Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Snail progress
Hi !!
As I approach my 47th birthday (1 year from when I approached the trial) I find myself wondering ... how many more may I be able to have? (hoping to make at least 50, Hilly has this "pin the junk on the hunk game" she is dying to play at a party :P) Seriously, I do wonder, not preoccupied mind you, but always in the back of my mind. What will the future hold for me?
In my continued reading and research I have been in contact with the International Stem Cell Institute. I have also been in contact with the folks at UCSF and with my request for my records and test results that were done while in San Francisco for the trial testing, they have agreed to send those to me and wished me the very best and to "keep us posted" on my progress and happenings.
Now ... I know that people are most likely thinking I am crazy, but I do not believe that in the true sense of the definition. People have been undergoing stem cell therapy/treatment for many years (15-18 in some areas of the world) and with REMARKABLE results for many diseases and afflictions to include; heart disease; MS; neurodegenerative diseases; arthritis, and YES .... type I diabetes!! This is my ultimate goal (along with falling in love for real just once before I die...LOL). When the paperwork is all in order I will fax it all off to be reviewed. For now, I am going to keep the details sort of hush-hush as I don't want to put myself in that "all positive, everything is going to go great" mentality and setting myself up for the same sort of devastating disappointment I felt with I was rejected from the Islet trial. I really did take that hit hard.
I will say this about stem cell treatment. It will be much faster, I will have to travel, but not for weeks at a time, and will be able to go about my life with no more than the monitoring of my BGs as the cells grow and begin to do their stuff (which could take 3-6 months. The great thing about stem cells is that there is no immunosuppressant drugs involved, therefore, less risk of other organ damage or failure. It is amazing science .... one only needs to have an open mind to the science and outcome. Now, why would the US want to jeopardize all that pharmaceutical income by actually curing a disease when there is so much potential to keep folks on a drug the rest of their lives?? Politics .... not one of my favorite subjects. So, in my continued determined state of mind I will continue to fight for what I believe is the right action not only for me, but for so many others that can benefit. Not only that, I am going to scream from the rooftops when it all goes well and I can promote the treatment to those I know and love who suffer from this disease, and hope that others might see the best in it.
Of course, for me, the funding will remain an issue, but not remotely close to what would have had to come into play for travel back and forth to California for 18 months. It is a relatively doable amount and hopefully with only one treatment. It can take a couple of treatments given the disease, type of cells used, and a couple of other (what I consider minor) factors.
I will plug on in the meantime.
I am awaiting on the paperwork. I am still working, more than ever. Hillary is about to start her 2nd semester in the nursing program and continues to support my decision to make my future a little brighter and much more healthy.
So ... please stay tuned for more information and I will post as I get information about the actual treatment program and when I hope to have it take place.
Thanks again, to all of you who have continued to keep me in your prayers, and support my decision on keeping me around for a little while longer. I have never really been one who was aware of what her purpose was here on this plane, but, I do feel that this venture is part of it. Consider me the sacrificial lamb if you will for those who may be skeptical. It's all good!! For if nothing else, I came into your life, touched you in some manner, and lingered there for some reason. Only the Big Guy knows my destination for sure, but I hope that my being a part of your lives has made a difference in some small way.
Peace and Light
et
As I approach my 47th birthday (1 year from when I approached the trial) I find myself wondering ... how many more may I be able to have? (hoping to make at least 50, Hilly has this "pin the junk on the hunk game" she is dying to play at a party :P) Seriously, I do wonder, not preoccupied mind you, but always in the back of my mind. What will the future hold for me?
In my continued reading and research I have been in contact with the International Stem Cell Institute. I have also been in contact with the folks at UCSF and with my request for my records and test results that were done while in San Francisco for the trial testing, they have agreed to send those to me and wished me the very best and to "keep us posted" on my progress and happenings.
Now ... I know that people are most likely thinking I am crazy, but I do not believe that in the true sense of the definition. People have been undergoing stem cell therapy/treatment for many years (15-18 in some areas of the world) and with REMARKABLE results for many diseases and afflictions to include; heart disease; MS; neurodegenerative diseases; arthritis, and YES .... type I diabetes!! This is my ultimate goal (along with falling in love for real just once before I die...LOL). When the paperwork is all in order I will fax it all off to be reviewed. For now, I am going to keep the details sort of hush-hush as I don't want to put myself in that "all positive, everything is going to go great" mentality and setting myself up for the same sort of devastating disappointment I felt with I was rejected from the Islet trial. I really did take that hit hard.
