I went to Baylor in early December on a Friday, Tonya and I, the trip was pretty routine.  They ran tests and recorded results to compare to our next visit, 3 months down the road in March.  I saw about 10 disciplines including O. T., P. T., Speech, the Pulmonologist, the respiratory therapist, the Doctor, blood work, vitals, MDA, the sports orthopedist(cortisone in right shoulder) and the Psychiatrist.  All said I looked good and was doing fine, 77% expiratory volume...down from 89%, they said that was ok.

We flew out and back home that day.  Clinic lasted from 8-3

After that, Charlie Hoolihan accompanied me to Arizona to visit Dr. Andrew Weil at the Program of Integrative Medicine Clinic.

We go back to AZ for our follow-up visit this Friday, Jan. 30 th.

On our initial visit, Dr. Weil and Dr. Kim recommended adding Omega 3 and 6 as well as starting Glutathione injections and a mushroom extract called lion's mane. They also said I visit Dr. David Pearlmutter in Naples, FL.

We wasted no time and started the Glutathione and set an appointment for Dr. Pearlmutter.

When we visited Dr. Pearlmutter, he modified the Glutathione procedure from a drip to a push, added a few more supplements and recommended seeing Dr. Patricia Kane in Pennsylvania for a lipid exchange technique that has shown promise in ALS patients.

Presently that is scheduled for early March.

I am mostly wheelchair bound and still teaching spinning from my chair. I get massage therapy, twice a week, and physical therapy five times a week. I also have a personal care attendant (pca) named Brad Creel, whom I happened to coach swimming 10 years ago.

Tonya and Logan are doing as well as can be expected and better. Brad has been a blessing for the whole family.

I am sorry for not writing more often…maybe more good news more frequently in 2004.

Donnie