My Hopes

Wow, two weeks since I last posted!  In a few days I leave for California, and on the 5th I get assessed at Synergy Health.  If, as I suspect, they find that I'm beginning to get blood flow problems again, I'll be "re-liberated" on the 6th.  What do I hope to get from a second treatment for CCSVI?  Well, this last fall I started to be more fatigued again - still not nearly as badly as before my first treatment in Poland, but enough to be noticeable.  And in the last couple of months, my balance has started to get a little worse again.  My left-side weakness has also become more pronounced over the last few weeks, and my hands are more numb and less dextrous, especially my left hand. 

If I have the procedure again, I hope to get my energy and balance back up to where it had been for most of the time since my first procedure, and I hope to retain my improvements in my autonomic functions (which haven't deteriorated since my first liberation).  It would be nice if I had some improvement in my strength, but I don't expect too much there.  Since my manual dexterity (and mobility) seem to be worse when I am tired, I do hold out some hope that they will improve if my energy levels increase.

In the back of my mind, as well, is the hope that better blood flow will keep my brain healthier.  My mother finally succumbed (last night) to Parkinson's, and the last two years she hasn't really been there - she didn't really know us anymore.  Though she seemed to be relatively happy at the care home, I wouldn't want to have my family go through that ordeal for me.

Sasktchewan MLA touts CCSVI treatment

A lot of folks have said that if our politicians had MS, they would see the CCSVI treatment controversy differently.  Here is some evidence of that: http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Health/20120209/Saskatchewan-MLA-touts-controversial-MS-therapy/

Nature of Things program on MS, CCSVI

The Nature of Things program on the MS/CCSVI controversy aired last night Nature of Things episode .  I didn't watch it yet (no CBC in Spain!) but my wife did see it and said she thought it was fairly well done.  I'll either watch it online or when I get back home.  It's not up on iTunes, yet.

While in Spain, good news in Saskatchewan

While I am in Spain on business, I get to hear some good news from our hard-working CCSVI friends in Saskatchewan: http://ccsvi-ms.ning.com/profiles/blogs/saskatchewan-patients-finally-have-follow-up-care-after-ccsvi-pro?xg_source=msg_mes_network... well done, folks! The original universal health care province continues to lead the way!

Metals in the brain

More ammunition for those who say that metals in the brain (such as those accumulating because of poor blood flow, perhaps) may be a major cause of brain degeneration: Wall Street Journal article.