How we got where we are

After the diagnosis on April 7, I remember searching and googling and surfing the internet for hours.  I knew nothing about MS.  I knew 1 person with MS.  I was scared to death.
On April 8, I sent a prayer request email to my co-workers at Family Research Council (FRC) explaining that Keith had been diagnosed with MS and to please pray for us as we digest this news.  FRC is based in Washington, DC, so our Holland office works closely with the DC staff.  Chris Gacek in DC, sends me an email back saying that there is a procedure done in Chicago by Dr. Richard K. Burt that is like a "cure" for MS.  It is called Hematopoietic Stem Cell Tranplantation (HSCT).  Dr. David Prentice a former FRC co-worker is good friends of Dr. Burt and worked closely with him in Stem Cell Research.  So through these co-workers I received Dr. Burt's contact information and sent him an email, and left a phone message that we are interested in HSCT.  Dr. Burt himself calls me within 2 hours of my initial email!  WOW! it sure pays to know the right people! He instructs us to send in all Keith's neurology notes and DVD's of any MRI's that he had.  After weeks of emailing back and forth and getting insurance involved, we finally get our evaluation date:  July 7 & 8.  Praise the Lord!
We have also joined a closed facebook group of people who are interested in HSCT.  There are about 4,000 people in all different stages of the transplant process.  Some have already had the transplant and their stories are so encouraging! A lot questions in that group being asked and answered has been so helpful to us! People of all different walks of life from all around the world, trying to get their lives back to normal.

                                            Dr. Richard K. Burt