Tag Archives: MRI

Another big timeline recap

Recapping my dates to show a timeline of my HSCT journey (and to remind myself of my dates!)

A quick review of my HSCT timeline.
I’m hoping to help give everyone an idea of time that it took for to get to where I am from that first NorthWestern email.

05/13/16: MRI showed that Tysabri was no longer working. Stopped Tysabri. No options left except Lemtrada or HSCT.

05/16/16: Called NW to ask if I could apply if I was having a relape
05/22/16: Sent initial email to NW
05/23/16: Contacted by NW to send paperwork/CDs

Waited because I got nervous and also my dad was having some bad vision problems that needed surgery.

09/07/16: Sent Paperwork and CDs to NW
09/13/16: Phone call from NW to come for evaluation.
09/20/16: Initial evaluation
09/21/16: Offered the treatment By Dr. Burt

Ty washout period was 6 months so I couldn’t start until Nov 13th at least. Also, insurance wanted more information to make their decision on whether to approve and pay for the treatment. NW had me do pre-testing early to give the insurance company more info. My insurance company paid for all the pre-testing. This was the period of time where I was fighting with insurance – HSCT was denied by Medical Mutual of Ohio and all three appeals were also denied.

12/30/16: NW calls me and suggests I apply for Part B Medicare, so I did.
01/01/17: Medicare Part B kicked in!
01/17/17: NW called with my dates
01/27/17: Mobilization
02/06/17: Harvest
02/17/17: Admit
02/23/17: STEM BIRTHDAY!!!

#hsct #stemcells #cureMS #nochemonocure #drburt #medicalmutual #medicare #treatment #timeline

Goodbye MS

Today was a good day! A great day actually!  

It was a pretty early morning.  At breakfast I was able to meet one of my fellow HSCTers and her husband.  So nice getting to meet others who are going through what you are as well.  Ones who understand.  Ones who get it, ya know?

Right after a quick breakfast I had my MRI at 7:45, lasting about an hour and a half. Met up with Melissa from Homewood and I swear she is the kindest, nicest, most knowledgeable people I know.  She gets us and is so wonderfully helpful. 

Thanks Melissa!! 


Next, I went to Walgreens to get my Neupogen and other meds prescribed for me to start using next week. Then off to EDSS testing and more blood work.  I was done about 3 this afternoon.  That’s the semi-short version of my day LOL. But like I said, it was a great day!

Heading to bed now. I have an even earlier morning tomorrow. 

Tomorrow, Jan 27th, is the start of Mobilization! Chemo day.

I’m so ready to say goodbye to MS!

I’m so ready for this ride!

#hsct #stemcells #cureMS #nochemonocure #drburt

Waiting for an evaluation date

Now the last of the wait to be chosen for evalutaion begins! They have my medical records but did not get the discs. I called the Cleveland Clinic and they are expediting my MRI’s on disc to them. They should get them by Friday or next Monday. Prayers and all my fingers and toes crossed (to the best of my abilities! to get an invitation for an evaluation!