A TALE OF TWO HSCT FACILITIES : Two Veterans Compare Notes on Their HSCT Experiences in Russia & Mexico

HSCT (hematopoietic stem cell transplant) veterans Brooke Slick and Jodi Feltham sit down for a one-on-one to discuss the differences between having HSCT done in Mexico and in Russia. These facilities are currently two of the most popular HSCT treatment facilities around the world, and due to their similar protocols, they are often the two that are most-compared before making a final decision. In this episode, Jodi and Brooke break down the differences into bite-size pieces that are easy to digest.

Be sure to check out the links below to access resources discussed in this episode.

EPISODE NOTES:

• What is HSCT?
• The types of MS and EDSS score
• Discovering HSCT
• The drugs/treatments that failed before deciding to pursue HSCT
• Choosing a facility from all the options
• The two types of protocols and which one is riskier
• The types of protocols Mexico and Russia utilize
• The cost of treatment
• Financing the treatment
• Lodging
• Which facility requires a caregiver
• Lodging
• Where does the patient stay and where do friends/family/caregivers stay?
• Creating lifelong bonds with other patients and families
• Pre-testing
• When does the chemotherapy begin?
• The #1 fear-inducing part of treatment
• Your attitude/mindset going into HSCT
• Gratitude
• The EDSS (mobility score) cutoff for acceptance
• Recovery
• Physical therapy after HSCT
• The value of The MS Gym during recovery
• A myth of HSCT
• The ultimate goal of HSCT
• The mistake of waiting until you're "bad enough"
• Beware of scam stem cell facilities
• Do your research
• If a stem cell treatment does not include chemotherapy, it isn't HSCT
• Advice to up-and-comers
• Patience during recovery is paramount
• What will set you up for disappointment?
• Is it experimental?
• Regrets

RESOURCE LINKS:

MS Society HSCT Recommendations Article

HSCT Facebook Group - Russia

HSCT Facebook Group - Mexico

Clinical Ruiz Website

National Pirogov Medical Surgical Centre Website

Brooke's HSCT Blog

The MS Gym

Brooke Slick