“It’s a new alternative medicine. Only Colorado and California participate in these ‘experiments’”
“It’s not FDA approved so therefore it doesn’t work.”
I don’t know the reasons for the medical community not ‘approving’ this ‘alternative medicine’. There has been research over the years to show that there are promising results. I am not endorsing anything on either side of the argument. I am not a professional researcher; I am not a doctor. I am a parent of a brain injured child that is looking for anything to help my child.
The most important conclusion in all my research is that it will not harm my child. I would never consider any treatment that would have a potential insult to injury. That is the first thing we should consider when looking for alternatives to traditional medicine.
So what are Stems Cells?
Stem cells are the body’s raw material. These specific cells can development into different types of cells. A repair system for the body. These cells can be found all over the body but are commonly extracted from bone marrow, fatty tissue, embryos, or umbilical cord. Once harvested they can be injected into the body intravenously – into the blood through IV, intrathecal – though the spinal canal, or site injections – to a knee or hip area.
What happens now that these additional cells are in our body?
This is where theory and studies take over. Can it cure cancer or Alzheimer’s? Will it heal my back pain? Cause my child to regenerate brain tissue? I guess this is why the FDA has not stated “stems cells cure…” We do not scientifically know for certain. But we can read enough studies and testimonies to know that this treatment does something for many suffering people.
Ian had his first stem cell treatment at 11 months. We flew to a highly recommended doctor in Denver. Because our umbilical cord was destroyed, we extracted cells from Ian – liposuction in the upper butt cheeks. It does not take much fatty tissue to extract millions of cells, only a few CCs were enough. His extracted tissue was put in a spinning machine, like a centrifuge, to separate the cells. Then they were injected intravenously.
And now we wait.
I have heard of some stories where signs of improvement happen within a few hours, sometimes months, sometimes nothing at all.
Maybe I would get criticized from some to say that I am promoting Ian’s improvement due to stem cells. Maybe I am an overly optimistic mother.
Ian’s catastrophic brain damage gave him a prognosis of having ‘no quality of life’. But Ian has surpassed all expectations. It is evident he is learning and mapping neuro connections in his brain. His neuroplasticity and development causes many of us to scratch our heads.
There are many possible reasons for Ian’s improvement. It is impossible to give credit to one therapy over the other.
I share our story because many of us with injuries are looking for healing. If you are considering stem cell therapy continue to do research. Reach out to me if you have any questions.