My Fight with MS

Catching up

Good Afternoon!    Let's try to catch up for a minute.    Earlier this year, I transferred to the DWI unit and worked midnights.  After several weeks, I began having some blindspots show up between 9:30 and 11:30 of my left eye.  There was also some funny twitching of my left eyelid that caused me a great deal of concern.  I feared a flare of new MS symptoms. . My thoughts wondered toward optic neuritis!  In laymen's terms (which is how I can process this), the optic nerve swells for an indefinite period of time and cause blindness for an undetermined amount of time, potentially forever!!  So I became quite concerned.  I can't imagine being blind in either eye!  May God bless those who are challenged in this way.  I have to admit to being spoiled here.  If I couldn't see out of either eye, my life would be even more of a challenge.  I made plans to visit the clinic in Costa Rica.  As it turns out, the government in Costa Rica decided not to allow experimental stem cell treatments in their country.  So, the clinic closed down and consolidated everything to their already existing clinic in Panama.   In the meantime, I made an appointment with a neuro-ophthalmologist and went.  He made a lot of general statements about optic neuritis and suggested future visits but wouldn't definitively tell me one way or the other..  grrrr   I made another appointment with Dr. Jones from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.  Upon my visit and his dilation of my pupils, he looked and said what I wanted to hear; "I don't see any signs of optic neuritis and the twitching is likely due to stress."  Thank GOD!! I hadn't told him of my transfer to DWI and he mentioned the stress that only I knew I was under.  You see, on midnights your exposure to family and sleep during the daylight hours is almost non-existent--they had a typical sleep schedule and I lacked one.  When I mentioned my transfer back to dayshift he agreed it would be a good idea. I was hoping the blindspots would vanish and my eyelid would no longer perform jumping jacks on my left eye.   I later talked to Dr. Riordan again who said the treatment, "definitely wouldn't hurt."  So, I went to the Panama clinic. I found the clinic is within the same parking lot as the Puenta Pacifica hospital and may even be attached to it.   It is in a strip center and has the strip center size to it.  a virtual tour:   The waiting room and the patient coordinator's office is up front.  Past the glass door there are two procedure rooms, a bathroom and a small storage closet.  In one of the rooms, blood is drawn and submitted to the lab.  In the other room the spinal injections are performed.  I found the clinic is very clean and felt comfortable with these procedures and the clinic.  The anesthesiologist has a steady hand and made the spinals easy to handle.  I have no idea where the lipo is done because I didn't undergo another lipo this time.   There are plans to move to a bigger office with handicapped accessible elevators.  Along with some of the office procedures, physical therapy will take place in the building.  Covered parking is also available.  I went to the stem cell lab and found it is within the old United States military installation.  It's new name is the "City of Knowledge." There are a few technical facilities and a few medical facilities within this complex.  The "City of Knowledge" is what you might expect from an old military base.  It is a lot of tall buildings that look like barracks surrounding a field that is big enough for a foortball stadium.  I can only imagine the football games and the frisbees being thrown there by the personnel stationed there during their enlistment.   okay, i'm back.  It appeared the lab was also sterile.  I met some of the office staff and was greeted by a tech in scrubs, a hairnet, a breathing filter and something covering her shoes.  I washed my hands with "alcohol smelling" soap and put on the same gear she had on.  I went in and she told me a whole lot about the process and showed me what looked like a very expensive office refrigerator.  She went on to say after the liposuction, stem cells are stored in this device at a very cold temperature.  To be honest, I found it fascinating that she was willing to spend this time with me but I can't remember a lot of what she said.   She was very willing to share the information with me and has done so with other patients.  This time I underwent 3 more adult stem cell spinals, a intravenous return of my stem cells, and 8 intramuscular injections of more donated adult stem cells.  I was told at the time that this was the same procedure given to other MS patients.  I have faith in the physicians in Dr. Riordan's facility and glady participated.  I also met several people there; two of them being from a place very near Fort Worth.  I would mention their names here but don't have their permission at the time of this writing.  You don't realize how small this world is until you travel afar.   For those who haven't been to Panama, the country uses the American dollar.  Spanish is still a must but you'll find most can understand english.    I always feel the need to say this...for some reason or another.  I was never promised a cure but seem to always benefit somewhat from the treatment.  The benefits of the second and third treatment haven't been as pronounced as the first treatment but I remain optimistic and am hoping my immune system will stabilize and stop attacking the myelin sheath!!  I really wish my immune system and I could come to an understanding!!!  ha  I still plan on doing the MS150 "Ride to the River" in San Antonio in October and have started considering the century (100 mile) ride on Saturday!     In His embracing arms,    Preston

I finished the MS 150!

The ride was incredible!!

