A NEW QUALITY CONTROL PATHWAY IN THE CELL

Proteins are important building blocks in our cells and each cell contains millions of different protein molecules. They are involved in everything from structural to regulatory aspects in the cell. Proteins are constructed as linear molecules but they only become functional once they are folded into specific three-dimensional structures. Several factors, like mutations, stress and age, can interfere with this folding process and induce protein misfolding. Accumulated misfolded proteins are toxic and to prevent this, cells have developed quality control systems just like any other production chain or manufacturing process

A team of researchers at the Centre for Genomic Regulation in Barcelona has just published a paper inScience describing a new quality control system in our cells. It is specific to the inner nuclear membrane, a specialised part of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), a network of membranes that spreads throughout the cell and which also forms the nuclear envelope that wraps the chromosomes.

Other quality control systems have been described but exactly how misfolded proteins in the inner nuclear membrane were degraded was not known. Ombretta Foresti, Victoria Rodríguez-Vaello and Pedro Carvalho, from the Organelle Biogenesis and Homeostasis laboratory at the CRG have just described the new system. "We have found that this quality control system has two key functions. It gets rid of misfolded proteins and, surprisingly, it also helps prevent the nucleus accumulating proteins that should not be there," explains Pedro Carvalho, principal investigator of this paper.

The studies have been conducted using a unicellular model organism (Baker's yeast) but they may also apply to human physiology. The newly identified quality control system protects the nucleus by targeting foreign proteins that could enter the nucleus by mistake. This could be particularly significant in non-dividing cells where the inner nuclear membrane is isolated from the rest of the ER for long periods of time

These findings have been made possible thanks to funding from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) and MCCIN at the CRG in Barcelona.

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR SKIN CANCER BASAL CELL CARCINOMA SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA MELANOMA

Skin cancer — the abnormal growth of skin cells — most often develops on skin exposed to the sun. But this common form of cancer can also occur on areas of your skin not ordinarily exposed to sunlight.

There are three major types of skin cancer — basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.

You can reduce your risk of skin cancer by limiting or avoiding exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Checking your skin for suspicious changes can help detect skin cancer at its earliest stages. Early detection of skin cancer gives you the greatest chance for successful skin cancer treatment.

Causes --Skin cancer occurs when errors (mutations) occur in the DNA of skin cells. The mutations cause the cells to grow out of control and form a mass of cancer cells.

Cells involved in skin cancer

Skin cancer begins in your skin's top layer — the epidermis. The epidermis is a thin layer that provides a protective cover of skin cells that your body continually sheds. The epidermis contains three main types of cells:

Squamous cells lie just below the outer surface and function as the skin's inner lining.

Basal cells, which produce new skin cells, sit beneath the squamous cells.

Melanocytes — which produce melanin, the pigment that gives skin its normal color — are located in the lower part of your epidermis. Melanocytes produce more melanin when you're in the sun to help protect the deeper layers of your skin.

Where your skin cancer begins determines its type and your treatment options

Ultraviolet light and other potential causes

Much of the damage to DNA in skin cells results from ultraviolet (UV) radiation found in sunlight and in the lights used in tanning beds. But sun exposure doesn't explain skin cancers that develop on skin not ordinarily exposed to sunlight. This indicates that other factors may contribute to your risk of skin cancer, such as being exposed to toxic substances or having a condition that weakens your immune system

Symptoms--Basal cell carcinoma signs and symptoms

Basal cell carcinoma usually occurs in sun-exposed areas of your body, such as your neck or face.

Basal cell carcinoma may appear as:--A pearly or waxy bump, A flat, flesh-colored or brown scar-like lesion

Squamous cell carcinoma signs and symptoms

Most often, squamous cell carcinoma occurs on sun-exposed areas of your body, such as your face, ears and hands. People with darker skin are more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma on areas that aren't often exposed to the sun.

Squamous cell carcinoma may appear as:--A firm, red nodule, A flat lesion with a scaly, crusted surface

Melanoma signs and symptoms

Melanoma can develop anywhere on your body, in otherwise normal skin or in an existing mole that becomes cancerous. Melanoma most often appears on the face or the trunk of affected men. In women, this type of cancer most often develops on the lower legs. In both men and women, melanoma can occur on skin that hasn't been exposed to the sun.

