T'is the Season

Merry Christmas to ALL!  All who have helped me get through the last few years and the last few months.
I am so lucky to have so many friends and such a loving family.
I really do love you all.

Kiss noise,
ME

T'is the Season

Happy Holiday Y'all!

Well, happy-ish.  We made it through the "first" holiday after Tracy decided to go see what's on the other side.  (Yes, he did come back for a quick visit to say I was right, which I knew, because why would I argue for something I knew was wrong, right?  But that's another post).

This post is prompted by the support groups that contact me to make sure I am doing okay which is nice but so far I have not found personally helpful yet due to their focus I think.  Maybe I am in the same denial that the medical world kept trying to "encourage" out of me since the day of our diagnosis of ALS.

I want to thank all the wonderful people who HAVE been so extremely loving, sharing and helpful to Tracy and I all through our journey.  Even those and sometimes especially those who did not necessarily agree with Tracy or I in our view points but were willing to listen, argue and /or stir the pot with us.  It ALL helped and showed us how committed you were and are to allowing us to live the best life we can no matter what the circumstances.

Thanksgiving

We had our ups and downs and sidewayses.  There were tears and hugs but also laughter and stories and typical merriment that Tracy would have loved and some he would have avoided like the plague. 

We made a plan together to be prepared to be 

HAPPY on Thanksgiving Day.  

We discussed that we all miss Tracy.  That is going to be true for me for a very long time I "imagine", but that Thanksgiving is one of Tracy's very favorite holidays because cooking and eating is the major focus of that holiday that brings people together and he did sooooooo love to show off his culinary skills, so let's not waste it.

Rachel did a fantastic job channeling her father in the kitchen and did him proud all the way around with the help of Nick and Paige and friends.  Sarah, Tim and the Kiddos went to El Dorado AR to be with their other family so we could all get to be together for Christmas.

We made the choice to grieve before and after in whatever ways we need to but ON THANKSGIVING DAY, a day specifically to be remembered and passed down thru our heritage, we would focus on all the GOOD about the day.  

And you know what- it worked!!!

I have to admit- the days leading up to Thanksgiving were surprisingly emotional for me.  I think part of that for me is that I am also trying to figure out where I am going physically and financially as well as emotionally.  But Thanksgiving Day was a wonderful celebration with the kids and new friends and calls from the family around the country.  Again I am going to say- there were moments of sadness that we admitted to and waded thru but the day I feel will be remembered with a smile.  It was a GOOD DAY.

The idea that so many, including the support groups,  point out repeatedly, is that you most likely will be sad and miserable and lonely at the holidays, with the thought that somehow being prepared for it will make you "feel better" or not as bad, makes no sense to me. But then I am reminded often, I am not typical in the way I view the world.  Is it just me?  What is the goal of that mindset?  Is it to make you less miserable (which means you need to be miserable to have this thought process be successful).  Are they making sure you KNOW that you are supposed to be miserable in case you didn't get the memo?  Is it to make you feel included in that Group of Grievers?

As a hypnotist- you know you do NOT point to that which you Don't want.  Telling people what NOT to do does not create a path for what you want them TO focus on.  To say, "watch my hand.  I am going to slap you in the forehead.  Watch for it....watch for it.....THERE" SMACK!  Now, did seeing it coming stop the sting or did it still hurt??   Wouldn't it make more sense to say- there is a lot of slapping going on out there.  If you prefer to get out of the way of the majority of the slapping step to the hugging and happiness section.  It may not get you out of the way completely but a nice hug sure takes the sting out of a thoughtless slap because you are watering the event down with more than one emotion (not completely eliminating an emotion).  And if you aren't standing in the misery it's a lot easier to avoid getting hit with it as often. It's about your focus.  Hap or Piness.... Put the stress on the wrong syllable and you get a WHOLE different meaning:)

It is a common form of emotional support and therapy to discuss "look for these signs of sadness and depression and recognize it as such.  Yes, you want people to understand that it is NORMAL to feel grief but to then DO the things that increase misery instead of relieve it seems to me to be counter productive.   Now since I am not the brightest bulb in the pack I am willing to explore that which I don't understand.  I have considered this "kindness" they keep calling and offering to me is actually the best way to do things as I am new to the whole grieving widow thing.  The saying that Misery Loves Company rolls to the front of my brain.   No one wants to be alone.  It feels great to have a connection with others especially under stressful situations knowing they understand. But do you really want to sit around with other miserable people when you are sad?  Does that REALLY make you feel better?

I have a very dear friend who shockingly lost her husband in a freak spontaneous way at the same time Tracy passed so she is dealing with some of what I IMAGINE I am.  I am grieving her loss too.  I have no idea what she is really going thru because just as I have learned in health and healing- every situation has so many variables, that there is no exact recipe to go by.  Would I feel better if her husband was dancing around laughing WITH her physically on this planet right now.  OF COURSE I would!  So, no. My misery does not want any darn company in that arena.  Her being miserable in NO WAY makes me feel any better.  It's not a competition.  No one has it any better or worse.  The the world of Suckdom- all things are equal.

I have found comfort in her correspondence, kindness and love.  It's not so much what she says specifically but that she is taking the time during her own grief to think of me.  The message that we are there for each other is the comfort.  We are not alone- even tho we at times feel very alone,  not being with who we want to be with.  Yes, it's good to share and relate to each other.  But neither of us wallows in the sadness trying to invite the other in that quicksand.  We remind each other-it's one step at a time with the focus being-some how we are going to make it thru this and when we doubt it the other is there to lift us both up, not commiserate on how awful things are.  Together and separately we will find a way to be happy again,  just in a new way. 

