ALS Guardian Angels Foundation

This past weekend, Jim and I had the great pleasure of meeting Stu Millheiser. Stu is the founder of the ALS Guardian Angels Foundation. This foundation is committed to helping families effected by ALS. 

"Most ALS related organizations are dedicated to finding a cure. Until then, ALS patients need help living. The ALS Guardian Angels Foundation is dedicated to helping patients and their families live with ALS while maintaining the best quality of life possible."

~Stuart Millheiser

We, along with a group of our family and friends, attended the 2nd Annual ALS Guardian Angels walk on September 21st. Over $50,000 was raised to support Stu's cause, and we were so happy to be a part of it.  You can find more information about the foundation on their website at ALS Guardian Angels.

On October 5th, our daughter Corie, along with two friends, are putting on a fundraiser called Race for Racobs.  The event starts at Capistrano Valley High School in Mission Viejo at 9:00am, and lasts until approximately 2:30pm.  You can find more information at their website:  http://race4racobs.eventbrite.com/. 

Soon, Jim and I will be in Carmel, Ca, enjoying a two night getaway, courtesy of the Ellen Degeneres Show!  We are beyond excited!  Jim will be enjoying a much needed 3 days of relaxation, getting mentally and physically prepared for his stem cell treatment. 

Looking forward to updating you all on how the treatment goes.  Until then, stay well, and remember to count your blessings!  xo

“You haven’t lived until you have done something for someone who can never repay you”





2nd Annual ALS Guardian Angels Foundation Walk 2013
Team - Racobs Brigade



Our sign: "In Honor of Jim Racobs"

Stem Cell - It's a Go!

Ok, Ok, so I won't be winning the "Blogger of the Year" Award, and I'm certainly not the next Pioneer Woman. My apologies for the 4 month hiatus. If only I had some fantastic recipes or amazing "Do it Yourself" projects to share on a daily basis!

But no time for that. However, things are finally getting exciting as far as Jim's stem cell progress goes! A couple of months ago, we got the results back from Jim's heavy metal tests. Turns out some of his heavy metal levels were high. Mercury and lead to be exact. For the past 8 weeks, Jim has been taking tablets to decrease these levels, and fortunately it worked! Last week, Jim was approved to move forward with the stem cell process. The procedure is scheduled for September 30th and October 1st.

We are very excited and hopeful the stem cell procedure will slow the progression of his ALS. Of course there are no guarantees, but we are always hopeful. As far as how he is doing, Jim is still 100% committed to the Paleo diet, and relies heavily on his faith.  Jim's muscle atrophy in his left arm/hand are pretty significant, and his right arm/hand are showing signs of weakness. His speech is significantly affected as well, and at times can be hard to understand, especially on the phone. Fortunately, he shows no signs of weakness in his legs. Jim is mentally and spiritually stronger than he has ever been, and for that we are very grateful. 

The last four days Jim has enjoyed exploring Utah, Yellowstone and Idaho with his sister Kim and our daughter Colbie. Colbie returned to college in Rexburg, Idaho, and Jim was fortunate to be the one to drive her there.

On September 21st, we will be taking part in a walk benefiting the ALS Guardian Angels foundation.  If you're in the Irvine, CA area on the 21st, stop by and join the Racobs Brigade!

Thank you, as always, to all that have made the stem cell treatment process possible through your support, prayers and donations.  I will let you know how it goes, in the meantime, I will work on coming up with some great "DIY" projects to grace you with. (not really)

"God whispers to us in our pleasures, but He shouts to us in our pain. Pain is God's megaphone."

~ C.S. Lewis




Bryce Canyon, UT

 

Jim and Colbie

Drip...Drip...Drip

Jim and I are at the stem cell treatment center and this is where will be for the next 2 - 3 hours.  Jim has to have an IV drip as part of the heavy metal testing that has to be done prior to his stem cell procedure.  The test results should be back in about 2 weeks.  If any heavy metals are found, he will be put on a treatment plan to flush them out.  Praying that none are found so he can get the stem cell sooner rather than later!