Melanoma signs include:-A large brownish spot with darker speckles, A mole that changes in color, size or feel or that bleeds, A small lesion with an irregular border and portions that appear red, white, blue or blue-black, Dark lesions on your palms, soles, fingertips or toes, or on mucous membranes lining your mouth, nose, vagina or anus

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

ARSENIC ALB  3-200- Cancer arising from overgrowth of fibrous tissues or a cancer originating from the epidermis of the skin- may be hard or soft . Start the treatment with 3c potency  and give it four times a day and go on selecting the potency  which effects the most. If this remedy cannot cure it will at least reduce the pain and maintain or restore the general health

ARSENICUM IODIDE 3—Epithelioma. Exfoliation of skin in large scales , leaving a raw exuding  surface beneath

ARGENTUM NITRICUM 30- Melanoma of the skin. Brown, tense and hard skin. Withered and dried up skin. Drawing in skin as from a spider web

CANNABIS SATIVA Q- Fatty acids present  in hemp protect the skin against sun. 15 drops in half a cup of water is used for protection of the skin against the skin cancer due to the sun rays

CONIUM MACULATUM 200- Epithelioma. Piercing pain, worse at night

EUPHORBIUM 3—Ulcerating carcinoma and epithelioma of the skin

HYDRSTIS CANADENSIS 30- Cancerous formation of the skin. Skin is ulcerated with small pox like eruptions

KALI ARSENIC 30- Skin cancer with no other visible symptoms except many small nodules under the skin

LOBELIA ERNUS 30- Epithelioma , that is malignant tumor consisting principally of epithelial cells originating from the epidermis of the skin or in a mucous membrane and developing rapidly . Dryness of the skin, nose and mucous membrane of the cheeks

LYCOPODIUM  CLAVATUM 200- Skin hard and indurated . Epithelioma. Visicid and offensive perspiration .

RADIUM BROMIDE 30- Cancer of the skin with itching , burning and restlessness. Epithelioma

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR SKIN CANCER BASAL CELL CARCINOMA SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA AND MELANOMA

Skin cancer — the abnormal growth of skin cells — most often develops on skin exposed to the sun. But this common form of cancer can also occur on areas of your skin not ordinarily exposed to sunlight.

There are three major types of skin cancer — basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.

You can reduce your risk of skin cancer by limiting or avoiding exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Checking your skin for suspicious changes can help detect skin cancer at its earliest stages. Early detection of skin cancer gives you the greatest chance for successful skin cancer treatment.

Causes --Skin cancer occurs when errors (mutations) occur in the DNA of skin cells. The mutations cause the cells to grow out of control and form a mass of cancer cells.

Cells involved in skin cancer

Skin cancer begins in your skin's top layer — the epidermis. The epidermis is a thin layer that provides a protective cover of skin cells that your body continually sheds. The epidermis contains three main types of cells:

Squamous cells lie just below the outer surface and function as the skin's inner lining.

Basal cells, which produce new skin cells, sit beneath the squamous cells.

Melanocytes — which produce melanin, the pigment that gives skin its normal color — are located in the lower part of your epidermis. Melanocytes produce more melanin when you're in the sun to help protect the deeper layers of your skin.

Where your skin cancer begins determines its type and your treatment options

Ultraviolet light and other potential causes

Much of the damage to DNA in skin cells results from ultraviolet (UV) radiation found in sunlight and in the lights used in tanning beds. But sun exposure doesn't explain skin cancers that develop on skin not ordinarily exposed to sunlight. This indicates that other factors may contribute to your risk of skin cancer, such as being exposed to toxic substances or having a condition that weakens your immune system

Symptoms--Basal cell carcinoma signs and symptoms

Basal cell carcinoma usually occurs in sun-exposed areas of your body, such as your neck or face.

Basal cell carcinoma may appear as:--A pearly or waxy bump, A flat, flesh-colored or brown scar-like lesion

Squamous cell carcinoma signs and symptoms

Most often, squamous cell carcinoma occurs on sun-exposed areas of your body, such as your face, ears and hands. People with darker skin are more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma on areas that aren't often exposed to the sun.

Squamous cell carcinoma may appear as:--A firm, red nodule, A flat lesion with a scaly, crusted surface

Melanoma signs and symptoms

Melanoma can develop anywhere on your body, in otherwise normal skin or in an existing mole that becomes cancerous. Melanoma most often appears on the face or the trunk of affected men. In women, this type of cancer most often develops on the lower legs. In both men and women, melanoma can occur on skin that hasn't been exposed to the sun.