I don't need any reminder at any time that I am or was or might be sad and miserable as if I might forget or miss it if they don't call and mention it to me.  The idea that people are going to prepare you for what you are about to go through so you are not shocked may have some value but there are two sides to that coin.  

1).  There is NO WAY to be prepared to lose a loved one really.  It hurts no matter what.  

2). To tell someone over and over again by many sources and some authority figures that you ARE going to be miserable and sad, especially when you are emotional-MAKES THEM MISERABLE AND SAD.  

That is how hypnosis works.  I have been studying it with great fascination for 25 years.  I can tell you from personal experience I have NEVER felt better or relieved in any way when someone told Tracy and I to be prepared for something awful that you can not stop.  Do you have to be practical and prepared for things? Maybe.  But if that is the ONLY thing being talked about and focused on you are pointing them to the path of depression. 

Have you ever been feeling pretty good and someone comes along and asks what's wrong or if you are sick or not feeling well?  What do you do?  You begin to search for WHY they would say that.  Then you begin to FEEL for it in your body.  Does something hurt?  You look in the mirror to see What about you LOOKS bad or sick.  All the focus is on relating to that which was pointed out. You now totally ignore the fact your skin looks good and your eyes are bright and your clothes fit well.

Now, it's important to understand that I am not saying Ignore your feelings.  ALL feelings are important.  That is why you have them.  I am pointing out that for some reason, that seems illogical to me, the majority of the world believes, it is some how comforting and healing to point out how miserable you probably are and that by reminding you of that and relating to that they know how you feel so you are not alone in your grief.  If I hit my finger with a hammer and you pick up a hammer and smash yours- MY FINGER STILL HURTS THE SAME.  I just have to worry about YOUR finger too now.  

Wouldn't it be a better plan to just ask questions- what do you need?  How can I help?

Tell the truth to them in positive ways- Are you getting more sleep?  You sure look well rested or Wow, you surprise me with how much you have accomplished lately.

My mindset is- If what you are doing does not make you happier or healthier in some way- why are you doing it?  Grieving in a healthy way is a way to get back to being healthier and happier.

I am not a therapist.  I am not an expert on anything.  I am a person wading through life just like everyone else.  For some reason, in many ways,  I don't experience life like others.  I don't understand things like others.  So I am sharing my experiences in hopes that others may learn from me and perhaps others may take the time to share with me what they believe  I am misunderstanding.

For those grieving or not- Expect to enjoy the holidays.  Create ways to enjoy the holidays.  Look forward to enjoying the holidays starting right this minute because NOW is the only REAL time you have.  Why waste it? 

T'is the Season to be Jolly- Fa-la-la-la- la....

 

 

LInking

 After taking an extraordinarily long time to write this post on Tracy's blog I am cheating again on my own by linking it risking the chance you won't be interested in it fast enough to click the link.

But I see you as an inquisitive bunch and have faith you will at least give it 2 or 3 seconds to decide.

http://als-whaticantellyou.blogspot.com/2015/11/im-not-bitter-i-am-flabbergasted.html

NOW is the time

Life is still overwhelming at this point.

The celebration for Tracy is Sunday.

Knowing that in a couple days things will change yet again and

we will be "post" first funeral technically

is a relief and depressing all at the same time.

And even with all that, my mind constantly circles back to all that we have learned through this journey that I really really want to share so no one else has to go through what we have.

My initial reason for starting this blog was to list in some organized fashion the practical side of dealing with the day to day details of living with ALS.  Tracy was very very good at expressing the emotional roller coaster of his journey.  But he never discussed how to scratch your nose if you have no hands or how to wash someone's hair that can't hold their head up.  I really want to share that.

I feel so strongly that if others diagnosed with ALS could START where we left off they will never have to deal with the harsh symptoms we did.  I hope that the depression that finally overwhelmed Tracy can be squelched by making each challenge easier to face and deal with and allow others to live longer, healthier, happier lives.

I can't wait to get started- so I won't which leads to our Mantra.

The Mantra we (me, I ) adopted because of our ALS journey is-

NOW IS THE TIME.  

Whatever it is- do it NOW.  Now is the only real time. The past is just a memory. The future is just your imaginings.  NOW is the only time that is REAL. 

Tracy had an ALS habit of postponing things, avoiding things, ignoring things that were difficult, unpleasant or scary.

ALS is a STRESS based disease.  FEAR is a driving force in ALL symptoms of ALS.

Fear you say?  Not ME!  I am strong, fit, independent! I am the provider and protector!   HIDING from that fear creates a physical and emotional stress in the mind and body that aggravates the nervous system exacerbating symptoms.  

Why do you think they call it the Nice Guy's Disease?  Because ALSers are known to work through pain and not complain. They love to be over achievers and play it off like it's nothing.

Before you dismiss what I am saying consider this.  WHY would there be a personality associated with this disease?  Even doctors admit there is.  They even admit that MS and Parkinson's also has it's own personality.   

How you have learned to deal with stress from a very very young age sets up the neurological patterns and path ways in your nervous system.  Understanding that when you change your habits and mindset you literally change your physiology and nervous system.

If you haven't read or listened to The Biology of Belief by Bruce Lipton and even better HIS presentation of that book you should.  It's incredibly insightful and helpful in understanding how to heal ALS as well as many other issues.

So- creating NEW habits changes your mind and body's reactions to events.  If you were one to silently stew about something or put off paying bills and put a smile on your face to get along, you may want to make changes NOW to improve your health quickly, easily and dramatically.  If what you are doing does not make you happier or healthier why do it?

