Gratitude & encouraging news inside...

[Zethco]

To all my Brothers –

It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to post, and I wanted to say thanks as well as report some encouraging news. (posting in both forums)

Almost immediately after arriving back in Chicago (thanks to the Brotherhood), I again took a big turn for the worse. The little mobility I had vanished and a long list of crippling symptoms again began. Which unfortunately was no surprise, that’s how it’s gone since 6 October ’08. I had then gone to my appt at the Mayo Clinic, but little help or relief was found there.

As has been my experience from day 1, it’s very tough for Dr’s – especially great Dr’s – to believe any living human can have that many issues at one time. I was told “if you had that many symptoms, I’d be looking at a corpse”. They failed to take into account the severity of the toxic insult to my nervous system and body, which was/is extensive and as such manifests in so many ugly ways.

The following few months were rough at best, but I never gave up. Simply not an option.

I was able to arrange for short-term/temporary housing for my family at least. My mind was heavily affected by the toxicity. Easily confused, disoriented, little to no short term memory. But I fought. Hard.

I am able to write this to y’all today because of the GOOD NEWS:

[Zethco]

Clearly if I am to beat this, I need to take on a LOT of the medical side myself.

I found that the meds that caused all this deplete Glutathione levels and took a chance. Put simply, I learned that Glutathione is a tripeptide we all have in us that your body uses to detox. Worth a shot…

I was able to convince a local Dr to start administering IV treatments of L-Glutathione. Twice per week, started IV treatments about 3.5 weeks ago. The day following my first IV, I thought I noticed some real improvement, but I’ve learned the hard way not to get excited. Some days are better than others.

By the second IV, it was clearly helping. On top of all the pain & numbness/tingling/etc, my body felt like a valve that’s been rusted shut. Extremely slow & hard to move. That has improved a lot since treatment began. I’m able to move around a lot more than I had.

But most of all, MY MIND has started to return! I am once again alert, aware and again able to think. Something the toxicity took from me. Literally. Without my mind, how could I fight??

I’m ALIVE again. Not even remotely close to cured or healthy (yet), I have many life-related challenges and substantial health issues. Some health issues that will continue to develop. BUT – I’M ALIVE AGAIN! At least in mind and spirit. Which is all I need to fight and try to help myself.

I just want to say thank you, sincerely, for all the kind words and support when I needed it the most. I certainly am not in a “good” position – in fact I’m theoretically in a much worse position and I have a long hard fight ahead.

That said, knowing I wasn’t alone and there were people who cared made all the difference in the world. Gave me fight just when I was worried I had too little left.

I am starting to WIN this fight. Just like I promised I would
.
Thank you all, again. The words of support, encouragement and respect helped me realize how strong I truly am - made me dig deeper than I thought possible. The fact that I can write this today shows the power of it all.

Gratefully,
Michael

[bdw18_123]

Although you did get worse, it's awesome to hear things are getting better for you! Sometimes it has to get worse before it gets better. As long as your will to live never diminishes and you want to get better, you will.

You would be surprised at the ability our mind/brain has to heal the body. I have heard that our brains have the ability to heal and give the body whatever drugs it needs, we don't need all the artificial crap. Problem is, for that to work requires you to believe/know that it can. Kind of like the "placebo effect". What your mindset is has a HUGE effect on the physical side.

Anyway, glad to hear your getting better. Keep that desire to "beat this" alive and well inside of you, and you WILL get better. You'll be tearing up the road in that ZR-1 of yours before you know it! :thumbsup:

[vettebrett]

Congrats on the GREAT TURN AROUND, hope it continues for you.

[ZZZZZR1]

Michael,


Glad to hear you are doing better and hope we can meet @ an event this year!!!

Keep us updated and how about some pictures of your Admiral?


Cheers


David

[Zethco]

You would be surprised at the ability our mind/brain has to heal the body.

You couldn't be more right my friend. I shouldn't be able to do the things I force my body to do given the amount of pain I'm in. The pain is incredibly intense in every fiber of my body (not kidding). Even my eyes. Every second of everyday, literally, since 6 Oct 2008. Without a single second of relief.

I knew that to maintain even a small amount of 'quality of life', I would have to learn not to let the pain get to me. Meaning, change what my brain thinks to be too much pain. Whenever I have a moment of feeling weak, I think about what it takes to be able to ignore all the pain (or ignore enough of it anyway) And that forces me to realize I'm stronger than I ever thought - which always makes me push harder:thumbsup:

I fully believe it's all in the mind and will. We are ALL stronger than we think:cheers:


Congrats on the GREAT TURN AROUND, hope it continues for you.

Thank you. I figure if I've made it this far, they'd have to lop off my head at this point to kill me:D

[Z Factor]

Hi Michael,

I was just thinking of you the other day, wondering how things were coming along.

I am sure I speak for everyone by saying we are pleased and relived you are starting to get your wits back. Without a clear mind, I can only imagine how frustrating and difficult it must be to try and get better. As long as you keep fighting, there is always a chance at recovery, whether it be a man made solution, or with God's help.

Keep your chin up, and let us know if there is anything that we can do to help.

JIM
:cheers:

[Blue Flame Restorations]

Good luck on the progress! :thumbsup:

[haber rj]

Michael a man with courage will never be defeated and as my son told me once "winners never quit and quitters never win". I admire your courage and god bless.

