Am thoughts

Am thoughts

Here I sit 4:30 am awakened to thoughts about my MS, my life, Anne, family and my future. It's been 2 years and 8 months since my CCSVI surgery. This period may be the best in my entire life. Free of symptoms and back into the world.

About two weeks ago I appear to have started to have some "issues" creep back into my life with MS. Why, the cause, another surgery, not again, is it all coming back, all thoughts racing around in my mind as I drink my coffee.

Yesterday Anne and I decided it was best to head back into doctor land and see what they have to say. First up, a follow up with an interventional radiologist. In order to do that I have to see a neuro first. To do that we need a referral etc. etc. So a new chapter begins. Where it all goes we will soon see. I will keep you updated as we go.

My am rant.

I have to say that I have completely lost my patience with people who are sick with something serious and choose to live in it. They drink, they smoke, they complain, they swim in it affecting everyone in their lives. Do they realize that? You know the people that could change something, do something and be better. The ones that seem to let pride, a closed mind and general stupidity stand in their way.

Hell, I use to be that guy. Guess what with the help of my awesome wife Anne I learned something. You know what I learned? Get off your ass. Learn, educate yourself on all options (outside your bubble) whatever they are. Grow, have an open mind, change the person you are. Don't live in it, don't be prideful, don't complain about it and don't support it. DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!

Swank Supplement Packs

Well its been a while since I posted an update on how things are for me. Overall still doing very well. I will be posting a complete summer recap soon.

I did want to pass along this great product I ran across today. Not sure how I missed it earlier on. For anyone who takes supplements on a regular basis for their MS you need to look at these. Especially if you are a Swank diet follower!



SWANK DAILY AM/PM SUPPLEMENT PACKS, developed by two of Seattle’s leading naturopathic doctors focused on multiple sclerosis, contain all the essential nutritional components for those diagnosed with MS. Based on recent research, these twice-a-day packs can help to support the immune system and improve neurological function.

Each AM packet contains: Two multivitamins to improve overall immunity, B complex with metafolin to help with mitochondrial function and improve neurotransmitter production and last, an extremely high quality EPA fish oil capsule with the added benefit of vitamin D.

Each PM packet contains: Two additional multivitamins and a multi-strain probiotic to support the immune system and reduce autoimmune disease.

They can be ordered here. Enter the password SIMPHARMACY. Then click on the Swank Products Tab.

Untangling CCSVI from MS: The Stories, The Science, and the Need for Action

Anyone that has MS, knows anyone or is a family member of an MS person please take the time to watch this video.

Untangling CCSVI from MS

2 YEARS POST CCSVI!!!!!!!

2 years ago was the second time in my life where the disease Multiple Sclerosis changed everything I am. 2 years ago I went up to Albany N.Y., saw Dr. Siskin (best ever) and had my CCSVI procedure. This adventure into the unknown on February of 2011 gave me my life back.

I recently went back and read over all the things I had written the days and nights before my procedure. In reading things over I remember how bad my life was. How tough it must have been on my wife Anne, my friends and family every single day of my life. 

Prior to my procedure I awoke each day to my daily self checks. What is happening in my body today? What will I be able to do? I would go over each symptom. #1 fatigue, how tired am I (before I get out of bed, if you missed this please read SPOONS)? #2 heat intolerance, is it going to be hot today and whats the A/C in the house set at? #3 cognitive issues, how clear can I think. Can I speak well without searching for that one word to complete a simple sentence? I remember my brain sometimes stopping for a couple seconds here and there with nothing. How is my optic neuritis, how well can I see out of my left eye today? Any soreness, cramping, numbness, shooting pains etc. etc.? Everyday, man it's been two years and I can remember it all like it was just yesterday.

I then read over the my blog post right after my procedure. 

I sit here now writing this, free of all of it except my optic neuritis. We soon decided to move after my procedure to a home in TN. We found 6 acres right outside the Big South Fork state park (thanks Lindsey & Rick). It has everything we have always wanted, a great house, a garage with a workshop, a 4 stall aisle barn and quick access to miles and miles of trails for riding. All of this I am able to keep up with now. We even decided to handle the move ourselves. I packed, I drove, I unpacked, I ran the new fencing for the horses and I helped get the 6 acres in shape after we got there. I would have never been able to move here 2 years ago.  2 years ago I was only good for 3-4 hours each day at about 75%. Forget about horseback riding for 3-4 hours at a clip.

The last two years have been the best years in total I think I have ever had. Truly amazing how your life can change on a dime. Don't settle for being sick, fight on and keep searching you never know what might be right around the corner.

I have quite a few thanks to give for the last 4 and half years since my diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. First and for-most to my wife Anne. Without her I wouldn't be even close  to where I am today. MS has been such a challenge for us and she has never even blinked. There are not enough words to express my thoughts. Thank you. 

Thanks to my friends, family, and everyone that has helped me over the years on my journey with MS. 

Thank you for all the great doctors I have had along the way.  Dr.Diana Greene-Chandos, Dr. Michael Meehan, Dr. Abbas Qutab, Dr. Gary Siskin thank you all!

I have one special thanks to all my fellow MS'rs. Thank you for sharing your lives. Thank you for your personal and often times inspirational stories. Thank you for sharing your most inner thoughts and ideas about your life with MS. Don't ever stop! 

My final thank you is for all those that supported and aided me in getting tested and treated for CCSVI! 

Please if you haven't been tested for CCSVI do so. It could change your life!

PS: If anyone missed my CCSVI procedure day write up ( I still get questions about it..lol) its here 

MS is a very personal journey. Respect it.

Well I have been away for some time. Thought it was time for a quick update.

I was stuck this am by how judgmental and hateful people can be in their ways. Especially when it comes to how they or the people they know choose to treat their MS. Here is a news flash there are a multitude of approaches to dealing with MS. There is no wrong way and there is no right way to treat it. Things have helped people and things have made people worse. What there is though is an individuals choice on how they choose to deal with Multiple Sclerosis coming into their life. It's very personal. They get as educated and learn as they want to. They choose their path. It's what they feel is in their best interest. It is their journey and their choice. This isn't something others should judge or belittle because it's different from their choice. Please respect how others choose to deal with their MS and treat everyone with the respect you think you deserve.

Rant over. 

Stay well my friends. I will have a new update with all my MS stories since the last one soon.