It's tough you say- be happy when you are scared and uncomfortable and people keep pushing doom at you every day.  BUT....if STRESS is killing you, then the opposite of that can heal you.  So understanding that your subconscious is 24/7 reacting, listening, acting upon the constant input from your emotions and thoughts allows you to DO something to help yourself.  I'm not saying it's easy.  I am saying the concept is "simple".  Those who have healed themselves of ALS ALL- every one, have this same idea in common.  YOU MUST HAVE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE.  You can't pretend.  It doesn't matter what the public believes.  It matters what YOU actually FEEL. That is what your nervous system acts upon.  Not just what you think, but what you FEEL.  

You can decide if you are going to let yourself cry or not.  Tough guys don't cry we are taught. Cry or not- if you FEEL sad and FEEL like crying but you don't then that electrical charge is held within the body and nervous system.  It's why people go work out hard when they are stressed because they know they feel better when they do.  Being afraid of experiencing those feelings puts stress on your system.  To heal you need to relieve ALL STRESS of every kind.  

Begin NOW to heal yourself.  NOT LATER, NOT TOMORROW.  NOW.  If there is ANY hesitation in you at all about beginning to heal yourself NOW recognize THAT is ALS.

Please feel free to contact me if you have questions.

Whirlwind

It's the day after Halloween.

The Wizard of Oz is a perfect visual depiction of our life- post Tracy.  

A whirlwind of activities and emotions buffet me unexpectedly and expectedly.

So many many many things to think, do, organize, plan while the mantra "there is nothing you HAVE to do" plays like a broken record off loved ones lips and in my mind.

The emotional roller coaster has been slowed by an avalanche of activity.

Some are happy distractions in the form of pampering by family and friends that I have to admit I am greedily enjoying.  Other activities include facing the hard realities and responsibilities in the aftermath of this mandatory life change.  Some are busy work to just keep moving to make sure I still can.

To wash the acid like burning sense of ALS out of my mind I raced to have Respiratory pick up the cough assist machine, Trilogy Tri Pap breathing machine, Humidifier and suction machine- most of which we barely used if at all. To me they felt more like they were sucking the life out of him even tho I know they are designed to do the opposite.  I am so glad to be rid of them.

Today I packed up his clothes and personal items except for those we will craft into clever gifts and memorabilia, reminding myself over and over that those items are not HIM.

But he is here in spirit.

We know this because he went with us to Trick or Treat with the grandkids last night.

We took his wheelchair, lights on

and talked to him and showed him the bounty

the boys collected.

Neighbors awkwardly hugged me

wondering if I had indeed gone over the edge due to the emotional trauma.

I almost felt bad for our distasteful inappropriate display.  Almost....but not quite,

because I know Tracy would have loved making people squirm.

It was so wrong it was right.

This is from Linda Keegan Paulhus who is creating a healing center for ALS.

 I am cheating again.

There is just not enough time in the day to get to everything and write about it at this point.

I have come in contact with Linda Keegan Paulhus who is a wonderful enthusiastic powerhouse of a person who is committed to seeing those with ALS have the opportunity to heal.

She lost her son to this disease and has studied about it for many years.

This is her advice to those diagnosed with ALS.

LUTIMAX-Has the highest concentration of lineolic acid [sublingual].  of any product developed.  I was in constant communication with Tom Lahey, developer [deceased a couple of years ago].  He used his personal money to develop this product [google Lutimax as the company still makes it available].  There was an TV interview in Los Angeles with ALS patients who were speech impaired.  Within 15 minutes, speech was regained.  An L.A. firefighter with ALS went to M.D.A. and spoke with Jerry Lewis who said he would accept it for clinical trials.  Like everything else where drug companies cannot profit, it was swept under the rug.

 

There is no magic bullet.  Lutimax helps nourish maintain the brain, henceforth,  improves speech.  It is an exceptional aid.

 

URGENT:

 

It has taken 14 years to prove what causes ALS      A    dvanced     L   iver       S    ymptoms

 

Every symptom, muscle deterioration, anemia, fatigue, digestive problems, fasciculations, inability to eliminate waste from the body, malabsorption,  etc.   ---are all symptoms of stage 4 liver disease.  Very simple:  Research malabsorption and/or pernicious anemia caused by liver disease.

 

CAUSES: DIET [gluten causes liver blockage; Recent Hepatic Infarction], statin drugs; [Northwest U. 2006, statin drugs are a probable cause of ALS], multiple medications.

 

Why are they missing this??   The blood panel used to detect liver disease can be up to 65% inaccurate.  If the blood panel does not reveal a problem, doctors will not order a Sonogram of the liver [visual picture].

 

FIRST STEP:

 

Schilling Test-Measures the absorption of B12

LIVER SONOGRAM-100% of ALS patients tested had some level of liver disease.  If not treated, the condition graduates to non-alcoholic cirrhosis, anemia, then, pernicious anemia.

C-Reactive Protein Test

Homocysteine levels.  www.labtestsonline.org  

Epstein Barr Virus-HHV-6    60% of M.S. patients have been dx'd with EBV [from tainted polio shots; mother's are carriers]

www.ccid.org     Dr.Martin 

 

DO NOT OVERLOAD YOURSELF RESEARCHING NEUROTOXINS.   The metals, bacteria, etc. cannot be eliminated from the body until the liver is functioning.  At that point, an oral chelator and minerals are used.  IV chelation is too abrupt.

 

LIVER TREATMENT:   Researched medical archives.   Doctors Minot and Whipple won a Nobel Prize for the restoration of the liver.

 

MYER'S COCKTAIL:  Developed by Dr. Myer's, this is a nutritional IV drip designated for malabsorption.  It also contains glutathione.   You cannot produce blood cells without B12.  B 12 shots are life sustaining.  [need both immediately]

 

CHECK FOR DEHYDRATION AND ELECTROLYTE imbalance.  Due to liver blockage, one may consume an adequate amount of fluids that are unable to be transported through the fiber net in the liver. 

