Rose-tinted: M.y S.tory

Kezia Kecibas was officially diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis when she was 25. She had a two year son, but at this time the symptoms were relatively mild and since then, she has taught positive thinking and mental well-being alongside running her holistic therapy business.

She talked to YOMU about her journey and what happens when you take off those rose-tinted glasses that have meant a diagnosis of MS has never been more than an inconvenience, something to push to one side and ignore.

It’s a brave, powerful, truthful story and one I thank Kezia for sharing and I hope may help others who are dealing with MS.

Over time, the symptoms became more profound and to counter this, my medication also changed.

I had been on a variety of drugs or Disease Modifying Treatments to take the edge off the symptoms, and slow down the MS progression, eventually ending on a particularly potent monthly infusion.

During a routine Neurology consultation, I received the negative prognosis that even on the medication, at the current rate of progression I would within a couple of years, inevitably be using a wheelchair.

Being told what is inevitable would, (and no doubt always will) be like putting a flame to blue touch paper.

The literal translation of my surname Kecibas (from Turkish) is Goat head, meaning stubborn. This was not going to happen.

I heard through a friend that her sister had MS but had undertaken a “miracle cure” that had in effect reversed the symptoms. Where she had once needed a wheelchair, she was now not just walking, she was walking “normally” and without any aid.

The cure? Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Put simply, they take my good Stem Cells, clear my immune system of the naughty cells and then put the nice ones back. A total reboot.

I’d heard of this treatment before and dismissed it after hearing horror stories about the cost, there being no guarantee of it working, and a grossly exaggerated mortality rate.

Despite this, I attended a presentation where I came across the most happy, hippy and brilliant Dr Fedorenko. The key to his high success rate?

He explained the importance of positivity and mental attitude.

“You deal with what’s in here (pointing to his head)” “Do Yoga, meditate and I’ll do the other fifty percent which is science”.

I liked the sound of this 50/ 50 arrangement.

In 2019, I underwent the treatment to arrest the typical chronic progression of the disease.

With my usual rose-tinted outlook on life, I wouldn’t just stop the MS – I’d literally be running off the plane when I landed back in the UK.

I took a brief trip to Moscow for Chemo and Stem Cell Transplant, and then wrote a book!

Rose-tinted: M.y S.tory

This is how it is, and without any flowers or sugar coating. The struggles and sometimes taboo highs, lows and shames associated with living with MS. but as they say, life’s what you make it.

Adding a humorous slant to the many challenges that have been overcome from the early signs to diagnosis and living with MS. 

“Gripping! This book really gives insight into the world of MS and disability as a whole. Very thought provoking ”

“I can honestly say that was an awesome fabulous beautiful truthful account of your MS life and your struggle”

“You’ve shown those suffering from this disease that there is hope out there if you get off your arse and find it as you did”

Available to buy now at www.rosetinted.me

E-book available through Amazon