Master Dani

Posted on by under Health, Memorial
Hola Kristiina,
A few more friends have joined efforts to continue supporting Dani. Tesfaye explains it at the end of the below letter. As you read, Dani keeps motivated. He’s been medically assessed several times for the past months, and presumably he will be again. He takes it as a game. His mood is contagious not only to those close to him, but to all others in the distance, supporting or following. I believe we are starting to learn from Dani.
“Dear Roberto,
    How are you? On 02/11/2014, we have mate Dr Zenebe after we have collected Dani’s urine specific gravity test result. The result indicates normal. He has recommended to test his urine specific gravity repeatedly with in intervals to see if there is some changes. he has also made some modification on his anti epileptic drugs that he thought Good for Dani’s situation,
Dani is taking drug combination of phenytoin and phenobarbital with increasing dose from time to time so far, but the Doctor modify for him 100 mg of phenytoin BID (two times per day) and to stop phenobarbital gradually to avoid it’s side effect, with close follow up of drug withdrawal symptoms (symptom that occur secondary to sudden discontinuation) that will happen due
to the change made.
    Dr Zenebe recommended  to see Dani with follow up if there is new symptoms and he gave us a minimum appointment of two month for January 31,2015. He has explained as well, if there is any sign and symptom before the appointment day to take Dani to him any time.
    He has also suggested that if there is symptoms, as he is going to measure Dani’s intra-cranial pressure in the ventricle by making some hole through the scull and if there is pressure to apply shunting through the same spot that is used to measure the intra-cranial pressure, if there is no pressure to close it again.
   While we have made all this multiple doctors visits from place to place Zelalem made comfortable situation for Dani by organizing caregivers driver, drive us himself and following closely Dani’s situation, i would like to thank him on behalf of you and Dani.
with best Regards“
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Gain Through Pain

Posted on by under Health, Memorial

Hola Kristiina,

Upon return from my journey up North, I would like to share some of our last experiences about Dani. Although geographically far, I am closely sensing the situations he is going through. Our friends and colaborators explain vividly the procedures undergone and the events lived. Dani is enjoying it, and that keeps us steady on the recovery path despite the occasional delays.

The latest report coming from Addis reads something like this:

“Dani seemed a bit tired compared to the last time, but he was still in a good mood and it looks like the physiotherapy is helping. He was able to stand up and take a few steps with help from the crutch. He now has the orthopedic aid on his foot and I think this is helping him to stand. Tesfaye performed about 1,5h physiotherapy and Dani was really responsive to it, although he did seem quite tired at the end of the session. He is now asking to go to the toilet very often (3 times in 2 hours), which Tesfaye says has increased in the past month.”

Dani takes it all as a game, and that is a great advantage that softens the challenges of his regular physiotherapy sessions. His attitude supports efective exercise for the timeframe we wait to move on with the forth visit to a clinical specialist.

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Dani Goes To Docs

Posted on by under Health, Memorial

Hola Kristiina,
Dani has been very active lately visiting doctors, doing analysis, MRIs, and meeting many people on the way, all kindly guided by Tesfaye, our Guardian Angel, and Zelalem, and the priceless support of the friends at Sele Enat.
Let me disclose a summary of events that took place:
From October 18th, 2014
“Zelalem and I, have got the chance to meet Dr. Chiwen again before appointment day since we have got MRI ready for today October 18,2014. Dr. Chiwen explained almost the same thing after he has seen a new MRI report, “in the right side of Dani’s brain, in ventricle there is cerebrospinal fluid which is not blocked and can circulate to the 4th ventricle, 3rd ventricle and absorbed in the brain circulation. He says that if there is blockage there will be edema on the lt (normal) side of the brain as well so that since there is no edema (accumulated C SF) and pressure, doing operation for shunting it will not bring any change for his general health” he has recommended for him symptomatic treatment (any problem which appear secondary to brain loss). I have attached for you  the scan of the new MRI of October 17,2014 which Dr. Chiwen explained about.”
From October 23rd, 2014
“…at the moment the Doctor’s suggestion is, operation is not benefit him much, but instead following him for symptomatic treatment like controlling the epilepsy and other symptoms, last time on my email Dani was seen by Dr Andarge (neuropsychiatric) which mainly examine him for his epilepsy, he was order some laboratory test(blood) and EEG(electroencephalography which detect electrical activity from his scalp) tomorrow (24/10/2014) he will have an appointment for EEG exam, then on Monday (27/10/2014) we will take his laboratory and EEG result altogether to Dr. Andarge.”
So as you can perceive there are only reasons for optimism. We are sharing our joy with Dani because we know he his health can only improve.

