My Body's Latest Plot Twist: From Low Iron to Stem Cell Sparkle! ✨
Okay, Evocean family, grab your favorite (anti-inflammatory!) beverage and settle in, because this month's "What's New with Me" update is serving up a double dose of exciting, slightly whimsical, and deeply inspiring news! My life lately has felt a bit like a choose-your-own-adventure novel, and let me tell you, the plot twists have been wild.
My Body, The Mystery Novel: A Deep Dive with My Functional Medicine Detective
You know how much I champion looking at the whole picture when it comes to health, especially with MS. That's where my incredible functional medicine doctor comes in. This amazing human has been my health detective on and off for 20 years, but consistently for the past three. And let me tell you, she doesn't miss a trick. While my conventional team is vital (always!), my functional doc is like the Sherlock Holmes of my internal landscape, always digging for root causes.
Recently, she ran a ton of bloodwork (seriously, I think I single-handedly kept the lab in business for a week), and what she found was a bit of a head-scratcher, then an "aha!" moment. My iron levels were dangerously low! We're talking about my ferritin levels – which is basically your body's iron storage locker. Think of it like your pantry for iron; even if you have some iron floating around (which is what a basic iron test shows), if your pantry (ferritin) is bare, you're running on fumes. The good news? We ruled out anemia, but the low ferritin was still a massive energy drain.
The solution? A simple, over-the-counter supplement called Slow Fe. Who knew such a tiny pill could hold the key to unlocking more energy and vibrancy? It's a powerful reminder that sometimes, the biggest breakthroughs come from uncovering the seemingly "small" missing pieces.
From Iron to Innovation: My Next Big Adventure!
Now, for the news that has my spirit practically doing cartwheels! You know I'm always exploring every avenue to truly thrive with MS, and I'm beyond excited (and yes, a little nervous, because who isn't when embarking on something groundbreaking?!) to share that I've been confirmed for high-dose stem cell therapy this Fall!
This isn't just any treatment; this is cutting-edge research coming out of the incredible Tisch MS Research Center of New York. Their work in stem cell therapy for MS is truly pioneering, aiming to repair damage and improve function in ways we've only dreamed of.
Now, let's get real for a moment. This specific stem cell trial has been done on many others before me. And while the overall research is incredibly promising, it's important to know that for some participants, especially those who were much higher on the disability scale, the results weren't as favorable in terms of significant improvement. But I've had very thorough discussions with my neurologist, and we're confident there are no dangers or adverse effects in pursuing this. My personal situation, being at a different point on the disability scale, offers a unique opportunity. So, after weighing everything, we're saying go for it!
This is a massive leap of hope, and I'm so honored and excited to be a part of it. You can learn more about their stem cell research here: https://www.tischms.org/stem-cell-trial-for-ms
LET'S STAY HOPEFUL FAM! I sure am.
My journey with MS has always been about progress, not perfection, and about finding every possible way to fuel my fight. These two updates – the foundational discovery of low iron and the thrilling confirmation for stem cell therapy – are just further proof that our bodies are incredible, and with the right support (and a dash of detective work!), anything is possible.
I'll be sharing more about my stem cell journey as it unfolds. For now, know that I'm taking all my iron, breathing deeply, and feeling incredibly grateful for every step on this wild, wonderful path.
Keep thriving and shine bright,
Laura xoxo
