March 2008 URGENT UPDATE

Due to his health, Paul needs to go back to the Ukraine immediately for another stem cell treatment. The cost of the trip will be approximately $5,500.00. Sadly, the Paul Pietrowski Foundation has been completely depleted of funds. 
Please help Paul get the treatment he needs by calling or sending in your donation as soon as possible. 
 

2002-2006 Paul’s Journey

Before Paul’s first treatment in 2002, he was strictly confined to his wheelchair. He couldn’t even lift his arms. He was underweight and very weak. Unlike his outgoing personality now, he was very shy and quiet. After his first treatment in 2002, he started gaining a little bit of weight and he started to talk a little more. 

Each year since then he has gone to the Ukraine at least once a year for more treatments.  After each treatment he gains more strength and ability to do things for himself. He has gained more weight, he’s getting taller, and he can keep his head up by himself. He can now lift his arms all the way up in order to do exercises. This is also due to the fact that Paul and his mom have been going to the pool since 2005 so he could get physical therapy in the water. This ongoing treatment is quite expensive, but it is necessary to keep Paul strong and healthy. Paul also has regular visits at the doctors at Yacktman Pavilion Lutheran General Hospital. Every six months Paul sees a cardiologist and neurologist, and every 12 months he has a visit with an orthopedic doctor. Once a week he has physical therapy at home. Thanks to all the people and organizations, Paul has the following installed at home: “Stair Lift,” “Ceiling Lifts” in every room, and an “Adjustable Hospital bed” in his room.

In the last few years, Paul has come out of his shell as he has gained strength and confidence. He enjoys the outdoors and isn’t afraid to make friends at school. He is very outspoken and outgoing. He is attending classes with his peers and he receives good grades. When he does his homework he can now write with a pen or pencil and he can type on the computer very quickly. Diana, his older sister, says “I’ve never seen Paul so happy!”

Please continue to support Paul in his battle to live. Your support equals more time that Paul can spend with his sisters and mother and father. Not only does the treatment add time to Paul’s life, it radically improves it. Things like eating by himself, holding a book up to read it, and reaching out for a hug are things that we might take for granted, but Paul depends on you and I for the luxury of enjoying them. 

June 15, 2007 – Paul Undergoes Heart Surgery
Paul’s heart rate increased dramatically and his doctors could not figure out why. His doctors and his parents decided that the best solution would be a catheter ablation heart surgery. The surgery lasted a full five hours.
Catheter ablation involves delivering highly focused heat (or radio frequency energy) to specific areas of the heart. Radio frequency energy is very rapidly alternating electrical current that is produced at the tip of the catheter that is placed inside the heart. Although very little electricity is given off by the catheter, the instrument does generate a large amount of heat. This heat is absorbed by the heart tissue, causing a small localized burn and destroying the tissue in contact with the catheter tip; in this way, small regions of heart tissue are burned in a controlled manner. This controlled destruction of small sections of heart muscle actually kills the nerve cells causing the irregular heartbeat, stopping the nerve signals that are passing through this section of the heart. This usually causes the irregular heartbeat to be reset into a normal heartbeat.
Paul was in the hospital for one and a half days and was released for homecare. His parents hope that this surgery will regulate his heartbeat. Thank you for your ongoing support. Without it, Paul would not be able to receive these treatments.

2007 Update Return to top of Page

Paul is now 16 years old. At this time Paul is getting bigger and taller and he needs more stem cells. The next visit at “EMCELL” clinic is scheduled for next year, but there are currently no funds available to him. Paul also has regular visits at the doctors at Yacktman Pavilion Lutheran General Hospital. Every six months Paul sees a cardiologist and neurologist, and every 12 months he has a visit with an orthopedic doctor. Once a week he has physical therapy at home. Thanks to all the people and organizations, Paul has the following installed at home: “Stair Lift,” “Ceiling Lifts” in every room, and an “Adjustable Hospital bed” in his room. 
In February 2007, Paul had another stem cell treatment in Ukraine. He was supposed to go at the end of 2006, but the funds were not available. Since his most recent trip to the Ukraine, Paul is able to talk more and he has more energy. He is able to lift his arms up and do exercises with them. In order for Paul to continue to improve, he must return to the Ukraine for more treatment.

Paul goes to H.D. Jacobs High School in Algonquin, and will be entering his junior year in the fall. He has regular classes and understands the material he is taught at school. He receives good grades, learns very well, he is able to read, write and do all his work like a regular student. When Paul is at school he has friends, talks to people, and asks for help when he needs it. Because of his stem cell treatments, he can lift his arms to eat his food and drink by himself at lunch time. He is a very smart boy and has dreams and goals like everyone else. 

He loves to read books and go to the movies with his two sisters, ages 19 and 13. His sister Diana said that he loves to go shopping with his parents (just like most teenagers). When asked to describe her little brother, Diana said that Paul is very funny and sensitive. She also said that he never gives up, even when other kids put him down because of his condition. 

Please continue to support Paul in his battle to live. Your support equals more time that Paul can spend with his sisters and mother and father. Not only does the treatment add time to Paul’s life, it radically improves it. Things like eating by himself, holding a book up to read it, and reaching out for a hug are things that we might take for granted, but Paul depends on you and I for the luxury of enjoying them.