Abby's Story
A new hope for brain damage. Abby Pell
Catherine Pell is a mother who never take no for an answer. Especially when it comes to Abby, the youngest of five children of Catherine and her husband William. Abby, six months, have brain damage from anoxia, a condition caused by lack of oxygen in the brain during birth.
According to an assessment that was done at Children's Hospital in Washington, DC, when he was two months old, Abby had brain damage, moderate to severe in three of the four lobes of his brain. Doctors predicted that development would likely be abnormal.
Firmly committed to finding a treatment to help his daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Pell took a very courageous determination. They were familiar with recent research in stem cells and kept the cord blood of Abby Cord Blood Registry ® (CBR ®). All they needed now was a doctor that used to treat Abby.
According to an assessment that was done at Children's Hospital in Washington, DC, when he was two months old, Abby had brain damage, moderate to severe in three of the four lobes of his brain. Doctors predicted that development would likely be abnormal.
Firmly committed to finding a treatment to help his daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Pell took a very courageous determination. They were familiar with recent research in stem cells and kept the cord blood of Abby Cord Blood Registry ® (CBR ®). All they needed now was a doctor that used to treat Abby.
The road begins
Cathy consulted neurologists in the Developmental Clinic at Children's Hospital, where Abby was first diagnosed. "I asked, begged and pleaded" tells Cathy. "I have their cord blood, can we not do something with them?"
The doctors, reluctant to perform an experimental treatment, informed the family to try to repair brain damage with Abby's cord blood stem cells, probably would not work.
In his quest, Cathy learned of a pilot study had been done in Mexico, with promising results. Seven children with cerebral palsy and a girl of four years, with microcephaly, were treated successfully with cord blood stem cells, not related. William and Cathy out of the country did not want her daughter. Abby had her own stem cells, why she could not receive the experimental treatment in the U.S.?
Cathy went to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Mayo Clinic, but rejected it in both places. "I can not understand," said Cathy. "I get Botox injections and liposuction just around the corner, but not an intravenous injection of 20 minutes for my daughter, with her own stem cells."
Cathy consulted neurologists in the Developmental Clinic at Children's Hospital, where Abby was first diagnosed. "I asked, begged and pleaded" tells Cathy. "I have their cord blood, can we not do something with them?"
The doctors, reluctant to perform an experimental treatment, informed the family to try to repair brain damage with Abby's cord blood stem cells, probably would not work.
In his quest, Cathy learned of a pilot study had been done in Mexico, with promising results. Seven children with cerebral palsy and a girl of four years, with microcephaly, were treated successfully with cord blood stem cells, not related. William and Cathy out of the country did not want her daughter. Abby had her own stem cells, why she could not receive the experimental treatment in the U.S.?
Cathy went to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Mayo Clinic, but rejected it in both places. "I can not understand," said Cathy. "I get Botox injections and liposuction just around the corner, but not an intravenous injection of 20 minutes for my daughter, with her own stem cells."
An answer for Abby
Cathy was determined not to give up and contacted Dr. Joanne Kurtzberg, University of North Carolina. Dr. Kurtzberg was not familiar with the studies of cord blood that had been made in Mexico. However, it was prepared to offer the solution to the Pell family was looking for. "She told me that since we had saved Abby's cord blood and that we could bring it to North Carolina, she would do the transfusion." Cathy explains.
Messrs. Pell packed their bags and took Abby, five months to see Dr. Kurtzberg. At the request of Dr. Kurtzberg, CBR transferred immediately Abby stem cells at Duke University.
Abby underwent experimental infusion to treat his brain damage from anoxia, using their own stem cells, 15 February 2005.
No promises Cathy was determined not to give up and contacted Dr. Joanne Kurtzberg, University of North Carolina. Dr. Kurtzberg was not familiar with the studies of cord blood that had been made in Mexico. However, it was prepared to offer the solution to the Pell family was looking for. "She told me that since we had saved Abby's cord blood and that we could bring it to North Carolina, she would do the transfusion." Cathy explains.
Messrs. Pell packed their bags and took Abby, five months to see Dr. Kurtzberg. At the request of Dr. Kurtzberg, CBR transferred immediately Abby stem cells at Duke University.
Abby underwent experimental infusion to treat his brain damage from anoxia, using their own stem cells, 15 February 2005.
Doctors can not guarantee that the infusion has been successful. What they do know is that the brain of children experiencing the greatest development during the first two years of life. If stem cells will help, have the best chance of functioning if applied in a very early stage.
Despite the uncertainty of the medical community, William and Cathy are convinced that the transplant was the best option for Abby. "I've begun to see results. Just two weeks after treatment, she looked at me and smiled for the first time we connected," said Cathy. "Before, she detected no objects with their eyes, now I do. We hope. As far as I'm concerned, it's working. It really is working."
Despite the uncertainty of the medical community, William and Cathy are convinced that the transplant was the best option for Abby. "I've begun to see results. Just two weeks after treatment, she looked at me and smiled for the first time we connected," said Cathy. "Before, she detected no objects with their eyes, now I do. We hope. As far as I'm concerned, it's working. It really is working."
Comments
Post a Comment