Mother gets MS treatment in Mexico with €60k funds
By Aideen O'Flaherty
A MOTHER-OF-TWO who was diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis two years ago has returned home after receiving treatment in Mexico.
The procedure, which will delay the progression of the illness, is a result of raising €60,000 through donations for the treatment.
Wendy Johnston, mother to Megan (22) and Holly (12), began experiencing blurred vision in her left eye and loss of power in her legs in 2015, and after undergoing numerous medical tests she was diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) – a type of MS which patients do not get remission from.
The Old Bawn, Tallaght woman then began researching a treatment called hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, which involves a person’s immune system being stripped back with high doses of chemotherapy followed by the replacement of their own stem cells.
Wendy found that the treatment could halt the progression of her MS, and so over the course of two years people held fundraisers for her and donated to her Go Fund Me page. As a result of the help of the local community she was able to raise the funds to travel to Mexico for the treatment.
Wendy, who recently returned home after receiving the hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, told The Echo: “When I came back I spent the first two weeks in bed, but now I get out every day for little walks.
“I do CrossFit three days a week to strengthen my legs, as the treatment weakens your muscles.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what improvements will happen.”
She added: “Some things have gotten worse and some things have improved, but it can take up to 18 months to see the affects.”
Wendy said that while she did see some immediate improvements while she was in Mexico – such as a substantial reduction to the amount of pain she experienced on a day-to-day basis – when she returned home the previous symptoms returned. She explained that this is a part of the treatment, as it is a long recovery process.
Wendy also expressed her gratitude for the people who donated to her Wendy’s Hope to Halt MS cause, saying: “I can’t thank them enough. It’s surreal to think people raised all that money for me.
“The stuff people have done, like triathlons and leg waxes, they really went above and beyond.”
Wendy is still in touch with the clinic in Mexico every three months, so they can monitor her recovery, and she has to travel to Manchester every eight weeks to get rituximab infusions.
Wendy said that she is now looking forward to getting her energy back and spending time with her family.
