Jennifer O.

Thank you for visiting this webpage created for Jennifer. Jennifer has a rare disease called Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP). This disease was slowly physically and permanently debilitating her and ultimately could have been fatal if some intervention had not been done soon. CIDP is an auto-immune/neurological disease. Jennifer has undergone an autologous stem cell transplant to (hopefully) put her into full remission or cure her. Jennifer is the first person in the United States and only the second in the world to have undergone this transplant for her disease. Feel free to contact Jennifer about questions regarding CIDP treatments, Jen's past history/symptoms or the stem cell transplant process at our personal e-mail listed at the bottom of this webpage.

Journal

Thursday, June 12, 2008 2:14 PM CDT

Hi everyone,

I know this update has been long overdue. I've just been busy living life. Well, I have passed my three year anniversary in April. I am doing great! My three year follow up was good. I am officially in remission from CIDP, because in February I was able to stop all treatment for CIDP, and have no symptoms at this time. The only medication I am on now is for migraines, which is not related to anything that I went through. My nerve conduction was good, my reflexes were present, although minimal, and my labwork was normal. God is so good!

I also had a Pulmonary Function test done as a routine test. That showed some abnormalities. I have had some trouble breathing at times, with wheezing, cough, shortness of breath, etc. It may just be my asthma, or the effects of the strong chemo I received, or also from my CIDP. We aren't sure at this time. The test said it was likely from neuromuscular defect, which would be attributed to the CIDP. It does seem to improve with inhalers though.

Since I've last written, I've received a copy of the article written by my transplant physician that was published in the Journal of Medicine on my case. The history that I made is now official. It was nice, because my husband had everyone at Northwestern Hospital who took care of me sign it, including my doctors. I plan on framing it. History has now repeated with other patients, since my transplant. There have been a few others who have gone through the stem cell transplant for CIDP at Northwestern in the past year. At last report they are all doing well too. The stem cell transplant certainly looks to be a promising treatment for CIDP, as well as other autoimmune diseases.

I continue to enjoy life free of hospitalizations, sickness, treatments, etc. My kids are growing up fast, they are now 10 and 13. Summer vacation has started, so we are keeping very busy. Rick, my husband and author of many of these journal updates, is graduating with his Masters Degree in Counseling this month. Throughout my whole illness and transplant he was attending school full time and working full time. Now he is finally done! We are so proud of him. He was able to succeed throughout and despite these difficult circumstances.

Thank you to all who continue to visit this website. I will try to be more faithful in updating it, but more than likely "no news is good news."

God Bless, Jennifer

Read Journal History

Hospital Information:

Jen is HOME and RECOVERING!!!
You can watch a video about Jennifer's story on the CBS2Chicago.com website.
Type in "Historic Transplant" in the search bar and click on link.

Links:

E-mail Author: rjosman@sbcglobal.net

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Note: The foregoing information was authored by the patient, parent or guardian, or other parties who are solely responsible for the content. Such announcements or their content are not necessarily endorsed by CaringBridge, Inc. or any sponsoring agent. This information does not confirm that anyone is or was actually a patient at any facility.