Does HSCT work?

Firstly, to all my dedicated readers.  Sorry.  It has been way too long since I have posted.  I'll try to keep you more up to speed in the future.

But can you believe it has been four years since I had my life changing stem cell transplant in Chicago?  And yes! I really mean life changing.  If I have one regret it is that I don't have much video of me before my transplant so that I can compare it to now, so for the first part of this post I'll describe what I was like.

When I had my first evaluation with Dr Burt in February 2012 he asked me to stand up out of my chair without using my hands.  I did it... Just.  I had to shimmy along to the end of the chair so my centre of gravity was as directly above my feet as possible and with one mighty heave I pushed up.  Instinctively I tried to use my hands but was reminded not to but after about three seconds I was standing in a vertical position.

This was with no weights or hinderances either and I only just managed to achieve it.  Fast forward four years and after HSCT and a bit (ok a lot) of gym work I managed this:-

That is an 85 Kg deadlift and three reps to boot!  HSCT works people! HSCT works.  Stay well:)