I can haz superpowers?

[next_to_normal]

So I haven't talked about my Crohn's lately, although there hasn't been much exciting happening. The treatment I was on (Remicade) has slowly stopped working as my body has grown resistant to it over the last couple years, which means (1) return of the gross symptoms and (2) we have to look for an alternative treatment. Yesterday, I went to see my doctor, who recommended that I join a clinical drug trial that he is currently working on.

The trial involves an infusion of stem cells, which somehow identify inflammation in your body - such as my inflamed intestinal tract - and heal it by, like, regenerating tissue or something. And the cells will distribute themselves to ALL active sites of inflammation, so it's not just for the Crohn's, it's also apparently being tested with heart attacks, injuries, arthritis...

And once you get the treatment, the stem cells are always in you, and they just hang out dormant until you hurt yourself (or until your immune system goes into overdrive and declares war on your digestive tract), and then they rush into action at the site of the inflammation or injury! AND THEY FIX YOU. All by themselves. Without you doing anything.

Basically, I will have super healing powers.

I mean, am I wrong? Doesn't that kind of sound like a superpower? Assuming it works, of course. It's all experimental. But, like, theoretically my body would just ~heal itself by regenerating tissue?

*scans list of side effects for "turn into enormous green rage monster"*

Nope, we're good! Sign me up!

(Also, Marvel? You know where to find me if you want me to join the Avengers.)

Comments

[rahirah]

So basically you'd be Claire? :D

[next_to_normal]

Thanks a lot. I was doing so well at forgetting that Heroes was ever a thing that existed, and you had to go and remind me.

Rude.

[slaymesoftly]

ROFL Well done, Barb.

healing super powers

[jenna_thorn]

That is absolutely superpowers and I want to sign up.

I'll even take the risk of turning into a large green rage monster.

Re: healing super powers

[next_to_normal]

LOL now I will be disappointed if I DON'T get superpowers out of it.

[slaymesoftly]

Wow! I want some of that! Seriously, I hope it does what they expect/hope it will. (And if you develop actual superpowers...)

[next_to_normal]

Haha, it almost sounds too good to be true, doesn't it? We shall see... I start the treatment in May.

[wendelah1]

That sounds promising. Yes to superpowers.

[next_to_normal]

I've always wanted to be a superhero... :)

[pocochina]

I hope it works! ALSO, AWESOME.

[next_to_normal]

Haha, me too!

[rosaxx50]

Goodness, I hope it works. We certainly need better treatment for Crohn's than what currently exists. Good luck.

[next_to_normal]

Thanks! Of course, part of the problem is that they don't really know what CAUSES it.