A Scunthorpe mum who underwent 'brutal' stem cell treatment says the hardest part was not being able to see her daughters.
Joanne While has recently passed the six month anniversary of the treatment to wipe out and then regrow her immune system.
The mum-of-three was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) at the age of 31, and wasn't eligible for trial treatments in the UK.
The HSCTtreatment in Mexico saw her undergo chemotherapy and then have stem cells transplanted in the hopes of stopping the damage that the MS was causing. Some MS patients have also seen their symptoms be reversed from this.
"It was a very harsh, brutal treatment. I had to be kept in a special apartment where I protected from all germs. There was a lot of sickness and just getting out of bed some days was difficult," Joanne said.
"The hardest part was being away from my family. My ex-partner was very kind in taking a months unpaid leave to come to Mexico and help me through the treatment.
"At the end of the day, all of the treatment has been worth it.
"I had a brain MRI scan two months ago which showed that the MS lesions hadnt grown since last time. My body is still recovering, so time will tell exactly how good the news is."
The HSCT (haematopoietic stem cell transplantation) treatment cost the family 45,000 including flights and visas. They launched an online fundraising page last year to help cover the costs.
With her weak immune system still being rebuilt, Joanne has been shielding since before the coronavirus outbreak began.
Her family have adopted extremely strict hygiene measures at the Scunthorpe home to keep her healthy during this critical time.
HSCT is a chemotherapy-based medical procedure that wipes out the immune system and reboots it using a patient's own stem cells, which are harvested from their blood or bone marrow,
The aim is to reset the immune system to stop it attacking the rest of the body, therefore halting the progression of the MS.
It is the only medical procedure currently available that has halted the progression of the majority of patients undertaking it.
HSCT is currently available only on a trial basis in the UK, and only for individuals who have been unsuccessful with the range ofdisease modifying therapies. Each time it fails, irreparable damage is being done and the disease continues to progress.
"Before the outbreak, it had just gotten to the point where I was able to venture out for a coffee, but of course all of that has stopped now," Joanne said.
"I had to pull my daughters out of school early to minimise the risk of them bringing the virus home. Now we regularly sanitise the house and change clothes whenever we have to enter or leave in order to keep it as clean as possible.
"My eldest daughter, who is 24, has been wonderful as my carer. She has stopped work to prevent her from catching any infections.
"Im often tired and need a three hour nap in the afternoon, which can be difficult with a five-year-old in the house. Its been a balancing act, but Im so grateful to everyone who helped me during or since the treatment.
"Shielding can be frustrating, but its all about your mindset when you look at it. Its not that I cant go outside I get to be at home in my favourite place with my daughters."
Due to her compromised immune system, Joanne has had to start her vaccinations again and has just been given those that are usually given to babies.
Tests have also shown that her white blood count has recently decreased to the point it was in Mexico, although Joanne has hopeful it will recover.
Subscribe to our newsletter: Get the top local stories delivered straight to your email. Just scroll to the top of this page and below the first picture or video is a box marked 'Sign up to FREE email alerts from GrimsbyLive'.
Contact the reporter who wrote this story by Email
Follow ScunthorpeLive on Facebook - Like our Facebook page to get the latest news in your feed and join in the lively discussions in the comments. Click here to give it a like or message us with a comment or story
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram - On our Instagram page we like to feature great pictures from our area - and if you tag us in your posts, we could repost your picture on our page! Click here to follow us on Instagram
HSCT can initially cause mobility issues and stiffness in muscles, which Joanne is having physio to manage.
She is documenting her recovery on her Facebook page 'Jo's HSCT Journey'.
