This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

I have been accepted in Cologne, Germany (still waiting for the exact date). It is a rather simple procedure. They remove some of my bone marrow early one week and give the stem cells (that they have filtered out) the next wednesday.
I too, figure I have nothing to loose. No chemotherapy, no embrionic cells from anyone else nor any animal. The clinics are clean and I know the procedures: bone marrow extration and lumbar tap. It is not proven, I know but I want to try it. If it comes to America in 5 years, then I will have another one....

If one checks the advisory board of the XCell clinic where I am going, there are two americans from Orange County!!! It's a business!!
I will keep you posted... Carole

I am booked for the stem cell procedure starting July 27/09. Can't wait.

Hi,

What is the estimated cost of the procedure in US $ ?

Thanks
Gopi

It is 7545,00 euros... about 11.000.00$ Canadian... almost the same as American dollars. That does not include the trip itself, hotel, meals, etc.
Look up XCellcenter in Germany...Carole

Carolew,

the best of luck to you, i will be very anxious to hear your results. I was just reading in the paper, a lady who lives not far away from me, was on her way to Mexico to have this same procedure done, I hope they write again to let people know how she made out, she is currently using 2 canes to get herself around. This would be a wonderful happening for people such as ourselves, do you know, is our country not up to or allowed to do things such as this, I saw you wrote 5 years IF we do? Anyway Carol, god bless and my thoughts will be with you in July
Kathy

Here, in Canada, it is done as part of some studies (same as in the states) but they use a lot of chemotherapy before they give you back your stem cells. Dr. Freedman, in Ottawa, has done this procedure in the past. Unfortunately, a man died and Dr. Freedman stopped doing the procedure (part of a study, for the sickest and the ones most resistant to treatment ). In Germany, they do not wipe out your immune system before giving you back your stem cells. So, I will try it... more to come. à
Mark's friend on another site, is doing quite well after going to Israel for a similar procedure.
I just said 'if it comes in 5 years ' speaking of the procedure to come here simply because Barrack Obama seems to be interested in stem cell research. I do not want to wait that long.
take care all, Carole
PS, thanks for the wishes

HI CAROLEW MYnane is SEEVA from SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA. I am also accpted by XCELL CLINIC IN GERMANY. but the rep. pohne and told me to pay a advance of 1,000.00 euroes up on reciving thier letter. But i want to see my NEURO about this treatment next month. before that how can i pay a payment for them. my treatment date in mid NOVEMBER. PLEASE MEMBER let me know that have you paid any deposit money for them. if so when did you pay them.

REGARDS
SEEVA

This is surprising to me. I am going there in 2 weeks and no one asked me for money.... this is different. I do know that Israel asks for a down payment up front. I don't know what to make of the request they sent you. All I would do is call them (we have their numbers I believe on the XCell site. Let us know what pans out.. Carole

HI CAROLE THANKS FOR YOUR REPLY POST.I WILL CONTACT HE HOSPITAL AND FIND OUT ABOUT THIS PAYMENT. BEST OF LUCK TO YOU. WE WILL BE VERY ANXIOUS TO HEAR YOUR RESULT. IN SDYNEY AUSTRALIA FEW M.S FRIENDS WANT TO GO TO XCELL CLINIC. ALL TE BEST FOR YOUR TREATMENT
REGARDS :roll:
SEEVA

hi carolew
hope all works out for you. just a quick question. can you get any of this covered. do you have blue cross at all? can you argue that you need this treatment but can not get it here and so you have to travel out of country for it? it would be hard cause i think you have said that there is nothing to back the clinic's promises up but i just wonder about that...good luck. i know you'll keep us posted.

Hello Shaun, no, there is no coverage. I can only claim it on my income tax return next year as a medical expense. Take care, Tâ-Tâ, Carole

´Hello everyone. I am now in Germany. The bone marrow extraction was done yesterday and it was no fun. Tolerable at the end but unpleasant. Tomorrow is the lumbar puncture. They aspirated 20cc of bone marrow and the neurosurgeon kept saying it was so thick and not dripping well. He had to get a bigger trocar to let the marrow out. Hope it is full of stem cells.... will keep you posted, Take care , Carole

Great, the LP was done yesterday. All went really well. No pain what so ever this time. Now, i have to stay quiet today. They collected 2,1 million stem cells with 93% Vítality, that is very good for me.s
I am just stiff now from staying in bed so long but that is nothing. I will be better tomorrow and we will go to the zoo!! Take care all. Carole

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Good luck, Carole. Hope all goes smoothly.