 

HORMONE IMBALANCE may be present, especially in women with ALS.  The liver produces and balances the hormones.  A toxic liver creates severe imbalances, more so with women.  They tend to become highly emotional and are unable to retain information.  Men, on the average, tend to follow through with recommendations as the emotional status is not as compromised. 

 

I need a tech person [age related lack of skills] as I am not set up for Skype and have no clue.  If you can, try to comment on ALSTDI.   Millions of dollars have been raised for ALS patients and many would like it to be used with a focus----evidentiary proof and treatment.  No one seems to ask the patients how THEIR money will be spent.

 

FORWARDING MY COMMENTS TO SOME ALS PATIENTS AND CARETAKERS.  They will contact you by choice depending on health status and caretaker ability.   

 

Take care and keep asking questions,

Linda

 

ALL OF THE MEDICAL INFORMATION AVAILABLE I.E.  SOD 1, Bulbar, pathogens,  etc.   are just secondary conditions caused by liver disease and the inability to absorb nutrients and fluids, and/or, the inability to eliminate toxins. 

 

 

Feeding Tube

Sorry I have been lax on the posts lately.  There are so many things I want to share so others who are on this journey too won't have to figure everything out from scratch too.

I am posting to say that Tracy is going in on June 18th for Feeding Tube Placement.

We are both bummed that it's come to this but I do have a different perspective too.

I see that I can get him water and nutrition.  I believe that dehydration could be part of his gut issue.

I think if I can get his gut healed he will be able to absorb nutrition better.

From what I have studied gut issues with ALS are common.

Where my first instinct and second and maybe more, was to blame drugs for doing the damage, we had several doctors mention that the gut is the second (sometimes first) brain and crazy nerve disorders send messages that effect the gut. Think how people's stomach hurt when they are worried or tired or upset.

We will be doing more hypnosis ( you hear that honey?) and I will look forward to giving him more coconut oil and water and then start sneaking in some extra nutrition so see what he can make happen.

Tracy also started in the Trilogy machine which he has had forever and couldn't use.  Dr. Viroslav insists he get used to it and changed some setting to make sure he could.

Sorry this is short and incomplete but the boss is calling.  Something is better than nothing!

Right?

Ozone Therapy starts today

This quick post will (hopefully) be followed by a more in depth post once we know enough to tell you anything helpful about Ozone Therapy.

We were lent an Ozone machine and then called Promolife to purchase the parts needed to make it run safely.

The idea is that highly oxygenated systems will kill off virus, bacteria and parasites in the blood system.

We have ALS friends who feel that along with mega nutrition and detox, Ozone Therapy really is what made the most difference in him getting back to walking, talking, working, swimming, golfing.... living.

I figure the worst that happens is that Tracy feels better.  Perhaps this is the golden nugget that makes the difference for us too.  The only way to know is to try.

Miracles for the Non religious

 Because of an email I got from Kathy Nemeh, wife of Dr. Nemeh about their beautiful daughter Ashely's new music video

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aUb_cZlrP0&feature=player_embedded

it made me realize that much of what has helped Tracy I haven't talked about yet. 

I tend to stay in the physical/mental/medical world because it will cause less flack than to throw in with the religious miracle arena.

It's hard enough to get people to believe there is any chance to heal ALS with standard health ideas without dragging Jesus into it.

But- as Tracy has taught me- it's MY BLOG and people can read it or not and believe it or not.

http://drnemeh.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8m946UZv7Q

If you don't know him, Tracy, my dear sweet husband, ( Stop laughing!) is one of the most well read people on religion you are ever gonna run into and not because he believes in any of it.  It's almost a compulsion for him to know more than others who are coming to save him from himself I think.

I on the other hand was brought up Catholic but consider myself Spiritual.  I am open to any and all  avenues that promote love and oneness.  I am (maddeningly according to Tracy ) open to possibilities of energy, light, thought, love as healing options together or singularly.  

They might work, they might not.  One way to find out, let's try them.

I have no desire to convince anyone that they should  believe what I do when it comes to religion.

This post is just putting out options that have worked for us in some way to improve our health and happiness in hopes it may help someone else.

At some point I will look up dates and times of appointments to fill the story in more accurately.

For now I will say I took a chance.

I found Dr. Nemeh on the internet when searching for Healing.

I called the office and asked a million questions more than once.

I listened to the testimonials.

I contacted those I could who worked with him.

I am glad we worked with him and his wonderful family and staff.

We did benefit, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually from our time with him.

I wish we had the means to spend more time with and around him.

No- Tracy is still not religious at all.

Yes, things did get better after working with Dr. Nemeh by Skype for the first time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--Gq6k2PnYE

Tracy had absolutely no faith at all that this was going to do anything but waste our money when I booked an appointment with Dr. Nemeh.  They make it CLEAR when you call, he is a DOCTOR so don't refer to him as just a faith healer.

Tracy agreed to it to make ME feel better and I appreciate that so much with each modality of healing he is willing to try.

 Just like in the video we sat in front of our Ipad and the doctor gave us all sorts of nutritional information and ideas that we still follow that have helped.  When he was done with the medical end of things he asked if he could pray for Tracy. We said, Yep.

He closed his eyes and put out his hand towards the screen.  Tracy didn't really feel anything even when the doctor asked him if he did.  Tracy was hoping to be up tap dancing I am sure but never really believed anything would happen.

What DID HAPPEN that has made a world of difference for us is that the extreme anxiety and panic that goes along with ALS left Tracy right then.  He admitted to feeling calmer and more peaceful.

