Nurses battle against Multiple Sclerosis

Hi, my name is Jenny

I have Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and I am traveling to Russia for HSCT (hematopoietic stem cell treatment) in November 2018 with the hope of getting my life back on track and preventing the MS from causing any further damage.

My wonderfully supportive husband Hayden and our two beautiful children, Harry (5) and Georgia (3), are very active and I would like nothing more than to be able to participate in outings and activities as a family without the MS holding me back.

I had my first two attacks and diagnosis in 2012 when I was 28. The first attack was the Lhermittes sign (a buzzing sensation from my neck to my limbs). The second attack occurred while I was pregnant with Harry and the entire left side of my body was affected by altered sensation and weakness. After Harry was born I had a post-partum attack affecting my balance and the strength in my legs. Since that attack my legs never recovered fully and I struggle to walk for very long or far without stopping to rest and recover.

I have had three attacks since my diagnosis, two of them while on drug therapy. I am on a drug called Fingolimod currently but I feel it’s not stopping the MS progression. The stem cell treatment in Russia offers me a good chance to stop the disease progression and hopefully reclaim some of my mobility back.

The Goal: To save my mobility so that I no longer struggle with walking and remain free from mobility aides. I have adapted to all the other symptoms I have been given by MS but the fatigue in my legs has the largest impact on my life.

Along with being a busy Mum I am also a third generation registered nurse and love being able to care for patients and be a part of their recovery from illness/injury. Due to my reduced mobility I now struggle during busy shifts when I am unable to rest and recharge my legs and I do not want to let patients down or be a burden on my workmates. I love my job and want to continue helping others and do not want the MS to take this away from me.

The Treatment: HSCT has been performed for many years in a number of countries around the world with the purpose of improving the lives of people with MS and other autoimmune diseases. Dr Fedorenko at the Medical Surgical Centre in Moscow, Russia, is said to be the best in the world.

In brief, the treatment is like an immune system reboot. It involves harvesting the patient’s own stem cells, storing them during a short but intense week of chemotherapy, then reintroducing the stem cells to build up the immune system again but without the memory of MS. There is a 70-90% chance of success at stopping the disease progression and regaining quality of life back.

I have been booked to start treatment on 6th November 2018. The treatment takes between four and five weeks before I can fly back home. Once I am back home there will be a three month period of recuperation while my immune system rebuilds.

The treatment comes at a cost though - $100,000.00. Any funds raised will go towards the airfares and cost of treatment.

I believe the odds are in my favour to get my life back, I just need some help getting there.

Thank you.