Scared About The Future Implications of IPF

[Steve Dragoo]

@Charlene-Marshall  Hi Charlene – Someone once said worry is focusing on something that hasn’t happened and robs energy from the future.  Others would say to live in the now because that’s all we have. Neither of these has IPF in its sites. But to focus on “the now” is to redistribute the worry into a positive outcome based on the parameters we live in.  If I had not found this remarkable forum I would not know about better choices with supplements, laser therapy, enzyme aid, WEI institute, clinical trials, support form each other, and some things to avoid.

We all have that meeting with what science calls our ultimate demise so indeed that is a reality.  If we can also figure out how to channel our experiences outwardly focused more, worry quickly dissipates back into the shadows where it belongs and mitigates that future time where it belongs regardless of how long we have been on this planet. – Steve

[Charlene Marshall]

Hello @steve-dragoo,

I hope you’ve had a nice day my friend. It’s almost Friday, which means your second laser treatment is almost here and hopefully a restful weekend for you.

Thank you for your reminder and the importance of redistributing the worry, fear and negative energy by focusing on the now instead of wondering what will happen in the future. I need that reminder from time to time as sometimes I get a little caught up in whats going to happen “down the road”. I am sure we’re all guilty of this occasionally, but it is helpful to be brought back into focus by others. Just another reason why I am so grateful to have people on this forum, and for all the help they provide! I also just want to compliment you on how well you wrote your response to me; it made so much sense and really resonated with me. I am glad you’re part of our community Steve…

Take care and thanks again for this reminder!
Charlene.

[William Kracke]

Charlene – many years ago, I was laid off from my job at age 50. At that time I did some figuring with funds we had in the bank, unemployment, and severance pay and determined that I had about 6 months of search time if we pulled in our belt.  Well as you may (or may not) realize, age discrimination in the hiring process is rampant, nothing that can be proven, but it certainly is there.  For the first couple of months all of my applications were rejected without even an offer for an interview and I really started to get worried about what we were going to do when the money ran out months from then.  This worry was eating up my time and sending me into depression.  I am a regular “church-goer” and I decided that I had to get God involved in this before it drove me crazy. So I consciously made the decision to put all that stuff that I couldn’t control in God’s hands. I didn’t just shove it under the carpet, but I did essentially say ” this is too much for me to handle right now, I’ve got to let you worry about it for me.  I’ll still look at that stuff every now and then but it’s all in Your hands”. I was amazed at how much weight was taken off of my shoulders and I was able to concentrate more on getting a job.  Long story short – about a month before I had figured that our funds would dry up I saw an add that only ran for 2 days.  I applied for the job and eventually got the job even though it was in an entirely different area from which I had come from.  Coincidence or divine intervention?  Who knows but that doesn’t really matter.

So where am I going with this?  After I  was diagnosed with IPF I went through many of the same feelings that you have been experiencing: dealing with a terminal disease, limited time left ( although the study that gives us the 3-5 years is old and probably not valid anymore), possibility of a transplant and the ensuing issues with that, and others. Remembering my experience with my job loss, I decided to place most of these worries, over which I had absolutely no control over, into God’s hands again.  Once again I said ” these things are beyond my control and I cannot continue to let them eat me up inside.  I need Your help to watch them for me”.  And again I was relieved of this burden.  I have been able to get on with my life and not let concerns about the future consume me. Do I have a terminal disease? By all means yes. Am I going to die from this disease? If nothing else gets me first, probably. I am not in denial but I am able to focus on more things that really matter right now. I’m in Pulmonary Rehab, I participate in clinical trials when available, I watch my O2 saturation and I use my O2 when needed without any concern of what people may think about this guy with the tubes in his nose.  As far as future implications go I don’t really concentrate on the implications.  I just sort of accept them and try to incorporate them into my life.  If my latest PFT turns out a little worse than the previous one I just try to figure out what additional requirements that may put on me regarding O2 use and physical activity and I do not concentrate on where are we going from here – I have given that job to God.

It’s a long response but when people ask me how I deal with it, this is the response that I give them  It doesn’t mean that I am giving up the fight, I’m just getting rid of the things that I can’t do anything about so that I can concentrate on fighting with the things that that I can have an impact on. Hope that helps a little,

Bill K

[Charlene Marshall]

Oh @willyk, Bill,

This reply helped me so much and I had goosebumps by the time I finished reading it. Thank you so much for the time, energy and obvious care that you put into this reply for me. It really means a lot!