 This IS a HUGE miracle for both of us because at that stage of his health he often choked (almost to death) on food or saliva.  If I would walk to the other room it made him anxious because he felt what if he needed me and couldn't call for me?  His emotions were extremely roller coaster and it was hard for him to enjoy any moment because of discomfort, pain and fear.   Most especially fear.

This change improved our lives immensely. 

This success gave me the confidence to plan a road trip to Dr. Nemeh's office in Cleveland Ohio.

We enjoyed our visit and the doctor taught us to make a Sub Woofer Bio Magnetic massager that we use.  He taught us about Infrared light therapy ( look up NASA) and green light therapy (which I can find NO information on anywhere else so if you know about it contact me!!).

We got to chat with the staff and his family while they told great stories of healings and kept saying to Tracy who at the time felt like he was on his last leg, Wow- you look great!  We've healed people MUCH worse off than you!  (We get that a lot.)

We were invited to a Religious Healing Service the next day at a local church and to my great surprise Tracy agreed to go.  (This is after sending 3 kids to Catholic school and arguing at every Easter and Christmas about going to church with us for every year of our 37 years of marriage).

Another miracle in my book.

We went and it was small and quiet.  A whole row of people go up and wait their turn to be prayed for and they were nice enough to let Tracy go early so we didn't have to wait (even though we did stay for a long time so I could see if others got healed and talk to them).

The volunteers are very enthusiastic in helping and have all had some connection to a healing and are thrilled to be honored with being allowed to help.  There were a couple of people who were helped that shared their stories while we listened. Tracy didn't really feel like he got much out of it.  I got hope.

None the less, Tracy really LIKES Dr. Nemeh and his family.  He is an honest, intelligent, good- hearted man.  He remembers every single person he prays for.  He told us that.  His wife told us that.  I.....can't say that I believed that completely- which is not to call this religious man a liar.  But really?  Everyone?  He sees thousands at a time over years and years.

But- when he came here to Dallas more than a year later he knew exactly who we were and remembered our names.  I was shocked and said so.  They laughed and said- I told you I remember each and every one of you.  It's another one of his gifts.

Then we went to the Dallas service and I had a very painful pinch in my upper back but I am sitting in a church full of people with REALLY serious conditions so of course I wasn't about to mention my little ouwie  or complain so I just fidgeted in my pew until it was our turn.

We go up and I am sooooooo fixed on Tracy's prayer and hopeful healing that when the Doctor came to me next I was a little surprised.  No lightning bolt.  No angels singing.  Just him so calm and quiet.  He put his hand on my back right where it hurt and the other on my chest or shoulder I think.  He quietly prayed while I tried to hear what his secret prayer was as he mumbled and whispered it.  Suddenly my back popped like a snap.  I didn't really FEEL anything except that the pain stopped.

He hummed a little huhuh... a slight grin and moved to the next person.

I am so focused on Tracy to see if anything happened for him at this point that it hasn't really sunk in yet that I was better. We get back to the pew.  We wait for a while and then after the service we wait in line to thank Dr. and his wife and staff.  It dawned on me that the pain was gone when we were in the pew and I kept moving around waiting for it to come back.  Expecting it to.  Nope.  Completely gone and I haven't had that specific problem since.  I do have back issues from time to time from moving and lifting Tracy here and there but not THAT one.

I say to Dr. N- Wow!  I had a terrible back pain and it's GONE!!!  Like I am giving him news he didn't know. He just quietly replied- " I know".

I don't know why that cracks me up so much because he was so dry and matter of fact about it.   But from his point of view I bet he is thinking- what does she think I am standing around here all day doing? No- he is much too kind to ever think that.  It's what I would be thinking if I was him.

So- since then I have called him from time to time to book an appointment hoping to find complete healing and he said- stop making appointments!!  Don't spend your money!  If you have a question we will answer but we have prayed and continue to pray for you.  God is already working.  He doesn't forget.  Call if you need us but don't spend any more money on appointments unless you need to come for an office visit.  (So much for the idea they are all scammers out for a buck).

Since then we have kept in touch with Kathy,  his wonderful fun wife as sends me updates on their beautiful musician daughter's career.  Since our son Nick is a musician as well we chatted about that whole thing so it's a fun connection.

Getting her Email and video today made me feel like it was a sign I should give them a mention here.

So- Tracy is still not a Jesus rejoicer yet.  Feel free to ask him what he thinks about the whole thing.  He's not sure HOW it happened but he will acknowledge, as surprised as he is, that SOMETHING DID change and improve.

Healing Leaky Gut

So I am cheating again.

I am posting a video that was sent to us by a couple who have/had ALS who are now back to walking and talking and working and playing and sharing.

This video states clearly and simply what so many have been trying to teach us in bits and pieces.

I think she gives such a clear easy understanding of how and why a leaky gut could cause many of our ALS symptoms and how to heal them.

And Dr. Amy Myers is from Austin!

Road Trip!!!!

Enjoy!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wxrTYLZjsE

The Medical Rehabilitation Center of the European Academy of Folk Medicine

 I keep thinking I am going to write a series of quick posts about helpful tools we use to make daily life easier for anyone dealing with chronic illness but then we meet people that have helped us in unexpected ways and I just feel I need to share it.

We are taught here in America that Doctors are the only ones to listen to, when dealing with serious illness.  It's actually illegal for healers outside the medical community to share information they KNOW will help for fear of legal action taken against them.

One of our biggest hurdles in dealing with ALS has been understanding and BELIEVING anything really helpful CAN be done because we are told so often that "there is no hope for a cure right now".  Anyone saying you can get well from ALS is just after our money we are told over and over again.