Charming Dani

Charming Dani

Angels in Addis

Posted on by under Health, Memorial

Hola Kristiina,

Following, please read the current status on Dani´s recovery. In addition to being steady on physio, we keep looking for solutions. Check out Tesfaye´s lines from September 24, 2014:

“How are you doing dear Roberto,(..)
About Dani’s surgery condition,if the entire surgery plan is taking place her in Ethiopia,i think it will be more supportive if he would be seen by another Doctor as well, that will help to identify a Diagnosis two or more Doctors agreed on, to see similarity of their ideas and to see whether there is willingness to do the surgery here or not. There are two or three senior neuro surgeon in Addis. One is the one you met last time,Dr mersha. I have tried to discuss with office in the silenat and Zelalem respond me in the same way, that will help if he would be seen by more than one Doctor.
If you would agree with this ideas it will be Good, during Dani is going to see the Doctor, if there is one person from silenat office, one person from your side (..) or any one you think of could able to follow may be i don’t know there
might be continuous follow up and myself, I hope that will create good understand about Dani’s surgery situation among all.
About orthopedic aid that will be helpful, I will late you know.
Thank you very much.“

THANK YOU

Posted on by under Health, Memorial

Hola Kristiina,

Some weeks ago I did update the bank account post with the following message:

We are grateful for the support received and will be implementing our project for the next few years.

For the moment we kindly ask to halt donations as the project is sufficiently funded. We will, therefore, concentrate in the implementation phase.

Dani´s health is our utmost desire and focus.

Despite of it, we keep receiving donations from friends and colleagues who want to drop their contribution. It will be certainly added to the project and we are grateful for it. However, we encourage donors with warmth and respect to kindly discontinue deposits.

Now Kristiina, I leave you with Dani´s basketball skills.

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Day By Day

Posted on by under Health, Memorial

Hola Kristiina,

I often think about the future day Dani and I sit together and chat about the past. About the days he struggled on daily basis to improve his condition, and about the numerous hours exercised to gain mobility. I picture this conversation among laughter and emotions. But it is rather a conspicuous picture.

I am so confident that this is going to happen, Kristiina, that no momentary backlash suffered or inflicted to our project will impact its objective. Furthermore, troubles on the way will only encourage us more. 

This, Kristiina, brings me to the never forget to thank all those who keep committing, helping, reading, commenting, and thinking about Dani. Without them, this is not being possible. 

Now, let me show you some Dani in action. This is his day by day effort, coordinated by Tesfaye, our Guardian Angel.

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*Featured Image: Niki de Saint Phalle, at Giardino dei Tarocchi. Capalbio, Tuscany, Italy.

Action Dani!

Posted on by under Health

Hola Kristiina,

While most of us enjoy warm and sunny days, Dani keeps exercising in rainy season. You may think that he looks serious because of the chilly days in Addis, but I agree with your mom. He does not smile so often because his physiotherapy is becoming more demanding.

Now I will let you appreciate Dani’s efforts. Tesfaye has kindly emailed us these motivating pictures.

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July 6th, 2014

Posted on by under Health, Memorial, Travel

Hola Kristiina,

Today is a special day for all of us and while we think about you I would like to express the positive moments we are experiencing:

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Dani is calling me?

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Go Dani, go!

 

 

 

 

 

Dani is doing good. His remarkable good mood has not varied since the last time we talked. He has recently gone through a series of epilepsy attacks that were heftier than normal, but he has been treated and the last two weeks became stable. His seventeen hours of extra physiotherapy with Tesfaye on June have been assessed as responsive and overall positive. This has led to explore the possibility to provide orthopaedic aid, to which we will commit.

The North has been extraordinary. Manamansalo was not only the peaceful retreat you described, but a delight for the senses where life turned around nature, coexistence, sauna, and the lake, a revitalizing presence that was challenging to bring to an end. Karhunkierros presented me a natural diversity on the go that left me speechless in uncountable moments. Northern Ostrobothnia displayed landscapes, people, and animals that were beautiful, hospitable, and gracious.

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Kitkajoki river at Karhunkierros trail

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Manamansalo

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Nilla, the gorgeous Lapponian Herder

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Around Merenoja, in Karhunkierros trail

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, Pupunen, we are celebrating your birthday today and will blow the candle on the cake, imagining that Aleksandra and yourself are likewise doing it.

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Happy birthday, Kristiina

Happy birthday!

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Happy birthday!

Exercise Day

Posted on by under Health, Memorial

Hola Kristiina,

Right before our celebration of midsummer-fest, I wanted to share with you Dani’s gorgeous hyperactivity and optimism with Tesfaye.

Sitting on the chair on his own.

Sitting on the chair on his own.

Now, he's grabbing toys.

Now, he’s grabbing toys.

Yeah, you can do it, Dani!

Oh, that's a cool ball!

Oh, that’s a cool ball!

..and that is so much fun!

..and that is so much fun!

Great job!

Ciaooooooo!

Ciaooooooo!

PT IN SILENAT ORPHANAGE

A Beautiful Day

Posted on by under Health, Memorial

Hola Kristiina,

What a beautiful day I experienced yesterday! It was the day we signed our first service contract to provide physiotherapy for Dani. From June 1st, he will have four hours per week of dedicated physio, plus three more sessions at a rate of thirty minutes per session, agreed by the orphanage with the same physiotherapist. Our contract will be automatically extended every three months depending on regular progress assessments. We are hopeful and confident, and wish for a smooth and progressive recovery.

But, Kristiina, this is not the end. Yesterday, after several months I managed to cycle and see my city from the bike. Something I was genuinely missing.

It was a beautiful day!

Thanks.