God Bless Jim Finn. Jim, how old were you when you were operated on??
-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Finn <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Friday, June 04, 1999 1:31 PM
Subject: Genzyme & Me - Jim Finn


>Friends -
>
>Earlier this week I had the priviledge of giving a presentation to the
>officials and scientists of Diacrin / Genzyme.  As most of you know, this
is
>the research group I am working with to test the efficacy and safety of
>pig-cell implants.  I was one of the first Parkinson's Disease patients to
>have this procedure.  Indeed, this is a very exciting and interesting
>experiment.
>
>I thought some of you might enjoy reading the outline of the speech.
>
>
>START
>
>Thanks for inviting me to your meeting.
>
>For those of you who don't know me; I'm Jim Finn.
>
>And say hello to Priscilla, my mentor. <G>
>
>I have a few words to say and then I'll gladly answer any questions.
>
>First, you are seeing an experiment in progress.  I have not had any PD
>medications
>since 5 O'clock yesterday afternoon.  I am supposedly "off."  Remember this
>as I
>speak.
>
>3 years ago I had nearly lost the battle known as Parkinson's Disease.  At
>that point
>all of the pharmaceutical therapies had lost their efficacy.
>
>After a fight of 16 years it was obvious that I was entering the "end
stage"
>of this
>hideous condition.  The disease had progressed and gave me all of the
typical
>symptoms: Poor speech, dangerous walking and balance, extreme fatigue, etc.
>
>And I was told there was precious little else that could be done.
>
>In July of '96 I was given a chance to join in an experiment.
>
>Some company in Charlestown wanted to see if brain cells from another
species
>would grow in the human brain and take over the job of those that were
dying.
>
>As it turns out, the brain cells of aborted pig fetuses are genetically
very
>close to
>those found in the human brain.
>
>And, of course, there is a nearly unlimited supply of cells from pigs.
>
>Obviously, the same cannot be said of human cells.
>
>The word "xenotransplantation" was suddenly thrust into my vocabulary.
>
>This procedure was carefully explained.  "Would I be interested in
>participating in
>this unique experiment?"
>
>Before you ask, I literally jumped at this chance.  I had absolutely
nothing
>to lose.
>
>For those of you who are not familiar with the actual process, here are a
few
>words
>about it.
>
>First, there is a very extensive battery of "base-line" tests.  These are
>designed to
>measure physical and mental performance prior to the surgery and to provide
a
>benchmark against which post-operative results are compared.
>
>Also there are several CAT and MRI scans.  Then there is the PET scan.  I
am
>firmly
>convinced that the Marquis deSade had a hand in designing that 1. <G>  In
>this test
>your skull is literally tied to the machine for the 2.5 hours it takes.
Not
>fun.
>
>Finally, after a false start that delayed the surgery by 3 weeks, the Big
Day
>came.
>
>I arrived at the Lahey-Hitchcock Clinic and a special frame was mounted on
my
>head
>with 4 metal bolts; tightened with a wrench!
>
>Once in the operating room, a hole was drilled in my head.
>
>By the way, you must be awake during the operation so you can follow simple
>commands like moving your hands or feet.  The surgeon has to know that he
>hasn't
>put the needle in the wrong place.  The surgery took 2.5 hours.
>
>After the surgery I was put in a holding area for a while before being sent
>up to my
>room; just as though I had nothing more major than a tetanus shot!
>
>Are you ready for this?  The next morning I was sent home.  I'll never get
>over that!
>
>And the results?  I'll let you be the judge of that.  (Show tape)  (Walk
>around room)
>
>I am re-examined every 3 months.  The testing shows ongoing improvement.
>
>Gains were seen as early as 3 months after the surgery.
>
>I consider myself to be very fortunate.  There have been no side-effects.
>
>Although I do have a tendency to wallow around in mud. <G>
>
>I am very proud of the small role I've played in some very interesting
>publicity for this
>project.  It has received coverage on CBS's "60 Minutes," PBS's
"HealthWeek,"
>and
>Australia's "Nine" network.  Numerous newsletter articles have been
published
>both
>here and abroad.
>
>Am I cured?  No, I am not.  Am I better able to function?  Yes, I am.  The
>cure for
>this, and other neurological diseases, remains elusive.
>
>But I firmly believe that your work will go far in unlocking the secrets of
>this horrid
>affliction.  I, and the rest of the Parkinsonian community, charge you with
>the
>continuation of your research.
>
>You are on the leading edge of this most exciting technology.
>
>Finally, I want to thank each and every 1 of you for allowing me to bask in
>the
>reflected glow of your achievements.
>
>And I wish you Godspeed in your quest.
>
>Thank you.
>
>Any questions?
>
>
>END