| |  This is an update on the latest tests and the continued care of our David. For some, it may be too much info, but others have wanted to know...so here it is. His blood work showed that he is very low in Vitamin D, so we started a supplement of 1000mg this week. The doctor said that would help with removing the Calcium deposits in the joints, but would take some months. His thyroid function is low, but still in the normal range, so they will recheck that in 3 months. He is still showing Lyme, but low. It has to be judged more from symptoms, I think. He has genetic gluten intolerance, so will not be going back on any wheat etc. He also has a chronic strep infection, but hopefully that should be dealt with by now with the Bicillian shots he has been on. Many other serious infections that the doctor tested for, were thankfully, all negative. He also has an auto immune disease called Sjogren's syndrome. The doctor said he was a low positive, so it may be disease driven and resolve after David improves. I am hoping so!
Many of the symptoms that David is experiencing overlap with Lymes, Sjogren's, and Candida, so we cover as many as possible in treating him. He has only been on antibiotics a couple times in his life before this year, but all the antibiotics that are needed to attack the Lyme bacteria has caused a lot of the Candida yeast overgrowth. We have been countering with a special diet that is low glycemic foods (low sugar, high nutrition), includes probiotics, garlic, and anti-fungal supplements. I also downloaded a huge e-book yesterday on natural remedies, more recipes, and ways to counter the Candida. I went off to the health food store and trader Joes to buy various things to smear on the boy ( he is very patient), and give him. Part of my job is research here on the computer, trying to help David's body as much as we can.
Medically we continue with the Bicillian shots, pain patches, as he is still having very serious pain all over his body, and a regimen of supplements to aid in healing and digestion. We are doing 3 shakes each day that have coconut oil, protein, water, and berries, in addition to his three meals, nuts, and berries. David gained 2 pounds, which is a great start! We would like 25-30 more  We also continue with electrolytes in his water all day long. We find that keeps him hydrated more than plain water. I have been buying out all the local stores of Pedialyte, and now Bob has looked up some recipes to make our own. That is one of the plans for this weekend.
My days are very full with all the preparations and treatments. We usually sleep in til about 9 AM because we are up til midnight or later before all is done and David is settled in. I make coffee and have my quiet time in the Bible and a devotional. Sometime in there David usually gets up and I wheel him into the bathroom, then give him his wakeup supplements/pills. 1/2 hour later we start the food with a shake and breakfast and a LOT more pills. Then we will do the bio electric sterilazation therapy 3 times a day, to kill off bacteria and viruses in his blood, which involves me wrapping the connections on him and timing it. He gets on the exercise bike twice a day to build up his legs, and I stay close by in case he gets dizzy. He is slowly working up and adding minutes. He also does another therapy which involves putting pads on his stomach and back and is to help decrease his pain, remove calcification, and also help with the confusion and brain fog. In between we keep up all the water, so there are frequent trips to the bathroom. David still cannot walk very well, so uses a wheelchair. I help to push him as it is too painful and fatiguing. He transfers himself,as anyone touching or lifting hurts too much. We have been waiting on the insurance to OK home IV treatments, so we will go in and have those done at a clinic when we feel he needs them. It has been two weeks since his last one, so that is an improvement! Sometime in the afternoon, after lunch ( which is much like a dinner meal) I will run out to the store or pharmacy. I don't like to leave David more than a 1/2 hour at a time, so the trip is quick. I continue to be thankful that we have everything within a few minutes of the house. In the evening, before dinner, I give David the Bicillian shot. We are going to be switching to one that is only once every three weeks, as the one doctor is concerned about David's muscles with daily shots. He encouraged David to get up on his legs and try to walk, so he does that two times a day. It is very hard for him,and extremely painful, but he is a trooper and tough. He uses the wheelchair as a support and walker and leans heavily on it. He has to tense up all his muscles in order to support his knees and legs, so it is not a normal walk yet, but we are hopeful this will help in building back up the muscles, and we are thankful that he can move his legs now, as he lost the ability for awhile.
Long steamy shower/baths really take all the energy out of David but are important to remove all the toxins he is releasing. We are going to add a castor oil hot pack to the regimen to help him heal and release toxins too.
In between it all, David watches a few favorite characters on-line, listens to classical music, plays a game and talks to his buddy Andrew,messages on FB, takes a telephone call here and there, and visits on Skype with dear Andreas who has been encouraging him and entertaining him all the way from London.  .
Next up:The Doctor is currently arranging an MRI of David's spine, we will be seeing a neurologist in early September, and in the meantime continuing on with all the treatments. I do feel there is a very slight improvement. David's stomach feels a bit better, he hasn't felt depressed, and he seems less fragile. He doesn't really FEEL a whole lot better though, and continues to have a lot of pain, so I am continuing to pray for his pain to go down, as well as healing from the Lyme and all the symptoms, better sleep, as well as gaining strength in his body.
I have been buying a bouquet of flowers once a week. Not something I usually splurge on, but something I am allowing myself right now, as flowers speak to me and are so lovely to look at. This week they had these lovely Lillies on special at TJ's. They look beautiful AND smell heavenly. Once they open up, I snip off the pollen or it makes a huge mess!
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Bob and I went to a dinner last Saturday night for our friends, Peter and Eleanor. It was in honor of their 30th anniversary. We were at the wedding, went to church together in those days, and had babies together, so it was a blessing to celebrate this occasion.
Eleanor sent these shots, which I was thankful for, as you will see our camera didn't handle the low light so well, but the moments of a delightful evening are there! The restaurant was only a few minutes away from home, and David's cousin, Bri, came over to be with him while we were out.
Bob and our dear friend Diane
Jean and me. Jean lives in Singapore now, so it is always a big treat to spend time with her.
A blessing to have lived our adult lives knowing one another. We all met at church 30 years ago, right before we started having children.
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I also got away to swim on Sunday, as I miss my water aerobic exercise, and it was hot! The pool was serene and cool.
This was my lifeguard:
I also enjoyed my mom's flowers
She tells me that she just neglects these orchids and they bloom! I think it is the perfect moist climate in this one shady area.
And the summer view of the ocean. I hope to get in the ocean this weekend, as it has been really warm, 70-75 F. Hope I haven't missed it.
The Lord is very close to us in this time. David is endlessly patient. I sometimes work too fast, or bang into him,which is very painful, yet he responds with grace. He is also spending much time in prayer, especially in the long night hours.
I find I can turn to Jesus, especially as I start to think, think, think too much, which can lead to worry. When I look to the Lord, he gives me rest,and is so close. I will fall right to sleep instead of worrying. I loved this devotional this week.
" Is Jesus Not Enough?"
" The thought of Christ's intercession has taken on a new preciousness these last days. I was reading how God had given a wonderful gift of prayer to two friends. They would fight through together till His answer came over in showers. And the thought came - oh that we had someone among us here able to pray like that. Then with the vividness of an audible voice almost the thought came, "Is not Jesus enough?" Since then , the sense of praying with Him alongside has been so beautiful." Lilias Trotter
" I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus. " Phillipians 3:8
Thank you for your prayers, and coming along side us.
Jenny
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