On day 1, we had a lot of storms threatening the event; lightly raining all the way up until the start. After the sprinkling rain and lightning storm stopped we were told that the ride was still going to happen. I believe over 3,200 riders registered. I have no idea exactly how many showed up but I found people from everywhere. It was a very heart warming experience to see so many lined up to ride their bikes to help fund MS research.

Day 1 I felt the road from Frisco to TMS was relatively flat. I definitely enjoyed it but thought it would be more challenging. I averaged nearly 17 miles per hour this day.

After 83 miles on Saturday even on flat roads, I was hoping for a relatively easy second day. Haha! The second day turned out to be very challenging with a lot more climbs and rolling hills. At about this point, I was hoping they would have exchanged the day 1 route for the day 2 route. I just think the last thing I want to do after 83 miles is to take on a bunch of rolling hills!! Did I mention we had a significant headwind after we turned south? I averaged just over 15 miles per hour on day two and was thankful for it.

I have known for a long time that what I am doing is a LOT bigger than I am, but a ride like this proved it. I found people from everywhere who had volunteered just to cheer us into the rest stops, people were letting us fill our water bottles, cutting up oranges for us and more still pouring pickle juice for us to drink. The volunteers were doing all of it with a huge smile on their face! I had no idea about drinking pickle juice during a bike ride but was told it helps relieve and/or eliminate cramps.

I felt the ride was very worthwhile on so many levels. We rode our bikes and helped provide money for much needed research through the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. We owe our friends, family and co-workers for helping with the $300 minimum pledge to ride in the event.

Now, I am going to ride in the MS150 from San Antonio to New Braunsfels and back on October 9-10!

Thank you Father!!

-- Preston Walker

A 150-mile bike ride? You'd better believe it

I believe I mentioned to everyone that shortly after my diagnosis I bought a mountain bike and rode it a lot.

I even bought road tires for it but eventually grew dissatisfied with the bike. After the bike collected a lot of dust, I decided on giving it another try on a road bike.

A friend of mine was trying to sell his Trek 1500 so I bought it. I enjoy riding again!

When the MS150 came around, I really began doubting I could do it. I mean, who has time preparing for such a ride??

'Then, I found myself riding about 30 miles a day on each day of my week-end and felt good while doing it.

A note to self; 30 miles is a LONG way from 150 over a two day period but ...I feel like I can do this.

I finally registered to ride in the MS150 the week-end of May 1-2, 2010. The ride is 83 miles on Saturday with a finishing trip from Frisco to downtown Ft. Worth on Sunday.

Don't get me wrong, it won't be easy but it will happen!!!

In Him,

Preston

Keeping up with the workouts

I am still doing the P90X work-out but not with any regularity - probably 2-3 times a week.

 I keep "finding" other things to do instead. I really enjoy the work-out and have done pretty well at it so, I'm not looking for ways to avoid it but I miss it all the same.

There are still a few exercises like the Ab-Ripper X that I still struggle with, but one day, I'll do the 300+ ab exercises right along with them.

 I spoke at a Texans for Stem Cell Research event in Austin a couple of weeks ago. It was nice to personally share this story with a number of people, along with Representative Rick Hardcastle and Senator Kirk Watson.

They are helping all of us by leading the way, legislatively, to bring this to Texas. Adult Stem Cell treatment therapy is truly a life changer.

-- Preston Walker

Another approach at health

First, let me say that I was doing really well with only the stem cell treatment but I have recently considered a supplement to the stem cell treatment...not a replacement for it.  You might say I am further considering the body's ability to repair itself and doing what I can, as a patient with MS, to help my body do it.

A sister of ours in MS suggested I visit Dr. Evelyn Ding in Austin, TX concerning the levels of certain vitamins and hormones in my blood.   She had been to Dr. Ding and is feeling really well by only supplementing her body with doses of vitamins and/or hormones that all of us have naturally occurring within our body but the levels of the vitamins/hormones fall off as we age.    

So, I made my appointment and went down for bloodwork.  What seemed amazing during my first visit is how easy she is to talk to and the amount of time she spent with a new patient.  I visited with her for at least an hour.  During the meeting, her office assistant  offered me several different levels of bloodwork that I could choose from.  I paid for a Spectrox analysis of the blood.   

A month later, the lab work was finished resulting in a return visit with my wife.  The labwork suggested my levels of testosterone and glutathione were low;  thyroid production of T3 and T4 was insufficient.  She also suggested I look into the out of pocket cost for human growth hormone as it has shown some benefits for people with MS.   She suggested I double my Vitamin D-3 to 4000 i.u./day which is just one more tablet.

