Help Zola get HSCT to halt her MS
Hi everyone. My name is Zola and I'm a 35 year old English teacher from Co. Tyrone. Welcome to my GoFundMe page and thank you to those of you who have been in touch so far to offer me your support.
20 months ago, after having my first baby, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis following a significant attack on my spinal cord that left me off work for 5 months. Within the year, I'd taken a second relapse, this time with the damage in my brain. I've been on two different medications since, but these only slow the relapses down by 50%, so my MS will continue to progress, albeit at a slower rate.
Since diagnosis, I've had increasing issues with my symptoms and each day I live in fear of another relapse that will cause significant damage, resulting in permanent disability. The constant worry of MS is almost, but not quite, as bad as the physical stress (every wee niggle or feeling has me panicking like mad!). I worry about how I might not be able to do things with Danny when the disease progresses. It is this fear of the future that has resulted in me deciding to go for HSCT, despite how difficult it is going to be.
HSCT is Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, which is effectively a bone marrow transplant. My stem cells are removed, I'm given intensive chemotherapy to destroy my immune system and then the stem cells are put back in, with the hope that my 'new' immune system will be MS free. This treatment is available on the NHS, but the strict criteria mean that patients only get it as a last resort, when the disease and disability is already very advanced. HSCT won't undo any damage already caused, but is 85% effective in halting the disease progression in patients who get it early in their diagnosis.
We are trying to fund the HSCT ourselves but are also going to host a range of fundraisers to help with the costs of this expensive treatment. A huge thank you to those who have already offered their help. Any additional support is hugely appreciated.
Thanks,
Zola, Niall and Danny
