During our extensive research of ALS (man how I have come to hate those three letters and everything they stand for), we came across a lot of articles about stem cell research and treatment. About 2 months ago, Jim and I decided to meet with a stem cell doctor. People travel from all over the US to see this particular doctor, and he happened to be 5 minutes from our house, so what the heck. We literally left our appointment feeling that we had just met a mad scientist. Yes, it was very obvious this man was a genius, but he talked so over our heads that we left with more questions than answers. We decided to keep stem cell on the back burner until we learned more about it.
Since that time, we have done our research on stem cell treatment for ALS, and have gotten several recommendations for this doctor. After much consideration, Jim has decided that stem cell treatment is something he would like to have done. As with everything, there are no guarantees, but it sounds like it's certainly worth a shot. The biggest obstacle of course, is stem cell treatment is very expensive, and of course is not covered by insurance. Having said that, you just can't put a price tag on one's life!
Today, our wonderful friend and neighbor Becky, created a Go Fund Me page for Jim. We will be using this site to raise money for Jim's stem cell treatment. If you'd like to check it out, Jim's page can be found at Join Jims Fight Against ALS.
Below are a few links where you can read about the results doctors are seeing with ALS and stem cell. It's all very exciting, and we, as always, are very HOPEFUL.
WebMD
Whitaker Wellness Institute
UCSD
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Monday, March 18, 2013
If Your Brain Could Speak...
It's been three weeks since my last post, my how time flies!! There's never a dull moment around our household, so finding the time for "blogging" can be a bit of a challenge. God's love has shone brighter than ever these last few weeks. We are so grateful for the friends and family we have in our lives, words cannot fully express our gratitude.
This weekend we started attending a new church and love it! We are so excited to call Calvary Chapel, SJC, our new house of worship. Yesterday's message was about the power of prayer. All you prayer warriors out there, please keep Jim in your prayers! This Wednesday, Michael and Pam Rozell from Potters Field Ministry will be speaking, we are really looking forward to hearing their message.
Jim's spirit just can't be broken. His determination and positive attitude truly inspires me. His symptoms are holding steady, not really increasing or decreasing. He still has muscle weakness in his left hand and struggles with speaking clearly. Jim is currently under the care of Dr. Michael Allen, DC, NMD, who he sees once a week. Dr. Allen is hopeful, as are we, that he can slow the progression of Jim's ALS. Last week, before his appointment, Jim was struggling to get his shirt buttoned because his left thumb refused to cooperate. He was buttoning his shirt just fine when he left Dr. Allen's office. Very exciting!
Dr. Allen is a Functional Neurologist. What is a functional neurologist you ask? Good question! Rather than try and explain it, because I would do a horrible job, I have taken an excerpt from Dr. Allen's book, What Your Brain Might Say If It Could Speak.
The original concepts of functional neurology were developed by my good friend and teacher, Professor Frederick Carrick, of the Carrick Institute for Graduate Studies in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Prof. Carrick’s original ideas have progressed relative to his clinical experience and deeper understanding of the human nervous system’s function.
Functional neurology is the study of the inter-relationships of an individual’s nervous system within the context of their greater health. It considers that a person’s functional state is generally determined by the quality of their brain’s input and the clarity of its output as well as the supply of nutrients and oxygen that reach that person’s nervous system.
Functional Neurologists consider that the functional state of a person’s nervous system will impact all related systems that are anatomically or embryologically related. They use these relationships to effect a positive neurological change using intrinsically and/or extrinsically generated stimuli that build functional neuroplasticity within the dysfunctioning nervous system, thus improving the neuronal performance of the individual as a whole.
Jim is continuing with the Paleo Diet, a long list of supplements, special exercises, and a new pair of awesome glasses called Eyelights! These glasses are designed to stimulate the weaker side of the brain, which in Jim's case is the right side.
Well, that's the latest and greatest from our part of the world. Hope everyone survived their Monday. Until next time friends...xo
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
This weekend we started attending a new church and love it! We are so excited to call Calvary Chapel, SJC, our new house of worship. Yesterday's message was about the power of prayer. All you prayer warriors out there, please keep Jim in your prayers! This Wednesday, Michael and Pam Rozell from Potters Field Ministry will be speaking, we are really looking forward to hearing their message.
Jim's spirit just can't be broken. His determination and positive attitude truly inspires me. His symptoms are holding steady, not really increasing or decreasing. He still has muscle weakness in his left hand and struggles with speaking clearly. Jim is currently under the care of Dr. Michael Allen, DC, NMD, who he sees once a week. Dr. Allen is hopeful, as are we, that he can slow the progression of Jim's ALS. Last week, before his appointment, Jim was struggling to get his shirt buttoned because his left thumb refused to cooperate. He was buttoning his shirt just fine when he left Dr. Allen's office. Very exciting!
Dr. Allen is a Functional Neurologist. What is a functional neurologist you ask? Good question! Rather than try and explain it, because I would do a horrible job, I have taken an excerpt from Dr. Allen's book, What Your Brain Might Say If It Could Speak.
The original concepts of functional neurology were developed by my good friend and teacher, Professor Frederick Carrick, of the Carrick Institute for Graduate Studies in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Prof. Carrick’s original ideas have progressed relative to his clinical experience and deeper understanding of the human nervous system’s function.
Functional neurology is the study of the inter-relationships of an individual’s nervous system within the context of their greater health. It considers that a person’s functional state is generally determined by the quality of their brain’s input and the clarity of its output as well as the supply of nutrients and oxygen that reach that person’s nervous system.
Functional Neurologists consider that the functional state of a person’s nervous system will impact all related systems that are anatomically or embryologically related. They use these relationships to effect a positive neurological change using intrinsically and/or extrinsically generated stimuli that build functional neuroplasticity within the dysfunctioning nervous system, thus improving the neuronal performance of the individual as a whole.
Jim is continuing with the Paleo Diet, a long list of supplements, special exercises, and a new pair of awesome glasses called Eyelights! These glasses are designed to stimulate the weaker side of the brain, which in Jim's case is the right side.
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| Jim sportin' his new shades! |
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