Since we know that isn't true because we are talking to those healing from ALS, it allows us to look all over the world for ideas and we have found so much that has helped us.

Right now I am in conversation with this Rehabilitation Center in Poland.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGHko3FuuAc

http://www.medycynaludowa.com/en/metodika.php?id=cleansing
They are helping me understand their methods for healing which are all natural.
Their clients have all forms of what we would be told are "incurable diseases" and the video shows many testimonials of those who have healed there.

As American's we are taught to distrust "things that are too good to be true".
But how much sense does it make to believe this place has a team of people that coordinated all these actors to dupe the world?  Why would they give away healing information and offer to skype with us for free if that was true?

Detox, nutrition, healthy mindset, good diet.  Over and over again these are the same things we are told from all the different groups around the world and even in the USA that ARE HEALING ALS.

Why do I keep harping on this?  Because it has taken me 4 years to UNbrainwash Tracy from the doctors diagnosis.  
He believed there was no reason to even try to chase around all these healing ideas since none of them would work and he knew they wouldn't work because the doctors TOLD HIM that nutrition doesn't heal ALS.  Hypnosis doesn't Heal ALS.  There is no proof that Detoxing will heal ALS.    Perhaps that is because there is NO SUCH THING AS ALS.  Perhaps we are dying of an unhealthy life style and jetted into crisis by a traumatic circumstance that flips the panic button on in our nervous system which creates many of these symptoms.

Do you know there is no real test to Prove we have ALS?  Isn't that ironic since doctors base all comments on needing PROOF that this or that works from their own scientific system?

Diagnosing ALS is eliminating all other possibilities and then they do an EMG to see if you have the fasciculation signature (nerve and muscle jumping) that is ALS.  But you can have fasciculations without any other symptoms and that is NOT ALS.

My point is- if you have been diagnosed with ALS that means you have a serious health problem that needs to be addressed immediately.  It does NOT MEAN you WILL die in 2-5 years.  
It means starting THAT DAY you MUST start to take care of yourself as well as you have taken care of all the other people in your life (which is a personality trait of ALSers).
It means you need to STOP FIGHTING the illness and everyone else including yourself.
Nurture yourself like you wish you had been nurtured by your parents and spouses and family.
Eat organic.  Find a healer who understands Detox and Nutrition.
Find a good hypnotist that can help you focus on happiness and health and release all the negative imprints and shock from a life time full of stress.

If you have questions feel free to contact us!
Enjoy!
Me

The Doctor Debate

So- this post is more about gaining information than giving it.

I really want to hear what you have to say on this subject.

First off- Doctors are important and helpful and yes I would go to the doctor for an appendicitis or broken leg or to take care of painful symptoms of flu etc.  I USED to think we should go to the doctor to get WELL or Healthy as well.  Is that my mistake or have we been charmed into believing that we should?

Should the phrase Buyer Be Ware need to be posted on the front door of the hospitals and doctors offices?

We just went to a wonderful Wellness Expo here in Addison just outside Dallas.

It was small and the room was packed with what I expected.

There were psychics and incense and crystals and tarot but there were also people who had really GOOD HEALTH products and information.

Now, don't get me wrong.  I LOVE crystals and even bought a bag of rocks!  I believe there are gifted people who know things the rest of us just don't have access to.

But the surprise was the Chiropractor who was there to teach about Applied Neurology.  His story is that he was in a bad car accident that left him in a world of hurt.  Chiropractic care could only do so much and as he studied to find his own healing he became fascinated with how the brain worked with the nervous system and every other part of the body.  His business is not only about alignment which is important but to teach how what we eat effects brain chemistry,  how stress sends out messages that makes the brain react differently and the body shut down, how nutrition plays a factor in cognitive abilities and general health.

Then there was a couple selling their own brand of Apple Cider Vinegar because- again- he had health issues doctors could not solve for a very long time but his family, who comes from another country and have been in the same place for generations (over 1000 years he told us) knew the solution to his problem was EASY to fix because the apples they grew had been used for healing since ....well... apples started growing I guess.  They had all the science well documented and compared major brands to theirs and explained why theirs was better and how to use it.  (By the way- he did not go back to his doctor for a year after his family fixed his long on going problem in just days by drinking their special Apple Cider Vinegar.  When he did the doctor said GREAT!  Our medicine is working!  This man did not bother to tell him he quit the medicine before taking the Apple Cider Vinegar because he knew the doctor would not listen to him or believe him).

This convention was filled with people who had found healing in what we refer to as "non traditional" ways because they first tried medicine and it didn't help them.  They were left on their own to figure it out.  And they DID!  And now they want to share that knowledge but they have to be soooo careful to make it clear they are NOT giving medical advice.

In comes my dilemma- 

Should doctors dealing with patients in the field of diabetes be expected to know that Apple Cider Vinegar is tremendously helpful in improving general health and even healing that chronic disease?  Should they be obligated by their medical oath to mention it and educate their patients?  Isn't that what we are paying them for?  Their expected knowledge.

Is it reasonable to expect a G.P. to say to an obese patient- your diet needs adjusting and KNOW the basics of good nutrition (not the 1950 pyramid) or at least who to recommend them to- or is a doctor's function to fix the problem once it occurs-end of story?

If a doctor answers a patient's health question with inaccurate, outdated or just plain WRONG information- should the doctor be held accountable and to what level?

This idea that we are ultimately responsible for our own health is fairly obvious and yet- we are not really taught that are we?

