Considering Japan for Vx injury or LC? Update on my journey: I wanted to share an update because quite a bit has changed since I returned from Japan. Unfortunately, my health has continued to decline. Recent immune testing has shown that my immunodeficiency is more significant than we originally understood, including inadequate protective antibody responses to pneumococcal bacteria. My autoimmune markers remain elevated, and more recent testing also shows increasing inflammatory activity. At the same time, the neuropathy has continued to worsen. The burning pain and numbness are spreading, and my headaches have become significantly worse. Because of the headaches and my existing cervical instability and vascular issues, further vascular imaging of my neck and brain may be needed to evaluate for additional compression. This week I am traveling back to Utah, where much of my specialty medical team is located, for my first two IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulin, made from pooled donor plasma) infusions on back-to-back days. These treatments will be given in an infusion center. My physicians hope IVIG may help address the antibody deficiency and potentially some of the immune-mediated inflammation and neuropathy as well. I have also connected with members of the React19 community who have experienced substantial improvement with IVIG. Their experiences give me some hope while also reminding me that everyone responds differently. Travel adds another layer of expense—gas, food, medical costs and the trip itself—but thankfully I will be able to stay with family, so lodging is covered. Another big change has been accepting that I need a motorized wheelchair. I fought that reality for a long time. I can no longer make the short distance to our mailbox or walk through a grocery store. Buying the chair felt like admitting something I wasn't ready to admit. But it has also given something back to me. Special thanks to Kelsey for helping me see this and allow me to test drive your wheel;) I can be outside with Brew, Greg and Kai. I was able to accompany Kai on his first day of school. Those moments matter more than I can explain. The chair represents loss, but it has also allowed me to participate in pieces of my family's life again. I also want to give a very honest and objective update about the treatment I underwent in Japan, particularly for people who may currently be considering going. Before I left, Dr. Jordan Vaughn, my naturopath Dr. Costa, and my immunologist Dr. Jones intentionally ordered extensive laboratory testing so that we would have objective data to compare before and after treatment. Relevant testing was performed before Japan on March 18 and July 15, 2026. Post-treatment testing was performed after my return on August 25, with additional redraws on September 10 when several specimens—including MMP-9—could not be adequately processed from the earlier draws. One of my goals in going to Japan was not only to get better, but to determine whether the treatment produced measurable changes that might help validate the program and potentially help other people with Long COVID. So far, the opposite of what I hoped to document has occurred. My post-treatment testing has not shown the objective improvement I hoped to see. Instead, several inflammatory markers we were following before treatment have increased, and several cytokines that had previously been below the laboratory cutoff are now elevated. For example, comparing the most recent valid pre-treatment values from July with my September 10 post-treatment testing: • IL-12 increased from 4.7 to 9.9 pg/mL. • IL-5 increased from <2.1 to 3.3 pg/mL and is now elevated. • IL-17 increased from <1.4 to 1.7 pg/mL and is now elevated. • TNF-alpha increased from 6.0 to 16.0 pg/mL and is now elevated. • TGF-β1 increased from 12,367 to 33,676 pg/mL and is now above the laboratory reference range. • MMP-9, which was already elevated at 1,283 ng/mL before Japan, increased further to 1,519 ng/mL. Some of the planned July 15 and August 25 specimens were insufficient for certain tests, which is why the September 10 redraws were necessary. For those markers, I am comparing the September results with the most recent valid pre-Japan measurements rather than pretending we have data points that we do not. These are not simply changes in how I feel. They are measurable laboratory findings that my medical team and I intentionally tracked before and after treatment. At the same time, clinically, my neuropathy, burning pain, numbness, headaches and overall function have continued to decline. I want to be equally clear about what these results do NOT prove. They do not establish that the treatments in Japan caused these changes. Long COVID is complicated, laboratory values can fluctuate, and there are many potential variables. What I can say is that my own objective pre- and post-treatment data have not demonstrated the improvement I went to Japan hoping to document. In several areas, the measurable trend has instead moved in the opposite direction. The treatment itself was also not without significant risk. My central-line placement resulted in a pneumothorax requiring hospitalization and a chest tube. Since August, I have personally spoken with several patients who initially experienced improvement after treatment and later experienced relapsing symptoms, in some cases within only a few months of completing treatment. This is information I wish I had understood more clearly before making my decision. Knowing what I know now—including my clinical course, the complication I experienced, the pre- and post-treatment laboratory findings, and what I have since learned from other patients—I would NOT make the same decision to go. I feel a responsibility to say that clearly for anyone currently considering this experiment. I believe patients deserve to understand not only the possibility of improvement, but also the procedural risks, the uncertainty surrounding durability of response, and the possibility that symptoms may return even after an initial improvement. I went to Japan hoping not only to improve my own health, but also to gather information that might help other people suffering from Long COVID. I genuinely hoped my pre- and post-treatment testing would help validate the program. Being transparent when the results do not support what I hoped to find is part of that responsibility too. Meanwhile, Greg is still unemployed following the layoffs that affected him and his team. He is looking for work every day—networking, contacting leads, applying, and doing everything he can to find the right opportunity. It has made an already difficult financial situation even harder. I know these are difficult economic times for so many people. I never take a donation, share, message, prayer, or offer of help for granted. We are deeply grateful. I certainly don't want anyone to suffer hardship because of me. If anyone has unused airline miles or travel points and would be willing to use them toward one of my medical trips, that could also be tremendously helpful as travel to specialists continues. For anyone who prefers Venmo: @april-amber-theisen Go Fund Me: gofundme.com/f/help-april-ac… gofund.me/b7f2c2cb6 Thank you for continuing to stand beside our family. I am still searching for answers, still following the data—even when it isn't the answer I hoped for—and still hoping that some combination of science, persistence and time will give me more of my life back. @TheRebelPatient @DrMaryBowden @Burning_mama47 @kelseyshields08 @evanfgeorge @EdogawaPatients @KenCaptn20114

