So we received the Heavy Metals test results BUT, frustratingly, Dr. Parpia (and/or her assistant?) failed to ORDER THE TEST THAT INCLUDES COPPER which is the PRIMARY item we were investigating since the lab results at UCDavis indicated they were higher than usual.

When I called them - irate! - I requested that SOMEONE from their office call the lab to see if they still had his urine to test the copper! They said they'd call us back by the end of the day.

As you can see, Eric is in the RED in lead! Dr. Osborne says a few things about these results: First, just because it is in the green, does not mean that is "normal." As well, she noted the quantity - how many things he did test positive for - is high. His system is clearly overloaded with heavy metal toxins.

Right now we are at Dr. Osborne's office for Eric to get UV therapy and a hydrogen peroxide treatment. We've GOTTA have things turn around for him. He started using a walker after his fall last Thursday, so - of course - stopping him from getting any worse is our primary concern at this moment. Dr. Osborne will start with it next week. Her idea is to rotate between the two... the problem is UV therapy is VERY expensive, so we might opt to do it less.

Also, we are still pinning down the date for the fundraiser.... still leaning toward August 19th, but we need to finalize it. I'll surely keep you posted!

Our consultation on Wednesday with Dr. Osborne was good. After really liking Dr. Parpia, and then experiencing the lack of efficiency and clear communication with her office staff, I will say I was a bit cautious as we shared Eric's situation with Dr. Osborne. Not to mention feeling totally discouraged to be starting anew.

Unfortunately, as we are not experts in ALS, biology, or natural or conventional medicine, trying to put the pieces of "what should go where" in an area where there is very little agreement about anything is indeed overwhelming.

We so want to just turn his complete care over to someone who REALLY knows her shit and can HEAL him - fully restore his health, his strength and use of his limbs!!

The "experts" at UCDavis ALS Clinic say Eric has about 3 years to live and there is no cure; though they have him on an extremely expensive medicine that may extend his life by a few months. Both naturopathic doctors (like me) see his situation as a combination of issues, but we have not yet determined what they are - what led to this condition - except perhaps the heavy metals. Their approaches are chelation/IV therapy, but the specifics seem to be different. Dr. Parpia wanted to have Eric receive treatments three times per week for 2-3 months. Dr. Osborne was suggesting once a week. And what they are offering him - well, I don't even understand most of it.

I'm proud of Eric. He remembers the information (though I'm the one taking notes!) and has since spent hours researching online so he has clarity about what he will be undergoing, what will be infused into his veins.

Thursday was a mixed bag, for sure. We went back to Dr. Osborne and she began Eric on an IV with nutrients. About halfway into the treatment he needed to use the bathroom. Though I was walking by his side carrying his IV bag, his left leg gave out and he fell, landing on his back. He did not have the lower or upper body strength to get up, and I certainly couldn't lift him alone! Thankfully, both the doctor and her assistant helped us.

I wanted to BURST INTO TEARS! To see him so weak and so helpless shattered my courage. Instead, I helped him get through. It sucked.

Anyway, the last half hour was NOT a good one at Dr. Osborne's. Communication seemed to get shaky - we were told she would be out of town next Thursday and was booked on Tuesday (her only two treatment days) and I just about lost it!

It was resolved later, but I'm still feeling scared, shaken and deeply concerned. Eric felt more energized that day, but the last couple of days he's been even MORE exhausted.

​At this point, I'm living on the edge of anxiety and exhaustion and cannot write any more tonight.

Eric has sent in his new sample for heavy metals testing - this time a "provoked" test to be more accurate - and we hope to get the results within the next couple of weeks.


Today he was SO WIPED OUT that he cancelled his physical therapy appointment. He had recently started an enzyme to help him (perhaps) digest the supplements he is on, so decided to stop taking them until we see Dr. Osborne since he's not sure if this is causing his nausea and such.


Our consultation with Dr. Osborne is tomorrow and we are counting down the hours! On Thursday she will start him on an IV with nutrients. Her assistant was VERY communicative, informing Eric of how to prepare, what to bring, and what to expect. This is very helpful and a good sign, for sure.


I'm doing better after feeling absolutely defeated and overwhelmed last week. More stable, but certainly not "vibrant." I have intentionally kept it low-key and even removed a few things from our busy week and my own schedule. I am grateful for the outpouring of kind and loving words and support!


Tonight we will have our second call with friends who are organizing a fundraising event for Eric. We are looking at mid-August, so please watch for the details so that you may attend and/or share about this event (or contribute in some way?). This is how we will generate the bulk of the funds for Eric's needed chelation therapy.


Eric does not like pictures or videos of him on a "good" day, but sometimes I wish I could capture his state so that we can record his progress/deterioration as we move through this crisis.


