First visit with Dr Kirkpatrick

Today we walked (with Emma in the wheelchair) the 3/4 mile to Dr Kirkpatrick's clinic. First we met another patient (and family) in the waiting room.
She is 19 and had come from Denmark to have the type of Ketamine infusions that Emma had last year in Philadelphia.
We had a good meeting with Dr Kirkpatrick and he evaluated Emma's condition and filled us in with more details on the Mexico Ketamine Coma study. He took some base-line measurements of Emma's pain reaction by pressing a pressure gauge onto her skin and we arranged a cognitive function test with another Doctor for Monday.
On Monday we will also see Dr Kirkpatrick again for more evaluations including going over the pre-medical clearance tests Emma has had in NZ and he will make a video of her current physical functionality. It has been a busy week and we are look forward to a couple of quiet days before our next appointment on Monday. Although the traveling has been hard on Emma, she is doing really well and still has a good
appetite and is sleeping a few hours at night.

We just spoke to Aleishia and Luke on skype video. It was great to talk with them and have a catch-up on the week's activities.

Arrived in Tampa, Florida

We arrived in Tampa after 6 hours en route from LA. We had a plane swap in Dallas and Emma had a bit of a run in with the TSA (Transport Security). As she went through the wheelchair access way and missed the scanner they decided that she had to have the full body pat down. So despite our protests they began to do this. Emma turned white even before they got to her legs and was clearly very distressed.
As they touched her legs it was clear they couldn't continue, though they insisted that they must. It was not until we suggested that she go back through and walk through the scanner that they were satisfied. So we learnt something there about avoiding the scanner....don't!

It is very warm and humid in Tampa - about 36 degrees and not much cooler at night with humidity of around 75%. The hotel is very comfortable and like most buildings we have been in, a wave of cool air hits you as you walk in from outside.
We can only go out for a few minutes before becoming very tired.
There are not too many other pedestrians, the standard outdoor "attire" here seems to be an oversized SUV with air-conditioner roaring!

Arrived in LA

Well we arrived in LA without much incident - only one call for a doctor on board and it was not for us thankfully! (The other passenger was fine too). Emma found the flight gruelling but was still able to shuffle to-and-from the wheelchair, shuttles etc. Our hotel is practically in the middle of the LAX runway system but is very quiet - plenty of take-off and landing activity.

Acoustic, Jazz and Blues Concert

We had a great evening on Saturday with the Hamilton Acoustic, Jazz and Blues societies combining for the concert at Te Rapa race course. Thanks to all of the many people who came and enjoyed the music the total raised on the night was over $3200. Thanks to all of the musicians and helpers who made it possible.

Concert Event

Thanks to Maxine at the Hamilton Acoustic Music Club we've had an awesome offer of a fund-raising concert event.

These three groups will combine for an evening of entertainment on August 7th at the Te Rapa Racecourse.

The Hamilton Acoustic Music Club

The Hamilton Blues Society

The Hamilton Jazz Society

Tickets are $20 (door sales only) and all funds from ticket sales will go towards Emma's treatment.

A big thank-you to the Te Rapa race course and all of the musicians and helpers for their generous offer.

Media Reports

Well the fund raising is going extremely well. Thank you so much to everyone for the amazing support for Emma.

It's now less than one month until we start the journey to Florida and Mexico.

Tomorrow night (Friday) at 7pm Emma's story will be on TV3's "Campbell Live".
Soon afterwards it should be available on demand on the TV3 Web-site

The Waikato times ran this article on Emma on June 26 2010

Thanks again everyone, we have been overwhelmed by your support!

What's been happening .............

It’s been nearly a year since we lasted updated the blog and in the last couple of months new plans have begun to take form.

Unfortunately Emma's condition over the latest year has deteriorated rapidly and the RSD has now spread throughout her body. In particular her pain is strongest in her right ankle and left hand. We are making plans for Emma to travel to the USA to participate in a research programme. This treatment option was recommended to Emma a year ago by Dr Schwartzman and has been delivering some excellent results for other patients.

Emma will need to again have pre-medical clearance tests and if these go OK she will undergo a 5 day induced coma in the intensive care unit in Monterrey, Mexico under the direction of Dr Kirkpatrick at the RSD / CRPS Treatment Center and Research Institute in Tampa Florida.

We will continue to update you on Emma’s journey here on this blog.

We have set up a website to help fundraise for this treatment and to raise awareness of RSD. You can find the site here: http://ihelpedemmaorange.webs.com/