Melanoma signs include:-A large brownish spot with darker speckles, A mole that changes in color, size or feel or that bleeds, A small lesion with an irregular border and portions that appear red, white, blue or blue-black, Dark lesions on your palms, soles, fingertips or toes, or on mucous membranes lining your mouth, nose, vagina or anus

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

ARSENIC ALB  3-200- Cancer arising from overgrowth of fibrous tissues or a cancer originating from the epidermis of the skin- may be hard or soft . Start the treatment with 3c potency  and give it four times a day and go on selecting the potency  which effects the most. If this remedy cannot cure it will at least reduce the pain and maintain or restore the general health

ARSENICUM IODIDE 3—Epithelioma. Exfoliation of skin in large scales , leaving a raw exuding  surface beneath

ARGENTUM NITRICUM 30- Melanoma of the skin. Brown, tense and hard skin. Withered and dried up skin. Drawing in skin as from a spider web

CANNABIS SATIVA Q- Fatty acids present  in hemp protect the skin against sun. 15 drops in half a cup of water is used for protection of the skin against the skin cancer due to the sun rays

CONIUM MACULATUM 200- Epithelioma. Piercing pain, worse at night

EUPHORBIUM 3—Ulcerating carcinoma and epithelioma of the skin

HYDRSTIS CANADENSIS 30- Cancerous formation of the skin. Skin is ulcerated with small pox like eruptions

KALI ARSENIC 30- Skin cancer with no other visible symptoms except many small nodules under the skin

LOBELIA ERNUS 30- Epithelioma , that is malignant tumor consisting principally of epithelial cells originating from the epidermis of the skin or in a mucous membrane and developing rapidly . Dryness of the skin, nose and mucous membrane of the cheeks

LYCOPODIUM  CLAVATUM 200- Skin hard and indurated . Epithelioma. Visicid and offensive perspiration .

RADIUM BROMIDE 30- Cancer of the skin with itching , burning and restlessness. Epithelioma

Stem Cell Injections For Nerve Pain

Today's post from eurekalert.org (see link below) could potentially be as important an announcement as any other so-called neuropathy breakthroughs of the last few years. if only it were as simple as the title suggests. One of the major causes of nerve pain is the disintegration or degeneration of the myelin protective sheath around nerves. As with electrical wiring, if the insulation material is damaged (in this case, myelin), the live wire is exposed, causing short-outs etc. Finding something that can repair myelin at the point of damage, would be a major discovery in the fight against neuropathic pain and other symptoms. This article suggests that they may have found exactly that and by simply injecting certain cells extracted from bone marrow, the myelin sheath can be restored, thus blocking off the cause of pain. Whoopee! However, now come the disclaimers! As always with this sort of news, we discover that the research is only at the lab animal testing stage and that this particular form of stem cell therapy is closer to theory than practical application. This means that once more hopes are raised but the reality is that we're still years away from practical treatments. Okay, we'd rather hear about good news in the research field than be kept in the dark but there should always be a subtitle in heavy print, warning the neuropathy patient that they shouldn't start planning to restore their full and busy lives just yet. It's the nature of the beast!
 

Stem cell injections improve diabetic neuropathy in animal models 
Public Release: 23-Jun-2015 Putnam Valley, NY. (June 23, 2015)

 Bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal cells promote blood vessel growth and re-myelination of peripheral nerves
 
Cell Transplantation Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair

 - Diabetic neuropathy (DN) is a condition in which perpetually high blood sugar causes nerve damage, resulting in a myriad of symptoms such as numbness, reduced ability to detect painful stimuli, muscle weakness, pain, and muscle spasms. DN affects up to 60 percent of patients with diabetes, is often the cause of foot ulcers, and can ultimately result in amputations. There is no curative therapy for DN, but a recent study carried out by a team of researchers in the U.S. and Korea has found that laboratory animals modeled with DN can experience both angiogenesis (blood vessel growth) and nerve re-myelination following injections of mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow (BM-MSCs).

