Victory For Victoria with HSCT!

I began having difficulties in my health after my daughter was born in 2014, just 2 years ago. It wasnt until I thought I was suffering from a stroke when things took a Major turn for the worse. I went through unimaginable tests that still make me cringe just thinking of them. I had biomarker blood tests, an MRI with and without Contrast, CT scan, and a Spinal Tap.
Hearing that I have MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS was not exactly easy for me to digest.   

Every moment of every day changes without any warning. My right arm/hand and right leg/foot are entirely numb. I have difficulty walking let alone trying to keep up with my beautiful 2 year old daughter. Cooking, doing my hair, opening jars and other things, have become quite a challenge due to my severe right arm/hand weakness. I also struggle daily with cognition and short term memory. I know it's a worse day when I slur my words or cannot find the words for things I want to say. I inject myself 3x a week with Copaxone, a disease modifying drug designed to help slow down the progression of MS. Since I was diagnosed, I've had 3 relapses; one of which I needed a 5 day IV course of steroids. I used to enjoy going outside, riding my bicycle, going on walks, hiking, riding dirt bikes, gardening..... I now have extreme heat intolerance, poor balance, spasms in my legs and arms, and fatigue.
I have complete hope that HSCT will give me my Life back!!!

HSCT is the first and only treatment to give hope to anyone with Multiple Sclerosis. I have the opportunity to have my own stem cells harvested and reintroduced into my body. Rounds of Chemotherapy will wipe out my immune system which will allow my stem cells to thrive without any knowledge of attacking my body. This will essentially Halt the progression of my Multiple Sclerosis!

Below is the very beginning of my journey with Multiple Sclerosis, also known as the MonSter. This was posted a couple weeks after my diagnosis this year.

I value your donations and your comments and shares!!!

Our Story:

Hi there, my name is Victoria. I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis Tuesday May 24, 2016.
I will be 32 years old in August.
I'd be tricking myself if I said wasn't scared. I'm terrified that I won't be able to live to my potential.

Two months ago I thought I was having a stroke so I went to the ER. The right side of my face was drooped, I was confused and dizzy, my vision was partially blurred, my right hand was numb and my handwriting looked like chicken scratch. They sent me home stating based on the CT scan, I had a problem with my sinuses and I'll be just fine in a couple weeks. Oh and when they were discharging me, a nurse asked if I had been drinking!!!! Really?!?!!

My primary care doctor immediately sent me to have an MRI with Contrast. Once the results were in, I was referred to a Neurologist who told me my images showed I had Multiple Sclerosis but she wanted to have a spinal tap done to be absolutely positive it wasn't something else like Lupus.

Ok so at this point I was thinking, "Is this really necessary?" Every moment I thought about the spinal tap I got sick to my stomach.

The day came for my lumbar puncture and I pretty much said "Ok let's do this!!"

I'll spare the details but let's just say it was a very unpleasant experience. I take pain Really well and that threw me through a loop.

A week went by, anxiously waiting for results.

I went to my neurologist and she told me the news in the most calm, sincere and direct way.

"You have Multiple Sclerosis."

She handed me a packet of paperwork containing information of what they tested for. It was all surreal.

I left her office with my head spinning. I didn't leave the parking lot for a good hour until my shaking stopped and the what seemed to be never ending crying stopped.

Denial, grief... this was unacceptable. This wasn't happening to me.

Since May 24th, I've come to realize that I am a strong woman.

Ok, so I have a Brain Disease, Multiple Sclerosis.
Ok, so it's a unpredictable disease that could leave me handicapped. Both physically and mentally.
No, I couldn't have prevented this.

No, there's no Cure.

Yes, I can do something to help prevent future progression!
No, I'm not going to let this conquer me!
I have too much to live for. Too many things I still want to do.

My daughter will be 2 in November.

She better be able to look up at me even if I am lower than her in a wheelchair. That is to say if the MS progresses to that point.

I can't let my family down.
My husband works hard to support us and he's dealing with way better than I could imagine. I also have 2 step children ages 10 and 12. They depend on my everyday by picking them up from school, helping with homework, cooking, cleaning, doing laundry and the little time left to enjoy life outside our home.

There's a MS support group that's nearby that I'm actually looking forward to attending. Knowledge is power. I'm hoping to meet people who can share their stories about how they manage their lives with MS.

As of today, Saturday, June 4, 2016, my right arm and hand are entirely numb. My right calf feels like there's rubber bands squeezing all around. My left hand is partially numb. My short term memory is pretty much non existing. I have severe communication issues. What I am thinking is not being translated properly through my speech. I am stuttering on basic words.

I am waiting for approval through my insurance for injection treatment.

Not only do I have MS but I was born with asthma which is not well controlled as an adult. I see a Pulmonary dr regularly.

I haven't seen too much information about MS and Asthma online so although I'd like to be my own advocate, this is entirely in the hands of my doctors to figure out what is best for me.

I would like to live my life to my full potential. I want my family to enjoy their life without feeling too much of a burden.

We live a simple life. We make things work and don't live beyond our means.

With the symptoms that are occurring and not knowing what the next 20 minutes, 2 days or 2 months will bring its quite unsettling.

I need help.

Every donation will be GREATLY appreciated!!!! I will also document on here what I use these donations for. This isn't just for me, it's for my immediate family.

Thank you!!!!!

I will be updating as time goes on!