Our first reaction is to call the doctor or go to the drug store because we are taught (brainwashed dare I say?) that they are the ones who SPECIALIZE in this field of knowledge.  They have "special" education that focuses on making us "feel better" (not heal I now realize the difference).  There are boards and tests and plaques on walls that all PROVE to us these Doctors KNOW what we don't and we are protected from ourselves by laws that INSURE  (insurance) that we don't get a wild hair and try to take on this responsibility and accidentally do ourselves or others harm.  Am I right here?

Do they insinuate they can help you heal or do we just assume on our own that is part of the package?

Is it really OUR FAULT that we are gullible for wanting to do what is easy and trusting what information is poured into us from birth- actual birth- where the doctors bring us into this world.  Our lives are literally in their hands.  From that point on they appear as our second god- giving life or death to us.  Saving us in the ER or by their word- "Diagnosis" or should I say "DIEagnosis" they decide FOR US what is and isn't possible and encourage us not to ask too many questions as we can't possibly know enough to understand.  Or is that just me and my perceptions?

One of the toughest things for me to deal with on our ALS journey is this attitude that I am unreasonably laying blame on these poor, well meaning, hard working, caring doctors who have sacrificed their lives for the betterment of society.  That I was somehow naive and should have realized that they are human and have limitations.  That I should have KNOWN their business is NOT HEALTH or HEALING.  It is Diagnosis and Medicine.  They are MEDICAL Doctors. They do their best to get rid of an illness but they are not responsible in any way to promote good health.  They don't know diddly about water skiing or kite making and in the same vein I should not expect them to know about Health.  Drugs and diagnosis yes- that is what they went to school for.

So- where did I get this idea that they ARE healers?  How did I get so misinformed?

Was I duped or was it me being oblivious to what is clearly there? Ad after ad after TV ad listing all the things doctors can help you do.  Sleep, sex, sports, comfort.  They never actually do say that they promote good health like the cereal commercials do they?  They list the millions of deadly side effects you may experience from their little pill while a happy couple dance off to frolic under the sheets.  And yet millions of people buy into it.  They ASK for a pill with (possible) permanent damaging (possibly deadly) side effects to have clear skin or my favorite- the anti depressants that make you suicidal. 

I want to state that I don't blame them for not having a cure for ALS.  I don't expect them to know every drug trial that is being tested.  I hope they DO find a drug that works and when they do I will be at the front of the line.  Until then- why would they not share their mothers advice about helping ailments.  Has anyone ever died from a vinegar pack for sore muscles or warm milk to help sleep or warm prune juice to keep things moving?  Why are these options not mentioned as they write out their prescriptions as an aid?  Is it possible that they don't know?  Is it reasonable that they don't know?  Really! I want to KNOW!  Tell me what you think about this.

 

What other industry would you be comfortable using that logic while spending your own money?  What if you took your car in to be serviced at what is advertized as the Expert Car Fixer Upper Shop and someone said- We are the experts and I am telling you- this just can't be fixed.  Here is the bill for us looking at it.  You pay it because the sign and the expert said "you can trust us".  Then down the block you found a shop advertising that they are fixing this problem and for half the price of the original car place and their customers are very satisfied.  You take the car in and voila!  Fixed.  Would you go back and ask for you money back?  Or would you figure- My bad.  I should have done more research. When is it false advertising?  When do you call the BBB?

Since doctors have a monopoly basically on the "health" industry do they not have some responsibility to either know, admit that they don't know or share who might know how to deal with the problem you have come to them for because of advertising?

Can't wait to hear back from you on this one.

Thanks,

Happy Healing:)

Dr. Isaam Nemeh

http://hooplaha.com/2015/04/ohio-physician-performs-miracles-with-alternative-medicine/

I just received this Email from Kathy Nemeh, Dr. Nemeh's wife, who by the way is just a joy to be around.

As fantastic as this video sounds we found it to be true because we worked with Dr. Nemeh by SKYPE (which was the first miracle because Tracy is VERY not Catholic or religious).  Tracy also didn't ( doesn't??) believe in energy healing, faith healing, spontaneous healing or the like.  But when you are given the diagnosis of ALS and the prognosis of misery followed by more misery followed by death it allows you to take chances you wouldn't normally take.

So after researching Dr. Nemeh on line and reading about him and watching videos I called this office in Ohio where I asked some questions and explained our condition.  We were given an appointment time and connected with the Dr. and his wife via SKYPE.  (That was the second miracle as I am not too good at the whole cyber world and I, for some strange reason tend to have electronics freak out around me quite often).

The doctor asked some questions and gave advice as to diet changes and nutritional ideas including getting a Vitamix, which we did and love. Details of our Vitamix will be in another post.  He gave advice on mindset and assured us he had helped ALSers heal in the past.
When he was done with his medical advice he then asked if it would be okay to pray for Tracy and we of course said yes.

He told Tracy to just relax and notice his body.  Nemeh put his hand up towards the screen and gently closed his eyes and began to mumble a prayer.  I waited for lightning bolts from heaven or a choir of angels to swoop down but....huh... no.  Tracy sat waiting and I watching and the Doctor finally asked if he felt anything.  Tracy said no. The doctor said that's okay.  He prayed for a bit longer and his wife came up and joined in for a bit.

Then there was a clicking sound through the internet which the doctor pointed out as a sign of his energy effecting the connection.  There has been a study done on that and it seems each person has there own frequency and you can find a video about it on You Tube.

The doctor asked about changes.  Again Tracy said no and the doctor asked him again- are you sure?  Tracy then did admit he did feel calmer.  The Anxiety was GONE.   There is a GREAT horrible anxiety that goes with this ALS disease and diagnosis.  There is a constant fear of choking to death or being trapped in your body and not be able to communicate along with a thousand other things Tracy would constantly imagine and worry about.  