I will say this about stem cell treatment. It will be much faster, I will have to travel, but not for weeks at a time, and will be able to go about my life with no more than the monitoring of my BGs as the cells grow and begin to do their stuff (which could take 3-6 months. The great thing about stem cells is that there is no immunosuppressant drugs involved, therefore, less risk of other organ damage or failure. It is amazing science .... one only needs to have an open mind to the science and outcome. Now, why would the US want to jeopardize all that pharmaceutical income by actually curing a disease when there is so much potential to keep folks on a drug the rest of their lives?? Politics .... not one of my favorite subjects. So, in my continued determined state of mind I will continue to fight for what I believe is the right action not only for me, but for so many others that can benefit. Not only that, I am going to scream from the rooftops when it all goes well and I can promote the treatment to those I know and love who suffer from this disease, and hope that others might see the best in it.
Of course, for me, the funding will remain an issue, but not remotely close to what would have had to come into play for travel back and forth to California for 18 months. It is a relatively doable amount and hopefully with only one treatment. It can take a couple of treatments given the disease, type of cells used, and a couple of other (what I consider minor) factors.
I will plug on in the meantime.
I am awaiting on the paperwork. I am still working, more than ever. Hillary is about to start her 2nd semester in the nursing program and continues to support my decision to make my future a little brighter and much more healthy.
So ... please stay tuned for more information and I will post as I get information about the actual treatment program and when I hope to have it take place.
Thanks again, to all of you who have continued to keep me in your prayers, and support my decision on keeping me around for a little while longer. I have never really been one who was aware of what her purpose was here on this plane, but, I do feel that this venture is part of it. Consider me the sacrificial lamb if you will for those who may be skeptical. It's all good!! For if nothing else, I came into your life, touched you in some manner, and lingered there for some reason. Only the Big Guy knows my destination for sure, but I hope that my being a part of your lives has made a difference in some small way.
Peace and Light
et
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Hello Everyone!!
It has been almost a month since my last post. So much is going on, still, again, always. I have been doing lots of reading and research, made multiple phone calls. Weeded out those that I don't feel right about in my gut, or for other, what seems like obvious reasons, and again, have the "butterfly feeling" in my gut. It is all a good thing and a step I am so ready to take. I am still in the filling out all the paperwork process, and will need to decide in the next few weeks which way I want to play this hand. I also want to talk with my neurologist and endocrinologist to ensure their support and help with the monitoring of me after the fact. Thank God, I have lived with this disease long enough to know the ins and outs of tweeking my insulin based on any number of scenarios. Not only that, I have been called "obsessive" at times in regard to how often I check my blood sugar. I try to keep a reality grip, but with no real warnings anymore, better safe than sorry right.
I have begun boosting my immune system again, with my whole food supplements, as well as my FRS (started that again just to keep up with my extra work load; another total story). I have such great feelings about this stem cell treatment but am also trying to keep my expectations in check. Research has proven great things, but the idea of going to another country can be a little intimidating. I need to have someone with me who can be aware of me and my symptoms. I, of course, can't be afraid to let whomever travels with me know that I think there may be something wrong. What I find so promising, is there are no immunosuppressants involved, its all about regenerating my own body. How cool is that???
We still have the issue of money, but I think we only need to come up with about $15K and there is the possibility that I can take a loan, and they are going to see about a "scholarship" .... LOL .... Hell, if this works, I will be the freaking poster child. I would nothing better then to show the US government that they are denying so many people, not just Type I diabetics, of potential cures, better quality of life, and all the things that go along with that feeling.
So ... pray, rub your rocks, what ever it is you do to send good karma out to me as I embark on what I truly believe will make the difference.
I will post again soon.
Thank you all for continuing to support me in my venture for continued life.
Peace and Love
et
I have begun boosting my immune system again, with my whole food supplements, as well as my FRS (started that again just to keep up with my extra work load; another total story). I have such great feelings about this stem cell treatment but am also trying to keep my expectations in check. Research has proven great things, but the idea of going to another country can be a little intimidating. I need to have someone with me who can be aware of me and my symptoms. I, of course, can't be afraid to let whomever travels with me know that I think there may be something wrong. What I find so promising, is there are no immunosuppressants involved, its all about regenerating my own body. How cool is that???
We still have the issue of money, but I think we only need to come up with about $15K and there is the possibility that I can take a loan, and they are going to see about a "scholarship" .... LOL .... Hell, if this works, I will be the freaking poster child. I would nothing better then to show the US government that they are denying so many people, not just Type I diabetics, of potential cures, better quality of life, and all the things that go along with that feeling.
So ... pray, rub your rocks, what ever it is you do to send good karma out to me as I embark on what I truly believe will make the difference.
I will post again soon.
Thank you all for continuing to support me in my venture for continued life.
Peace and Love
et
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