January 27, 2012

A year has passed since I fell and injured my spinal cord. It's a date I'll never forget, but not exactly one that inspires jubilation. What IS cause for celebration is the fact that I'm still here! It has been a challenging year, to say the very least, but with the help of my family and friends, I've made it through. Words can't express how grateful I am for the kindness and generosity of all of you who have rallied to my support. I look to the future with hope, bolstered by the knowledge that whatever challenges I face, I am not alone.

January 10, 2011

I'm sitting in my private suite at Hospital Angeles with my Brother Dan. It's actually the nicest hospital room I've ever seen. The staff is attentive, competent, and professional. I feel that I am in good hands here. Today's stem cell procedure went well and I'll be discharged tomorrow. The doctors harvested approximately 300ml of adipose fat (I have plenty to spare), isolated the stem cells, and injected them into my cerebrospinal fluid both above and below my injury site. Some stem cells were also transplanted via IV to provide systemic benefits. I'm excited to work hard, build strength, and continue my recovery (augmented by the stem cells). I'll be watching my progress and will keep you all updated. Thank you all so much for your love and support- without you we couldn't make this happen!

Love Berkey

January 9, 2012

Happy 2012! Beginning a new year brings to mind fresh starts, resolutions for self-improvement, and commitments to making things better than they were last year. Today I am filled with the excitement of possibility. In a few hours, my brother Dan and I will drive to Mexico and check in to the Angeles Hospital for a three-day visit.

Tomorrow, The Regenerative Medicine Institute will harvest stem cells from my adipose tissue and inject them intrathecally into my cerebrospinal fluid. After the procedure I'll continue to work hard at physical therapy and we'll see what happens. Science! I'm acutely aware of the uncertainty and skepticism regarding stem cell therapy. I also know the proliferation of research and clinical trials in the field tells me of the promising results and flat-out miracles happening every day. Roll the dice with me and hope for the best!

December 14, 2011

My first visit to the stem cell clinic! It felt strange to cross the border into Tijuana and not head west on the toll road to Ensenada, my historically frequent destination for yacht delivery and repair calls. Yesterday, my friend Dave and I headed southeast on Paseo de Los Heroes to Hospital Angeles, home of the Regenerative Medicine Institute (RMI). My appointment for electromyography and blood testing served two purposes: the tests were required as part of my application for treatment, and it provided me an opportunity to inspect the facilities first-hand and meet the medical team that would potentially treat me with stem cell therapy.

When I first considered the notion of seeking medical treatment in "TJ", I had visions of waking up on the operating table to find a fresh scar across my side as I watched my kidney being carted off to the black market of vital organs. As I researched the clinic further, my fears of being taken advantage of by charlatans and snake-oil salesmen eased. A number of affiliations with US medical schools, biotech firms, and accrediting organizations had me feeling more convinced of the clinic's legitimacy. RMI has subjected itself to institutional review, site audits, and continuing oversight by the International Cellular Medicine Society, a US-based non-profit working toward the advancement and standardization of cell-medicine.

Now that I've seen the hospital and clinic, which appear perfectly modern, clean, and well-equipped, and I've met the medical professionals who will treat me (most of whom speak fluent English), I'm ready to pull the trigger. I understand that there are risks involved and that there is no guarantee of success, but the possibility of increased recovery is worth it to me. I'll keep you posted!

December 12, 2011

A few more turns of the wrench and I'll be rolling on a new Intrepid hand cycle! Cycling has long been a favorite avocation and I'm ready to start racking up some miles on this new trike. At first, the miles will be flat and mostly downwind, but I have to start somewhere. Not only will the hand cycle be an integral part of my fitness program, it will be good for my soul! I never realized what a bike-nerd I was until I couldn't ride. I've missed the sound of the tires humming beneath me and the clean, mechanical purr of a well tuned drive-train. The moment I settled in the seat during the first fitting, I began to feel like I was back in my element. I should be riding by this weekend and will be sure to post pics as soon as I have some! Thanks again to the generous donors who made this happen, especially Cousin
Lori who ran the Chicago Marathon to raise funds for the cause!

November 30,2011

"There is nothing-absolutely nothing- half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats."- The Water Rat, Wind in the Willows. Boats embody the spirit of possibility- so many places they might take you, so many things you might see and do! Many of my fondest memories involve my experiences on boats. As we drove out the Shelter Island causeway, the boatyards, marinas, and yachts stirred in me a familiar sense of wanderlust. Our destination was Challenged America, an adaptive sailing program that provides opportunities for disabled people to get out and sail, both recreationally and competitively.

We had come to the program to get my father and my sister checked out on the program's Martin 16 sailboats so they could sail as my able-bodied companion. After reviewing the rigging procedures for the two-seat, 16-foot sloops, we shoved off and set sail across Americas Cup Harbor. As we reached the open waters of San Diego Bay I heard a shout from my starboard side, "last one to the buoy is a rotten egg!" yelled Steve, the volunteer sailing with my sister. Something about the proximity of a similar boat compels sailors to coax every last bit of boat speed from the sails. The little boats handled nicely- the most fun I've had at 4 knots!

I'm excited to have been introduced to the Challenged America program and look forward to racing in disabled regattas in the near future.

November 10, 2011

When I turned 39 last year, I began planning for my 40th birthday. Committed to doing something adventurous to mark the big four-zero, I brainstormed over my world atlas- trekking in the Himalaya? Perhaps a multi-sport adrenalin tour in New Zealand? Whatever the trip was, wherever it might take me, I was going to go big. On January 27 I broke my neck and all plans went out the window.

Happy to simply be alive, I had no aspirations for an "extraordinary" 40th birthday. I anticipated dinner with family and a few friends- nice and mellow. Little did I know, my friends and family had something else in mind for me.

The first of many surprises last weekend occurred Thursday as I rolled up the boardwalk in Pacific Beach. Expecting to meet my brother Dan and long-time buddy Chris and his wife Gina (who gets HUGE kudos for orchestrating much of the fun last weekend!), my jaw dropped when I noticed James, Jennifer and Kellie strolling toward me- my best friends from my youth in Michigan had flown in to celebrate with me!

Saturday morning, my friend Dave arranged for me to go sailing with the Challenged America adaptive sailing program. I had not been on the water since my accident and being at the helm of a boat again was a surprisingly emotional event for me- thankfully, my sunglasses concealed the tears of joy that welled up in my eyes as we tacked across San Diego Bay.

Shortly after sailing, I was floored again as I rolled out of the elevator at The Fiddler's Green restaurant and into a chorus of "Happy Birthday" sung by the crowd of family and friends lying in wait. Friends, old and new, had gathered to wish me well- some of whom had flown in just for the day(Adam and Murph, you guys are animals!) Thank you for making my 40th a day to remember!

I also want to thank everyone who couldn't be here in person but were certainly with me in spirit. Your cards, calls, emails, texts, voicemails, and web posts have kept my spirits high and you inspire me to keep at it for another 40!

LOVE TO ALL,
Eric