweden where she will undergo intense therapy at Humlegarden. Giselle will come up to Sweden to instruct the center about Jaana, what she has been doing for the past 24 months, how to treat after the operation and be close to her. Jonathan, Camille and I will fly home to Barbados on Monday/Tuesday where they will be a few days late for school.
Now, I think that is as much as I can tell you right now. So, for Thursday the 2nd of September, which is Jaanas and mine 15th anniversary as well, she will be needing everyones thoughts. Not the present I had in mind, but I hope it will be the best one I ever gave her.

9th of Auagust, 2010

3.11pm Monday afternoon. This has been the longest break between postings! Reason being, there has not been to much to report. However though, now I would like to announce that Jaanas is doing her second, and a bit larger, stem cell treatment in Dusseldorf at the end of August. As Parmi is going to Indonesia for a month and Jaana needs a lot of therapy, stimulation and attention immediately after the treatment, she will be heading to Humlegarden rehabilitation center in Sigtuna, Sweden. There are other more prominent, and maybe better centers in the world, but she will not be close to friends. The social aspect, I have found, is even more important for her than anything else. Not having her children and husband close, will have an impact, but it will far less if all friends (not having a cold etc) will visit her as much as possible. should be able to do so, talk to her and let her answer with words, play a card game, play memory, ask questions, sudokos etc etc. Do anything which will stimulate her brain. It is very very important after her treatment to cease the opportunity when the new cells try to grow and reconnect damaged areas.
To coordinate visits and ask for best timings, please contact Jaanas mother Ritva Koistinen to make sure Jaana does not have scheduled therapy when you come as it will waste your time and she needs to concentrate fully on the task of getting better. However though, go and visit her! I will get back to you with more details before she arrives in Sweden.
The children are doing fine! Ludwig will start boarding school in Lugano Swizerland in September. Jonathan, Camille and me will return to Barbados just after getting Jaana to Humlegarden. Next year, we will most likely move to Lugano and spend the weekends at our home in Italy.
Anyway, need to go but all of you, take care and visit my wife in Sweden should you get chance!

10th of April, 2010

10.34am Saturday morning. Jaana's brother with family just left a day ago after having spent Easter here in Barbados. The kids had heaps of fun which included a catamaran trip with swimming with turtles, golf and some general beach fun. Unfortunately (but good for us as we had a long draught) it was raining for 4 days so that limited some activities. Anyway, Easter eggs, BBQ and all good in the end.
Jaana is doing fine. She is doing small steps forward and I am sure as many of you have not seen her for a long time, you will notice many positive changes next time you meet her.
Kids are back to school on Tuesday. Driving starts again, but a bit more peace and quite around the house.

28th of March, 2010

4.53pm Sunday afternoon. Jaana is doing very well at rehab now. She is very willing and much more able to participate and with that, comes better result. The stem cell treatment definitely has had a positive effect. We are very much considering doing the larger treatment option during the summer to see even more profound effects. Anyway, all is well, but after over two and a half year of care taking both Parmi and me (specially Parmi) is having a few aches. Even though Jaana has lot a lot of weight, her lack of balance when she walks has to be compensated for by the one assisting her. Even though Jaanas balance is improving, this is obviously a heavy work load. We have another lady, Nancy, who helps out full time so that ease things up a bit.
The kids are off school now for two weeks so that is fun. We shall be resting here in Barbados and try to do a lot of sports etc.
At the end of April, I will do a trip to Europe of a week, and a wife of a good friend down here will stay with Parmi and the kids during my absence, even though this is a long way from now.
It has been very dry down here lately. The grass is all brown and there a fires raging all over the island. Yesterday we got a first 30min of rain in over 6 weeks, so this was very welcome.

19th of February 2010

11.13am (CET) Friday morning. I am writing this from our hotel room in Flims. Me an the children return to Barbados via London tomorrow morning after a 7 day skiing holiday. Camille who had never stood on skis in her life is now woozing down red sloops and giggling with laughter. Ludwig and Jonathan picked up where they left off in Switzerland 7 years ago and ski very well. We have had a great time and I will post some picture later.
Jaana has improved her initiation measurably since the stem cell treatment. She puts a lot more into her rehab sessions and she is willing to try to speak a lot more than before. It is still early days so we shall see the full effects around 4-6 weeks from now. Early signs are very positive though.

4th of February, 2010

2.41pm (CET) Thursday afternoon. Jaana her separated stem cells reinserted into her spinal fluid yesterday. They found a bit less stem cells than hoped for, just 1,840,000 but they were of good quality. The neurosurgeon said though that the quality was more important than the quantity. Anyway, we will have to wait for between 4-6 weeks for signs of result. One can also repeat the treatment in the future as needed. Jaana felt no pain at all during the short 5 minute procedure. She is now resting in our hotel room in Dusseldorf, and tomorrow morning we fly back home to Barbados. Camille has been with us for the whole trip and Jaanas mother will join us on the trip back. Jaana has been in a great mood during the trip even though she is a bit tired now.
Kids and I will leave Barbados already after six days to go skiing. We will be joined for four days of my BFF Luca and my godson Philip in Laax/Flims. We are all very excited about the trip and some long awaited skiing.