Patient story
changing possibilities in haemophilia
our formula has evolved
“Years ago, when thinking about where to go or what to do, I always had to consider my limitations,” says Theis. “There are still some things I can’t do, but today I can focus more on what I want to do. For instance, I have been to Thailand and the wilderness of Canada. I could never have dreamt of such long distance travel when I was growing up.”
As a young boy Theis was rushed to hospital suffering an acute bleed. On arrival, his parents were told that due to his severe haemophilia, and the lack of an effective treatment, doctors were powerless to stop the bleeding. They were told their son would not live very long.
Such prognoses followed Theis for much of his life. By the time he was twelve, he had missed so much school he was told that he would not be able to continue with his education. When Theis turned 14 he suffered a serious fall and doctors quickly announced that he would never walk again. On his 18th birthday he even received a letter from the local authorities telling him he was eligible for retirement.
“What NovoSeven has done is give hope to a group of patients who were once told that nothing could be done for them. Today, there is a real possibility of treating this group of people and we do not need to just give up on them.”
Fortunately, the possibilities for care have changed, and today Theis is 55, happily married, a father and a practising doctor. He recently underwent orthopaedic surgery for his joints as well as a successful bone marrow transplantation, something that would have been very risky without our haemophilia treatment. Against all odds, Theis is alive and still walking today.
“I’ve started growing mistletoes on my apple trees,” says Theis. “It normally takes from seven to nine years before you see any berries, so this is definitely a long term hobby. With today’s level of treatment I have faith that I will actually be around to see these berries many years from now. That makes me proud and happy.”
Novo Nordisk has had a clear impact on the life expectancy of people with haemophilia and inhibitors, allowing people like Theis to enjoy a healthy retirement. Our treatment does not end at stopping bleeds, but makes life-saving corrective surgery possible.
But we are not stopping there.
Novo Nordisk has a heritage of working to improve existing standards of care, and so we move forward, redefining treatment and developing safe, effective and more convenient formulations.
