Karen’s HSCT journey to Mexico

If you’re already lucky enough to know Karen Taylor, you’ll know a hard working Real Estate Agent, a kind lady who is always up for a laugh and a wine, or perhaps you know her as the wife of Paul or the proud Mum of Ethan and Caleb. What you may not know about Karen is that she has secondary progressive Multiple Sclerosis.

Karen was diagnosed with MS (Multiple Sclerosis) in 1996, she had experienced body numbness and tingling and spent time in hospital undergoing tests, a couple of years later a similar experience led to her diagnosis. For many years that diagnosis didn’t mean much, Karen’s life remained unaffected, mild symptoms here and there but mostly it was life as normal.

Fifteen years ago she joined the team at LJ Hooker and trained as a real estate agent. A job she’s been passionate about ever since.

About four years ago Karen’s health began to take a turn for the worst, her mobility has been slowly deteriorating and everyday tasks have become challenging. As fate would have it this was also around the same time her husband, Paul started experiencing seizures and had to give up work. Karen’s persevered with work to support her family but unfortunately the last 8 months have seen Karen’s health decline rapidly. After Christmas she faced the heartbreaking reality that she can no longer work. She suffers from agonising back pain, can no longer write properly, her vision is blurred, and walking is becoming harder by the day - to Karen it feels like walking with concrete blocks strapped to her legs.

Until now Karen has kept her battle with her health private. Now she’s left with no other choice, if she wants a life worth living she needs our help!

Karen has been accepted to Clinica Ruiz, a world class medical facility in Mexico offering HSCT treatment. HSCT (Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant) is a highly effective treatment proven to stop disease progression in Multiple Sclerosis patients. It’s an intensive treatment that takes around 4 weeks followed by a long road to recovery when she returns home. The aim of the treatment is to remove auto-toxic immune cells from Karen’s system. The process involves collecting Karen’s stem cells, undergoing intensive chemotherapy then reinfusing the stem cells (transplant day). After the transplant Karen will enter neutropenia (a period of minimum immune function) for about 7-10 days, during this period white blood cells responsible for fighting infections are low. Once home, Karen’s immune system will be very vulnerable for at least 100 days with strict protocols in place to keep her safe. This treatment doesn’t come cheap the cost alone is around $75,000 plus flights, a carer to assist her while she’s there and then of course the unknown length of time she’ll be off work trying to rebuild her life.

Karen dreams of being well enough to get back to work so she can keep doing what she loves.

All going well she begins treatment 5th April so we’re in a race against time. Please help us and share to give Karen a second chance at life.