See the article here:
Mum's brutal stem cell treatment has 'all been worth it' as she enjoys time with family - Grimsby Live
- Rally for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Funding - May 7th, 2011 [May 7th, 2011]
- Breakthrough Multiple Sclerosis Treatment? - May 8th, 2011 [May 8th, 2011]
- Multiple Sclerosis Treatment - Mayo Clinic - May 11th, 2011 [May 11th, 2011]
- Tracy Macchia: Controversial MS Treatment - May 14th, 2011 [May 14th, 2011]
- What is Multiple Sclerosis - May 19th, 2011 [May 19th, 2011]
- MS Multiple Sclerosis treatment testimonial from Sanoviv Medical Institute - May 20th, 2011 [May 20th, 2011]
- Patient with progressive ms(paraplegia) Fmr treatment 1/4 - May 22nd, 2011 [May 22nd, 2011]
- New Jersey Multiple Sclerosis Treatment with Chiropractic Care - May 23rd, 2011 [May 23rd, 2011]
- MS Cure - Progression - June 2nd, 2011 [June 2nd, 2011]
- CCSVI UK Multiple Sclerosis Liberation Treatment - June 2nd, 2011 [June 2nd, 2011]
- Stem Cell Therapy MS: Sam Harrell and The Superbowl - June 3rd, 2011 [June 3rd, 2011]
- Holly Huber on Recovery: Stem Cell Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis Community Outreach Dallas, TX 2011 - June 8th, 2011 [June 8th, 2011]
- MS treatment sees early success - June 9th, 2011 [June 9th, 2011]
- CCSVI Possible cure for Multiple sclerosis - June 10th, 2011 [June 10th, 2011]
- MS Cure - Introduction to stem cell bone marrow transplant in Australia - June 11th, 2011 [June 11th, 2011]
- (Multiple Sclerosis Cure) Change Your Thinking? (Multiple Sclerosis Cure) - June 12th, 2011 [June 12th, 2011]
- Essiac cancer treatment herbal tincture, Ms Caisse...from The Secrets of Eden - June 12th, 2011 [June 12th, 2011]
- MS walking treatment breakthrough - June 14th, 2011 [June 14th, 2011]
- multiple sclerosis natural treatment | Kathy Canada Testimonial - June 18th, 2011 [June 18th, 2011]
- CCSVI Surgery India - Liberation Procedure Multiple Sclerosis Treatment in India - June 29th, 2011 [June 29th, 2011]
- XCell-Center MS CCSVI Liberation Angioplasty Treatment Results E.Schuurman 18_01_11 - July 1st, 2011 [July 1st, 2011]
- MS Cure - 7PM Project Carmel Turner MS Stem Cell Treatment - July 9th, 2011 [July 9th, 2011]
- MS Update! Tysabri or Gilenya? - July 10th, 2011 [July 10th, 2011]
- What causes BSE, CJD - July 15th, 2011 [July 15th, 2011]
- Kath Bartlett, MS, LAc Balance Method Acupuncture - July 16th, 2011 [July 16th, 2011]
- MS Cure - 730 report ben leahy carmel turner ms stem cell treatment - July 17th, 2011 [July 17th, 2011]
- CCSVI LIberation Treatment Tokuda - July 18th, 2011 [July 18th, 2011]
- FOX News Interview on the O'Reilly Factor - Treatment of Women in Islam - July 18th, 2011 [July 18th, 2011]
- CCSVI treatment bloopers holy crap - July 18th, 2011 [July 18th, 2011]
- Tarah's CCSVI Venoplasty. Dr McGuckin Explaining procedure findings - July 19th, 2011 [July 19th, 2011]
- Cancer Cure: The One-Minute Cure For Cancer, MS - July 24th, 2011 [July 24th, 2011]
- Not Ready to Cheer CCSVI Trials - July 29th, 2011 [July 29th, 2011]
- New Oral Treatment for MS - July 30th, 2011 [July 30th, 2011]
- 27/07/2011 - MS patients seek controversial treatment - August 1st, 2011 [August 1st, 2011]
- MS Cure - 11 I am still walking - August 5th, 2011 [August 5th, 2011]
- Upcoming Treatments for MS - Pt 1 -MSRA Public Lecture - Dr Suzanne Hodgkinson - August 10th, 2011 [August 10th, 2011]
- Stem Cells for MS Community Outreach: Patient Judi Lecoq - Dallas, TX 2011 - August 18th, 2011 [August 18th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis - Community Outreach, San Diego: David Oliver - August 19th, 2011 [August 19th, 2011]
- New Study Tests Possible Treatment for MS - August 25th, 2011 [August 25th, 2011]
- Professor Dimitrios Karussis: Treating MS - August 26th, 2011 [August 26th, 2011]
- walking with MS before CCSVI treatment.wmv - August 27th, 2011 [August 27th, 2011]
- Suzy Cohen Discusses The Liberation Treatment for MS - September 14th, 2011 [September 14th, 2011]
- Multiple Sclerosis MS People - Amazing New Treatment - September 15th, 2011 [September 15th, 2011]
