Man loses battle with Lyme disease

By Jennifer Jefferson - DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER

On the Internet, he was known as Dr. Mike even though he wasn't a physician.

Mike Thomas, 48, was a supervisor of water utilities for the city of Tallahassee.

After being diagnosed with amytrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, he became an avid researcher of the disease.

His research led him to China to undergo experimental treatment in December, but he died Wednesday at home of Lyme disease.

In Beijing, Thomas met other patients from around the world who turned to him for information. The BBC even featured him on a show about the experimental treatment he received in China.

On Sunday, he was at his computer reading e-mails from overseas, said Juhan Mixon, Thomas' best friend.

"No one expected it to happen quite as quickly as it did," said Candace McKibben, the pastor who is presiding over the funeral 2 p.m. today at the chapel of Bevis Funeral Home of Tallahassee.

In August 2003, Thomas was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease, a fatal condition that causes motor neurons to deteriorate and muscle movement to diminish. Doctors say Thomas and the 30,000 others in the United States who have it usually have three to five years to live.

In the fall of 2004, Thomas couldn't wiggle his toes or raise his right foot. So Mixon helped Thomas raise $30,000 needed to travel to China to get millions of olfactory ensheathing glia cells from second-trimester aborted fetuses inserted into his brain and spinal cord in hopes of stimulating the other cells to work. The procedure is still in the experimental stages.

Thomas and his wife, Kim, went to Beijing Oct. 31, 2004, and returned Dec. 2.

When Thomas came back, he could walk and stand without a brace, Mixon said. He was even able to go back to work. In January, his condition deteriorated, and he was soon diagnosed with Lyme disease.

Ticks transport the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. The symptoms include a skin rash, fever, headache and fatigue, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site. If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart and the nervous system.

Thomas was undergoing treatment for the disease, but it was in the late stages when it was diagnosed, Mixon said. Thomas could still walk but had to use a walker.

After extensive research online, Mixon said, Thomas questioned whether he had Lyme disease from the start or whether the diseases were interrelated.

Thomas never found out.

After the China trip, "We were all hopeful that he would get better," Mixon said. "We were hopeful that (if) we could treat the Lyme disease, he would be better."


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Things that make me go....hmmmm!

The Future Isn’t What It Used To Be....

The Future Isn’t What It Used To Be
Dr. Robert Gamble
Cardio-Thoracic Surgeon (retired)
Arlington Heights, Illinois

This is what they call “Hope”?

We’ve all gotten used to the idea that certain maladies will be around for a while…like until the Second Coming. Maladies such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis…and many more are expected to be around, in epidemic proportions, longer than we think we will be alive…and anyone who tries to tell us otherwise is looked upon with real skepticism. In fact, when anyone tries to tell us “there’s hope” for such maladies as say, diabetes, we are more likely to believe the person is trying to sell us something…and usually we are right.

But, what’s even worse is the fact that the “hope” we do receive is usually something like the following:

Studies show that people at high risk for type 2 diabetes can prevent or delay the onset of the disease by losing 5 to 7 percent of their body weight. You can do it by eating healthier and getting 30 minutes of physical activity 5 days a week. In other words: you don't have to knock yourself out to prevent diabetes. The key is: small steps that lead to big rewards. Learn more about your risk for developing type 2 diabetes and the small steps you can take to delay or prevent the disease and live a long, healthy life.

Of course, this is good advice. No denying it. As a medical doctor, I had to dispense advice like this for years, for diabetes and other conditions. Funny, as good as it is, I NEVER saw anyone become ecstatic, do cartwheels or celebrate because they had just received such counsel. Why? BECAUSE WHAT WE REALLY WANT FROM THE MEDICAL WORLD IS A CURE!

And why not? It just doesn’t seem fair the only real answer to conditions like diabetes or obesity is the “hope” that means we stop eating almost everything we enjoy, sweat till we drop, “pop” prescription pills ‘till we’re bloated, and think positive…forever.

A new future?