For those of you considering traveling halfway around the world to Japan for the McCairn-Edogawa Protocol PLEASE do your due diligence. 💗🙏🏼

I've been home from Japan for a few days, and I've struggled to find the words. My heart is full of gratitude for so many who helped make it possible. For the love, supportive words and prayers. I am beyond grateful. I left home with hope. I came home humbled and maybe a bit broken. My second filtration was complicated by a partially collapsed lung that required five days in the hospital with a chest tube. Because of that complication and funding, I was only able to complete two filtration treatments and sixteen stem cell growth factor infusions. The data to make a risk vs benefit decision could not be completed prior to my departure. I wish I could tell you I'm feeling better. I dont. I haven't noticed any improvement in my symptoms, and that has been incredibly hard to accept. I also don't want to take away anyones hope. One thing I do want to share is my personal perspective. While I was in Japan, I met people who experienced remarkable improvements, others who like me didn't respond, and a few who shared that some of their symptoms later returned. I can't speak for anyone else's outcome, but I wish I had better understood how variable patient experiences could be before making such a significant medical and financial commitment. I believe in transparency sometimes painful but honest conversations about the full range of possible outcomes. I tried to practice this with my patients and in my personal life. The last 5 years have brought me to my knees. But it hasn't taken away my hope. Hope just looks different now. I'll continue working with my physicians, I am looking into IVIG after seven insurance appeals, yes- SEVEN- that is the current state of our medical system! I am exploring a possible clinical trial in Florida. I will continue working with Dr Jordan Vaughn and will continue contributing my data if it helps move Long COVID and vaccine injury research forward. The hardest part over the past 2 wks has been that accepting that investing in a power wheelchair may actually give me more freedom. Maybe it means taking Brew down a trail again or enjoying a farmer's market with my husband without spending days recovering afterward. I'm grieving the life I miss, but I'm not giving up. I'm learning that sometimes moving forward means adapting, continuing to contribute to science, and finding moments of joy while the search for answers continues. I updated my GoFundMe today for anyone who'd like to read the full story. Thank you for staying beside me. gofund.me/5918ca767

«No matter how hard you try, arguing with a woman is a battle you just cannot win»

Los autobuses escolares de Japón están causando sensación en el extranjero

Finally after years of research and proof, after thousands of patients have been treated with expensive and drastic triple anticoagulant and plasmapheresis therapies around the world, a recognized journal accepts a paper stating that amyloidogenic aggregates exist in the blood of patients with Covid or vaccine injuries. Houston, we have admitted we have a problem. cambridge.org/core/journals/…

RT @KevinMcCairnPhD: Here is what it looks like when we can return hope for the future to the young, who were maimed by COVID vaccine injur…

I’m heading to the hospital soon for my third dual-filtration plasmapheresis treatment. I’ve been in a difficult crash for the past four days, so I’m nervous about how my body will handle today—but I’m holding onto hope and taking this journey one treatment at a time. I’m incredibly grateful to Dr. Kevin McCairn, Dr. Kato, and Charles Rixey for creating this program and for their dedication to the research and patients like me. Most importantly, thank you to everyone who has donated, shared my story, prayed for me, and supported me. Your donations made it possible for me to receive this third filtration today. I truly could not be here without you. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. 💙 #LongCOVID #MECFS #Dysautonomia #POTS #DFPP #DualFiltrationPlasmapheresis #LongCOVIDRecovery #KeepFighting