I have felt the released of weight caused by burdens before when I essentially surrender and accept whatever is going to happen, will happen. However, I had forgotten about those experiences until I read your story and once I did, and remembered how that felt; I long to have it again so I am certainly going to take your advice. I remember how good it felt to be free of the weight I was carrying around by burdens, and I not only want that again, I think it would help with my overall ability to cope with my situation better too. I also have to remember that life does have a tendency to work itself out in hindsight, we just never get to see it in foresight which is what causes much of my worry. A quote popped into my head when reading your reply as well, and it says: “Keep going. So far you’ve made it through 100% of your bad days, you can get through this too”.

I appreciate your sharing Bill, thank you again for this important reminder. I am going to work towards giving up what I cannot control, as you suggest.

Take good care, and thanks for being part of our wonderful forums community.
Charlene.

[Steve Dragoo]

@Charlene-Marshall Hi Charlene – yes Friday! Yes guilty a lot and if I start to think of all the crap that happened last year I would look for the tallest building in Roanoke.

So years ago I was very secular but today I know God has a plan and we as finite creates have no understanding of His wisdom (which is love – something we confuse with lust or selfishness) because He lives outside of time, space, and physical needs. To many, that sounds like a script in a Marvel comic book and I thought so too but have first hand witnessed too much.

I used to write a lot and sometimes the younger me shows up for a few sentences but really wanted to share my life experiences summation in that response to you but also as a personal reminder to me and everyone too.  The people here and especially you understand exactly what we are going through – in other words it is experiential in order to understand.

So how did your doctor visit go or maybe you responded elsewhere? Looking forward to good vibes for you.

Be at peace,,, – Steve

 

[Charlene Marshall]

Hi Steve,

Thinking about you today, and hopeful that your second laser therapy treatment goes well. Thanks so much for getting back to me last late, wasn’t it late where you are? Make sure you’re getting adequate rest my friend 🙂

Really appreciate hearing your thoughts, as always, about how you navigate the fears of the future. This is something I sometimes let myself get carried away with but I am certainly trying hard to stop this from happening. I find writing so therapeutic as well, and thankful for this site as a platform to do that.

Sadly, I didn’t even up getting to my specialist appointment yesterday and made the agonizing decision to cancel due to bad weather here. I struggled with the decision because we know how difficult it can be to re-schedule these appointments in a timely manner. I was thankfully able to re-schedule this time in just a few weeks, but I was quite anxious about having to schedule it. However, staying off the icy roads yesterday was best!

Thanks for asking, I will keep you posted when I finally get to speak with the doctor about the new vitamin D study.

Take care,
Charlene.

[Steve Dragoo]

@Charlene-Marshall Hi Charlene – back from round two of the laser. So far this week Gym, laser, and snow shovel 5; IPF 0.

I went to the gym this morning – did about 50 minutes with the usual old people breaks in between sets, came home for quick breakfast, made a client call, left for laser treatment, back home ready to go to work. So the first thing is I should be worn out from the gym but I’m not.  Any other time I would be ready for a nap. I have more energy than I have had in weeks.

There are 4 things helping: D3/K2m7, B complex, serrapeptase, laser. Laser and serrapeptase the most. I am adding nattokinase soon because I think I have a heart problem developing and it is safer than enteric coated baby aspirin. I will do the stress test 3/14, it will take about 4 hours.

I would strongly urge you to start serrapeptase and consider the laser. I have a few months experience with serrapeptase and the laser seems to act fast and lasts a few days so I am quite sure you will benefit. We are going to find our own cures thanks to John, Andy, you, Tony and others looking at different potential sustainers.

I am glad for you to be able to reset your appointment fairly fast for your sake and it is prudent to avoid driving in bad weather especially with IPF on your own.

A final note on what I want to really say about a Higher Authority is thankfully I don’t need to rely on myself but learn how to walk in faith and growing faithfulness. Not because I want God to fix me but because He first loved us. – Do we understand that? Nope, not yet…

Peace and safety – Steve

 

[Charlene Marshall]

Hi Steve,

Great to hear from you and it sounds like your busy Friday went well! Kudos to you for completing all that physical activity this week, did you feel it towards the end of each day fatigue-wise? That level of activity (particularly the gym or snow shovelling) would likely exhaust me for days. I know you mentioned normally you would be more tired than you are, I wonder if that is the positive effects of laser also?

Serrapeptase is in my “cart” on Amazon for my next order, just waiting to see if I need anything else. I’ll probably order stuff on Sunday though as it is has been in my cart for a few weeks. Remind me: how long were you taking it before you noticed a difference again? I just need to find a laser provider where I am, but even a quick Google search provided me with several names so I need to contact them and look specifically for K-laser, class IV I believe.

