July 24th, 2017

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.