So, of course, I was skeptical too when I began to hear the claims associated with glyconutrition. As a long time medical professional and scientist, I know “claims” are easily made… And who ever heard of “glyconutrition” anyway?

In 1999, the Nobel Prize for Medicine was awarded to Dr. Gunter Blobel for his work in the science of Glycobiology (the biology of glyconutrition). Out of the last eight Nobel Prizes awarded in medicine, four Nobel Prizes have been awarded for discoveries made in this ONE field. Believe it or not, this field (glyconutrition) affects maladies such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease directly. Why? Because, eight sugars have been isolated for their support of the immune system and cell communication.

Additionally, human life cannot be supported without them.

This information got my attention. When a single Nobel Prize is won in medicine, everyone is paying attention. When four of them are won in the SAME field, as in this case involving glyconutrition, the medical world is “on fire” with the news.

As that information made its way through the medical world, other issues made the news too. For decades the American Medical Association, the powerhouse of medical professionals, taught that nutritional supplements were not necessary for good health. But, in June 2002, the AMA admitted that nutritional supplementation was vital to good health and helpful in treating diseases.

Also, the prestigious MIT published its findings. It wrote that these “sugars” were one of ten technologies it believed would change the world in the next decade. Nutritional supplementation was again vital to the conventional medical world…and at the center of the storm was glyconutrition.

But, what really jolted me professionally was this: Until these discoveries, scientists had NO idea how the cells of your body could tell the antibodies of your body you had an infection and that they had to “get on over here” to deal with it. Until these discoveries, scientists had NO idea how the cells of your body told the rest of your body they needed nutrition, oxygen, waste elimination, infections healed…and a thousand and one other necessary functions of every cell. Goodness! We in the scientific world hadn’t known just exactly HOW even aspirin made its way to that nasty headache of yours. We just knew it worked. So, we prescribed it.

Sugar? Say it ain’t so, doc!

But, my attention was riveted to the news that scientists like Dr. Gunter Blobel had discovered what it was that let the cells COMMUNICATE with the other systems of the body. And would you believe it? What he found was amazing. Sugar…SUGAR! (Glyco = Greek for “sugar”) No…not table sugar (else diabetics wouldn’t be so excited over this new-found help for their diabetes). There are over 200 sugars in nature but, eight of them are VITAL to our good health. In fact, eight of them are the glyconutrition “backbone” for helping the body prevent or heal:

• 
  auto-immune diseases such as diabetes, psoriasis
  


• 
  overactive immune disorders such as allergies and asthma
  


• 
  under active immune disorders such as cancer, TB, strep
  


• 
  inflammatory disorders such as colitis, ulcers, Fibromyalgia
  


• 
  other conditions such as Alzheimer’s, infertility, heart disease
  

Suddenly, the medical world was on fire over glyconutrition. The “anecdotal evidence” concerning glyconutrition is mounting rapidly as people are finding conditions which have long grieved them…to be a thing of the past. For so many, the expectation for the future is not a “long, long, road” fraught with impossible dieting, grueling workouts, thousands of dollars of prescriptions, and the need to dream positively. People are getting relief – from diabetes, heart disease, cancer, allergies, and many others - with glyconutrition…and without prescriptions! (Glyconutrition products are NOT prescription items…they’re food.)

Oh yes. I almost forgot. If you go to your doctor and he isn’t aware of glyconutrition, don’t panic. Your poor doctor CANNOT possibly keep up with all of the signs, symptoms, conditions, and their myriads of treatments, chemical make up and complications associated with thousands of maladies and the millions of prescription antidotes for those maladies. I couldn’t as a doctor, and I had several DECADES of experience in the field. “Been there … done that” as they say.

Incidentally, doctors don’t usually find out first what works. They’re just too busy being overwhelmed with the medical conditions they face, day to day. They usually find out like everyone else…They read about it or attend some seminar. Often, the marketplace produces antidotes – or research finds the right treatment, as in this case – long before they do.

