Chasing Purple

                                                   WHO?
I AM healing. I AM healthy. I AM whole. I AM a Healer. I AM a miracle.... These are the words that I say to myself in the mirror every day.

I am a single mother of 4 awesome children (ages: 18, 13, 10, and 5).I am a poet at heart but I am a part-time college professor/freelance writer/tutor/entrepreneur by profession. And I AM struggling every minute of my life for more time.


I was diagnosed with Relapsing-Remitting MS (Multiple Sclerosis) when I was 19 years young. This is when I realized I had to approach MS as a healing opportunity. I visited the Optimum Health Institute in San Diego and learned the healing power of juicing and eating raw food. Implementing a healthy life style early on, activated healing for a series of ailments along the way.
                                                 
                                         WHAT?
Nearly 16 years later, MS has affected my body in cruel and punishing ways. Doctors have diagnosed me with diabetes, fibromyalgia, migraines, RLS, endometriosis, Raynaud’s disease, arthritis, diverticulitis and depression.  Through my faith and consistent lifestyle changes to embrace exercise, diet, practicing mindfulness, meditation and prayer, I have eliminated some of these symptoms -- but the truth is -- today’s symptoms turn into tomorrow’s painful reminder that I am in a fierce battle to slow down the unexpected and most recent progression of MS.
I am experiencing the most physical challenges that I have ever had in my life. The MS has transitioned into a Secondary Progressive form and now I am experiencing paralysis in my lower body. This is both new and frightening to me. I have to focus all my energy on the love and care of myself and my four kids, but that energy is rapidly waning.  Simple tasks like brushing my hair, getting dressed and transferring to and from the wheelchair have become difficult, slow and painful.

At this stage in the development of MS, I can only drive with hand controls and at certain times of the day, that has become difficult. I have lost most of my bladder and bowel function. I am at a point where my body is slipping out of my control. Paralysis is increasing at a slow and steady pace. My neurologist, a renown MS specialist, has nothing to offer now but drugs to manage my symptoms and they all have side effects that compound the symptoms of MS I am experiencing every day!
                   
                                         WHY?
I know that there is nothing I did or didn't do, right or wrong, to be where I am physically in my life today. I take it as a strength, more powerful than most, to be able to adapt to not having the full use of my body and still pursuing my dreams, raising my family, heading my household and simply waking up every day with the mission to be grateful, despite my physical challenges and endless pain; and the perceived feelings of the world looking at me differently.

I have learned to be grateful because I've learned what it's like to live in the shadows of invisible disability, and I now know what it feels like to struggle with the knowledge and awareness of your body going into paralysis and then living with that paralysis on a day-to-day basis. I make peace with my abilities daily and I am grateful for what I can do, but the progressive course of the MS takes a bit more from me every day.

                                       HOW?
After years of experience, research and prayer, I have learned to trust the voice of God inside of me. This has led me to a three prong approach to rid myself of this disease.

PHASE 1: Attend a two-week program of detox and nourishment at Optimum Health Institute in San Diego, CA. Raw food and juicing had a tremendous impact on my recovery from the initial MS exacerbation 17 years ago. Even though  this recent relapse is more severe than  the initial, my body will respond very well to a nutritional flush of toxins and a flood of nutrients.  This will also help prepare my body for phase II.

 
PHASE 2:
During the past 16 years, I spent a lot of time researching and waiting on the science to cure this disease. I honestly believe that the best chance I have of repairing some of the damage done by MS is to receive a stem cell infusion. Stem cell therapy is still in its frontier phase but I don’t have the time for Science to catch up, if I want to continue living at home with my children. Stem Cell therapy is not only being done in this country, but all over the world. China has taken the most aggressive approach in stem cell research, funding more clinical trials than any other country.

I began my search for a legitimate stem cell facility that would take on my case, over a year ago.  Around this time, a family friend had just returned from a stem cell procedure in China for Parkinson’s. So, of course, I included them on the list. Almost two years later and after being rejected from numerous clinical trials both in and out the country, they are at the top of the list. The expert team at the Stem Cell Center at the General Hospital of Chinese Armed Police Forces have successfully treated over 100 patients with MS and more for a range of diseases from Spinal Cord Injury to Parkinson’s. They are also implementing some of the most effective Traditional Chinese Medicine techniques in their post-op rehab, for patients who are interested. Dr. Yihua An has been consistent with consulting with me on my case during a very difficult period of time for me. Not only have I been dealing with paralysis, but I also have had to deal with a painful divorce that has slowed my healing trek as well.

PHASE 3:

Physical therapy is a crucial part of my daily life already. Exercise is a key component to staying mobile and regaining mobility. In addition to my current home exercise program, I also attend physical therapy at the MS Clinic at Shepherd Center. However, my insurance only covers a certain amount of visits in a given period of a time. After the stem cell transfusion, my body will benefit from the intensive private-pay physical therapy  offered at the Shepherd Center through the Beyond Therapy program.

The $55,000 I am seeking to raise, covers the cost of all of my treatments, accommodations, and airfare for me plus one caregiver. It also includes household and childcare expenses for a month. Most stem cell treatments range from $50,000 to over $100,000, Dr. An’s facility has been good enough to allow me the same quote from almost two years ago, despite the improvements they’ve made in stem cell treatment during that time.

This is a reasonable cost. But it is still beyond my reach! I need your financial support!!

                               PLEASE  AND THANK YOU
I am a single mother of 4 and a year or two away from moving to assisted living, if I cannot turn this around soon. With God on my side, I know I can. But I need your help. Please consider donating to my healing so I can have a better quality of life and as much time with my kids, as we all deserve. Every little bit helps. For more of my story, please view my Video blog .