A Story of Survival & Hope
The Inner Issue
When the Battle Is Happening Inside the Body
Across the world, thousands of people are suffering from Chronic Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD) after life-saving treatments such as bone marrow transplants and stem cell therapy. This website was created to bring attention to Ricky's fundraiser and the extraordinary medical journey he continues to fight every day — and to share his path so that others suffering from GVHD know they are not alone and may have options beyond feeling trapped in hospitals or dependent solely on medications.
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A Lifetime of Fighting
8 Months Old
Ricky's battle with illness began when he was only 8 months old after being diagnosed with Juvenile Xanthogranuloma (JXG). He endured four years of chemotherapy during the earliest years of his life.
Age Five
At five years old Ricky survived a near drowning accident that left him in a medically induced coma for nearly a month.
Age Ten
He was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). To save his life Ricky underwent extremely aggressive treatments including chemotherapy, CAR T cell therapy, full body radiation twice per day, and eventually a bone marrow transplant.
After the Transplant
Ricky developed Chronic Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD) — beginning one of the most painful chapters of his life.
The Reality of Chronic GVHD
After his transplant Ricky developed Chronic Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD). At one point Ricky could barely be touched. Even the lightest pressure on his skin caused agonizing pain. He could not wear clothes because the friction against his skin would make the pain unbearable. His hands and feet constantly burned with nerve pain. Some days the burning sensation was so intense that he would scream from the pain.
His entire body ached. The nerve damage caused severe burning in his hands and feet. His skin became fragile, cracking and tearing. Every movement hurt. Eating became nearly impossible. It wasn't that Ricky didn't want to eat — he physically couldn't. Because of this he began rapidly losing weight and his body started to weaken even further.
The hospital's solution was to continue prescribing stronger and stronger medications. One of the drugs prescribed was Gabapentin for nerve pain, with doses reaching 200 mg as needed — an amount often used for adults. For a 12 year old child to be relying on medications like this was extremely difficult for the family to watch.
Because Ricky could not eat and continued losing weight, doctors began recommending a feeding tube to be surgically placed in his stomach. Meanwhile his parents fought for a treatment they believed could help him — Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. It took nearly an entire year of fighting with the hospital for them to finally approve the treatment.
Hyperbaric Therapy – The First Turning Point
Once the hyperbaric chamber therapy was finally approved, it still required monthly approval from doctors. But within two weeks something incredible happened. Ricky's skin began improving. The cracking and peeling started healing. Slowly his body began showing small but meaningful signs of recovery.
Even with this improvement, Ricky remained extremely underweight and fragile. The hospital continued to push the feeding tube surgery as their solution.
Within Two Weeks
Ricky's skin began improving. The cracking and peeling started healing. Small but meaningful signs of recovery appeared.
A Year of Fighting
His parents fought for nearly an entire year with the hospital before hyperbaric oxygen therapy was finally approved.
A Life Changing Introduction to Forgotten Formula PMA
At a critical turning point in Ricky's life, Forgotten Formula PMA entered the picture. At that moment things were becoming extremely serious — doctors were preparing to move forward with surgery to install a feeding tube because Ricky could not eat. Forgotten Formula PMA and their medical team stepped in and completely changed the direction of Ricky's care.
Within the first week of working with them, Ricky began eating again. By the second week during a visit to Dallas, Texas, Ricky was already eating entire small pizzas on his own. For a child who previously could not eat at all, this was a huge breakthrough.
Through Forgotten Formula PMA, Ricky received a treatment plan and access to therapies that dramatically improved his quality of life. They also helped continue hyperbaric oxygen therapy, including access to the same medical grade chambers Ricky had previously used at St. Joseph's Hospital.
Working With Holtorf Medical Group
Through this journey Ricky's family was introduced to Dr. Kent Holtorf, founder of the Holtorf Medical Group located in El Segundo, California. Working together, Holtorf Medical Group and Forgotten Formula PMA began helping regulate Ricky's system and rebuilding his strength. Ricky began receiving stem cell therapy under their care.
Forgotten Formula PMA
Stepped in at a critical moment and completely changed the direction of Ricky's care. Provided access to medical-grade hyperbaric chambers and a personalized treatment plan.
Holtorf Medical Group
Founded by Dr. Kent Holtorf in El Segundo, California. Working alongside Forgotten Formula PMA to help regulate Ricky's system, rebuild his strength, and administer stem cell therapy.
A Major Milestone
ZERO
Medications Today
- Steroids
- Gabapentin
- Appetite Stimulants
- Jakafi
- Immune Suppressants
Today Ricky is on ZERO medications. The hospital had previously told his family that Ricky would likely need many medications long term. The burning nerve pain is gone. The steroids are gone. The appetite medications are gone. The hospital drugs are gone.
Instead Ricky is now receiving modern therapies focused on supporting his body's recovery, including personalized peptide therapy designed specifically for him. This represents a new and emerging direction in medicine — treatments tailored to the individual patient.
Help Ricky Walk Again
Chronic GVHD Took His Mobility — But Treatment Is Giving Him Hope
Ricky Today
We invite you to follow Ricky's journey as we continue posting updates about his recovery. The purpose of The Inner Issue is not only to share Ricky's story, but also to introduce others suffering from GVHD to the doctors and organizations that helped him when things felt impossible. We hope Ricky's story gives hope to families facing similar battles.
Donate to Help Ricky Continue His Recovery
Every contribution helps Ricky continue the treatments that have given him his life back. Your support makes a real difference.
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