Our dear friend Linda is heading off to Chicago for the stem cell transplant.
Linda and I met on the GBS/CIDP forum 2 years ago. We hit it off instantly and have been in constant touch through Skype - as she lives in Texas. Linda has been a tremendous support for me - she came to Chicago when I was there - her kindness and warmth have cushioned many hard moments and I feel deeply grateful.
Linda has been battling with CIDP for years. Various meds and weekly IVIG had been giving her just enough reprieve to manage a full-time job, and find a balance between activities/social life and keeping on top of her pain, one day at a time. But in the past year her pain has increased to the point where she's been barely managing work, let alone any social activities - so she's decided it's time for this treatment.
I'll be heading out to accompany her during the pre-testing phase, and we'll be posting here to keep you in touch with her progress.
I wish her the same success and recovery I've been fortunate to have had.