Rod Mahoney has relied on a walker to help get around for more than 10 years.
He’s hoping he can soon put it away for good.
“It would mean the world,” the Kilbride man says. “It would mean the world. It would be a dream come true.”
The 41-year-old has been in a battle with multiple sclerosis (MS) since 1994.
Next month, he’ll join the handful of others from this province who have travelled abroad to undergo a procedure said to treat the disease.
The Zamboni procedure, or liberation treatment, appears to have helped hundreds of MS sufferers around the globe by opening blocked neck veins with angioplasty.
Not approved
The treatment has not been approved in Canada. The federal government and provinces are awaiting research results.
Newfoundland and Labrador wants to help fund clinical trials and has launched an observational study of people who’ve had the procedure.
Mahoney is among those who aren’t waiting around for the operation to be approved and funded under the provincial health plan.
He’s scheduled to get it done in Poland Nov. 24.
Relief of his symptoms can’t come soon enough.
After an ATV accident in 1994, he felt sluggish and had a lingering pain in his back.
He attributed it to the mishap, but doctors soon determined it was MS.
Mahoney remembers losing his bladder control around that time, and being told by doctors to go to the Health Sciences Centre.
“The rest is history,” he says.
He says there’s nothing sudden about MS, that he’s being robbed of certain things as time passes.
His balance “is shot.” He can’t lift his left leg. He feels pins and needles in fingers. And his sleep is irregular.
Still, Mahoney says he’s never felt bitter about his condition because it would affect the way he carries himself.
“It just makes you nasty. I don’t want to be nasty. Other people don’t want to see someone nasty.”
He hopes the Zamboni procedure – named after the Italian doctor who pioneered it – relieves or even corrects his symptoms.
While some scientists remain skeptical, he says he’s spoken to others who’ve had it and can’t say enough about it.
“You can’t go wrong with the testimonials. Their improvements have been night and day.”
So it’s an exciting, but busy, time for Mahoney.
Like the others who’ve become medical tourists to get the liberation treatment, he’s facing a hefty bill and has to get the money together.
He figures it’s going to cost $20,000.
He’s working away at raising the money, setting up a fund at CIBC and being involved in fund-raisers.
His work colleagues at the Office of the Chief Information Officer, the provincial government’s information technology division, are helping.
“I’m in it for the long hall...I’m going, win, lose or draw. I’ll put it on credit if I have to.” - Rod Mahoney
They’ve had an in-office draw and, on Oct. 29, are “having a time” in his honour at the Legion on Blackmarsh Road.
As well, John Graham – who Mahoney co-owned a bar with – is having a benefit concert Nov. 7 at Shamrock City.
“I’m that grateful, I don’t know what to do with myself half the time,” he says.
“It’s overwhelming and gives you a little feeling right there in your heart. Most people I come across are just good people. They are all good people.”
Even if such efforts don’t raise the cash, Mahoney is not turning back.
“I’m in it for the long hall...I’m going, win, lose or draw. I’ll put it on credit if I have to.”
If the procedure lives up to its name and liberates Mahoney, walking without an aid isn’t the only item on his to-do list.
He says he’ll be hitting a dance floor.
“I used to be one for a scuff. A scuff is not a strange thing for me.”
sbartlett@thetelegram.com
Twitter: @bartlett_steve
TO DONATE
The Rod Mahoney CCSVI Treatment Fund
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
Transit number 00473, account16-0453
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Rod, On behalf of the Maidment family (and I know that I speak for all of us) we are praying for nothing but good things to come for you. We have grown up together and I know for sure that we are a part of you and you are most certainly a part of us. We love you so much and have witnessed first hand you fighting MS so graciously and courageously for over 15 years. You have never once given up or let this disease negatively affect your life or those around you. You are an inspiration to everyone that has the privilege of knowing you and for that we are grateful. We support your trip to Poland and I know that God is looking out for you and that you will return home with a new leason on life. I hope to get the chance to have a scuff (and a waltz) with you. We love you so much and I know for sure that Coute is with you every step of the way, always has been and always will be. So put on your boxing gloves and be sure to take them with you to Poland, and when you return home a new man, hang them right back on your bed post. Love Love Love Coute, Dianne, Gerry, Cathy, Me, Donna, Carole, Ashley, Katie & Jacob. xoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxox