Reversing Scleroderma

Jennifer Matthews: This is Scleroderma, a disease that causes the skin and organs to harden as if turning the human body into stone. Teri Jeansonne nearly died from it two years ago. Teri Jeansonne: I was in a lot of pain. I was on very strong painkillers. I stayed in bed all the time. I was miserable. When my disease started progressing, it was pretty evident that I didn't have that long." Jennifer Matthews: Doctors Stephen Lindsey and Jay Brooks offered Teri a risky treatment to save her life. Dr. Jay Brooks: We clearly talked to Teri about that, that there is a risk of death from the treatment because of the side effects. Jennifer Matthews: They gave Teri a very high dose of Cytoxan, a chemotherapy drug known to help scleroderma in low doses. In a clinical study, Teri got 10-times the normal dose. Dr. Stephen Lindsey: It kills most of your immune cells except for the resistant cells that are the basic stem cells. Jennifer Matthews: Within two weeks, those basic stem cells became healthy new blood cells, giving Jeansonne a new immune system and a fresh start. Dr. Stephen Lindsey It definitely reversed the disease. It hasn't cured the disease. To me, she is a miracle because I do believe she was going to die within six months. Jennifer Matthews: Two years later, Teri's skin has loosened and the damage to her organs has stopped. Teri Jeansonne: It's awesome. I wanted my life back, and I'm getting it back. Jennifer Matthews: Her prognosis is uncertain, but Teri and her doctors are optimistic she'll have a long life full of days like this with her family. This is Jennifer Matthews reporting. Jennifer Matthews: This is Scleroderma, a disease that causes the skin and organs to harden as if turning the human body into stone. Teri Jeansonne nearly died from it two years ago. Teri Jeansonne: I was in a lot of pain. I was on very strong painkillers. I stayed in bed all the time. I was miserable. When my disease started progressing, it was pretty evident that I didn't have that long." Jennifer Matthews: Doctors Stephen Lindsey and Jay Brooks offered Teri a risky treatment to save her life. Dr. Jay Brooks: We clearly talked to Teri about that, that there is a risk of death from the treatment because of the side effects. Jennifer Matthews: They gave Teri a very high dose of Cytoxan, a chemotherapy drug known to help scleroderma in low doses. In a clinical study, Teri got 10-times the normal dose. Dr. Stephen Lindsey: It kills most of your immune cells except for the resistant cells that are the basic stem cells. Jennifer Matthews: Within two weeks, those basic stem cells became healthy new blood cells, giving Jeansonne a new immune system and a fresh start. Dr. Stephen Lindsey It definitely reversed the disease. It hasn't cured the disease. To me, she is a miracle because I do believe she was going to die within six months. Jennifer Matthews: Two years later, Teri's skin has loosened and the damage to her organs has stopped. Teri Jeansonne: It's awesome. I wanted my life back, and I'm getting it back. Jennifer Matthews: Her prognosis is uncertain, but Teri and her doctors are optimistic she'll have a long life full of days like this with her family. This is Jennifer Matthews reporting.