But, I can tell you this. Glyconutrition is helping conditions as diverse as diabetes and Alzheimer’s … and a lot of people have hope that these conditions CAN be and are being…overcome…

Suddenly, the future isn’t what it used to be…
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

About the Author

Dr. Robert Gamble is retired from a very successful medical/surgical career spanning three decades. He is now active in researching medical issues such as glyconutrition… and offers his insights for public benefit.

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Well it's been a month...

Well it's been a month...
Since I last posted!

Hot sunny weather is the reason. I've been on the deck enjoying the summer.

Overall...I've been doing well.
Although slower, I'm still able to walk. Speech is more of a struggle to get my point across.
I'm still doing 'physio' and supplementing my diet with glyconutrients.

Last Wednesday (Aug 3rd) I added a new supplement to my daily routine... Cat's Claw (uña de gato)
Cat's Claw is a natural herbal remedy that will help:

• stimulate the immune system
• relieve pain
• reduce inflammation
• kill viruses
• protect cells
• detoxify
• fight free radicals
• cleanse the blood
• cleanse the bowel
• lower blood pressure
• reduce cholesterol
• tone and balance

Hopefully Cat's Claw will give my body the systematic boost it needs ;)

Click Here for more info on Cat's Claw

All is Good!

I went to the clinic today, and here's the numbers...
My Vital Lung Capacity is at 4298ml or 74% and is only down 3pts from my February visit. (good)
Blood Pressure - 128/80 (good)Heartrate - normal (so I was told)
O2 Sats - 95 (very good)
CO2 - 39 (normal)
Everyone was pleased with my results as they were pretty well identical to my last visit.

So...All is Good!

...Paved with Good Intentions!

Ok! I hafta admit...
I've been feeling LAZY!

For the last two weeks:

1. It's been cold and rainy (Calgary has a 'Local State of Emergency' in effect due to the amount of rain we've received).
2. Our basement flooded.
3. We opened up the basement wall (to find the leak) and discovered MOLD!
4. My daily 'Physio' routine seems to be interupted for one reason or another.
5. My motivation is just plainly put...LOW

Today...

The Sun is shining.
I'm feeling good.
I intend to spend time to catch up on my emails, etc...
Unfortunately, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

Common sense would say...

Egad!
It's been awhile and a busy coupla weeks.

My 'Best Friend' came to Calgary last weekend for a visit.
We had a nice time just 'Hangin Out'. It's so comforting, when you don't see someone for a long time and you can just sit back, relax and watch a movie.
Not a word needed to be spoken - There was no uncomfortable silence.
It was like we had met for coffee the day before and 'caught up' then...
It's the sign of TRUE FRIENDSHIP.
(Love ya Thorpe!)

Our cat ran away last week.
We've checked the Humane Society...No luck!
We have alot of coyotes in the area. I have a feeling 'nature' has played a part in his disappearence.
My sons believe 'Kozmo' went to live with someone elses family...

My Holistic Therapist(Bart) came over on Wednesday with a *New* (massage) table.
WOW!!!
The table was modified to have 60 Power Plates and some sort of resonating speakers built into it.
The theory behind it is... "Vibration is a very powerful force. It can be referred do as a Titan, a powerful guiding force that controls the universe. Most people do not realize the power behind vibration. You can think of vibration as the very starting point of the universe. Depending on the type of vibration is the type of universe that is created. It is the same with the reality that we experience. Most people do not understand that it is there body that determines everything that happens to them in their life. Vibration is the instigator to every experience you go through. Vibration also determines how you perceive and react to the experience. When you change your vibration, you change your reality. I mean your entire reality; your experience of what life has to offer. That's right I said “Everything will change! It will be a whole new World!” (taken from www.coryland.ca)

i.e. Increase your bodies natural vibration level - Improve your ability to heal.

It's for those with an open mind and willing to try something new...

