Thank you to everyone who has been caring for Carolyn, Sean, and I in word, deed, and prayer. We are looking forward to this journey and trust that the Lord is leading us. For those of you who have not already heard about the upcoming treatment, here are some of the particulars:
We've only recently learned about this treatment and don't consider ourselves experts - but we have done our homework and met some people who have received the treatment with wonderful results. The hospital is in San Jose, Costa Rica with headquarters in Panama City, Panama. You can visit their website for plenty of scientific papers/videos etc. Why Costa Rica? The treatment is not "yet" FDA approved (although my understanding is that there are phase III clinical trials in the US going on). The question is whether to wait on the FDA (and get the health insurance coverage) or pursue it now before the disease progresses further.
We are convinced that the doctors at the Stem Cell Institute are top notch. They offer two treatment programs - a 2 week treatment and a 4 week treatment. God has provided for the two week option. The treatment itself utilizes a combination of 1) fat derived stem cells (from your own body - as in "mini-liposuction") which works to 're-set' an over-active immune system and 2) donated cord-blood derived stem cells. These donated adult stem cells (not embryonic) are given intrathecally (like a spinal tap or an epidural) and are shown to actually repair the myelin sheath - very exciting! Each person we talk to or read about who has received treatment at the Stem Cell Institute has raved about the exceptional treatment, professionalism, caring manner, and cleanliness of the hospital. There have even been a couple of people who did not benefit dramatically and yet wholeheartedly recommend the doctors and the treatment at the Stem Cell Institute.
We are convinced that the doctors at the Stem Cell Institute are top notch. They offer two treatment programs - a 2 week treatment and a 4 week treatment. God has provided for the two week option. The treatment itself utilizes a combination of 1) fat derived stem cells (from your own body - as in "mini-liposuction") which works to 're-set' an over-active immune system and 2) donated cord-blood derived stem cells. These donated adult stem cells (not embryonic) are given intrathecally (like a spinal tap or an epidural) and are shown to actually repair the myelin sheath - very exciting! Each person we talk to or read about who has received treatment at the Stem Cell Institute has raved about the exceptional treatment, professionalism, caring manner, and cleanliness of the hospital. There have even been a couple of people who did not benefit dramatically and yet wholeheartedly recommend the doctors and the treatment at the Stem Cell Institute.
We leave this Saturday, April 17th with the treatment to commence on Monday the 19th. Carolyn is due to receive her first injection on Wednesday the 21st followed by the mini-liposuction on Thursday the 22nd.
Our journey just to get this point has been amazing. So many prayers have been answered regarding funding, passports, birth certificates, vacation time, and work considerations. We are feeling overwhelmed in spurts and then peace.
At this point we covet your prayers for the preparation, packing, and those things I'm probably forgetting! Pray for safe and smooth traveling and that we would be always reflecting the light of our savior.
- Eric