Thanks for your reassurance re: the cancelled appointment. The decision to re-schedule was tough but an important one. As I wrote in my column (to be published this coming week), not only was I worried about the poor driving conditions, I wasn’t organized to have someone come with me so I would have been driving on my own and was really tired this week. I go back 3/11, just a few days before your stress test. We’ll definitely have to report back!

Love your words of wisdom, as always! Anything exciting planned for the weekend?

Talk to you soon,
Charlene.

[Steve Dragoo]

@Charlene-Marshall  Hi Charlene – I had improvements in chest congestion within a few days and it has been sustained but everyone responds a little differently.  I started by buying 80000SU and took it every 16 hours – now I take 240000 daily and will increase it soon.

Amazingly energy is higher than in months but I think 3 major new things are doing that: B complex, serrapeptase, laser.  So far both times after laser I took a big nap a few hours later. Maybe that’s my body just saying – remember reality.  hahahaha But I would say about 35% – 40% energy improvement in part because each time I go to the gym, I increase time, distance, and a little speed on the recumbent bike.

Remember Andy will help you find a provider and has juk-ed in for others several times.  I went to church today and have usual stuff tomorrow being on my own and having a good job for a while through Upwork. So nothing exciting probably until I go to the Philippines…

Enjoy your weekend – Steve

[Charlene Marshall]

Hi Steve,

Thanks so much for getting back to me regarding this, as I just placed my Serrapeptase order on Amazon! I will keep your dosage amount in mind, along with how you feel it is benefitting you. Thankfully, I don’t have much chest congestion at the moment but I really could benefit from increased energy levels. It sounds like this is coupled with laser to have maximum benefit for you, and I am so glad that seems to be helping. I am amazed at your dedication to the gym, I know how hard it can be to exercise with this disease so kudos to you!

I hope your weekend has been good Steve, we’re now enduring fresh snow and a wind storm! The weather we’ve had here in the last few weeks has been unbelievable. Some winds are upto 120km/hr here at the moment, so I have all my devices, including oxygen, charging in the event of a power outage. Fingers crossed that doesn’t happen, as I know Andy is still working hard at catching up after he lost power for a few days!

Take care and as always, thanks so much for your reply and circling back to answer all my questions!
Charlene.

[Deleted User]

@charlene-marshall Dear Charlene, what a complex topic!

I guess all of us are worrying about future implications of our disease and are facing bad days with bad feelings and good days. Unfortunately, there is no quick fix to avoid it and everyone has to find his own balance, his own strength, his own way to deal with that. If I can explain how I try to manage it, it may be helping someone else.

Im my life, long before diagnosis, I have always been a very optimistic person, good living, seeing and enjoying the good side of everything, of every event, having a positive “a priori” on every encontered person. I was also very fortunate to never get sick until tehy discovered my IPF. You can imagine how this news shochked me!

It should have exploded all theses values, But it was not the case, I kept them. Certainly, I have a damn disease that does not heal, but there is no way in complaining, I can’t help it and have to live with it, the better I can, as long as possible, in good agreement, 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. I must not be angry, we must be friends … I consider my IPF as a roommate and since Jan 2017 I have learned to better know her (my IPF is a girl) and to live together.

There is a principle I have always applied when working which is : If there is something you have to do and don’t like to do, start the day with it. This is a very effective method, because if you don’t apply it, these tasks will rot you all day untill they are done. On the contrary if you start with it, you have a light mind all the day.

For us, there are 1000 reasons to be depressed or worried, the worst is death. I decided to continue to apply my principle and the first 2 or 3 months after diagnosis were dedicated to that. I processed all points related to death and my family (children, wife, mom) : administrative ones like Insurances, Will, Bank … but also medical ones like gift of any organs if possible, what I accept or not as End-of-Life treatments, people I want close to me, funerals … It took me a few months but now, all people who need to be aware of some decisions are, everything is ready and I am mentally in peace on these topics and they are nevermore affecting my daily life.

And now ?

Now I’m trying not to clutter my head with the 999 remaining reasons to worry. I’m just focusing my attention on the most likely next step (for me need for O² and cough) in order to anticipate and to be 100% ready the D Day. The rules are simple :
1 – Treat only the near future.
2 – Prepare, anticipate to not undergo.
Doing so makes possible to feel master of the situation and when you are controlling, you are not worried.

