Patient story of Aaron Wood, Age 60 - 3 heart attacks and heart failure
Aaron Wood
Year of birth: 1949
Occupation: Retired rancher
State after 3 heart attacks, Congestive heart
failure
Heart attack at 38
I suffered from a massive heart attack in 1988; the result was a necrosis of the backside of my heart. A large part of my cardiac muscle was replaced by scar tissue. Two more heart attacks followed in 1990 and 1992. In 1994, I was diagnosed with congestive heart failure.
Our ranch was claimed in 1904 and I was raised in a family of ranchers, but my active life as a rancher was over after the first heart attack. It seems a family tradition: 16 Woods passed away from heart-damage and I was living in constant fear of dying. Nine angiograms were performed and stents were placed. During these years I turned down two possible heart transplants because I did not want to live with the immune suppressive medications for the rest of my life.
"I no longer have any angina pain or no shortness of breath - no symptoms whatsoever"
However, I tried to live my life as actively as possible; taking part in a 5,000 mile motor cycle vacation in 1994 where I got sick. I did not think I would make it home alive. My friend got me home and a pacemaker was implanted which, at that time, worked wonders.
Six months ago, after an examination that showed a very poor cardiac function and my EF capacity down to 19 %, a nurse finally suggested to me that I could look up XCell-Center and inquire about stem cell treatment. I contacted their representatives, sent all my medical records for evaluation and was accepted as a patient. I was quite anxious about the outcome and was not certain if I would make it back home and made preparations for the worst case. I did not want to worry my daughter who accompanied me to Dusseldorf. She had to wheel me in a wheelchair, as I could walk only a short distance by myself.
Stem cell therapy
At the XCell-Center clinic in Dusseldorf, bone marrow was extracted from my hip bone and sent to a laboratory where stem cells were separated from it. Two days later the stem cells were re-implanted by catheter therapy by cardiologist Dr. Christian Beythien during a 45-minute interventional therapy.
I was hospitalized and connected to a portable heart-monitor for one night at the hospital. When I awoke in the middle of the night, at about 4 AM, I felt like something was entirely different. I got up and did 4 knee-bends and 4 push-ups and did not get light headed! I was thinking this could be a placebo, but was too excited to go back to sleep and walked up and down the hallways for the next 2 ½ hours. I liked it!
When a check-up electrocardiogram was done in the morning, the nurse ran it 3 times with a confused look on his face. He could not believe the result he saw and contacted my surgeon Dr. Beythien. I started to worry! Dr. Beythien was there within 3 minutes. He performed a half hour electrocardiogram test and showed me what he saw: the backside of my heart was pumping! Only one day after treatment my EF capacity went up from 15 % to 35 %.
It was a miracle! I had gone from a terminal illness to having a future. I carried my own bags and walked on my own two feet when returning to back home to the US, just 5 days later. My Doc back home examined me 10 days after stem cell therapy and agreed to have my pacemaker turned down.
My new life
A recent check-up showed my EF capacity at 45- 55 %. Just two weeks after treatment, I went from 15 prescription pills per day down to 2; walk 2.5 miles without turning blue, lift weights and - finally after 22 years - live a normal life. I am going skydiving next weekend, something I last enjoyed 3 years ago.
I am amazed and really believe in stem cell therapy. My brother is a diabetic and my banker has a heart condition. Both are planning to seek treatment at XCell in the near future and I support and encourage them in their plans.
Update, October 7th 2009:
I no longer have any angina pain or no shortness of breath - no symptoms whatsoever. I am walking 3 miles per day and lifting heavy weights again. I consider this a complete reversal. I saw my cardiologist 2 weeks ago for more testing and he is still shaking his head!
Treatment Evaluation Process
In order to be evaluated for treatment, patients must complete an online medical history form. Once you've completed the online medical history and submitted it, a patient relations consultant will contact you. He or she will assist you with the rest of the evaluation process. Upon treatment approval, your consultant will also assist you with treatment scheduling and trip preparation.
