As many of you know, my beautiful, vibrant daughter Jess was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis when she was only 19 years old. It wasn’t too long afterwards that she became wheelchair dependent. She has had a very aggressive disease course that has caused extensive neurological damage throughout her body. Because of its severity, in recent years she has been treated with the strongest disease modifying therapy available. This antibody infusion therapy has slowed down her MS relapses by suppressing her immune system. However, it eventually suppressed her immune system so low that it is no longer a viable treatment option because of the risk. **Currently, there are no other traditional MS therapies available for her, which is a very frightening prospect.** However, there is one therapy that is still somewhat experimental, but has shown a lot of promise in treating MS: Stem Cell Transplantation. This will be a three month intensive therapy followed by many months of recovery. In the first month, Jess’ own stem cells will be migrated from her bone marrow into the bloodstream where they will be removed, cleaned, and stored. In month two, her immune system will be intentionally and completely destroyed via chemotherapy. In the third month, her previously removed and cleaned stem cells will be reintroduced back into her body to reboot her immune system. The desired outcome is that her MS attacks will significantly decline and, hopefully, she’ll even regain some neurological function that was previously lost. This treatment plan requires her to be in Denver for the first three months with someone there to care for her in months one and three. In month two, when her immune system is wiped out via chemotherapy, she will be an inpatient in the hospital. Thankfully, her insurance agreed to cover the nearly $150,000 in medical expenses since even they recognize that she has no other treatment options available. However, we estimate that we will still have nearly $30,000 in other expenses related to receiving this treatment. We'll have to rent a home for months number one and three in Denver that meet very specific requirements by the SCT program and is handicap accessible. This will be a huge part of the expense. She will also have transportation expenses for herself, her caregivers, and her husband so he can visit her (he has to keep working, of course). There will be meals and all of the other unexpected expenses that crop up when undergoing such a huge medical ordeal. When she returns home, there will be ongoing expenses for special follow-up care for at least one year. Any amount that you can contribute will be so helpful and greatly appreciated. If you would prefer to contribute directly to me instead of using LFEBridge, use the Contact option below to reach out to me. Please keep Jess in your prayers as this is a risky and lengthy procedure. We also ask that you consider sharing this fundraising campaign so that it reaches as many people as possible. Thank you all so much from the bottom of our hearts!!
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