This does not solve evrything, I’m still having bad days(especially when body doesn’t follow), but not because worrying about future implications of the disease. When it happens, the only cure that I know is to do an activity that I love, that makes me happy, to move outside to look at beautiful things, to surround with positive people who makes me laugh … Enjoy LIFE. Enjoy to be alive one day more. Enjoy to be with the people I love and who are loving me. And never blame my roommate (my IPF) but invite her to share all this good time with me. We will never be alone because both together till the end 😉

Take care all and Enjoy Life, Hope that helps a little

Jean-Michel

[Steve Dragoo]

@Charlene-Marshall Hi Charlene – serrapeptase is so much more than increased energy and decongestant.  It also helps cells with cleaning up the gunk in our blood and reportedly may remove scar tissue.  It seems you will be able to figure out the best dosage for yourself. I plan to ramp up to around 500,000su daily soon because I want to see what it does to scar tissue then.  Please remember never take with food or with other pills.  I took some last night too close to a time-release niacin pill – wish I hadn’t done that, it dissolved the coating and all of the niacin hit me at once. So at least an hour before and two hours after a meal with water.

Thinking of cell clean-up, autophagy is a unique and proven way to help our bodies convert old dead cells to protein. That is one reason tests show vegetarians have almost as much protein as meat eaters. – Interesting. Add a good green tea and turmeric to a once a week fast and those two combined supercharge autophagy.

So the wife and I will do this: have our hot lemon juice in the morning and midday have greet tea and turmeric. Turmeric is oil soluble and peperine (fresh ground black pepper) greatly improves turmeric absorption up to 2000% more as it is difficult to get in the cells.

Yes, power flashed off here with high winds but not like your’s, we hit about 95 – 100 KPH.  I’ll send a new certificate in a couple of days. We could all use a vacation…

Hope you had a pleasant weekend.

Enjoy your Sunday evening – I’ll finish my taxes and have that over for a while.  Take care and stay warm – Steve

[Charlene Marshall]

Hi Steve,

Oh, this is really helpful information as I didn’t know about ideals when it came to taking Serrapeptase. Mine should arrive via Amazon tomorrow and I just thought it was a supplement that could be taken any time. Granted, I hadn’t yet read the label on when is best to take it so hopefully I would have come across that information, but your sharing was very helpful. I will make sure to take it separate from other pills or food, and with lots of water. Thank you for that!

Do you ever do intermittent fasting, Steve? That is another thing that people have told me is good to help with any digestive issues and just ensure we don’t “overload” our system. Typically I don’t have issues with this, but of course anything that might be helpful to our bodies is of interest to me. Is the morning tea, then midday tea part of a fast you do or just something you find beneficial. I’ve heard of a lot of people doing 16-hour intermittent fasting (so not eating anything after 7pm, and again until 11 am the next morning). Thoughts?

Glad your power didn’t go off! Mine didn’t either, nothing more than a few minutes so that is good but the wind is still wild today. It woke me up several times through the night, so I am a bit tired today but that is okay. Good for you for finishing your taxes, sounds like a productive weekend. I have to get on that, haven’t started yet 🙂

Take care,
Charlene.

[Charlene Marshall]

Hi Jean-Michel,

Thanks for writing and contributing your thoughts to this topic thread. I am guilty of being in a place of letting my mind wander when I made this forum post, which is typically something I try to keep myself distracted from. I do appreciate hearing how you deal with the fear of future implications of IPF as you’re right, this approach is so individualistic. Any tips/suggestions are appreciated, as I am typically pretty good but sometimes let my mind wander about the future which as Steve said, steals the present time.

I like your approach in how you deal with IPF, and I think it is so admirable that this cruel disease didn’t change your outlook and how you move through life. That is important. There is a time and place to grieve the losses that IPF has taken from us (or will take) but it cannot swallow us up, or the time we do have left will be impacted significantly. I was reminder of this by all the amazing responses to this topic thread by forum members and for that, I am very grateful. Starting  the day with a task you don’t enjoy is also a really good tip Jean-Michel, as you’re right, it will influence how we go about the rest of our day and just be hanging above our heads…

Have you ever read the book “The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F*ck?” It is a parody, so it is very funny and don’t let the title turn you off. It has really influenced how I live each day, and was helpful in remembering that all we really have is now, so as to not really worry about the future. I love this book, and if you’re a big reader, you might enjoy it too. It isn’t about not caring about things as the title implies, it is more about being intentional about where you choose to place your energy and thoughts, especially when it comes to things you can’t do anything about. I loved it!

