NZ woman awaits word on timing of stem-cell surgery

Rein and Willie Terpstra have already met people from around the world who are also in Beijing hoping for relief through stem-cell operations. Picture / Alan Gibson

Word is expected today on when Rotorua motor neurone sufferer Willie Terpstra will have a stem-cell transplant in China in a bid to ease her condition.

The 64-year-old, who has been in Beijing with husband Rein and family for more than a week, was hoping to move from their hotel into hospital yesterday for an MRI scan in preparation for her controversial therapy.

Banned in most countries, the two-hour procedure under local anaesthetic involves transplanting around two million stem cells from aborted foetuses into the brain.

Hundreds of people suffering from spinal cord injuries and motor neurone diseases are queuing for the treatment in the hope of gaining some reprieve. Already the Terpstras have met other people from around the world who are also waiting to undergo similar operations by United States-trained Chinese surgeon Hongyun Huang.

They have befriended a fellow motor neurone patient, a Belgian woman who arrived in Beijing at the same time as they did whose movement is severely restricted.

Most of the others are car accident victims with broken backs or necks, Mrs Terpstra said on her website.

She is believed to be the first New Zealander to undergo the $40,000 stem-cell process, which she hopes will slow the terminal muscle-wasting disease ravaging her body.

The mother of three, diagnosed a year ago, has lost her voice and wants to be able to speak again - even for a day. Eventually, as nerves supplying the muscles deteriorate, she will also lose the ability to swallow and to breath.

Although experts claim not enough research has been done to show the stem-cell procedure is safe and effective, the Rotorua couple - who emigrated from Holland 25 years ago - say the potential benefits outweigh the risks.

Motor Neurone Disease Association executive officer Sue Leader said yesterday: "Everybody is watching to see how it goes for Willie."

Being a guinea pig for the treatment was very much an individual choice, she said.

Paralysed Superman actor Christopher Reeve, who died last year, was a strong champion of stem cell research.