Ugh!!!

Mom took a little road trip yesterday with her dear friend and neighbor, Wendy, to Winston-Salem to visit Wendy's family and do a little shopping.  Unfortunately, she lost her footing going up some stairs and took a tumble last night.  Wendy took her to the ER for x-rays, and sure enough, Mom broke her wrist pretty badly in the fall.  She's home now, all hopped up on percocet and resting. She'll see an orthopedic doctor in Boone Monday or Tuesday, and in the meantime, Dad is taking care of her. Laurie and Carol were bringing her Pad-Thai for dinner, which she was excited about.  She's pretty loopy on the drugs, so for now, please don't call. It's best to send your well wishes by email, facebook message, or regular mail. But the best thing you can do for her is to pray for her!  She said to Rob on the phone earlier, "This sucks!" to which he laughed out loud, never having heard Mom say such a thing before. But really, it does!  So please lift her up in prayer. Pray for the pain to be tolerable as she is pretty uncomfortable right now. Pray for wisdom for the doctor next week as to how best to treat the break. Pray for Dad as he cares for her and deals with this added stress. Pray for Mom's emotional, physical, and spiritual strength through this added trial.  Thank you all, and I'll keep you posted when there is news. Much love, Shannon

And the plot thickens some more...

I'm so sorry to have been silent for so long on Dr. Karam and his research, but up until yesterday I had nothing to report.  My parents and sibling were able to conference call with Dr. Karam, and Paul took some great notes which I will relay to you here.  I'm afraid that I still have more questions than answers, but I will fill you in on the latest so you can all be up to speed and know how to pray for Mom...

• Dr. Karam spent 5 days working in Atlanta at Emory and the CDC on Mom's case.  He followed that up with a visit to Memphis to talk to some chelation experts.  He has also spoken to experts on metals, chelation, and ALS from Dartmouth College,  as well as Barcelona, Berlin, and Italy.  He's taking this case international!
• He and his team have looked into the heavy metals, doing more chemical analysis.  Something they weren’t expecting to see was a bio-chemical change in mom’s tissue.  Ultimately, they believe that there is a neuro-toxin being produced that they have found in her muscle biopsy.  Dr. Cruz (?) looked at her biopsy and the results, checking to see if there was something blocking the ability of the nerves to fire at the frequency and adequacy necessary.  They have seen a disruption in these neuropathways. 
• Another option they looked at as the source of Mom's illness was a sub-concussive traumatic event to the brain, that can lead to the initiation of the degradation of the motor cortex.  This could cause similar symptoms to ALS, and has been found in athletes of various types (runners, horseback riders, gymnasts).  Casey even sent us an article from the Times not long ago asserting that Lou Gehrig might not have had the disease that bears his name, but brain injury caused by multiple concussions from playing ball before the days of helmets.  Dad indicated that there are really no such events in mom’s life that could lead to this sort of brain trauma.
• Ultimately, a lot of this is still a mystery.   The doctors are still trying to get an idea of where these metals have come from.  One thing they have asked for is a chronology of where Mom has lived throughout her life, and any major events.  Additionally, he has asked for hair samples of all the children (and possibly siblings) in order to better create this roadmap and narrow down any possible sources. He wants more blood and another MRI from mom.
• He is looking into starting her on an experimental regimen of protease inhibitors, already being used in HIV and cancer patients.  It might help hold the insulation around the nerves that are dying and slow progression.  Pray for wisdom and direction in this.
• He wants mom to spend more time in a hyperbaric chamber and is looing for one in NC.  Mom hated this in Juarez!  Pray that one can be found nearby and that mom can deal with it better!
• Mom and Dad were GIVEN a sauna by one of their wonderful neighbors on the mountain!  It is currently set up in the basement and mom is using it daily. (She says it feels like Florida in the summer!)  The hope is that it will force the metals out in her sweat. Dr. Karam encouraged her to keep this up, and will be looking at sweat samples to see how effective it is.  We're praying that this is working.
• Chelation will continue, and Dr. Karam is consulting with Dr. Cohn in NC as well as others to plot the best course for this. They want to be aggressive while being careful not to overwork mom's kidneys.  Pray for wisdom in this, and that these metals will be removed quickly.

In Dr. Karam’s words, we are not closer to an answer, but perhaps we are closer to which path to go down. Please pray for the path to become clearer for these doctors who are investing so much in caring for Mom.  Dr. Karam made a point to say yesterday that that Mom & Dad made quite an impression on the doctors and staff in El Paso and Juarez, and they have all been willing and excited to see what they can find to help Mom. This is a tremendous blessing, having such brilliant, determined, caring professionals on our side!  Please continue to pray for these doctors as they seek answers to their many questions and plot a course for Mom's treatments. Also pray for Mom through all of this, of course. She is frustrated, with her speech especially, and with the many unanswered questions that still remain about her health. 
Thank you all for your continued love, prayers, and support.  It is priceless to all of us!
Much love-Shannon