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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