October 29, '00

    Al is back home after spending 10 days with Dr. Rene Espy in Woburn, Massachusetts.  He is very happy to be home.  He said it was hard to sit there six to seven hours a day "wired up", even though he couldn't feel anything through the wires.  He had different wires on different parts of his body until the muscles would respond stronger.  Once the muscles tested stronger Dr. Espy would work on other muscles.  She would test each day to see if the work she did the day before held.  If it did she would work on other areas. Each day everything held and she got him as far as she hope to.  She stated that his fingers take longer to come back because the muscles and nerves are so small in that area.
    Dr. Espy put Al on the Zone Diet and she had him watch videos on the diet and worked with him everyday to help him understand how it works.  It is an equal amount of carbohydrates, fat and protein in every meal and snack. Al tested sensitive to dairy, poultry and grains (pasta, bread, rice, etc.) so he can't eat them for three months. He has to continue on the fish oil, two tablespoons in the morning and two in the afternoon.  He has to take it in liquid form because it would take 60 capsules a day to equal the same amount.  He has gotten use to it and would rather take it straight than mix it with anything.  Dr. Espy says we all should have continued with the cod liver oil we hated as children, we would be a lot healthier.  The oil puts oxygen in his muscles and nerves.  Al is also taking a supplement to help rebuild his nerve endings called Alpha Lipoic Acid.   He will go back to Dr. Espy in three months for another week to see what is still holding and to continue helping him.  The diet and fish oil is 80% of this treatment. This continuously replenishes his nerves and muscles plus keeps his insulin at a constant level. You have to do it all or it just doesn't work.
    The results of all this treatment is: his upper body is stronger and his grip is stronger. He can hold his right wrist up straight instead of it drooping all the time. He can carry a plate from the kitchen to the dining room again. It still takes him awhile to button his shirts because of the fingers.  He is speaking clearer and not clearing his throat all the time which I think was the beginning of his throat becoming constricted.
    He is feeling reborn again and so am I. This feels a little like a miracle to us.  He went to his regular chiropractor in Massachusetts that following Monday and Dr. Maykel was really excited and impressed by how much stronger he was. Al will continue to see Dr. Maykel every 6 to 8 weeks to keep him aligned and to keep track of how he is doing.  Al has been teaching me how to do the diet. too. He has figured out how I can have a glass of wine or two a night, if I want. Can't hate a guy like that.  Thank you for all your inspiring and loving messages.  It is wonderful to realize how many many people are thinking of us and wishing us well.