Their study will be published in a future issue of Cell Transplantation and is currently freely available on-line as an unedited early e-pub at: http://ingentaconnect.com/content/cog/ct/pre-prints/content-CT-1386_Han_et_al

The researchers used mesenchymal stem cells, which can be easily isolated from a variety of sources, such as adipose (fat) tissues, tendons, peripheral blood, umbilical cord blood, and bone marrow. MSCs derived from bone marrow (BM-MSCs) have been among the most successfully transplanted cells, offering therapeutic benefits for a wide range of conditions, from serious burns to cardiovascular diseases, including heart attack and stroke.

In this study, laboratory rats modeled with diabetes were randomly assigned to BM-MSC or saline injection groups 12 weeks after the induction of diabetes. The non-diabetic control group of rats was age- and sex-matched. DN was confirmed by latency in nerve conduction velocity tests.

"We investigated whether local transplantation of BM-MSCs could attenuate or reverse experimental DN by modulating angiogenesis and restoring myelin, the electrically insulating substance surrounding nerves that is reduced by DN," said study co-author Dr. Young-sup Yoon, Professor at the Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology at Emory University School of Medicine. "In this study we have provided the first evidence that intramuscular injected BM-MSCs migrate to nerves and can play a therapeutic role."

According to the researchers, their findings indicate that intramuscular injection of MSCs resulted in an increase of multiple angiogenic and neurotrophic factors associated with blood vessel growth and subsequently aided the survival of diabetic nerves, suggesting that BM-MSC transplantation restored both the myelin sheath and nerve cells in diabetic sciatic nerves.

"We identified several new mechanisms by which MSCs can improve DN," said the researchers. "First, we demonstrated that numerous engraftments migrated to and survived in the diabetic nerves. Second, we demonstrated a robust increase in vascularity. Third, we found the first evidence that MSCs can directly modulate re-myelination and axonal regeneration."

The researchers concluded that DN, for which there is no other therapeutic option, can be an "initial target for cell therapy" and that transplantation of BM- MSCs "represents a novel therapeutic option for treating DN."

"Currently, the only treatment options available for DN are palliative (focused on alleviating pain) in nature, or are directed at slowing the progression of the disease by tightly controlling blood sugar levels, "says Dr. John R. Sladek, Jr., Professor of Neurology, Pediatrics, and Neuroscience, Department of Neurology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. "This study offers new insight into the benefits of cell therapy as a possible treatment option for a disease that significantly diminishes quality of life for diabetic patients. Safety and efficacy for human application must be evaluated to further determine the feasibility of BM-MSC transplantation for treatment of DN."

Contact: Dr. Young-sup Yoon, Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Emory University School of Medicine, 101 Woodruff Circle, WMB 3009, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
Phone: 404-727-8176
Email: yyoon5@emory.edu
Fax: 404-727-3988

Citation: Han, J. W.; Choi, D.; Lee, M. Y.; Huh, Y. H.; Yoon, Y-S. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells improve diabetic neuropathy by direct modulation of both angiogenesis and myelination in peripheral nerves. Cell Transplant. Appeared or available on-line: May 13, 2015.

The Coeditors-in-chief for CELL TRANSPLANTATION are at the Diabetes Research Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Center for Neuropsychiatry, China Medical University Hospital, TaiChung, Taiwan. Contact, Camillo Ricordi, MD at ricordi@miami.edu or Shinn-Zong Lin, MD, PhD at shinnzong@yahoo.com.tw or David Eve, PhD or Samantha Portis, MS, at celltransplantation@gmail.com

News release by Florida Science Communications http://www.sciencescribe.net

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-06/ctco-sci062315.php

Neuropathy And Stem Cell treatment A Personal Account

Today's post from neuropathy.org (see link below) is a personal account of one lady's experiences with getting neuropathy. There is no link to HIV but as we all know, irrespective of the cause, our neuropathy journeys are very similar in terms of symptoms and treatment. It is especially interesting for those considering stem cell treatment but that option remains very limited, according to the skills available in your area and the extent of your insurance coverage.

More Than Hope
By Mary Busch 
 
Editor’s Note: Mary Busch—a patient in our neuropathy community—shares her on-going journey that started with a getting a diagnosis, a frustrating quest for effective therapies, and a ray of hope that came in the form of a clinical research study. We appreciate Mary’s contributions to moving the ball forward in neuropathy research, as well as her willingness to share her inspiring story!

Just ten years ago, I was a “regular mom”—working, taking care of my family and my home…and trying to squeeze in a few moments each day to stay in shape. Little did I know that an insidious neuropathy diagnosis was going to change my life forever.

