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Question: Whatever happened to the lady who went to China to get stem cell treatment for her Parkinson’s disease? The Star-Bulletin had a big article about her, but there was never a follow-up. My wife has Parkinson’s, so we’re interested whether it worked or not.
Answer: Penny Thomas, whose story was reported by former Star-Bulletin/Star-Advertiser reporter Helen Altonn in 2007 — http://archives.starbulletin.com/2007/03/29/news/story05.html — told us, "I thank God every day for the recovery of my health. I am still doing quite well."
By email from her home in Colorado, Thomas said, "It has been five years since I received the stem cells and I do have challenges to overcome … Yet I can smile every day and be grateful for what I do have in my life."
Thomas, who lived on the Big Island at the time, traveled to the Tiantan Puhua Neurosurgical Hospital in Beijing in March 2007 for stem cell surgery, in which 3 million stem cells from a donor’s retina were implanted in her brain.
"The stem cells helped me to get my body back on track, yet they are not a cure," she cautioned. "Some people have had success with the stem cells, and some people do not."
She said it continues to be "a recovery process. … I must take my amino acids and an herb called Mucuna pruriens (a natural source of L-dopa). When I first returned from China I was taking three different prescribed meds four times a day. Now I take about one-fourth of a tablet of Sinemet in the morning, as well as the herb and aminos during the day. It helps me tremendously to stay limber and strong as well as balanced."
Thomas lived in Colorado for 20 years before moving to Hawaii. After returning from China, she visited Colorado "only to find myself wanting to play in the mountains again." She ended up moving back there.
"Living in Colorado also helps me to be strong by working in the garden and riding my horses," she said.
Question: I am retired military and recently purchased an economical car that uses diesel fuel. None of the local military bases carry diesel fuel. Why?
Answer: Diesel fuel is sold at Schofield Barracks.
But costs and lack of storage capacity are cited as reasons why it is not sold at other bases here, including Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
The Army Air Force Exchange System manages the Air Force exchange system at Pearl Harbor-Hickam and the Army exchange system at Schofield Barracks.
Meanwhile, "We recognize that in recent years the demand for diesel fuel has increased, so the Navy Exchange System is now adding diesel to its mix of fuel products when it builds and or renovates its gas stations," said Agnes Tauyan, public affairs director for Navy Region Hawaii.
NEX gas stations at Pearl Harbor do not have the storage capacity to offer diesel fuel, but "it will be considered when we expand our motor fuels program in the future," Tauyan said.
Marine Corps Base Hawaii officials recently considered adding a fuel pump for commercial light diesel and/or biodiesel, but the cost "is significant, and product supply and demand are still rather low at this time," said Maj. Alan Crouch, public affairs officer.
Marine Corps Community Services funds instead "are needed for many other vital services and programs that directly support the active-duty members and their families," he said.
AUWE
To drivers who toss the cigarette butts out of their cars. I was caught an hour and a half in traffic caused by an accident last Thursday, Aug. 25. The worst part was following a black Ford Explorer in which the driver smoked three cigarettes, each time flicking the butts out his car. If you smoke and drive, please have the decency to dispose of the butts in your own car. It’s a small amount, but trash adds up. Don’t be so inconsiderate! — No Ifs, Ands or Butts
Write to "Kokua Line" at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
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