My name is Craig Shishido and my sister is Liane Komatsu. I am trying
to help her get some much needed information for her son Chase. We
are looking for any suggestions (preferably in northern California)
for surgical pain-reduction alternatives for Chase's ongoing
spasticity. Please see the following situation written by my sister
and thanks in advance for any help~

Sincerely,

Craig Shishido

**********

Chase Komatsu has been living with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy
for over five years now. He was born prematurely on 11/19/02 at 25
weeks (no IVH) and weighed in at 1lb 12 oz. Chase spent five months in
the NICU and has been through so much in his short life.

Chase is not mobile but receives OT/PT 2-3 times a week at school.

No one here in Hawaii can help Chase. He is extremely spastic and
suffers from severe pain that is caused by the constant isometric
flexing of all his muscles (upper and lower extremities). This
discomfort also affects his ability to sleep at night. Chase takes
strong narcotics (Diastat and Oxycodone) to help with the pain. We
hate to have to give him these strong medications but rather not see
him suffer so much without it.


Shriners Hospital here in Honolulu has been treating him with Botox
injections (recently administered on Mon, 4/14) but this is only a
short term fix (lasting not more than 2-3 months). Chase also takes
Baclofen and Artane which really has not done anything for him.
The Baclofen and Artane used to work well for him when he started a
couple of years ago but he seems to have built up a tolerance to the
medication. His Neurologist, Greg Yim has increased the dosage but it
still does not improve his spasticity.

It is so painful to see him go through all this pain and discomfort.
Chase on good days is such a happy child who is full of life. When his
Botox treatment wears off, his quality of life is just not there as he
spends all his days and nights in pain. The ultimate goal of ours is
to permanently improve Chase's quality of life. We are not asking for
a miracle (to have him walk), we just want him to be happy and
comfortable.