Cord Blood Stem Cells Almost a Cure For Man With MS

Even the simple act of walking down the stairs was difficult prior to the treatment said Ed. But now he is cranking out repetitions on his personal gym machine in the downstairs basement of his North Boulevard home.

Since such therapies are not available in the United States, like many other Americans, Ed went to Mexico to receive the umbilical cord stem cell treatment.

Relying on a walker to get around his home, Ed was depressed and constantly exhausted. His declining condition had his family and doctors worried.

Ed’s physician, Dr. Thaddeus, was cautious in his endorsement of stem cell therapy for multiple sclerosis, despite the fact that it seemed to be that last resort.

Dr. Thaddeus was worried because the science is still so new.

To prevent Ed’s immune system from attacking his nerve cells, he took drugs that were specifically designed for his condition. But such conventional therapies continued to disappoint.

Some scientists say stem cells have the potential to repair damaged cells. But such treatment is not allowed in America due to federal Food and Drug Administration regulations.

As far as endorsement for these new treatments is concerned, medical journals are often conservative and slow to give the thumbs up said Dr. Thaddeus.

At his point, Ed has not visited his regular doctor since his return to the States. His occasional visit to the chiropractor and a masseuse are all the he has needed.

Ed moved easily with a limp while walking around his living room and kitchen during a recent interview. A small black cane which he carried if he needed some extra stability, was barley used.

He rarely needs to use the support railing when he is in the shower since his balance has returned to almost 100 percent.

"I'm getting ready much quicker," Ed said. "It used to take two to three hours to get ready. Now, it's only one."

Ed’s mother has been quite surprised with the progress he has made.

"I came home from work and he said he had done a load of laundry, which floored me," Joanne said. "He's just moving better with a better attitude. He takes care of himself and all three dogs during the day."

Joanne flew with her son to Mexico for the treatment.

"It was pretty good; everybody at the hospital were very professional," Joanne said. "The people down there were just wonderful."

They both agreed that compared to American facilities, the hospital was smaller. Instead of using chemotherapy, the facility uses alternative therapies to treat cancer.

"It was very clean; the people were amazing," Ed said.

An IV of saline started off the procedure for Ed. They holed up the first dose of stem cells as the contents of the saline drained out. The vial was about the size of a triple-A battery said Ed.

Three stem cell injections in the back of the neck complete the procedure. The entire process costs anywhere from $24,000-$28,000, and lasts approximately three hours.

Chris, who is Ed’s 17-year-old son, was excited about his father’s progress. He walked down into the basement just as Ed was finishing up another repetition on his weight training machine.

"He's getting better slowly but surely," said Chris. "He's getting better faster than anyone else. It's supposed to take two to three months."