OT - SIAP - Gordie Howe Recovery
I heard Wojo mention this on the radio Friday night and realized I hadn't seen anything posted here. This is truly amazing because the recent stories I had read seemed to be indicating he had very limited time left.
Gordie was taken to Mexico for some type of stem cell treatment. According to the release from the family which was written up in the Hockey News, he has improved so much they are planning a public appearance with Gordie and Wayne Gretzky February 6th.
He's walking short distances, his speach is improving ( although it's expected to take years to improve totally) and his ability to name items has gone from 25% to 85%.
Here's hoping for his continued improvement. We are lucky people every additional day we have this great man around.
After reviewing the information on Stemedica and Novastem, our family decided to give our father this opportunity. On December 8th, Mr. Hockey underwent a two-day, non-surgical treatment at Novastem’s medical facility. The treatment included neural stem cells injected into the spinal canal on Day 1 and mesenchymal stem cells by intravenous infusion on Day 2. His response was truly miraculous. At the end of Day 1 he was walking with minimal effort for the first time since his stroke. By Day 2 he was conversing comfortably with family and staff at the clinic. On the third day, he walked to his seat on the plane under his own power. By Day 5 he was walking unaided and taking part in helping out with daily household chores. When tested, his ability to name items has gone from less than 25% before the procedure to 85% today. His physical therapists have been astonished. Although his short term memory, strength, endurance and coordination have plenty of room for improvement, we are hopeful that he will continue to improve in the months to come. As a family, we are thrilled that Dad’s quality of life has greatly improved, and his progress has exceeded our greatest expectations. Once again, we cannot emphasize how much you have fueled Mr. Hockey’s recovery and we thank everyone for their continued prayers and support.
December 21st, 2014 at 1:14 AM ^
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December 21st, 2014 at 1:15 AM ^
December 21st, 2014 at 1:29 AM ^
G.O.A.T.? Seriously? There is no one that believes that, clearly second best after "The Great One". However, still my favorite player and hoping he lives to be 150 while still participating in the alumni games
December 21st, 2014 at 1:35 AM ^
Ken Kal believes that..I do too.
December 21st, 2014 at 1:42 AM ^
How? He was unquestionably the best ever until Gretzky but how can you think that after Gretzky? Just look at the results. I like Gordie much better and honestly who doesnt but I don't see how you can think he was better than Gretzky
December 21st, 2014 at 1:49 AM ^
are you a big hockey player/fan? If so you'd know it's impossible to compare those two players. Gordie Howe did EVERYTHING. In addition to being incredible offensively and defensively, Gordie fought his own battles and was one of the meanest, toughest, SOBs to ever play the game.
Gretzky was obviously great but he also relied heavily on enforcers like Semenko and McSorley to keep him in one piece. The guy was untouchable, he had personal body guards on his team and everyone in the league knew if they touched him they'd have to thrown down with one of the toughest guys in the show. IMO its not even a question, Gordie, Gretz, Lemieux and Orr.
December 21st, 2014 at 2:01 AM ^
This. It's nearly impossible to compare the two because they played in completely different eras, although Howe played until Gretzky's era because he's a beast. It's impossible to know, but had one played in the others era, I think Howe comes out on top. IMO Gretzky doesn't survive, or come remotley close to his numbers if he had come into the league at the same time as Howe.
December 21st, 2014 at 9:15 PM ^
Apples and Oranges
December 21st, 2014 at 3:03 PM ^
because there are no words. Perfect comparison.
December 21st, 2014 at 1:53 AM ^
Tool: (n) Somebody who visits a thread about the surprising comeback from a near-death medical event of a sports legend and starts an argument about his place in sports history.
December 21st, 2014 at 11:42 AM ^
As a corollary to that, don't argue with an idiot, they'll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.
December 21st, 2014 at 12:45 PM ^
December 21st, 2014 at 8:25 AM ^
December 21st, 2014 at 1:18 AM ^
mexico, eh?
December 21st, 2014 at 1:25 AM ^
Long live Mr. Hockey.
December 21st, 2014 at 2:10 AM ^
I watched a lot of really good hockey players in my life........
But no one can compare to this guy! Get well soon, big guy!
December 21st, 2014 at 4:53 AM ^
I was fortunate to meet Gordie Howe after a Red Wings game at Olympia stadium, probably around 1959. My uncle worked there. He was wearing a suit and tie, and a dark trench coat. He talked to us for a while, and he seemed...dignified. To me, it was like talking with the President of the United States.
God bless Gordie Howe and his family.
December 21st, 2014 at 7:32 AM ^
December 21st, 2014 at 7:53 AM ^
It is nice to see Gordie getting into a scrap with mortality and, for the moment, coming out on the winning side of it. It seems like there's still plenty of fight in him yet and hopefully his recovery is full and speedy. What is truly amazing as well - aside from Gordie himself - is how fast he was back on his feet and functioning with little to no aid. Awesome stuff.
December 21st, 2014 at 7:57 AM ^
Peter Griffin
Why aren't we funding this?
December 21st, 2014 at 12:14 PM ^
and approved. But looks like they're private companies:
Stemedica is a biotechnology company that manufactures allogeneic adult stem cells in its US government licensed, cGMP facility in San Diego, California.
Apparently the stem cell clinical trial is held at Novastem, "a licensed distributor of Stemedica’s products" in Mexico. And...
Novastem is currently conducting federally licensed and Institutional Review Board approved clinical trials for several medical conditions, including stroke, using Stemedica’s stem cell products.
December 21st, 2014 at 2:08 PM ^
of this response suggests you have never seen that episode of Family Guy
December 22nd, 2014 at 11:48 AM ^
So you're telling me Peter Griffin isn't a congressman and I didn't have to worry about crossing over into politics?
December 21st, 2014 at 2:26 PM ^
This is adult stem cells which is accepted by virtually every person on the planet as hopeful technology and has zero controvsery surrounding it. I am thrilled Gordie is improving because of this treatment and hope it helps others as well.
December 21st, 2014 at 3:13 PM ^
Every time this past month or so when I've heard he's suffered another stroke, I've thought, "Well that will just about do it, Gordie. You fought the good fight."
And then he comes roaring back. He's brawling with the Grim Reaper, kicking ass, and taking names. I'm glad his family took this chance. I hope more people can benefit from this therapy in the future. I wish it were available years ago to save my parents.