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Saturday, March 12, 2011 3:20 AM
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Ken Torbert
I ’ve k...nown about the AMEDS Clinic in Warsaw, Poland even before they opened their doors. I was aware of the effort that they put forward to make this clinic one of the best CCSVI treatment places in the world.
With my friend Christopher Alkenbrack, we were in contact with the coordinators and relayed information to people from Québec and all over Canada.
I have had MS since 1994, and I was already well into the secondary progressive stage.
In July of 2010, Christopher and I had planned to go the AMEDS Clinic with the first group of International patients. However, before the definitive plans were made, we got a call from Euromedic in Katowice, and due to the urgency of our condition and because Ameds was still not open yet and they could not give us a date, we decided to go to there. I had the CCSVI intervention with stent placement in the left jugular vein, and left for Québec a few days later. I experienced some significant improvements; my migraines were gone, my fatigue had dissipated, I no longer had problems concentrating, I could once again write, and my bladder problems had cleared up. I also had better balance when I would take a walk by myself with a cane.
But after receiving the results of my last Doppler test a few weeks ago, I learned that a blood clot had formed in my stent. I had to fight with the medical establishment in Québec to have proper follow-up, and I decided to take my health into my own hands and returned to Poland.
This time I contacted Taida Meredith, Chief Patient Coordinator at the AMEDS clinic in Poland, and she quickly replied stating that they would welcome me for follow-up treatment on February 28, 2011. I could not get over how efficient and professional the AMEDS team was, as my entire trip was arranged in two days. Since I knew that my problem was urgent and that I was in need of immediate care, I was comforted in knowing that I could count on them.
Having experienced the improvements from my first treatment, it was not an option for me to lose what I had gained – a better quality of life that allowed me to live day to day with my MS. I knew that the AMEDS team would help me deal with the blood clot.
As soon as I arrived in Warsaw, I was welcomed by 3 people in an ambulance, and this began my incredible journey – a journey that started with the smiling and welcoming hosts,paramedics who spoke English fluently, and some of them even spoke French. I was a little stressed out because of my blood clot, and I received exception care.
On Day 1, I went through the testing process – Doppler, MRV, blood work, appointment with a neurologist. The workers and doctors were professional and received and pampered me during my entire stay.
On Day 2, I met with the anesthetist and another neurologist, AGNIESZKA ANDRZEJCZAK-SOBOCINSKA MD who did a complete set of tests to compare with the results after treatment. Unfortunately this step had not been done at the clinic where I received my first treatment.
Around 4:00 p.m, the cardiologist, MEDICAL TEAM LEADER - MACIEJ ZAREBINSKI MD, PhD came and gave me the results of my tests and discussed the treatment plan. He informed me that I had an 80% blockage in the stent on my right side, and that the right jugular vein was also 70% blocked. I felt like I arrived at the perfect time, and that there was no more time to lose.
At around 8:00 p.m., I was escorted to the operating room. My nerves were getting the best of me, so they calmed me down and told me that they would do their best to remove the blood clot.
I felt discomfort during the procedure, as they were removing the blood clot in the left jugular, and the balloon angioplasty on the right jugular went exceptionally well. It was thanks to Taida that I arrived on time. It surprised me somewhat that the blockage in my right jugular vein went undetected at the first clinic where I went, but since I’m not a doctor, I could not know these things.
When the treatment was finished, Dr. ZAREBINSKI took time to explain to me everything that had happened. I was to remain in a flat position for the next 12 hours. Dr. ZAREBINSKI visited the next morning and I received my medication for the follow-up. I then left the hospital totally confident that I had had the best medical care.
I would like to offer a heart-felt thanks to the entire team at AMEDS thanks to them I have a second chance at a better life. XXX…See More
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