After my husband Mike's company shut down in December 2003, he took up a job in Texas. We found ourselves relocating, leaving behind our family and friends and what we called home (Cincinnati, OH) for thirty-nine years. The first few months went by quickly: I was setting up a new home, making sure our kids adjusted, and looking for a new job…all of this was stressful—to say the least. It was during this time that I first noticed a "tingling" sensation in my fingers.

I’m sure you’ve felt it: the “tingling” when your hands get really cold or when you have your hands in one position for too long, you develop this "pins and needles" feeling. I didn’t really pay much attention to these symptoms because they were sporadic. But then it wouldn’t go away…and I began dropping things and I couldn’t explain it away (“Don’t mind me; I’m just a little clumsy today!”).

The "pins and needles" feeling was spreading to my toes and it was becoming more bothersome. So, I went to a primary care doctor for an evaluation. She didn’t seem all that concerned about the symptoms, but gave me a prescription anyway. For the first few days after I started this medication, I could not keep my eyes open. Even after consulting her about adjusting the dose, I just couldn’t shake the drowsiness. Since my doctor wasn’t too concerned, I stopped the medication and I ignored the symptoms. After all, I was a busy mom and life was calling--even through these seemingly benign and annoying symptoms.

In August 2004, I was eager to start my new job at Blanton Elementary School. The "pins and needles" feeling was still there, but I was functioning pretty much at a normal level. By November, however, I could no longer ignore the symptoms: the "pins and needles" had spread to my arms and legs, and it was accompanied by numbness and fatigue. This time I consulted a different primary care doctor who started testing me for simple things like vitamin deficiencies.

When I got back to Texas after our holiday season travel to Cincinnati, I realized that my symptoms were worse. I was staggering; I couldn’t lift my arms; and I was falling. It was the fall that had me landing on my face that made my doctor refer me to a neurologist.

My first thought--after researching my symptoms--was that I might have multiple sclerosis (MS). After many blood tests, EMGs, an MRI, and a spinal tap, I was diagnosed with CIDP (chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy--an autoimmune form of neuropathy). I later found out I was lucky: for many in the neuropathy community, it takes years to get diagnosed and to have access to treatments. My neurologist, at the time, put me on high-dose steroids for the next year. Although my symptoms dramatically improved, the side effects (weight gain, swollen knee joints, hypertension…) were devastating. I was told my CIDP wouldn’t return after I completed the steroid treatment. My neurologist was right…I was symptom-free for about a year. But, then it all came back; this time, the CIDP affected every part of my body—not just my arms and legs. I had trouble swallowing, nerve pain, muscle twitching, and spasms. It also affected my voice, speech, and cognitive skills…the list of symptoms seemed endless. I knew I needed a second opinion. I sought out another neurologist, Dr. Anna Tseng, who reconfirmed the CIDP diagnosis. She started me on a loading dose of Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) at an infusion center.

For the next six years, I went through many treatments. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) was the only treatment that seemed to stabilize my symptoms, but the side effects were awful. I had severe headaches, nausea, and vomiting. My infusions were slowed down to the lowest dose to help minimize the side effects. My life revolved around the four 8-hour-days a month being infused and the following week spent recovering from the side effects of IVIG treatment. I made several ER trips to treat the dehydration that resulted from extreme vomiting. I also developed aseptic meningitis. My school’s principal was wonderful through all of this, but I was taking more and more time off because of my health issues. I felt that with each CIDP relapse my baseline health was slowly deteriorating. It got to the point where I couldn't work anymore…this was one of the lowest points in my life because I loved my job.

I had trouble swallowing, nerve pain, muscle twitching, and spasms. It also affected my voice, speech, and cognitive skills...the list of symptoms seemed endless.
 
In 2010, we found ourselves relocating to Florida. I started working with Dr. Lara Katzin at the University of South Florida to manage my neuropathy. There was an instant connection…we worked patiently together to tweak my IVIG treatments over the next few months, but I continued to struggle with the side effects.

While on a family trip to Bryce Canyon in 2011, I felt well enough to do some hiking. But I paid for it after getting back home. I was tired and weak…I thought a few days of rest would help me recover. But by the end of the week, I couldn’t walk; I couldn’t get out of bed; I couldn’t shower or even go to the bathroom on my own. I felt completely distraught and humiliated that I was unable to care for myself or my family. I had to call my parents to come and help me with the basics while my husband was at work. I spent the next six months in and out of a wheelchair. I had a lot of time in that wheelchair to think about my uncertain future. Because I wasn’t tolerating standard therapies, I was ready to give up. It was at that point, I began researching other options.

