Monday, December 27, 2010 

By trade, I am an optical technician and have been working in the industry since March, 1984.  My passion is oil painting, which I had to put on hold because of my disease.

About three years ago, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.  Nobody in my family has the disease, so it was a complete surprise when the doctor told me the news.

Most disturbing was the knowledge that there is no cure for this debilitating disease as I was told by the doctors.

In April this year, my step daughter Marina told me that Helensvale was hosting an informational evening about Parkinson’s disease.   My wife and I attended the presentation where we learned about adult stem cells and got the information about a clinic in Germany.

Soon thereafter, I contacted Mr. Issam Errahmaoui, the Area Manager at the Center and the “ball started rolling”.

On October 15th, I arrived in Frankfurt where nurse Stefanie from the Centre collected me at the airport and drove me to Cologne, where I met other friendly staff, as well as Mr. Issam.

On Monday October 18th, the bone marrow collection was performed.

Two days later, the transplantation of stem cells was done very professionally.  I hardly felt anything. There was no pain and no bruises.  Doctor gave me some pain killers, but I never needed any.

On Saturday, October 23rd, I boarded the plane on my way to see friends and family in Slovenia, where I spent two wonderful weeks on holidays recovering and where the healing process began.

November the 4th was the day to say goodbye to all my friends and family.  I boarded the plane in Graz to Frankfurt and Marina, my stepdaughter, joined me in Frankfurt for the flight to Singapore.  The journey was smooth and a little boring.

Finally, we arrived in Singapore where we had to disembark.  We waited few hours to board the Sydney-bound plane (Qantas A380).   All went ok.  Marina and I were seated next to the window. At takeoff, the whole plane started to shake like an earthquake.  I thought we`re going to crash but after few long seconds, which seemed like eternity, the plane stabilised and we started to ascend.  Everybody was relieved of the sudden fear.

Marina and I were talking, hoping the journey home will be fine and smooth when suddenly, just after 20 minutes of flying, there was a loud bang and huge flame shot out of the engine number one.  At first I didn`t know what to make of it, then I froze and couldn`t move.  My mind went into high gear. I saw pictures of my life flashing in front of me, then everything went blank. In the distance, I heard screaming and shouting and didn’t understand what it was all about.  Then I turned around and saw panic on other passengers faces around me. I sat still; frozen in my seat.  I wasn’t aware of how long that lasted, when suddenly, I heard loud clapping and cheering.  Then I realized that we had landed safely back in Singapore.

To me the whole thing froze in time. I only snapped back to reality when I felt the wheels touch the ground.  We were safely back from the brink.  Next we got off the plane.  After the fire brigade inspected the damage, we were sent to the hotel overnight, totally exhausted.

The next day, we boarded another plane and safely arrived in Sydney.  We took another plane to Brisbane without much drama.  We got home and two days later I couldn’t move.  It was like I was paralysed and all good work that was done by my stem cells and dedicated doctors in Germany was for nothing.

Only after a couple of weeks passed by, I started to get better and am still getting better by the day.  At first, I was able to shave by myself.  Next, I could eat without help.  Now, I can drive my car and walk straight upright.  I feel like a new man.

Today, I went to see my GP and he was speechless; seeing my transformation.  He thinks I have improved about 80%.  I even took my paintbrush and unfinished pictures and started to paint again; which is making me very happy.

I thank you Mr. Errahmaoui.  Your team of doctors and staff deserve all the gratitude and praise in this world.

You gave me back my life. Forever in your debt.

Stan Lahovec