My Fight with MS

A short note on how we are feeling post-treatment

It is now just before midnight.  I can't tell anyone how long it has been since I have been this full of energy and sleepless. It appears Richard is the same way.  Both of us feel ready to run a couple miles or take on another full day of activities. He has mentioned some feeling in his extremities that he hasn't felt in a long time.

I want to caution everyone again.  This sudden boost of energy that we are feeling could be a big giant dose of adrenaline or it could be from the earlier treatment.  Neither one of us knows.  But it sure is great!

My first spinal injection

For most of these treatments, Richard and I will be receiving them at the same time.

At 1 o'clock, we visited the physical therapists at Cima hospital in San Jose.  I haven't had a work out like that in a long time!!

After the positive assessments, we went to a part of the hospital with a lot of beds.  It looked something like an emergency room in the DFW area and was probably just as clean.  In preparation for the spinal tap, a nurse gave me an IV port in case there was some reaction.   

Soon, a doctor gave me my first spinal injection.  The procedure was painless.  I would say it hurt more pulling the tape off my arm from the IV port.   OUCH!!  We were told to lay down for several hours post transplant.  This was to avoid a spinal headache.  I have never had one of those but it sounds very painful.

After we healed, we went to an Outback steakhouse.  Dinner was like we had died and gone to Heaven!!  We have tried the local cuisine but none of the food has any seasoning!!  Places like Outback may become our second home...   

Before we go too far, my disclaimer

I want to offer a word of caution when you're reading this information.

Multiple sclerosis affects everyone a little differently.  What I will send to the Star Telegram is just my experiences with this treatment from a layman's standpoint.

The stem cell treatment is still in its initial stages here.  There are no promises nor guarantees that any of this will work.

The symptoms may or may not be relieved, both short and long term. The benefits of the stem cells can only be reviewed with a future perspective, because it may take time for the stem cells to repair the tissue.

Day 1 in San Jose

Richard and I made it! We arrived at the airport and were eventually greeted by someone from the clinic, the Institute for Cellular Medicine, who transported us back to our hotel, Hotel Cristina. Richard is Richard Humphries, who is from North Richland Hills and also has MS. Together we are in Costa Rica to undergo stem cell treatments.

The clinic is roughly a block from the hotel.  It is easy walking distance from the hotel but a driver from the clinic picked us up.

We were met by Dr. Solano, who drew blood. Over the next 24 hours the serum from the blood will be mixed with stem cells and be reintroduced back into our systems. Our treatment consists of 10 umbilical cord stem cell transplants, five done intravenously and five by spinal injection.

I hope that by undergoing the experimental treatment, I will be able to at least eliminate common MS symptoms such as chronic fatigue, depression and negatively impacted mental function.

I want to let Star-Telegram readers know how my treatments are going. I will update this blog as often as I can. I hope you'll follow along with me.