Long overdue blog post sorry for the wait and thank you to everyone keeping in touch. I'm going to go a bit in-depth about the process with this one so bear with me. With that let's dive right in.

On the 18th I had my PICC line placed in preparation for admission the next day.

My PICC

The purpose of the PICC line is so there is constant access to the circulatory system for blood draws, medication administrations, stem cell transplantation, and blood transfusions. The process of having it put in was relatively painless and it is without a doubt better than being stuck multiple times every day for various testing. Impossible to tell in the picture but the line goes all the way up through the arm and rests right before your heart. 

Shameless hospital selfie

I admitted to the hospital bright and early the next day and immediately began the first phase of transplant which was 4 days of chemotherapy (cytoxan) and 5 days of a rabbit derived immune suppressant (rATG). The purpose of this is to completely wipe out my faulty immune system to prepare me for my stem cell infusion. 

I would be lying if I said those days weren't tough and some of the hardest days I've ever been through. Between the nausea, fatigue, urinary catheter, and overall feeling of death it was hard to see through it and be positive. None of it would have been possible without the love and support of my family/friends and the amazing staff at Northwestern (world class people).

Room 1669 - Chateau Gunter

That takes us to Tuesday the 24th which was stem cell infusion day. They call it your "birthday" because that is when your new immune system begins to be born. (I expect presents on this day now FYI). I have a long 6 minute video of the infusion process that Blogger wont't let me upload but essentially they take my previously cryogenically frozen stem cells, heat them up, and put them through my PICC. You feel nothing during this process but you get an overwhelmingly strong taste of creamed corn in your mouth and you also emit the odor for some time. 

Over the next two days my immune system tanked to nothing (as it is supposed to do and remains that way today) as I wait for my stem cells to engraft and form my new immune system. My numbers should go up within the next day or two and that is when you know you are on the home stretch to recovery. Still not feeling myself and obviously tired as hell but much better than a few days ago.

Copy of my chart for those curious

I have already noticed a difference in my MS symptoms at this point. The work that Dr. Burt and staff do here is nothing short of a miracle and it's a damn shame it's not more widely accepted and published. I have personally seen people worse off than I here already regain movement in their extremities- movement that was lost years ago. It's not always perfect and there are no guarantees in life, but this is the pinnacle in current treatment options.

I strongly encourage anyone that knows someone who is struggling with a debilitating autoimmune disease to reach out and see what Dr. Burt and team have to offer. Don't let fear or other inhibitions stop you - take control of your future and at least explore the possibility. This isn't science fiction this is happening and it's happening without people knowing. 

I'll leave you with some videos of Dr. Burt if anyone is interested in more of what he does. It's at minimum worth the watch if you are a science nerd. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjDS2Yq5Ksc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3TgPFy1Ozo

On the mend,

Troy

View of Chicago from my room