Anyone who knows me, knows I don't do well with blood or needles.  Fortunately, I'm not the one with a needle in my arm, unfortunately, there is a lady across from me that is getting some sort of blood transfusion or who knows what and I'm feeling a tad weak!  "Dear Lord, please help me stay strong, I can handle this!"

We will be back at the treatment center once the test results are all in to have a final consultation.  Thank you again to those have made this all possible through your prayers, and or, donations.  We are grateful for each and every one of you!  Together in HOPE...

Jim relaxing in the easy chair, getting his IV.

We Survived!

We're back safe and sound from our road trip to Gypsum, Colorado.  The 16 hour drive with 3 kids and a puppy went much better than expected!  Jim's mom and sister were kind enough to open their home to us for the week.  We really enjoyed visiting with them, since we don't get to see them as often as we would like.  Jim was able to "remodel" his mom's chicken coop before the snow came, and the kids had a great time playing in the snow once it arrived. Thankfully, the snow only stuck around for one day.  Living in Colorado, Jim's family is tired of the snow, but it was a special treat for us!  Well, not "us", I mean the kids, I personally am not a big fan of snow. :) 

While there, we visited Jim's naturopath doctors that treated him back in January, for some cleansing and detoxing.  I even got in on the fun and had a foot bath detox. If only they would have polished my toes, I would have been set! After his appointments, we relaxed at the Glenwood Hot Springs.  It's pretty cool swimming in a huge pool of natural warm water, surrounded by snow covered mountains.  What an amazing experience. Although I will say, I have been to the hot springs in Steamboat Springs, CO, and they're even more amazing!

On the way home to California we spent a few days at Lake Las Vegas to thaw out.  What a beautiful place the Westin Lake Las Vegas is.  I would highly recommend it if you're ever in that area and want to stay somewhere that doesn't scream "Vegas". 

We needed a vacation from our vacation by the time we got home, but we're so thankful we were able to make the trip.  Last week, Jim had his weekly appointment with his functional neurologist and an appointment with the Bio dentist.  After the dentist reviewed his x-rays, it turns out he has no mercury fillings, so he his cleared for stem cell treatment.  Great news, so excited for him to start the treatment in 3 weeks! 

Speaking of stem cell, if you haven't checked out Jim's GoFundMe account lately, we are almost at our goal!  So amazing!  I honestly can not believe the amount of love and support Jim has received.  To say you are appreciated would be an understatement.  Thank you so much for joining the fight, how blessed we are to have each and everyone of you in our lives!  Stay tuned!  xoxo

Chicken Coop Remodel!

Snow Day!

Glenwood Hot Springs

Lake Las Vegas

Man's Best Friend - Meet Blu

We have a new addition to our family...the four-legged furry kind!  Last Friday, we headed to the airport to pick up Blu, our 9 week old Blue Queensland Heeler, aka, Australian Cattle Dog. Blu flew in all the way from a breeder in Missouri. Jim has always wanted this breed of dog, and after having to put our 14 year old Boxer down a year ago, we finally convinced him this family needs another dog!  He has quickly become Jim's new best friend.  Jim takes him to the job site with him every day, he sits on Jim's lap while he drives, and is dirty as can be when he gets home.  It's amazing how the love, companionship and loyalty of a little puppy, can really brighten a person's day. 

We wanted to thank Rogers Heelers, for allowing us to make our home, Blu's home, and to Robin and Becky for making it all possible.  We love you guys!

Blu will be heading on a 13 hour road trip with us soon.  Two four year olds and a 2 month old puppy...wish us luck!

"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself" ~ Josh Billings



Love at first sight




At the airport





Stem Cell

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

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. 

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. 

Jim sportin' his new shades! 



Well, that's the latest and greatest from our part of the world.  Hope everyone survived their Monday.  Until next time friends...xo