- Multiple Sclerosis Alternative Treatment - September 17th, 2011 [September 17th, 2011]
- CLEAR scoliosis treatment, Dr. Culpepper (MS) - September 22nd, 2011 [September 22nd, 2011]
- Liberation treatment for MS - September 23rd, 2011 [September 23rd, 2011]
- 44b - My Lyme disease and rheumatoid arthritis journey - Miraculous CCSVI treatment for MS sufferers - September 24th, 2011 [September 24th, 2011]
- A Closer Look at Gilenya - The First Oral Treatment for MS - September 28th, 2011 [September 28th, 2011]
- Unequal Treatment Drives Disability Rights Movement - September 28th, 2011 [September 28th, 2011]
- Multiple Sclerosis - The Nebraska Medical Center - September 29th, 2011 [September 29th, 2011]
- Testimonial for CCSVI Treatment Excel Heart Center Mexico -- Tanya Reay - September 30th, 2011 [September 30th, 2011]
- Current thinking on what causes MS - Pt 1 - MSRA Public Lecture -Prof Graeme Stewart - October 2nd, 2011 [October 2nd, 2011]
- Current and emerging therapies in MS - Part 02 (How do these treatments work?) - October 2nd, 2011 [October 2nd, 2011]
- MS Richard Humphries before and after treatment for Multiple Sclerosis with stem cells - October 3rd, 2011 [October 3rd, 2011]
- Matthew - CCSVI and his Liberation Treatment - October 8th, 2011 [October 8th, 2011]
- Multiple Sclerosis - Myelin Repair - Video - October 14th, 2011 [October 14th, 2011]
- MS Auto Immune vs CCSVI Treatment Simple Pictures by Berukoff - Video - October 23rd, 2011 [October 23rd, 2011]
- New Promising Treatment for Those Living with Multiple Sclerosis - Video - October 29th, 2011 [October 29th, 2011]
- Stem cells to treat MS - Pt 2 - MSRA Public Lecture - A/Prof Richard Burt - Video - October 30th, 2011 [October 30th, 2011]
- New hope for treating multiple sclerosis - Video - October 31st, 2011 [October 31st, 2011]
- CCSVI Multiple sclerosis Breakthrough/cure - Video - October 31st, 2011 [October 31st, 2011]
- Inhuman Treatment of Wheelchair bound Multiple Sclerosis Patient in Canadian Care Home - Video - November 9th, 2011 [November 9th, 2011]
- MS treatment movie Cells4health.mp4 - Video - November 10th, 2011 [November 10th, 2011]
- Racing to the Cure for MS: Myelin Repair Foundation Celebrates MS Awareness Week - Video - November 12th, 2011 [November 12th, 2011]
- [Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis] - Video - November 12th, 2011 [November 12th, 2011]
- Multiple Sclerosis Treated with Adult Stem Cells - Video - November 13th, 2011 [November 13th, 2011]
- Stem cells to treat MS - Pt 1 - MSRA Public Lecture - A/Prof Richard Burt - Video - November 16th, 2011 [November 16th, 2011]
- Multiple Sclerosis A Natural Treatment - Video - November 16th, 2011 [November 16th, 2011]
- My MS and Stem Cell Treatment - Video - November 16th, 2011 [November 16th, 2011]
- CCSVI Liberation News Reports - Video - November 20th, 2011 [November 20th, 2011]
- Stem Cells for MS Community Outreach: Patient Sam Harrell - Dallas, TX 2011 - Video - November 21st, 2011 [November 21st, 2011]
- Arthur S13 E2-1 - The Silent Treatment - Video - November 27th, 2011 [November 27th, 2011]
- Holly Huber on Recovery: Stem Cell Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis Community Outreach San Diego CA - Video - December 3rd, 2011 [December 3rd, 2011]
- CCSVI - Video - December 3rd, 2011 [December 3rd, 2011]
- My Sister's Experience with Liberation Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis PART 2/2 - Video - December 5th, 2011 [December 5th, 2011]
- Multiple Sclerosis -- Treatment LDN story - Video - December 7th, 2011 [December 7th, 2011]
- ABC News - Multiple Sclerosis effectively treated by a new acoustic medical device. - Video - December 9th, 2011 [December 9th, 2011]
- MS Patient After Stem Cell Therapy - Video - December 10th, 2011 [December 10th, 2011]
- Multiple Sclerosis - Video - December 12th, 2011 [December 12th, 2011]
- Journey of Connective Tissue, Autoimmune disease, steroid treatment updates. - Video - December 22nd, 2011 [December 22nd, 2011]