From that day the horrible oppressive panic has never returned.
This changed our lives dramatically.  I couldn't be away from Tracy for even 5 minutes before this without him becoming terribly nervous and anxious and upset.  This new calm allowed us to actually enjoy watching a movie or talking about family things without that agonizing, gut wrenching sadness over shadowing every move.  Don't get me wrong. We still struggle with our limitations and deal with the emotional roller coaster of living with ALS.  But there absolutely was an improvement to our lives from that one encounter with the doctor.

We had another SKYPE session with him a few months later and we decided to take a road trip to Cleveland to meet the good doctor in person and see if close up we could get even better results.
We went to his very modest office where I expected lines of people to be waiting to see him, but no.

They let you know that the appointments are how ever long they need to be so you may have to wait if the doctor is "on a roll" with another person.

We were lucky and only had to wait a short time.  We were completely entertained by the conversation with Kathy Nemeh and staff, telling stories of the amazing things they see on a daily basis.  I have to say that I personally was MORE than charmed by her warmth and sincere enthusiasm and excitement for those the doctor has helped.  She told us of people who had been paralyzed for years regaining their movement and other ALSers who had improved under his care and she was just as amazed as anyone else to see them move and heal.

The doctor came out and chatted a minute and exclaimed how GOOD Tracy looked for someone with ALS and that they had helped people much worse than this so he felt confident we would see improvement.

We went in his office and he used an infrared massager called a G-Shark that you can't get in the US very easily.  I know because I have been trying to buy if for a couple of years.  I had never heard of Infrared healing before this but NASA developed it and now you can even find Infrared Saunas to improve general aches and muscle pains.  You can buy a $350 Infrared panel from Best Buy meant to enhance beauty of facial skin.  I was cheap and bought a $12 Infrared light that is meant to hook up to security systems.  I put a piece of black tape over the light sensor so when you plug it in it is on instead of only working in the dark.  He quickly massaged several areas of Tracy's neck, shoulders and legs.

He then used a Green Lazer light which he says helps stimulate nerves and helps them activate.  I've looked everywhere for information about this but can not find much.  The doctor has a special $250 high power laser  but he told me buy a $15 green laser pointer meant for meetings and presentations.  He warned me not to go above a certain MW and never point it IN the eyes, mirrors or crystals.  We are to focus on joints and the tips of the fingers, toes and between vertebrae in the spine.

The he massaged Tracy with a 10" sub woofer with a cover hooked up to an amplifier.  The magnet has to be powerful enough to make an effect so smaller easy to handle one is not effective.  He explained how to make one, where to buy the parts and even showed me that they sewed the covers themselves and put sponges inside to create a soft massaging effect.  But it's the magnet that really makes the difference according to the doctor.  Again- I had never heard of anything like this but when I got asking around, anyone who works with horses knew exactly what I was talking about and this therapy has been used for a long time.  We LOVE ours.  It's like having our own Magic Fingers like cheap hotels used to have back when we were kids.

The doctor insists that ALL his ALS patients have had at least one but usually two serious physical traumas that effect the head, neck and/or spine.  Car accidents, sports injuries, slipping down the stairs....  Tracy has had that times 10 but two major more recent ones that, now that we look back, does seem to be when ALS symptoms might have started.

He gave other medical advice and then as we got ready to leave he mentioned they were having a healing service and would love for us to come.
Again I was absolutely shocked when Tracy said YES!!!  Tracy- church?  Voluntarily????  

It ended up being at a hotel, not at a church and Tracy instantly began to have second thoughts.
Lots of hustle and bustle of volunteers doing their best to make everything go smoothly.  He preached a bit and then started a line of people up there that he prayed over.
This took a while and so I stepped out for a minute to ask a question and was helped by a very enthusiastic young lady.  I asked how she came be volunteering  for the good doctor and she told me the story of her twin sister, a nurse, who had a shoulder injury that developed into a frozen shoulder.  It was extremely painful and completely ruined this very active young gals life as she could not longer play tennis or work or sleep.  She had gone to many fine specialists and nothing could be done to help her.  She suffered with this for a very long time.  Her sister was prayed for by Dr. Nemeh and it was instantly dramatically better.  From that moment on these sisters dedicate their time to help Dr. Nemeh when ever they can.  As I continue to chat, most of the people working there were volunteers that had been helped by Nemeh in some way at some time.

Our session didn't create any new changes that we recognized but it was interesting to hear the people there who did have great improvements.

So we came home and eventually I called to make another SKYPE appointment and you know what they told me?  Stop spending money on appointments!  If I had a question just leave a message and the doctor will send the answer back to me!  He also said- once you've been prayed for you don't need to keep coming back.  God already know and is helping you.

But, eventually the doctor came to Dallas for a healing service and of course we had to go and even invited another couple.  We waited a long time to get up there but it was worth it- to ME anyway!  I was having very uncomfortable back pain between my shoulder blades on me spine.  I pulled something out of line lifting Tracy.  As the doctor came up to me he put one hand on my back between my shoulder blades where it hurt (I had not said anything even to Tracy about this pain) and the other hand on my chest just below my collar bone and gently swayed me back and forth and suddenly there was a quick POP! and the doctor gently smiled and continued to pray a bit longer and finally moved on.

I kept waiting for the pain to come back but it never did.
After the service we went up to the doctor and I exclaimed that he had fixed my back pain and his reply was- I know, very matter of fact.  I thought that was so so funny.  It felt like he was thinking- I know- I was THERE remember?

So- Is Tracy 100% cured.  Nope. Is he better that he was.  Yes and so am I and we talked with quite a few people who have great stories of being healed.

I feel that it was very much worth our time and money.
We have learned a lot, made new friends and are physically better off than when we started.

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