September 2004
Went for treatment in Tijuana, Mexico.
Well, here goes! I moved to Oregon to be closer to Canada for SCT [Stem Cell Transplant) the FDA shut BioMark International http://biomark-intl.com/index.cfm (If this link doesn't work, type in BioMarkInternational.com) down, they were operating in the U.S. so the FDA had authority. I'm still not clear as to why they were shut down. I've talk with them and all I get is a bunch of running around the issues, I gave up and talk with BioMark International. It seems that the FDA closed them down because of a medical procedure that isn't approved. Which I guess is using SCT!
So I went through BioMark International in England and went to Tijuana, Mexico. As all have said about the clinic in Tijuana, it was clean, well kept, cleaner than some of the U.S. clinics I've had to go to. All personnel were wonderful, caring, conscientious people. Dr. Tony was great! Again, U.S. clinics could learn something from them.
I received my stem cells on Aug. 13th, took about 1 hour because of me not having any easily accessible veins, them warming up my arm. When a vein was found the transfusion took about 5 minutes!
I got back to my hotel in San Diego, took a 3 hour nap. When I awoke my caregivers noticed my feet, shines and calves were lots lighter in color. They were charcoal black and sunburn red before my treatment. Approximately 12 hours later my calves were back to a normal coloring.
Aug. 20th I was home, lying in bed in the morning. My right arm was lying by my side, me being bored, I tried pulling my right arm up to my chest... which I ended up doing... 15 times! It was extremely difficult but exciting. I have tried repeating that but I can only lift my arm between 5 to 7 times. The main problem is that my arm will get stuck because of it sticking to my skin on my belly, I don't have the strength to go against that resistance.
My skin is smoother, not flaky as before on my hands, arms and thighs.
I exercise 3 times a day on a passive electric peddler, I'll be using a "Standing Table" starting in about 2 weeks.... so we shall see how far this one treatment goes. Because of my level of disability I think I'll be needing another transplant within 6 months to a year. I think the stem cells are correcting/repairing what I have lost last, my circulation and right arm. There's a lot to repair, I don't think one treatment will fix everything.... nice if it does though!
Here's a link http://turn.to/stemcellresources for MSers that have gone for treatment, Mexico and I think England. It will be available in Toronto, Canada within a few weeks. Cost is between 10,000 and I think 21,000. Go to BioMark International web page and get information from there or the other link I gave you.
Take care and here goes! Smile
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