This is the Bobby we love to see. He's at his best taking on corporate corruption and entrenched interests. He pulled back from the spotlight after his confirmation last year, and I hope we see more of him. HHS has wins, both big and small, and he's the best messenger for them. Bobby's a rockstar and the leader of a movement. He has real leverage and power. His people aren't politicos in DC, but rather the farmers, the moms, the sick children across the country. Love to see him back out there. 🇺🇸

To my followers, I have begun working full-time for Edogawa Hospital, coordinating our experimental spike injury protocol. I work in the International Medical Office, linked below. Contact information can be found there. We accept patients from Japan and overseas. *Note that initial blood screening takes place at @KevinMcCairnPhD's lab, linked in the first response, or if you've had microclot analysis conducted by another lab, such as Dr. Vaughn's in Birmingham, Alabama. Whole blood and plasma are looked at for patients receiving treatment. For more information, go to: edogawa.or.jp/%E5%9B%BD%E9%9…

Ah, there it is. Lecturing someone who was horrifically injured by the vaccine about relative safety profiles. Most of our long covid patients were vaccinated. I was also badly injured by the mRNA vaccines, and I also went through this treatment. You could've just led with that and spared me the time of responding.

Starting week 3 in Japan clinical trial. Have had a set back. During DFPA #2 on 7/28 a small injury occurred to my right lung leading to a pneumothorax. The team immediately obtained imaging, placed a chest tube and admitted me. Prayers please that the tube can be removed today 8/1. As some of you may recall I have a condition called Ehlers Danlos. Not only does it make me more susceptible to Long Covid and Iliac Vein Compression it causes my tissues to be more fragile and injury to heal more slowly. Based on my first sample and significant amyloid burden I plan to continue the protocol however under guidance from my treatment team at a slower pace to allow the needed time for healing. Vx injury and LC is such a tough journey. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be here, for your kind words and generosity. The team and other patients in the trial have been amazing and it is wonderful to be witness to the healing taking place. ❤️‍🩹🙏🏼❤️‍🩹🙏🏼 🔗 gofund.me/d97a749dc

STOP IT!!!😂😂😂

Please take a moment to read and share my friend April's story. ❤️ @AprilWW911LC Getting to Japan for treatment isn't as simple as booking a flight. It takes tremendous courage, months of planning, enormous financial sacrifice, and the willingness to leave everything behind in the hope of getting your life back. She has completed one of the four recommended DFPP treatments at Edogawa Hospital, but she still has three more treatments to go. Unfortunately, she's running out of funds before she can complete the protocol her physicians believe gives her the best chance of improvement. Every single dollar helps. If you're not able to donate, please share her fundraiser. One share could reach someone who is able to help. We all know how quickly medical expenses can become overwhelming. No one should have to stop potentially life-changing treatment simply because they ran out of money. ❤️ Please donate if you can. Please share if you can't. Every dollar, every prayer, and every share truly makes a difference. Thank you for helping someone who refuses to give up. gofundme.com/f/help-april-ac…

A share is what is needed. #donations are also very helpful.

An Update from Tokyo ❤️ First, thank you to everyone who has prayed for me, donated, shared my fundraiser, or reached out with encouragement. Your kindness has made it possible for me to begin treatment here at Edogawa Hospital in Tokyo. I have now completed my first Double Filtration Plasmapheresis (DFPP) treatment and four Stem Cell Growth Factor treatments. Many of you have asked if I’m feeling better. The honest answer is…it’s still too early to know. Some patients improve quickly, while others need more time. I came to Japan knowing there were no guarantees, but after exhausting nearly every treatment available to me in the U.S., I knew I had to keep fighting. Because of your generosity, we’ve raised about $12,000, and I have also made the difficult decision to cash out my retirement savings. Together, those funds will cover approximately two weeks of treatment. However, my physicians at Edogawa Hospital have recommended the full four-week treatment protocol, as they believe it gives me the best opportunity for improvement. At this point, I simply don’t have the financial resources to complete those final two weeks. Just two years ago, I was working full-time as a physician assistant, volunteering to improve the health of first responders, hiking with my family, and walking my son to school. Today, making it through a shower or a medical appointment can take everything I have. Long COVID has taken my career, my health, and much of my independence—but it hasn’t taken away my hope. If you’re able to donate or simply share my fundraiser, I would be deeply grateful. Every act of kindness brings me one step closer to completing my treatment. If you could do just one thing for me today, would you consider sharing my story? ❤️ Sometimes one share reaches the one person who can change the course of someone’s life. Thank you for believing in me and standing beside me through this fight. With love, light and gratitude April gofund.me/b284be827 #longcovid #microclots #mccairnedogawaprotocol #vaccineinjury #microclots #chronicillness #firstresponders #PhysicianAssistant #MedicalFundraiser #COVID19