Just to give you a sense: Even lifting his cell phone to his ear is difficult so he holds his hand with the other to keep it at his ear. Pouring oil in his truck was too difficult so Presley did it for him yesterday. He only feels safe taking a shower when someone is home with him. He is now (somewhat) considering using a walker for his safety. At this point he relies on furniture and counters to get from one spot to another in our small home. He rests often.


Please continue to hold him in the light and imagine him as his strongest self. Thank you! 

My friend Nancy and Eric made great time getting to Gordon Medical. BUT, it was the Nth time we've had communication issues with them. *sigh*

When he got there, he was told - as they were about to draw his blood for the Lyme test - that the lab isn't open until Monday, so his blood would be refrigerated over the weekend. WHAT?! Basically, this would NOT be a good sample for an accurate test!

Next, they had told him that they wanted to do an IV of minerals, that it was standard when they do the IV for the heavy metals provocation. HOWEVER, they did NOT share this with us during our conversation - which was very thorough because we were wanting to know EXACTLY what to expect at this appointment and the cost of each thing.

Anyway, all that driving for just the heavy metals test, and now no Lyme test (though they did send the kit home with Eric).

We are clear - no matter HOW much expertise they may have in "unravelling the mystery of chronic illness" - the people at Gordon Medical lack clear communication, and seem to be quite disorganized (if you knew that the lab was closed until Monday, why have a blood draw even scheduled for a Thursday?). Thus, we will collect our results from them, and move on. We are sincerely hoping for more professionalism from Dr. Osborne next Wednesday and Thursday. I will say that her assistant was very thorough when we scheduled the sessions yesterday. *fingers crossed*
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As it took a MONTH to even get in for our initial appointment at GMA, we are highly discouraged we lost so much time!!! Eric is slipping fast!

Yesterday, Eric was just standing with his arms overhead and working on a latch on the back of my car when his legs collapsed under him and he fell to the ground. I was in the house, so I had no idea. It took him a bit to get up, since he has declining strength in all limbs and his core. 

At PT yesterday, they showed him several ways to get back up.

We just got off the phone with Dr. Virginia Osborne of Grass Valley - who specializes in IV therapy and environmental medicine (which she believes can trigger ALS) - and have an initial appointment for a consultation with her next Wednesday. Then, the next day, she will start an IV with nutrients for Eric. We will make our decision - which doctor to work with - after we meet face-to-face, but we felt good about her in our phone conversation.

Tomorrow, my friend Nancy will drive Eric to Santa Rosa - back to Dr. Parpia at Gordon Medical to get testing for Lyme and heavy metals. This is a 3-hour drive EACH WAY. Though we really liked her, we're not sure Eric can handle the traveling 3x per week for several months!

On Friday, he will go see his PCP to learn about potential ways to get the IV treatments prescribed, and thus covered by his insurance. As well, she may be able to offer other resources we haven't yet discovered.

I know the MDA will help with getting Eric necessary medical equipment. As well, another friend is checking out the guidelines for receiving In-Home Support Services in Placer Co... Can I be his paid caregiver?

Also, we spoke with two friends last night about a fundraising event they would like to organize for him - ideally in early August - in order to afford his treatments and keep us afloat as all this unfolds. The thought is a BBQ, music, family social in the park or other good location.
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Again, soooooooo much gratitude for our community - for YOU - stepping up to support our family through this uncertain and scary time. 

Yesterday, at the planning meeting, my mom asked Eric and me, "What keeps you up at night? What do you worry about." Of course, two main things are the source of Eric's concerns right now: our family making it financially as he is no longer working, and his condition worsening and not being able to walk or use his muscles.
For me, it is now 5:00 am, and I woke just after 4:00 unable to get back to sleep... perhaps a dream woke me up, then a thought crossed my mind (or two or three), then it spun into some questions... lots of questions... then I started to go inward and seek "answers" intuitively, but my mind was tired and the seeking felt futile... or maybe it was simple the full moon?

So here are the spinnings that keep me awake: the HOW'S. How do we get through this? How can I organize everything to bring ease? How can I make my business grow to fully support our family? How can I reach more people and offer something people want and be fully seen for my work? How can we survive until things turn around? HOW CAN I DO MORE?

And that's where I get completely overwhelmed.

I simply don't know IF I can do any MORE.

Many years ago, when Eric and I separated (for six long and difficult years), I often was told, "You're so strong." I said this then, and I'll say it again, "I don't WANT to be strong."

Our lives - with all the amazing support of our community then and now, with the incredible hearts and endurance of our children, with the big love shared in our household - have been notably challenging as a family.

I truly believe that at the heart of Eric's dis-ease is just that: DIS-EASE. Our family has not had much ease in our lives, truly, and it is utterly exhausting.

