At The Jewish Hospital – Mercy Health, a groundbreaking initiative is transforming the treatment landscape for multiple sclerosis (MS), providing renewed hope for patients such as Michael Meyer.
Diagnosed with this chronic autoimmune disorder a few years ago, Michael has faced the challenges of a disease that prompts the body to attack its own nervous system, complicating his ability to live an active life with his family.
“I woke up one morning and I was pretty much numb from my waist on down,” Michael shares about one of the early days of his diagnosis.
This unsettling experience marked the beginning of a journey that led him to seek alternative treatments after traditional therapies fell short.
Determined to find a solution, our team at The Jewish Hospital – Mercy Health, along with our partners at OHC, developed a new treatment strategy tailored to Michael’s needs.
Stem cells were painstakingly extracted from Michael’s body, then modified to enhance their capabilities and subsequently reintroduced to his system. This innovative approach aims to eliminate the dysfunctional immune response associated with MS.
“Our goal is to completely knock down his current stem cells and give them healthy stem cells back to him so when they regrow, the healthy immune cells are not multiple sclerosis stem cells,” Dr. Kruti Patel, an OHC stem cell transplant specialist, explains.
This comprehensive method seeks to heal and regenerate the immune system in a healthier form. However, the advanced treatment comes with its own set of challenges, as Michael later faced an unexpected complication.
Following the procedure, Michael required surgery to address a hole that had formed in his intestine. Surgical intervention was performed using minimally invasive techniques.
“I was able to use a suture to sew the area, sew the hole shut,” Cory Barrat, MD, one of our surgeons at The Jewish Hospital, explains.
After recovering from the surgery, Michael experienced a definite enhancement in his mobility, which has been a significant milestone in his battle against MS.
“Now, I wake up every morning and I realize how blessed I am,” he shares. “It’s a miracle.”
Michael’s progress was further evidenced by medical imaging, which revealed a substantial reduction in MS activity. Recently, the medical team celebrated this remarkable achievement by running a 5K with him, marking his first significant event since the stem cell transplant.
“It was a great day for him but such a good day for us, too, because just to see those outcomes is why we come to work every day,” Colleen Feldman, a stem cell transplant coordinator involved in Michael’s care, says.
Research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) points out the long-term efficacy of this pioneering treatment. In fact, data indicates that seven out of ten participants do not experience a worsening of symptoms five years post-treatment, highlighting the potential of innovative therapies to change lives for those grappling with MS.
As our team at the Jewish Hospital strives to develop new frontiers in MS treatment, Michael’s story serves as an inspiring proof of hope, resilience and the promise of advanced medical science.
This holiday season, we are celebrating by spreading the good news! Read more grateful stories, like this one, that feature our team members, patients and the wonderful communities we are blessed to serve.
Also, learn more about multiple sclerosis as well as the neurology services we provide at Mercy Health.
