Rayanne Dooley had just celebrated her 22nd birthday when she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

It had taken four years from her first symptoms to get diagnosed. The condition can affect the brain and spinal cord, causing a wide range of potential symptoms, including problems with vision, arm or leg movement, sensation or balance.

She was told by medical professionals that she would never be able to stand again, let alone walk. 

But Rayanne has defied these predictions thanks to HSCT (Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation).

HSCT is a treatment for autoimmune diseases such as MS that has proven to halt the disease’s progression, and she travelled to Mexico after raising thousands of pounds for the treatment.

"The money was raised in various ways," Rayanne explained.

"I worked tirelessly getting my name and my story of hope out there, and many events were held both in Enniskillen and my home town in Laois.

"My family also did a sponsored Croagh Patrick climb, which raised over €10,000 last August.

"Manchester United donated a signed pennant, which I raffled off along with other donated items from local businesses in JT Ryan’s Bar, just to name a few.

"People still remember me as 'the girl that did the beautiful flowers at the markets', and I’d love to do it again some time in the near future, as I found my passion in floristry all whilst fundraising!"

That money was put to great use in Mexico, but Rayanne admitted the treatment was "very intense", but she has never received "such amazing healthcare in all my life".

"The nurses and doctors are on standby 24/7 if you ever needed them. Firstly, it’s a lot of pre-testing, and once all that’s clear, then it goes straight into chemotherapy, which I was the most nervous for."

This involved eight hours of chemo, followed by another day of eight hours.

Then followed approximately nine days of twice-daily injections to raise the white blood cell count to create a large amount of new stem cells.

"Me and my group then had to shave our heads in preparation for the final two chemos, which was very difficult to prepare for, mentally.

"You then have a Port catheter placed while sedated, and your stem cells will be collected.

"These new stem cells will be returned to you within two days, once your immune system has reached zero.

"From this point on, the MS can’t possibly be present, as MS is caused by the immune system.

"Rebuilding it with stem cells that can’t learn of the disease from other cells results in the body no longer remembering that it had MS."

Rayanne said she will never need more treatment, or to return to Mexico, or have DMT (disease-modifying therapy) which she had been receiving before getting HSCT.

However, she admits there were times of doubt: "The only time I had doubts was when returning home, as with such a low immune system I picked up Covid-19, which almost put me into the ICU in the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH), due to pneumonia complications the day after returning, and [that] left me paralysed for weeks.

"Thankfully, due to the new, rebooted immune system, I made a miraculous recovery!

"I was told I wouldn’t be up even standing this side of Christmas without daily physio, but I walked just a few weeks after returning home from the SWAH, and my physio had never seen a recovery like it." 

This treatment has changed Rayanne's life dramatically.

"From the moment I received my stem cells back, I could move my right toes again, and I could see better.

"I’m now walking stronger and better than I have in years, according to my neurological physiotherapist.

"Although primarily a wheelchair user, I’m using aids such as a Zimmer frame or crutches, and going further distances every single week.

"I’ve gotten more sensation back in my legs, spasms have gotten much better, and I’m still very early on in my recovery process," she said, adding that the recovery process is approximately two to three years due to the high-strength chemotherapy, and how your body and immune system is quite literally like a newborn's following the treatment.

"I will be celebrating my six-month 'stem cell birthday' on September 18, which is a huge milestone."

For Rayanne, who has been keeping people updated on her journey on her Facebook page, 'Rayanne's HSCT Journey', there were even more positives, following her treatment.

"My favourite thing that I’ve done since returning home is being able to not only attend my close friend’s wedding, but being able to stand up beside him to get photos and have a little dance - something I thought I’d never do.

"I’m planning on working hard every week, and continuing to get stronger so that I can walk down the aisle at my own wedding in the next few years.

"The future is packed with potential now! I’d like to be a florist, I’d love to have my own little shop.

"I am also a committee member with Fermanagh Pride, and we recently held a huge and historic day for the county, which I’m so proud of, myself and everyone involved, for being able to put [it] together for the community."

Rayanne encouraged anyone with MS to look into HSCT treatment sooner rather than later, and she also thanked all those who donated to her and gave her the chance at this life-changing treatment.

"It's family, friends and kind strangers who donated from all over Ireland, but especially in my home town, and now my home of Enniskillen, who I have to thank for this second chance at life.

"When I was diagnosed at 22 years old during the pandemic, I thought my life was over.

"I was so young and scared, and it was like a dark cloud was constantly following me around, because I could wake up any day and be in a relapse, which has happened and left me paralysed and stuck on my bedroom floor, [relapsing] for seven months by the end of 2021.

"It’s always a ticking time bomb, and I was not ready to just lay down and accept that this is what my life would be like.

"I started the flowers on a whim, and realised this could actually lead somewhere due to all the positive feedback, and within nine months I raised just over £50,000 with all of the support.

"Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d actually be able to accomplish this, but here we are, six months post-HSCT."