Drowning victim (Anoxic Encephalopathy)

A drowning incident New Years Day 2005 left Chloe in a terrible and hopeless state. Chloe was a normal healthy and happy girl whose life was all but stolen. Chloe’s story has featured in several HyperMED Newsletters and also Channel 7 Melbourne News simply because Chloe continued to make incredible functional gains against the odds! Chloe’s story is tribute to an absolutely dedicated mother who ‘does not give up’ and wonderful supporting family.

Chloe received a series of umbilical derived specialized Mesenchymal Stem Cells with neuro-tropic factors from the Beike Corporation Hospital in China to enhance delivery and propagation. Chloe’s progress has been remarkable – from a very spastic and semi comatose state she is now smiling and responding, she can open and close her hand and can even ‘wave’ on command!

Chloe attended HyperMED on many occasions receiving blocks of intensive treatments including Hyperbaric Oxygenation and Lokomat to assist her brain’s continuing recovery.  Chloe’s journey has been a step by step progress with many hurdles and set-backs!

Sadly, Chloe’s battle ended during late 2007 when she passed away in her sleep. Chloe’s mother Michelle said that she had noticed that Chloe had become very much aware of her surroundings and upset by the fact that she was unable to interact and play with her friends and brother.  

Chloe’s battle may have ended but the impact of her life has inspired everyone who held her story with interest. Chloe’s condition is a medical challenge; too often as doctors we give up and parents confronted with a hopeless despair.  

Chloe and her family have been a great source of inspiration; I am personally grateful for the opportunity to have been able to assist – thank you!  Mal Hooper 

CLICK ON Channel 7 News Story - Chloe's Battle (above)

Chloe Block – Near Drowning (Anoxic Encephalopathy)

HyperMED May 2007 Newsletter

 “Hi Mal - Here is a little story thing for Chloe.

Chloe was involved in a near drowning at the Cook and Philip Park Pool Sydney on the 23rd December 2005. Chloe died at the pool and was resuscitated and taken to Sydney Children's Hospital. After 8 days in a coma, Chloe woke on New Years Day and we thought that Chloe was back. Little did anyone know that this was not the movies, where you just spring back to normal after you wake up! 

The ramifications of this tragedy are that this vibrant little 3 year old angel can no longer, walk, talk, sit, and is fed through her stomach. Since being released from hospital on the 12th April, we have worked very hard with a team of family and friends on an intensive rehabilitation program for 6 hours a day on Chloe. Chloe is showing signs of improvement.  

The medical world in Australia does not offer much hope. One doctor told me to go home and make Chloe comfortable. Chloe is 3 not 90! Anyone who knows Chloe will not stop working with her until she is back how she left the house on the morning of the 23rd December.  

We decided to try HBOT after reading many success stories from America with Children who have suffered a near drowning. Chloe has done 60 sessions of Mild Oxygen Therapy and seen some improvements, but due to the extent to her condition felt that she would benefit from a much stronger form of oxygen – Hyperbaric Oxygenation.  

We decided to make the trek to Melbourne for two weeks in July 2006. During this time we completed 56-hours of treatment. After about the 20th treatment Chloe's thumbs stared to move a lot more and her hands were staying open longer. During the second week, Chloe also seemed to realize where she was and would put on a sad face when we told her it was time to go back into the chamber. Our happiest moment though was on the last Saturday when my mum stood at the chamber and looked in and Chloe looked straight at her and smiled!  

Overall we feel that the chamber has been beneficial and have booked to go back again for 30 more treatments next month and then 60 treatments the following month.