Stem cell transplant update, and thanks for the well-wishes

[Nissan Sport Editor]

In the most recent issue (#14), I discussed going in for a risky stem-cell transplant trial for my multiple sclerosis (see below for the full article). I just returned home after a 3-week hospital stay and am recovering from the chemo. My job now is to avoid infection at all costs and stay fit. Thanks so much for all of your well-wishes and hope to see you again in our pages....-Dave

Dream job with a car magazine on hiatus, as a world of hope gets packed into an Infiniti EX

Life as managing editor of Nissan Sport has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride lately, and said rollercoaster apparently has been caught in an F5 tornado… a tornado that conveniently just swept up a neighboring knife factory… and is bearing down on a manufacturing plant that produces rubbing alcohol. Yowch.

Since June of 2009, my multiple sclerosis—a debilitating neurological disease that typically strikes young people and is one of the leading causes of disability of those under 50—has been relentless in its aggression. My body is now numb from the neck down and refuses to follow instructions from the brain. In August on my 41st birthday I put on my first pair of Depends. In September I stopped driving my Infiniti G35. In November I begrudgingly decorated my “Daytona Blue” walker with Nissan Sport stickers. And in December I must have crashed my vintage GT-R dozens of times… while testing Need for Speed’s Shift, their latest racing sim for the Xbox (with tons of great Nissans, Infinitis, and Datsuns to drive, I might add). My hands are so numb, playing video games—even the act of typing this column—is challenging.

After 10 years of working on Nissan Sport and Sport Z Magazine, I’m saddened to inform readers that I am taking an indefinite leave of absence from the publication I co-own with the best bunch of guys I could possibly have partnered with: Art, Moto, Mike, and DaveO. I plan to use my extra time to focus more on ActiveMSers.org, the not-for-profit website I started to help people with MS stay as active as possible physically, intellectually, and socially. But even that effort will have to take a back seat to my latest endeavor.

As you are reading this, I am likely in the most dangerous phase of a risky but potentially groundbreaking clinical trial for multiple sclerosis: a stem cell transplant. If all went as planned, my own stem cells were harvest and cleaned of the damaging T cells thought to cause MS. But before the refreshed stem cells were injected back into my body, my immune system was obliterated, essentially resetting it. In theory the procedure could stop the disease in its tracks. … Or it could kill me. The consent form I signed listed the odds of death at 1 in 20 due to the high risk of infection post transplant.

For the trial, my wife and I had to pack up and move our world from Albuquerque to Houston for three months, and our Infiniti EX was more than up to the task. My walker, wheelchair, shower chair, computers, exercise equipment, clothing, it all fit. Including that one enormous piece of luggage called hope.

[SteveTheTech]

We really hope everything goes well, with the trial.

I am so sorry to hear about your situation and the devastating progression. The decisions and unpleasant firsts MS imposes on people suck, just plain and simple.

You helped me out allot when Marina was RD if there is any way I can try to return the favor please let me know.

[audtatious]

Dave, get well my friend.