Patient story of Richard Leach, 66 years, Diabetes type 2
Date of birth:
1940
Occupation: Men's Tennis Coach Emeritus at The
University of Southern California
Marital status: Married, two sons and two
daughters
Disease treated: Diabetes type 2
How it happened
"My blood sugar keeps dropping and I am still cutting down on insulin"
I was thirsty, constantly thirsty and drank huge quantities of orange juice each day. In fact, I thought that was strange, but I did not connect it to diabetes. It was my wife, who sent me to the doctor for a check in 1993. She was very concerned, since my grandfather had died due to the consequences of diabetes. Nevertheless, I did not expect I would be suffering from this illness. My brother and sister, both being overweight, would have been at a higher risk. I was not overweight and was in good shape, exercising regularly. Being an active tennis player I was constantly on the move, every day playing several hours of single and double matches as well as playing golf on a regular basis. No. Something else had to be the cause of these thirst attacks. But, the results of a blood test confirmed I was a diabetic.
The consequence
However, at first it did not seem to be too bad. I took pills, followed my diet correctly and trained even more . Accepting these changes, my life continued as it was before. Actually, I did not feel ill. Millions of people are diabetics. I am one of them - so what?
Until one day, slowly but steadily, the problems started. Very disturbing problems. My feet hurt and felt constantly numb. My bladder failed to work properly but nothing could be done and I did not want to go on like that.
In 2000 I went to see an endocrinologist. Once we knew the test results I was prescribed insulin injections. Having experienced that dramatic change I started to learn more about diabetes. I realised that having diabetes means suffering from a slow death, just like an HIV patient. My blood vessels were becoming narrower, the capillary system and surrounding tissue would start deteriorating because of the limited blood circulation. One day open wounds would appear on my feet and legs and after a while they would fail to heal. No, I could deal with anything, the injections, the constant pricking of my fingertips for blood sugar checks, but not with being unable to walk or run painlessly ever again. Even now I cannot play singles any more because of my feet.
The Search for Help - or at least relief electric shock therapy sounded promising. Maybe it would stimulate and improve the blood circulation in my feet. At first, I thought that my condition had improved a bit. Perhaps the electric shocks should be intensified. I went to see a holistic doctor who was also a friend of mine. He had developed a machine where you place your feet and let them absorb electric impulses, much stronger than the ones I had had before. It was like Star Wars but it did not help. I was so disappointed. Knowing that my feet would gradually become useless was utterly depressing. One day my son found some interesting information. A friend of his who he played golf with and who was also a diabetic knew of a treatment with individual adult stem cells being carried out in Germany and he was considering undergoing this treatment himself. I asked for a detailed description of the process and for further information. Once I had the details I asked my doctors for their opinions. Both the diabetologist and the haematologist had never heard of this treatment for diabetics. However they encouraged me to go ahead. When I went back to see my primary care doctor she almost started to cry when she heard that treatment with adult stem cells was available in Germany. She was desperately waiting to have her mother treated for Parkinson's so she was well informed about both the scientific background and medical implications of stem cells. She told me not to hesitate and travel immediately to Germany.
First stem cell treatment in 2006
In November 2006 the doctors extracted bone marrow from my hipbone. The procedure was completely painless. After that the stem cells were isolated and processed at the laboratory. Once that process had been completed the cells were re-injected by angiography. This means a small catheter was placed in the artery of my leg and was directed to the pancreatic artery and there the cells were injected. In contrast to the extraction, the re-injection process was not completely painless and it hurt just a little bit. How curious I was about the changes in prospect.
The result
I was told that I would have to wait for approximately two to six months until any effects would occur. However, I faced significant improvement only two months after the cells had been re-injected. At night my blood sugar dropped dramatically. Today I have to take 60% less of the immediate release insulin and 40% less of the slow release insulin. My blood sugar keeps dropping and I am still cutting down on insulin. I think that is just great!
My advice
Stem cell therapy is highly controversial in the U.S. even with adult stem cells and those in need will have to be patient until this therapy becomes available to everybody. However this will be too late for those who need to be treated NOW. As your stem cells are to be found in your own body anyway, I just do not see why treatment with adult stem cells could be wrong. Therefore, why not use your own stem cells to help your recovery?
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.
