Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

So, a few months back I came across the news report on HiCy and the woman who had gone through the treatment. She spoke of her rapid MS progression and how disabling it had become. The report showed her confined to a wheel chair- and then a live video of her running in the back yard. That was enough for me.


The only guarantee with MS is that it will get worse. That more disabililty is lurking around the corner. The drugs that are available only boast to cut back on relapse rates. The ultimate goal is to stop the progression, and to reverse any disability that has accrued. HiCy has been shown to do both of those. That, to me, outweighs all the side effects and risks of the treatment.


It's so easy to get lost in this disease. To live day to day coping and finding new ways to get things accomplished. It's not until you stop and take a look at what you can no longer do, or how much harder it is to get certain things done, that you realize what the disease has taken from you. I almost feel like I don't deserve to have HiCy. Or that I shouldn't have pushed so hard to get approval. I know how much worse off I could be, but I would be a fool to wait until I got to that point to persue this treatment. I want to be as aggressive with this disease as it has been with me. Fight fire with fire. So here I am.


I don't have a scheduled date to start the treatment, but I am going to Rush University Medical Center in Chicago on October 16th and 17th to meet with Dr. Balabanov (MS doctor) and the Oncologist. I am hoping to get started the beginning of November.


5 comments:

  1. I am so proud of you. I like your saying. Nothing ventured nothing gained. You have the right attitude for this. Keep it up!
    Kathy

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  2. Fantastic, I'm glad this is spreading beyond Hopkins.

    rebootmel.chrishadms.com

    Mel is doing really well, hair has grown back the same as before (in colour, texture etc obv. not length!).

    She's recovered disability, her vision is a lot better and her fatigue/brain fog is largely gone.

    I hope this is everything you dare to hope it is.

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  3. I WISH YOU THE BEST TRACY!
    PS: YOUR BOYFRIEND IS SOOOO HANDSOME!! YOU TWO MAKE A GREAT COUPLE! GOOD LUCK ;)

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  4. Hey Tracey, David and Kelly sent me all of your info, So I just wanted to let you know that I think you are incredible brave:) I also wanted to let you know that you are in our prayers & thoughts and that we all wish you the best:)!!

    Love,
    Naomi

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  5. Hey BABE! Cant Wait 4 U To Get Home!!!! 1 Week Left.. MUAH XOXO

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