HSCT for the win

Hi friends. If you are interested in following my time in Puebla, Mexico I will provide updates here along the way. 

For those who don’t already know I have MS, specifically Primary Progressive MS.  What does that mean?  Well, they picked a great name for it. It has primarily progressed, and at a crazy fast pace. I have spent most of my time this year trying anything that might help -  any and every medical option (both holistic and western), many doctors and therapists, every device, pill, diet, vitamin, supplement.... I've tried a lot of things.  Some things have helped combat symptoms like fatigue, spasticity, foot drop, bladder problems, weakness, sleep, numbness, pain, brain fog, and the long list of things that come with this disease. Unfortunately, my mobility continues to decline.  Things like going for a walk are now too difficult.  What used to be normal every day tasks are now quite challenging.  Everything is either negotiated or avoided.  

While I have accepted the diagnosis, I don’t accept the prognosis. That is why beginning October 20 Jeff and I will be staying at Clinica Ruiz in Puebla, Mexico so I can undergo HSCT- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant. It’s a process that takes four weeks and the goal is simple - stop progression and hopefully have some improvement in symptoms (I’m hoping to be in the 70% of those that see progression stopped).

Do I know for sure it will work?  No. Is it going to be easy?  Not likely.  Am I excited and hopeful?  Absolutely. 

But wait….why Mexico?  HSCT is not covered in the US for my diagnosis.  There are current studies going on here but again, given my PPMS diagnosis, I don’t qualify for any of the ongoing trials. It’s possible I could appeal and try to get this covered in the US, but I don’t have the luxury of time to wait. The cost of paying for this in the US would be 4 or 5 times greater than the cost in Mexico, which is the largest patient volume autoimmune disease HSCT treatment center in the world.  In the United States the only DMT (Disease Modifying Therapy) approved by the FDA for PPMS is Ocrevus. And while it’s prevented new lesions from forming (I have about 25 mostly on my spine and some in the brain) it has not slowed or stopped any of my symptoms.  HSCT is really the only option for me.  More on the “Mexico Method” can be found by clicking on this link  https://hsctmexico.com/.

I am so fortunate to have the best friends and family who have been helpful, encouraging, supportive and understanding.  But the one person who has walked with me every step of the way is my husband Jeff. He has literally held my hand throughout this journey. He has seen it all- the loss, the grief, the challenges, the tears and the triumphs.  There’s nobody I’d rather spend a month with in Mexico at an “all inclusive” medical clinic than Jeff.  It'll be just like our honeymoon again, minus the margaritas.

Thank you for reading my story. More to come once we get to Mexico.  Adios for now...

Bridget