WOLUMLA mother of three Irene Trezise has just passed the six-month stage of her recovery process since receiving a life changing treatment in Moscow in October last year.
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Ms Trezise was diagnosed with relapsing/remitting multiple sclerosis shortly after the birth of her first child Tanisha 10 years ago.
After suffering symptoms of numbness and pins and needles in her left leg and hands for a period of a few months and occasional falls, the diagnosis was handed down.
Over the next eight years, Ms Trezise’s walking became laboured with her legs suffering constant spasticity and weakness.
Her falls had become a regular occurrence and her overall strength and coordination diminished to such an extent that outings required much planning.
Constant fatigue and pain became the normal daily battle faced by Ms Trezise and the ability to do the simple things in life such as play with her children, do household chores or catch up with friends became mountainous tasks.
Her relapsing/remitting MS had become secondary progressive.
After commercial and alternative treatments failed to halt Ms Trezise’s MS progression, the decision was made by Wayne and Irene to apply for haematopoietic stem cell therapy (HSCT) in Russia under the care of Dr Denis Fedorenko at the AA Maximov Hospital in Moscow.
HSCT involves removing the patients stem cells and preparing them for reinstating after the patient’s immune system has been wiped out by chemotherapy.
The reinstated stem cells reboot the immune system from scratch.
“We had applied for HSCT in Canberra some four years ago, but were rejected as the neurologist performing the procedure said he was unable to help us unless Irene was ‘one step from the grave’ as his hands were tied by the hospital officials,” Mr Trezise said.
“Three years later we applied for an HSCT trial at St Vincents Hospital in Sydney, but were rejected from that as we hadn’t exhausted every commercial drug therapy available.
“A month later we saw the 60 Minutes program with Queensland MS patient Kristy Cruise who had travelled to Moscow for HSCT after being rejected from the same trial as we had.
“We contacted Ms Cruise and from there contacted Dr Fedorenko in Russia.
“After exchanging several emails and all Irene’s medical history, Irene was accepted for HSCT by Dr Fedorenko.
“This treatment has been performed for the last decade in Russia with amazing results,” Mr Trezise said.
With six months to secure the $65,000 required for the treatment and travel expenses, the Bega Valley community and beyond rallied around the Trezise family in a number of musical and auction fundraisers organised by Wayne and close friends.
The target was amazingly reached just a week before Ms Trezise departed for Moscow.
“We could not have achieved this without the love and support of our family, friends and complete strangers and we thank you all!”
Since her treatment in Moscow, Ms Trezise has regained 98 per cent vision in her blind left eye.
This was the last symptom suffered by Ms Trezise before HSCT.
Although her walking is far from perfect, she no longer requires a walking aid to get around and has been able to walk distances of up to 1km without assistance.
Her constant fatigue has subsided and her overall balance and strength has improved considerably.
At her six-month check-up, the Canberra neurologist who could not treat her was so happy she received HSCT in Moscow and was amazed by her progress.
“I still have two years to go in my recovery progress and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for me,” Ms Trezise said.
“I can now do things I haven’t been able to do for years, just spending quality time with my children is so special for me.
“This new beginning to my life would not have been possible without everyone’s help.
“This means more to our family than you can imagine…thank you!”
The Trezises’ close friend Beth Berk from Bega will be making the same journey in October this year.
“We are so happy for her as the treatment and care given by Dr Fedorenko and his staff is second to none,” Ms Trezise said.