Next Best Thing To A Cure
Donation protected
THE BEGINNING
19 1/2 years ago I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. I received a letter in the mail confirming that my disease was chronic, progressive and without a cure. How could that be, I thought. I was the person at the gym 5 days a week at 5am, for a dozen years. I was in stellar health, except for the fact that my nervous system was being eaten up by my immune system.
The good news: on the MS disability scale of 1 to 10 (10 being dead) when diagnosed, I was a 1. I got started on the right drug therapies right away.
THE TRUTH
The lousy news: despite everything I have done to fight this disease for two decades, my body has started to decline rapidly in the past two years, and my disability scale number is 6.5. I know that I have to do everything in my power right now – just as I always have – to be as healthy as possible. Remember, on the scale 10 is dead. That seems far too close to a 6.5. Especially at 54 yrs old!
THE ASK
So, here I am on Go Fund Me asking for your financial help because doing everything I can means getting intensive treatment in Mexico. The treatment combines chemotherapy with stem cell therapy, and it has significant positive outcomes helping people with MS to stop the downhill slide and even potentially regain health.
And it costs $56,000.
THE DAILY REALITY
I cannot walk more than 20 feet without help, usually need a motorized scooter or wheelchair if going out, and have fatigue that equals carrying 100 pounds around everywhere, everyday. Oh, and you know that tingling feeling when your foot falls asleep? Most of my body has that tingling, burning sensation every minute of every day. Normal, daily bodily functions are anything but normal for me and often result in an embarrassing mess without any warning or notice. I’m a psychotherapist, and my cognitive ability is still excellent. If you know me, you know that my work is central to who I am and what I love to do. I want to continue to have the cognitive ability to help heal others.
My body is declining, rapidly. I notice my progression monthly now and my disability, some of which you can see and some you can't, is rendering me more and more immobile.
THE ATTEMPTS
I have taken medication. I have stuck to an intense diet regime (giving up lots of the food I love). I do not drink wine or beer. I exercise 3 times a week with a special trainer. I rest. I use mobility devices. I take CBD Oil, supplements, massage, and acupuncture. I have sat in a hyberbaric chamber. I have done just about anything offered to me always. My reason? I cannot imagine facing my family and friends someday when they have to wipe my butt and lift me out of bed while I say, “ Well, maybe I should have tried that gluten-free, paleo, bon broth diet. Sorry.”.
THE FEAR
MS, is no longer slowed down by any of my efforts, even though a physically healthy body is better able to face any type of challenge. I see a consistent decline coming over the next few years. Most people with MS have damage in their brain. This often leads to blindness or sight deficits, cognition difficulties and what’s called the “MS fog”, lack of memory and concentration. Fortunately I am one of the lucky few (less than 5% of people with MS) who does not, currently, have damage in my brain.
Yet. For obvious reasons this is fantastic! And, for obvious reasons, this is so scary because as the disease progresses it will likely move into my brain. I will no longer be able to work or care about the things that mean the most to me - my relationships with my family, friends and clients. I do not like what is happening and has happened to my body. It brings me to my knees with grief that I no longer can walk, hike, run, bring in my groceries, be alone with my grandson, cook for myself, shop alone...just to mention a few, out of hundreds of things MS has stolen from me. Yet, the thing that I ultimately care about and that makes me who I am is my relationships. I treasure them dearly and do not want them, due to MS progression, to become another of my losses because my brain doesn't work.
THE TREATMENT AND THE HOPE AND YOU
About 5 years ago I did a commercial for a MS drug where I met a fellow MS'er who has stayed in communication with me over the years. She told me that she was going to Mexico to receive HSCT (Hematopoietic Stem Cell Therapy) to stop her progression and hopefully recover some of her abilities that her MS took from her. I have been following her and others as I research what this procedure is about and what it could possibly do for me. I have come to the conclusion that it is not only my best hope to stop MS progression . The procedure is being done around the world, but not yet in the United States. There is a clinic and doctor https://www.hsctmexico.com/ and https://www.hsctmexico.com/team.html who are now being recognized, even by the Mayo Clinic. When combined with an intensive chemotherapy, HSCT has a good chance of stopping MS. The procedure is intense, scary, and expensive. And yet it is hope. Hope that I do not have without the therapy.
MS will not slow down. The treatment requires that my wife and I be in Mexico at Clinical Ruiz for 5 weeks. I have an acceptance date of October 15th. The treatment costs $56,000 not including airfare. Because my immune system will be depleted for 8 months after the procedure I will not be able to work. This is why I am asking for $80,000.
Time is of the essence as I am progressing quickly and every week matters. I am asking for your help in raising the money to stop the progression of my MS. Please, I simply need your help. Spread the word. Go enjoy a walk or a hike or a run and know that I am very grateful for your support.
Now.
