cardiomyopathy
Leonard Narracci – Dilated Cardio-Myopathy
My name is Leonard Narracci, and I live in Venice, Florida. Three years ago, I was diagnosed with Dilated Cardio-Myopathy. I was always tired, listless, and completely lethargic. I underwent all the traditional cardiac testing, and the bottom line was that I would be on medication, Toprol and Atacand, Ace inhibitors and Beta Blockers, to maintain the status quo, but there was little hope of improving my cardiac condition.
Discovering Dr. Zannos Grekos
After 3 years of living like this, I told my wife that I could not continue to live like this, but that I had to search for a more viable option. I began my research to find a “better way”. I found Regenocyte and Dr. Zannos Grekos, right here in my backyard in Bonita Springs, Florida. I researched his Stem Cell Therapy treatment intensely. Then, I attended a seminar of his, which confirmed the action that I had to take to repair my heart. I made an appointment with him and underwent all the necessary testing to determine if I was a viable candidate. Fortunately, I was! I expressed the desire to have the treatment, and his office set everything in motion.
Treatment Abstract
The entire Regenocyte experience was nothing short of perfection, beginning with his very capable and competent assistant, Nancy Trombino. Nancy made all the necessary arrangements and reservations and provided me with an itinerary that explicitly told me where and when I had to be all at times during the treatment. I had 8 ounces of blood drawn, and a courier was waiting to transport the blood to Miami Airport to be flown to a bio-tech lab in Israel. My stem cells were extracted, genetically engineered for heart repair, and then replicated to 143,000,000 stem cells.
Experience as a patient
On October 7, 2008, my wife, my friend, and I left Miami Airport for the Dominican Republic. As soon as we deplaned, we were met by two Regenocyte agents, who were wonderful. They transported us to the Marriott Hotel, which was charming and very comfortable. The staff there made every effort to provide us with all that we needed. The Regenocyte agents catered to our every want and need, even providing me with a cell phone. All I had to do was press a single number and I could make contact with an agent at any time of the day or night.
Treatment Procedure
On October 8th. Dr. Grekos had also flown in to the Dominican republic to perform the procedure. The agent took us to the hospital where I was prepped for the procedure and then taken to the Catheterization Lab for the procedure. The procedure takes between an hour and an hour and a half. The procedure consisted of 2 parts. In the first, my arteries in my heart were each shut off for 3 minutes, while the stem cells were infused. In the second part, the stem cells were directly injected into the diseased walls of my heart.
Treatment Experience
I felt absolutely nothing, and was totally fascinated watching the entire procedure on the monitor. During the entire treatment, Dr. Grekos would check on me, and tell me that everything was proceeding perfectly.Upon completion of the treatment, I was taken to an ICU room to be monitored overnight.
Post treatment
The next morning, October 9th., I was discharged, and the agents took me back to the hotel to relax for the rest of the day, per Dr. Grekos’ orders. The next morning, October 10th. The Regenocyte agents took us to the airport, and before we knew it, we were back in Miami, and my wife and I were on our way back home to Venice, Florida. For the next few days, I just took it easy and rested.
7 Days Later -Improvement
Exactly 7 days after the treatment I was feeling a renewed engergy and sense of well-being that I had not experienced in three years.
2 Weeks Later -Ejection Fraction up from 20 to 28
Two weeks after the treatment, I had a follow-up appointment with Dr. Grekos. He was much more than pleased with the results he found. He did an Echogram, and the results were nothing short of remarkable. After only two weeks he found that my heart apex was normal, my heart had decreased in size and my ejection fraction had risen from 20 to 28. On November 25th.
7 Weeks Later – Ejection Fraction up from 28 – 33
I went back to Doctor Grekos’ office for more testing, 7 weeks after treatment. The Echogram showed the walls of my heart thickening, indicating that the stem cells were regenerating healthy heart muscle that previously was non-functional and not contracting. It was now contracting strongly, evidenced by the fact that my ejection fraction was now up to 33. I guess these results say it all, and I am looking forward to the progression of these results over the next several months.
3 Months Later – Ejection Fraction up from 33 – 45
The middle of January, I will have more heart tests for the 3 month follow-up and then again at 6 months and at 9 months. January 23rd. I had my important 3 month follow-up appointment with Dr. Grekos. The week before, I had the testing: EKG, ICG, Nuclear Stress Test, and Muga Scan. The tests revealed that the dimensions of my enlarged heart had decreased and that my Ejection Fraction had now increased from 33 to 45. This is especially significant in light of the fact that I am only 10 points away from 55 which is a normal Ejection Fraction.
My Opinion of Dr Grekkos
Other than Dr. Grekos, there is no other invasive cardiologist in the world who has done more to advance and effectively apply the principles of Adult Stem Cell Therapy. Even the typically sceptical medical community is beginning to acknowlege the efficacy of the treatment and the expertise of Dr. Grekos. I cannot help but show my enthusiasm for a procedure and a doctor who has given back to me a quality of life that I never thought I would see again.
My hope and prayer
My hope and prayer is that the medical community and the FDA will very soon come to the realization of the significance of this treatment and provide the necessary approval, so that patients do not have to continue to go out of the country.
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