PATIENT EXPERIENCE - BRAIN INJURY


NAME: Lukas Nguyen Lukas

COUNTRY: U.S.A.

AGE: 3 yrs

DIAGNOSIS: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) leading to Cerebral Palsy, diagnosed February 12, 2005

See here for a full youtube video documenting Lukas' treatment and recovery

REASON FOR COMING FOR TREATMENT: Lukas had been on medication and received regular physiotherapy since his injury in 2005, but had not seen any significant improvement. As a result, his parents decided to bring him to China for stem cell treatment in October 2006. Lukas saw several great improvements after his first round of treatment (as detailed below), and so his parents decided to bring him for a second series of injections in April 2007.


TREATMENT: Oct. 2006: Umbilical Cord Stem Cell and Nerve Growth Factor Injections with Rehabilitation Therapy, Apr. 2007: Umbilical Cord Stem Cell and Nerve Growth Factor Injections with Rehabilitation Therapy

START OF TREATMENT: First treatment: October 9, 2006 Second treatment: April 19, 2007

BEFORE THE TREATMENT: Lukas sustained a severe brain injury in January 2005 when he fell down seven steps on a staircase with his nanny. His brain mass was reduced by 40%, and a fluid sac developed that covered around 35% of his brain. He was in a coma for seven days, and after he came to he had forgotten how to do many of the things he could do before. He had poor trunk strength, and could not stand or sit still without assistance. He could not eat solids. He was also on medication for acid reflux, bowel movements, sleeping problems and irritability. Although he could recognize people that were important to him, such as family members and his doctors, he had problems with objects. He would not make eye contact with those around him, and was generally unresponsive to the world around him.


AFTER THE FIRST TREATMENT: Lukas’ trunk strength improved after treatment, and he was able to sit on his own for long periods of time. He was able to eat solid foods, and his appetite increased. His cognitive skills increased significantly. He was far better at processing visual information, and as a result was much more responsive to the world around him. He could interact with people and objects and was much more playful. Most significantly, a scan taken five months after his return to the United States revealed that the fluid sac that covered his brain had significantly decreased in size. According to his neurosurgeon, it had resolved by 85%. His medications were stopped, and he graduated from all his doctors at home, who were amazed with his progress.


AFTER THE SECOND TREATMENT: Lukas’ muscle strength continued to improve. He could pull himself to a sitting position from a lying position. He was now able to stand on his own for up to two minutes, and it is hoped that he will be able to sit and walk normally in the future. He started speaking more, and was generally calmer and happier than before. The fluid sac covering his brain was now 95% resolved. At the most recent visit to see his neurologist, Lukas was told that he will walk independently and that his gross motor skills can recover greatly.

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