My BMT was a turning point in my life. It gave me hope.

I’m Luis. I’m 51 years old, a drummer from Portugal, and until a few years ago, my life revolved around movement. Cycling, racing, the gym—being active wasn’t a hobby, it was my identity.

On the morning of February 1, 2016, that identity cracked. I woke up with an unbearable pain in my left leg. I tried to stand, but I couldn’t. I tried to walk, but my body refused. I didn’t understand what was happening, only that something was very wrong.

Two days later, I had my first MRI. What followed was a long, confusing stretch of doctor visits and unanswered questions. Weeks later, on April 13, 2016, another MRI—this time of my brain—showed multiple lesions. That was the moment everything became real. I had Multiple Sclerosis.

Fear set in quickly—a quiet, constant fear of losing control over my body. Fear of the future. Fear of not knowing what choice to make. The only thing that helped me stay grounded was learning. I read obsessively. Research papers, patient stories, anything I could find. That’s when I discovered HSCT. The science, the outcomes—it made sense to me in a way nothing else had.

When I discussed it with my neurologist, he suggested I start Disease Modifying Therapies. He thought I was doing fine. Others were more direct. Out of five hematologists I spoke to in Portugal, most told me I was crazy. One warned me it was suicide. Only one doctor believed in my decision and offered support. I still carry deep gratitude for that.

Despite the doubts, I applied for HSCT and received a treatment date in India, November 2017. I chose to trust what I had learned and, more importantly, the people who had already walked this path before me. I spoke to patients who were undergoing HSCT in India, and every conversation brought a little more reassurance. They didn’t just talk about results—they talked about being cared for. That mattered to me. I sent my medical reports ahead, and inNovember 2017, I packed my bags and flew to New Delhi, arriving on November 10.

Delhi hit me all at once. The noise, the movement, the sheer number of people—it was intense and unfamiliar. I was exhausted from the journey, so the first day was mostly about resting and gathering myself. The next morning, I met the medical team at the hospital. That was when I met Dr. Gaurav Kharya. From the very first interaction, there was a sense of calm. He took the time to explain things clearly, without rushing, and for the first time in a long while, I felt like I could breathe. I knew I was in good hands.

The days that followed were full of tests—blood work, MRIs, heart, lung, and hearing evaluations. It felt endless, but every step had a purpose. Five days later, I was told I was approved for the transplant. Soon after, my stem cells were collected and safely stored. Then came the hardest part: five days of chemotherapy to completely wipe out my bone marrow.

Those days were tough. I felt weak, drained, and vulnerable in ways I had never experienced before. But I was never alone. I was monitored constantly, supported by nurses and doctors who treated me with kindness and patience. Somehow, that made all the difference.

After five or six days, my own stem cells were infused back into my body. That moment marked the beginning of recovery. The days that followed were slow and careful—regular checks, preventive medications, and round-the-clock monitoring. Gradually, my blood counts began to rise. By December 9, 2017, I was finally able to go home.

The first week back was simple: sleep. Deep, uninterrupted sleep. Over the next six weeks, I had weekly blood tests to make sure my immune system was rebuilding safely. Two months later, I did something that felt almost surreal—I went back to the gym.

When I look back now, this journey wasn’t just about treatment. It was about learning to trust myself, listening to my instincts, and finding the courage to choose my own path. Meeting Dr. Gaurav Kharya and being treated was a turning point in my life—not just medically, but emotionally. It gave me hope, when I needed it most.