Day One: Beginning Stem Cell Therapy in Antigua

Matthew and I arrived at the stunning Hodges Bay Resort, our home for the duration of our stay in Antigua. We were joined by other patients of Dr. Prodromos, all of whom were here for stem cell treatments. The resort staff was attentive and always on call, ready to help with any side effects from our daily treatments, whether that meant bringing ice for pain relief or heated blankets to soothe chills. These comforts helped us manage the temporary aftereffects of our procedures.

Our first morning began at 11 am with an EEG test, designed to measure my stress levels. The results were no surprise: my creative side is controlled by the right hemisphere of my brain, which aligns perfectly with my career in fashion. The left side, responsible for linear thinking and mathematics, was less active—again, no shock to me!

At 2:30 pm, it was time for the first treatment. The clinic, tucked away in an unassuming strip mall, was buzzing with anticipation. Around 20 other patients waited with us, each hoping for relief from conditions ranging from Parkinson’s and Autism to spinal injuries and even hearing loss. I was surprised to spot a well-known actor among us. One man shared how Parkinson’s had once left him unable to lift his arms, but after treatment, he was back to normal, without medication. Like several others, he had returned for a second round of therapy.

The atmosphere felt almost spiritual, reminiscent of Lourdes, France, where people gather in the hope of miracles.

My first treatment targeted my spine. Was it painless? Far from it! Even with a local anesthetic, I couldn’t help but scream—the pain was so intense that I almost levitated off the operating table. Back at the hotel, Matthew (bless him) took charge, applying ice to my back on and off for two hours. Miraculously, the pain faded.

With the most challenging part behind me, I looked ahead to the next two days: highly experimental treatments for hearing loss, and—most exciting of all—the possibility of restoring my brain’s ability to process music. Five years ago, I began hearing music as sharp, flat, and distorted—like banging on a tin can. It’s a rare phenomenon currently being studied at universities worldwide. Dr. Prodromos has been using stem cell spray injections with some promising results.

I am more than willing to be a guinea pig for this treatment, and I’m filled with hope and anticipation for what the coming days might bring.