IT’S taken Kiama Downs mother Megan Rundback two decades before she was willing to talk about her battle with Multiple Sclerosis.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 43-year-old said she has learnt to adapt, while keeping her struggle quiet.
As a result, up until recently when her health further deteriorated, many around her had no idea she had the degenerative condition.
Needing to raise more than $60,000 to travel to Russia for potentially life-saving treatment has necessitated making her fight public.
“At first the support was a little overwhelming in the respect that I’ve never really asked for anything before,” Mrs Rundback said.
“I’m usually the one that gets in there and tries to help others. But I need help right now, and I’m not capable health-wise of doing it myself, so I’m lucky I’ve had some wonderful friends and family that are giving me the support that I need.”
Mrs Rundback began to display MS symptoms at 18, before being diagnosed at 23.
She has experienced complications from treatment options, and also contracted John Cunningham virus.
This can potentially turn into Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy, a life-threatening condition and rare disorder that damages the material that covers and protects nerves in the brain’s white matter.
Due to the JCV and medication side effects, she can’t have further immune suppression treatments.
“I’ve lost the use of my legs in the past 12 months, so that’s upsetting, whereas before I could physically hide it a bit more. But now I can’t walk long distances and things like that.
“In terms of what’s available here in Australia for me (treatment-wise), I’ve exhausted all avenues.”
About two years ago Mrs Rundback saw a 60 Minutes story on Australia’s Kristy Cruise, a woman with MS who travelled to Russia for an autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT).
Many countries offer HSCT for MS, but is in a clinical trial phase in Australia.
Mrs Rundback doesn’t qualify for the trials, so is booked in to head to Russia for the treatment, beginning on June 28. “The aim is to halt the disease prior to it progressing,” she said. “It doesn’t reverse damage, but it has 80 per cent chance of halting the disease in its tracks, so I’ll no longer further progress with my MS.”
HSCT reportedly has a one per cent mortality rate.
Mrs Rundback said the process had associated risks and a long recovery period.
“HSCT is my hope for a better future with my husband and three beautiful children,” she said.
Friends have formed a fundraising committee to meet these costs: www.mycause.com.au/page/117632/save-a-nsw-mums-life.