My Physio-Therapy continues to go well (5 days a week for 1.5 hours).
Everday I seem to maintain and/or improve on my flexibility and various strength exercises.
The challenge for me, is finding new exercises to target new muscle groups I've overlooked.
Aside from my change diet (supplementation), Physio has been the biggest factor in maintaining my motorskills.

Common sense would say...'Obviously! Excercise is good for anyone in normal health.'

Being diagnosed with ALS is different...

Know-Nothing Bush Blocking Stem Cell Miracles

Published on Friday, May 27, 2005 by The Progressive
by Matthew Rothschild

When the House on Wednesday took the rare step of defying Bush's wishes and passed a bill that would expand federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, Bush responded with his typical obtuseness. Though the bill would allow research only on frozen embryos that otherwise would be destroyed as medical waste, Bush got on his hobbyhorse.
"This bill would take us across a critical ethical line by creating new incentives for the ongoing destruction of emerging human life," he said.

He also used the phrase "respect for human life in all its stages."

And he placed on an equal level the "emerging human life" of the embryo created in the lab and the human life of an already living, breathing human being who is suffering from a terrible disease.

"Real human lives are involved--both the lives of those with diseases that might find cures from this research, and the lives of the embryos that will be destroyed in the process," he said.

By putting it that way, he tries to neutralize the argument that his anti-science approach is not cruel to those living, breathing human beings who are suffering today from Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Lou Gehrig's disease, juvenile diabetes, or a host of other diseases and conditions that could be cured by embryonic stem cell research.

But he didn't really put them on an equal plane. He privileged the embryo. That's why he surrounded himself with families that used frozen embryos to have babies.

He didn't have victims of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Lou Gehrig's disease, or diabetes to the East Room of the White House for his announcement. And lucky for him. He'd have been heckled off the stage.

That Bush's press conference was a bone to the religious right there should be no doubt.

Bush twice singled out a group called Nightlight Christian Adoptions for praise. Its website (nightlight.org/about_us.asp.) says it strives to "bring glory and honor to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ." One of its goals is "to share God's love by . . . recognizing and advocating the personhood of pre-born children."

Bush said "there is no such thing as a spare embryo." But even Nightlight Christian Adoptions is hard-pressed to make that claim. On its website, it says it is "helping some of the more than 400,000 frozen embryos realize their ultimate purpose--life." But are there really 400,000 women who want to carry those embryos to term? To date, Nightlight Christian Adoptions has managed to bring all of 81 embryos into this world as babies.

Bush and the Christian right are fetishizing fertilization. It doesn't matter to them whether that fertilization happens in the lab or during sex. The minute fertilization occurs, they essentially grant that embryo personhood and all the protections that come with it.

This fetish leads them to be against all abortion, and against all embryonic stem cell research.

Even when frozen embryos left over in the fridge at the artificial insemination clinic would otherwise be thrown away.

Or even when, as in South Korea, scientists make an embroyonic clone that will never be implanted in a woman's uterus and thus never become a human being.

Korean scientists figured out how to take the nucleus from a patient's skin cell and implant it in an egg donated by a woman after the nucleus from that egg cell was removed. Then the patient's nucleus reproduces in the egg to make the embryonic clone.

It's against the law in South Korea to implant a cloned embryo into a woman's uterus, so the issue of whether the embryo would turn into a human being should be moot.

This breakthrough offers the possibility of extraordinary advances. Cells from the cloned embryo could eventually be transplanted back into the original patient, thus greatly reducing the risk of rejection.

The promise of therapeutic cloning is now upon us, but not here in the United States.

The chairman of Bush's Bioethics Council, Dr. Leon Kass, is against it, in part because it "exploits women as egg donors not for their own benefit."

But what if you're the wife of a man who has Lou Gehrig's disease or what if you're the niece of a woman who has Parkinson's? And what if, by donating your egg, you could save your husband's or your aunt's life?

Who is Dr. Kass to say that you are being exploited?

And who is George Bush to stand in the way?

That is paternalism of the cruelest order.

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Amen BRUTHA!!!