I gave this the title of "Our Story" because from the moment our son was diagnosed with Crohn's it became something we all suffered from. By no means am I saying that what we've dealt with was anywhere close to Patrick's misery, but as you all know, Crohn's leaves it's scars on everyone.
My son was diagnosed almost 10 years ago when he was just 18. I won't go into the very long and difficult story of those years but suffice it to say that he had a severe flare at 20 and never was able to achieve remission since then. Every medication has been tried, several major surgeries, multiple hospital visits . . . many know the drill I'm sure. Every doctor we had seen for the last few years recommended a permanent bag because they felt there was nothing else they could do. For many that provides an improved quality of life but Patrick was absolutely opposed to that option. So we've been in a holding pattern waiting for something that could help him.
I began doing research on stem cell transplants, which led me to the threads on this site dedicated to that very subject. After almost a year and a half of waiting, Patrick was admitted to the program at Northwestern with Dr. Burt. He had a cord blood transplant on January 23, 2014. He's at home recuperating now. It's been a rough couple of weeks but we have hope for better days ahead for the first time in a long time!
I admire the courage that you all have to keep moving forward and to support each other thru this forum. Thanks!
My son was diagnosed almost 10 years ago when he was just 18. I won't go into the very long and difficult story of those years but suffice it to say that he had a severe flare at 20 and never was able to achieve remission since then. Every medication has been tried, several major surgeries, multiple hospital visits . . . many know the drill I'm sure. Every doctor we had seen for the last few years recommended a permanent bag because they felt there was nothing else they could do. For many that provides an improved quality of life but Patrick was absolutely opposed to that option. So we've been in a holding pattern waiting for something that could help him.
I began doing research on stem cell transplants, which led me to the threads on this site dedicated to that very subject. After almost a year and a half of waiting, Patrick was admitted to the program at Northwestern with Dr. Burt. He had a cord blood transplant on January 23, 2014. He's at home recuperating now. It's been a rough couple of weeks but we have hope for better days ahead for the first time in a long time!
I admire the courage that you all have to keep moving forward and to support each other thru this forum. Thanks!