She also told me I needed 60 minutes of aerobic activity daily, 9 hours of sleep and thirty  minutes of spiritual renewal.  She clarified spiritual renewal when she said it was anything I truly enjoyed doing by myself such as yoga. My wife is also pursuing the analysis of her blood through Dr. Ding.  After over 3 hours with Dr. Ding, we left very satisfied with our decision to pursue the treatment.  

Other than suggesting Dr. Ding, our sister also suggested reading "The MS Solution" by Kathryn Simpson where she documents her journey to relieving herself of MS symptoms.  I bought it through Amazon and am working on finishing it. It is a very interesting read for everyone with MS and is in line with Dr. Ding's treatment.    

I had to find a compounding pharmacy for the testosterone shots and chose Perrone's in Fort Worth. What I found pretty amazing is that most of the medications are very reasonably priced and some even over the counter. 

I asked Dr. Riordan (President/CEO of ICM in Costa Rica) what he thought of the treatment plan.  He said it made sense to correct the body's environment right so the stem cells could do what they are meant to do. 

I hope this finds everyone doing well!! 

YBIC (your brother in Christ),

Preston

Back home and trying to catch up

I just returned from a trip to Nashville.

Now, I am trying to catch up with everything that has been neglected (yardwork and a bunch of emails).

I recently picked up a rather intense work-out entitled P90X and am in my 2nd week. I am having aches and pains but it has nothing to do with MS!!

Today, I went outside for some yardwork in 90+ degree heat today without any problems.

In fact, it relieved a lot of stress. I am still spreading the news to people around the world about the benefits of this treatment.

For the most part it has been through phone conversations and/or emails.

However, I was recently interviewed by a reporter from the Saturday Evening Post. The story has been posted on the web.

I'm very grateful that I have a chance to talk openly about this.

Until next time,

Preston Walker

Hours in the sun and feeling great

Update:
 
Another 3 straight hours in the sun yesterday and feel really great today. This heat tolerance since the second treatment is the real deal.
 
Preston and I started this improvement quality-of-life 14 months ago and now Cindy Alexander from our area is headed there soon. She will be the 100th person from here that we know of. To raise the monies
she is having a golf tournament Sept 26th. My friends are chipping in to donate 3-4 person teams @ $300/team. We hope many more will do the same.
 
Blessings,
Richard

Taking on an intense workout

I guess I have been trying to deal with this extra energy a little too well. I started P90X a couple of weeks ago!!!

P90X is a very intense workout. I can't do everything as well as the folks on the DVD but I'm working on it!

A friend of mine suggested I see a doctor in Austin, TX and ask about some extensive bloodwork to check on the levels of certain vitamins within my bloodstream. Well, I made the appointment and went to this doctor.

During my visit, she agreed to the bloodwork. I've had this sort of bloodwork done before but she stated doctors will tell you if the vitamin level is in an acceptable "range." The problem, for me at least, is wondering what my quality of life will be like once the levels of certain vitamins are at the top end of the "range." (My quality of life is REALLY good right now but I can't keep from asking questions.)

There are some traditional deficiencies with certain vitamins in MS patients., so I'm curious. I return to the doctor on August 21st and should have some answers then.

I will pass the information on privately to anyone who is interested in it.

My personal email address is pwalker2644@sbcglobal.net

In Him, Preston

An energetic day

I am not sure how to describe what happened today other than that I have a LOAD OF ENERGY!!

To let everyone understand this, I documented today's events in the following information:

I invited my son to a bike ride. We rode twenty miles and returned home. Instead of wanting to sleep, I started looking for other things to do!! I found that my lawnmower needed the rear wheel removed and replaced.

The taillight on my ATV needed the support bracket removed and replaced.

 The inspection on my wife's car was out - took it to the shop for that. The same car's wheels needed to be balanced and rotated - DONE!

My license plate registration would expire at the end of this month - bought the renewal ahead of time.

I returned home and affixed the new sticker to my truck. I also bought 4.3 tons of rock for the flower beds that we will lay down within the next couple of days.

When all of this was taken care of, I rode the ATV with my son and watched him ride for a little while. I then went to watch my daughter play a volleyball game.

It was quite a day of doing little things, but it would have been very taxing several weeks ago.

It's now 9:00 p.m. and I am still full of energy!! There is only one reason for this turn of events. It is God's good grace through the injection of ADULT STEM CELLS. GO STEM CELLS GO!!

In Him, Preston

Dealing with the heat

Heat intolerence is associated with every MS patient. With the heat we are having all of us have this intolerance.

This week in Wichita Falls I was in the 100-degree heat for over 8 hours on back to back days. This was not even possible after the first stem cell treatment but after a 4-month regeneration from the second stem cell treatment, not only is it possible but reality.

Even Dr. Thomas Ichim, a stem cell expert from the University of California-San Diego is in amazement.

I just keep getting blessed.

Richard