[GrayZ]

Mike, glad to hear your health is returning, because without it, nothing else in life matters. I will add you to my prayer list, hoping for a fast and prolonged recovery. :thumbsup:

[Zethco]

Thank you for the support. It helps keep me going more than you'd know:thumbsup:

In response to Brother Davids request... Here's a few pics of the drive back to Chicago I took.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j141/ChicagoTTA/ZR-1/Bronsons_Journey00007.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j141/ChicagoTTA/ZR-1/Bronsons_Journey00004.jpg

This one should be an ad or somthing I say...
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j141/ChicagoTTA/ZR-1/Bronsons_Journey00002.jpg

I was starting to have some intense symptoms so I drove straight through to make it home before it got too bad to drive. Good news? I was then able to snap this - Sunrise on the Western side of the Rockies:cool:
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j141/ChicagoTTA/ZR-1/Bronsons_Journey00008.jpg

[bdw18_123]

Very awesome pictures, thanks for sharing! I especially like that last picture. And your right, that 3rd picture would be perfect for one of those magazine car ads. :thumbsup:

[tf95ZR1]

Michael,
I didn't know you got worse in Chicago, but I'm glad
you are doing better. How is your son doing?
I bet he is happy that you are back home. Have you
taken him for a ride in the Z?
I hope to see you at a future ZR-1 event.
Continued good luck,
Ted

[DaveK]

Great pics and great news Michael, hope things continue to get better. :thumbsup: Your determination is a beacon to us all.

"Never give in, never give in, never; never; never; never - in nothing, great or small, large or petty." - Winston Churchill

[Zethco]

Your determination is a beacon to us all.

Thanks Dave. As dumb as it may sound, hearing things like this helps. A lot. Sticks in my head and motivates me to try harder, as if I have to continue living up to it. Which is a great thing my friend:cheers:


** For those who don't know, Ted was one of the Brothers who gave up his Sunday to help a stranger swap injectors. Thanks you!

Yea, I got a lot worse. The little mobility you saw was new, and I fought hard to get even that much back. It was soon taken away, but I'm starting to win the fight now. Momentum is a beautiful thing. My mind wasn't quite there when we all met up. But my mind has recovered quite a lot recently. Thankfully:cheers:

My Boy was insane (DNA?) when I got home & glued himself to me. That is, until he saw I brought "the Blue Car" home. Then I basically became a transport device with keys:icon_scra - nearly every day I hear: "DaDa? Can we go drive DaDa's Blue Car please DaDa?".

Many nights he and I make our way at all costs to the Z. No matter how long it takes me to get there, I never let him down. I'll never take for granted or miss those moments again, ya know?

And as he screams "Fire-this-bad-boy-up!!" at the top of his lungs, he turns the power key and I the ignition. Aedan then says "Let's Rock Out Dad", puts in his favorite CD - ZZ Top. You can guess the rest. A Father so grateful for the moments he's alive, with his son. A Boy who loves his Da (using me for the car, really).

You'd think I'm makin that up, but nope. I hope to get it on video sometime soon. It's nuts.

I am pretty confident I'll be able to make a gathering soon. All I need to be capable of is short walks, driving, sitting in a chair and/or stare at motors right? :thumbsup:

[Blue Flame Restorations]

Beautiful Z. One of my favorite colors.

Hope to get to meet you in May, if you can make it?

Brett Henderson

[ZZZZZR1]

Thanks Dave. As dumb as it may sound, hearing things like this helps. A lot. Sticks in my head and motivates me to try harder, as if I have to continue living up to it. Which is a great thing my friend:cheers:


** For those who don't know, Ted was one of the Brothers who gave up his Sunday to help a stranger swap injectors. Thanks you!

Yea, I got a lot worse. The little mobility you saw was new, and I fought hard to get even that much back. It was soon taken away, but I'm starting to win the fight now. Momentum is a beautiful thing. My mind wasn't quite there when we all met up. But my mind has recovered quite a lot recently. Thankfully:cheers:

My Boy was insane (DNA?) when I got home & glued himself to me. That is, until he saw I brought "the Blue Car" home. Then I basically became a transport device with keys:icon_scra - nearly every day I hear: "DaDa? Can we go drive DaDa's Blue Car please DaDa?".

Many nights he and I make our way at all costs to the Z. No matter how long it takes me to get there, I never let him down. I'll never take for granted or miss those moments again, ya know?

And as he screams "Fire-this-bad-boy-up!!" at the top of his lungs, he turns the power key and I the ignition. Aedan then says "Let's Rock Out Dad", puts in his favorite CD - ZZ Top. You can guess the rest. A Father so grateful for the moments he's alive, with his son. A Boy who loves his Da (using me for the car, really).

You'd think I'm makin that up, but nope. I hope to get it on video sometime soon. It's nuts.

I am pretty confident I'll be able to make a gathering soon. All I need to be capable of is short walks, driving, sitting in a chair and/or stare at motors right? :thumbsup:

Michael,


Again glad you are better and hope you keep following doctors orders! Love the pictures of the Admiral in the Rockies!!!!!

Hope you can make our 20th and love to meet you in person.

:thumbsup:

David