What's interesting about ALS, and why he is losing so much weight, is that his muscles, his whole body IS ALWAYS WORKING... and working very hard, as Eric always had. He felt like he could never stop. I can't stop. There is rarely time to REST.

One of the fundamental pieces that has affected us is affording to live... afford our rent, afford gas, car expenses (not payments), groceries, and just making ends meet. The LAST thing our family could afford is for ANY of us to get sick, let alone our major bread-winner.

So, the "solutions" I wanted to reveal yesterday were primarily focused around these questions:
- Where can we live that can reduce our rent to a fraction of our costs (either free or ridiculously cheap) that is MOLD FREE, allows a dog and cat, and is closer to resources?
- What can I do to create residual income doing what I do (as an intuitive/spiritual teacher) and how do I get "out there" and get marketed?
- How can we fundraise and/or earn the treatments that Eric needs in order to REVERSE his symptoms, moving from at state of dis-ease to ease?
- How can all of what is on our plates flow together and work out logistically, day to day, month to month? (i.e., Can we find a practitioner who can offer the best IV treatments to Eric without having to travel to the Bay Area?)

Ideas were flowing, and several participants left with a to do list for us, which not only brings more EASE, but fills our hearts with gratitude.

And these questions are still spinning.

When I led my weekly meditation yesterday morning - independent of the planning meeting - I created a visualization of traveling to the full moon to connect with whatever she offers and bring it back to Earth, with a gift or message. What I heard/received in this meditative journey was "Potentiality."
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The interesting thing about potentiality is that it is open, full of possibilities and power, yet we may not have any idea of what's to be revealed.

On Monday we finally had our appointment with Dr. Parpia at Gordon Medical Center. We went to the San Rafael office since it's a bit closer than their Santa Rosa office. Because it was the day before Independence Day, the traffic was graciously light. 

Both Eric and I really liked her, and felt her questions, insights and approach were validating. It was so nice to have someone speak "our language," rather than be patronized for seeking means outside the conventional box.

In preparation for the appointment, we wanted to make sure we had access to Eric's medical records from when he was hospitalized, so before we met with her, we created an account with "My Chart." Until that point, we had been told that all of Eric's tests were "normal." Seeing them for ourselves was eye-opening!

When I clicked on the Heavy Metals results, we were shocked to see that Eric's Copper levels were higher than the "safe" range (3-50) - 71 ug/d (whatever that means) - and that there was an "H" under the "Flag" column which no one bothered to mention to us.

When Dr. Parpia asked whether or not the test was "provoked" we didn't know what she meant. She then asked if they had given anything to Eric before collecting the urine samples and he said, "No." Thus, her response was that not only was this high, but as an unprovoked test, she thought that his levels could be significantly higher!

During his two hour appointment, we agreed that there might be issues of Lyme as well, so she agreed that testing with the more accurate Igenex test would be a good idea.

Money was also a really big topic in our conversation, of course. After testing, she felt that to really detox and treat Eric, this would require intense IV therapy. Ideally, she wants him to receive it three times per week, for 2-3 months. Each infusion is costly, each trip down there will take a full day, and we are now at the complete dependence on our fundraising to maintain our household, not to mention intense therapy to treat Eric!

Yet, I knew this was coming. Scary. A bit frustrating. And also hopeful. 

So our next step will be to have another "planning meeting" to determine the next steps in our journey. We plan to meet tomorrow and see what unfolds next.

Tomorrow we go to see Dr. Parpia.

Tonight, when Eric tried to get down low to check the food in the broiler, he literally couldn't get back up. He has very little strength in his legs. He goes to PT twice a week, and does exercises daily, but still is rapidly losing strength.

He spent a long time filling out the intake form; it was very thorough and he was as complete as possible, with dates of surgeries, weight fluctuations, etc.

The appointment is supposed to be 2 hours, and I'm not exactly sure what to expect. Are they going to order tests? We are hoping they will use the tests he has already done, and only request ones he hasn't taken, or that are specific to a certain type of test that is more evolved.

Our GoFundMe has slowed down, and I am grateful for all the donations - grateful we have money to GO to the doctor! I think we are even covered for rent, but I haven't looked at July yet, it kind of snuck up on me.

On a side note: Friday I went to a periodontist to have the growth on my gum (that I had been ignoring for over 6 months) removed and they are sending it in for a biopsy. Again, the fundraiser enabled me to do this. <3

I need to send thank you's. I'm keeping a list (as best I can) to give thank you's and shout outs, but have been so busy.

Well over 100 families/friends/strangers have stepped in and supported us in some way... many multiple times.

I'm asking for prayers for ease and grace and a thorough evaluation and - ideally - a "better" diagnosis. But, of course, we are willing to know the truth, even if it's not what we want to hear. So, yes, prayers of truth, empowerment, and the best path to be revealed.
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Thank you!