I recently learned about The Neuropathy Association--this find probably saved my life. I joined the Association’s local support group (in Tampa, Florida) to help myself and learn from others who were living with neuropathy. I also learned about clinical research trials through the Association’s website...this is how I found Dr. Richard Burt (head of the Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in CIDP research trial at Northwestern University)--my miracle worker.

I spent a lot of time researching transplantations and all the possible complications from the procedure. I spent months on Stem Cell-Facebook pages reading about other patients’ experiences. Then in April 2012, I met Wendy Nash--a fellow Floridian--who was participating in the clinical research study that I was considering. Wendy shared her journey with me and invited me to see first-hand what she was going through.

After talking with Wendy in April 2012, I applied for the clinical research study. In June 2012, I went for an initial 3-day evaluation with Dr. Burt to reconfirm my diagnosis and to confirm I met the clinical study criteria. I was accepted into the clinical research study—and, for the first time, I had hope--hope that I could beat neuropathy.

In September 2012, I started the long transplant process at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. The first part is pre-transplant testing (cardiac, pulmonary, chest x-ray, EKG, labs, etc.). It was an exhaustive list, but Dr. Burt and his transplant team were very thorough. They wanted to make sure my body could handle the stress of the transplant procedure. During my testing, they found a large cyst on my ovary. So, even before I began, I had to have the cyst (and my ovaries) removed. After a few weeks of rest, I went back to Chicago for the stem cell transplant.

I was scared even though I had done my research, but I knew I was in good hands. I was admitted for an initial mobilization chemo—to stimulate the bone marrow to start producing stem cells. I was released from the hospital the next day and soon began filgrastrim shots to further stimulate my bone marrow to rapidly produce stem cells. The goal was to make enough stem cells to spill out of my bone marrow and into my circulating blood for harvesting. Approximately 10 days later, my stem cells were harvested through a catheter in my neck by a procedure called apheresis (a process that spins blood and separates the stem cells from all the other parts of the blood). 

Now, I was ready for the main part of the stem cell transplant. Again, I was admitted to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago where I would stay for the remainder of the transplant. By this time, I was already losing my hair; so I shaved my head completely ... I thought it would upset me, but I was so focused on the next part of the chemo that it didn’t faze me at all. The next seven days were filled with chemo treatments. The chemo gave me headaches and made me nauseous, but the staff was really great about addressing these side effects.

Finally, the big day arrived: November 21st, 2012! My white blood counts were down to zero (Day 0--in the transplant world) and I would be getting my stem cells back. It was my “New Birthday!” My parents (my caregivers throughout my Chicago stay) and I had a little ceremony celebrating the occasion. I would like to tell you it was all uphill from there, but it wasn't: I developed a fever. Dr. Burt and his team were very proactive. They started me on antibiotics right away and took blood cultures. It turned out I didn’t have any infection. Some people just develop post-transplant fevers. I was still nauseous and I didn’t have an appetite to eat. Now, it was just a matter of waiting for my stem cells to engraft (or repopulate) my body with healthy cells. That happened 9 days later and I was able to go home. It was a grueling time, but I look back at it now and it really went by quickly. I've already had six months of my life back for that period of misery…I would do it again in a heartbeat!

The main reason I considered the clinical research study was to give myself a fighting chance…plus, it feels good to know I’m also contributing to research and I’m helping others along the way. Today, I still have pain and my nerves haven’t completely healed yet. My nerves may take years to heal, but I feel so much better. The constant fatigue is gone and I am walking two to three miles (yes miles!) several times a week.

Not everybody is accepted into a clinical research study and some health insurances will not cover it because the treatments are experimental. For me, participating in a clinical research study was the beginning of my future—one I could look forward to with optimism. Instead of planning for treatments every month, I am now planning vacations with my family. Most stem cell patients are treatment-free for years after the transplant. The doctors call it is a long-term remission, not a cure. Even if it is not forever, the hematopoietic stem cell transplant has bought me time ... time for research to catch up!

http://www.neuropathy.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=8488&news_iv_ctrl=1101