19 1/2 years ago I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. I received a letter in the mail confirming that my disease was chronic, progressive and without a cure. How could that be, I thought. I was the person at the gym 5 days a week at 5am, for a dozen years. I was in stellar health, except for the fact that my nervous system was being eaten up by my immune system.
The good news: on the MS disability scale of 1 to 10 (10 being dead) when diagnosed, I was a 1. I got started on the right drug therapies right away.
THE TRUTH
The lousy news: despite everything I have done to fight this disease for two decades, my body has started to decline rapidly in the past two years, and my disability scale number is 6.5. I know that I have to do everything in my power right now – just as I always have – to be as healthy as possible. Remember, on the scale 10 is dead. That seems far too close to a 6.5. Especially at 54 yrs old!
THE ASK
So, here I am on Go Fund Me asking for your financial help because doing everything I can means getting intensive treatment in Mexico. The treatment combines chemotherapy with stem cell therapy, and it has significant positive outcomes helping people with MS to stop the downhill slide and even potentially regain health.
And it costs $56,000.
THE DAILY REALITY
I cannot walk more than 20 feet without help, usually need a motorized scooter or wheelchair if going out, and have fatigue that equals carrying 100 pounds around everywhere, everyday. Oh, and you know that tingling feeling when your foot falls asleep? Most of my body has that tingling, burning sensation every minute of every day. Normal, daily bodily functions are anything but normal for me and often result in an embarrassing mess without any warning or notice. I’m a psychotherapist, and my cognitive ability is still excellent. If you know me, you know that my work is central to who I am and what I love to do. I want to continue to have the cognitive ability to help heal others.
My body is declining, rapidly. I notice my progression monthly now and my disability, some of which you can see and some you can't, is rendering me more and more immobile.
THE ATTEMPTS
I have taken medication. I have stuck to an intense diet regime (giving up lots of the food I love). I do not drink wine or beer. I exercise 3 times a week with a special trainer. I rest. I use mobility devices. I take CBD Oil, supplements, massage, and acupuncture. I have sat in a hyberbaric chamber. I have done just about anything offered to me always. My reason? I cannot imagine facing my family and friends someday when they have to wipe my butt and lift me out of bed while I say, “ Well, maybe I should have tried that gluten-free, paleo, bon broth diet. Sorry.”.
THE FEAR
MS, is no longer slowed down by any of my efforts, even though a physically healthy body is better able to face any type of challenge. I see a consistent decline coming over the next few years. Most people with MS have damage in their brain. This often leads to blindness or sight deficits, cognition difficulties and what’s called the “MS fog”, lack of memory and concentration. Fortunately I am one of the lucky few (less than 5% of people with MS) who does not, currently, have damage in my brain.
Yet. For obvious reasons this is fantastic! And, for obvious reasons, this is so scary because as the disease progresses it will likely move into my brain. I will no longer be able to work or care about the things that mean the most to me - my relationships with my family, friends and clients. I do not like what is happening and has happened to my body. It brings me to my knees with grief that I no longer can walk, hike, run, bring in my groceries, be alone with my grandson, cook for myself, shop alone...just to mention a few, out of hundreds of things MS has stolen from me. Yet, the thing that I ultimately care about and that makes me who I am is my relationships. I treasure them dearly and do not want them, due to MS progression, to become another of my losses because my brain doesn't work.
THE TREATMENT AND THE HOPE AND YOU
About 5 years ago I did a commercial for a MS drug where I met a fellow MS'er who has stayed in communication with me over the years. She told me that she was going to Mexico to receive HSCT (Hematopoietic Stem Cell Therapy) to stop her progression and hopefully recover some of her abilities that her MS took from her. I have been following her and others as I research what this procedure is about and what it could possibly do for me. I have come to the conclusion that it is not only my best hope to stop MS progression . The procedure is being done around the world, but not yet in the United States. There is a clinic and doctor https://www.hsctmexico.com/ and https://www.hsctmexico.com/team.html who are now being recognized, even by the Mayo Clinic. When combined with an intensive chemotherapy, HSCT has a good chance of stopping MS. The procedure is intense, scary, and expensive. And yet it is hope. Hope that I do not have without the therapy.
MS will not slow down. The treatment requires that my wife and I be in Mexico at Clinical Ruiz for 5 weeks. I have an acceptance date of October 15th. The treatment costs $56,000 not including airfare. Because my immune system will be depleted for 8 months after the procedure I will not be able to work. This is why I am asking for $80,000.
Time is of the essence as I am progressing quickly and every week matters. I am asking for your help in raising the money to stop the progression of my MS. Please, I simply need your help. Spread the word. Go enjoy a walk or a hike or a run and know that I am very grateful for your support.
Now.Organizer
Lisa Barrick Kemppainen
Organizer
Colorado Springs, CO