We have been waiting and waiting to hear back from Israel. We had just spent weeks getting all the required information together for Carol's application to a new HSCT program in Jerusalem, Israel. With only 10 places available, we were anxious to get in. The rest of the hospitals in the world that will perform HSCT for MS are booked out for years in advance, and Carol does not have time on her side.
Finally we woke up to an email from Israel with an invoice. You know things are moving forward when you get the bill. Tears of joy, excitement and nervousness started to flow. Carol shook with all of these emotions and screamed "I going to Israel" for the rest of the day.
Reality to me was "How am I going to find the money". I've done a few fundraising events in the past to help charities like MS Society and Youngcare, but nothing like this. Friends and family have been telling me to have faith and go for it. I have and now we are in. Reality is now the hard work begins.
We have the easy job. Carol has to have her stem cells removed, heavy chemotherapy and then her stem cells transplanted back in. It will take her 2 years to get back to a full immune system. Like a new born, all her immunisations will have to be redone. All her hair will fall out, but is only hair, and it will grow back.
As I prepare the website, create a committee to manage the charity sanction, tell family and friends that we a going, explain to work what is about to happen in our lives, create the social media, etc, I have one thought going through my mind. "Imagine what it would be like for Carol to not have MS anymore".
Yes I am planning a few events. Lots of ideas are being discussed.
It is going to be a whirl wind few months ahead and then a long recovery.
Finally we woke up to an email from Israel with an invoice. You know things are moving forward when you get the bill. Tears of joy, excitement and nervousness started to flow. Carol shook with all of these emotions and screamed "I going to Israel" for the rest of the day.
Reality to me was "How am I going to find the money". I've done a few fundraising events in the past to help charities like MS Society and Youngcare, but nothing like this. Friends and family have been telling me to have faith and go for it. I have and now we are in. Reality is now the hard work begins.
We have the easy job. Carol has to have her stem cells removed, heavy chemotherapy and then her stem cells transplanted back in. It will take her 2 years to get back to a full immune system. Like a new born, all her immunisations will have to be redone. All her hair will fall out, but is only hair, and it will grow back.
As I prepare the website, create a committee to manage the charity sanction, tell family and friends that we a going, explain to work what is about to happen in our lives, create the social media, etc, I have one thought going through my mind. "Imagine what it would be like for Carol to not have MS anymore".
Yes I am planning a few events. Lots of ideas are being discussed.
It is going to be a whirl wind few months ahead and then a long recovery.