It really does help, thank you so much for sharing this experience with us and how you cope with your roommate. That is a neat approach, I consider my 02 tanks my roommates but I like the way you phrase it with your IPF being your roommate. Gave me a chuckle (in a good way), thank you 🙂

Enjoy your day… hope it is warmer there, we’ve had another snow day as we can barely see across the street and the winds are wild today.

Cheers,
Charlene.

[Steve Dragoo]

@Charlene-Marshall Hi – some water is fine but it is important to have an empty stomach so stomach acid doesn’t dissolve the pill and it eats the food left. I don’t know what meds you take but if any are time release or enteric coated I would wait 2 hours after taking serrapeptase if possible. It is really good stuff so worth figuring out how it works best for you.

Yep, only a flash of power – very glad yours stayed on and the wind woke me a few times too.

Autophagy is very good for the body, to fuel it better have your juice in the A.M and in the afternoon a green tea with turmeric in it.  Turmeric is oil soluble so add a tiny amount of good oil to the tea and peperine (fresh ground pepper) as that will increase the hard to absorb turmeric up to 2000%. I forget the terms but the green tea releases a useful compound and the turmeric lights a fire for increased absorption of it.  I can find a vid I saw about it if you want me to.

It is much better to fast instead of reducing caloric intake as most will tell you after day 2 they are not hungry. Longest I ever fasted so far is 2.5 days a few months ago and my wife and I will start 1 day a week soon and go from there.

Taxes were easy as I have been using TurboTax online since the mid-nineties.

Wellness is just around the corner… – Steve

[Charlene Marshall]

Hi Steve,

Yes, absolutely – I will look into it closely when it comes to my medications and when to take the Serrapeptase. I am trying in general to increase the amount of water I drink, but will be mindful about taking the Serrapeptase on an empty stomach. Do you find a time of day better to take it than another, ie. morning vs. nighttime? I know you’re on a large dose so maybe you take it several times throughout the day? Sorry if you’ve already told me this and I’ve forgotten!

I have so much to learn from you, but to start I need to buy some tumeric! This isn’t a spice I typically like, so I might struggle getting it down in green tea. I do however love tea, so it’ll be a work in progress for me likely! 🙂

Good to know about the intermittent fasting, I think I may try to do this 1 day a week as well, or even the 16-hour alternate. Are you back in the Philippines with your wife in March? Maybe we can do the 1 day fast together, it’ll help hold me accountable, although I am pretty good at something when I put my mind to it haha.

Hope you’re having a nice day!
Cheers,
Charlene.

[Steve Dragoo]

Hi Charlene – I take SP 3X daily so 30 minutes after coffee about 2+ hours before I eat, around 2 or 3 pm and then before bed an hour or two.

Turmeric is available in powdered form but I don’t know what a tsp or .5 tsp would be or the metric conversion.

I postponed the trip until late May but we can do the fasting anytime – I need it too.

Thanks – Steve

[Charlene Marshall]

Hi Steve,

How is your week going so far? Guess what? We’re in for another winter storm warning where I am … 15-20cm more snow tomorrow, can you believe it? I am so done with winter!

Oh, sorry to hear your postponed your trip until late May. I know you were looking forward to getting back to the Philippines. Any particular reason for making it a little longer?

Thanks for outlining your routine for taking the Serrapeptase. Mine came today but I haven’t yet unpacked the Amazon box, I hope to do that tomorrow. I am quite tired this week, and have lots of forum catch up to do. That’s okay though, its nice to connect with folks and see how their week is going.

Talk to you soon,
Charlene.

[Steve Dragoo]

@Charlene-Marshall Hi Charlene – well I came down with a cold Sunday night so no gym yet but will try tomorrow even if only half time. Helps the muscles not atrophy.

We reset my travel date because until the past few weeks I have not had the energy to do all that is needed here and the timing for me and our papers there works out better.  Also gives me the opportunity to do the laser full treatment.  We are putting everything in storage and that’s a lot of work.  Also buying ahead for the supplements is costly so glad I have this one good job going.

But if you send your snow my way I may abandon everything and just ggooo…. I so remember the mountains of Colorado. It snowed 14″ (35cm) the end of August. We could easily see frost in mid-June up there. I hope you are stocked up on everything you need and the power stays on for you. Time to curl up in front of the fire with a good book…

Stay safe,

Steve

[Charlene Marshall]

Hi Steve,

Oh no, I am sorry to hear that! I know it is nearly inevitable this time of year not to get sick, but I also know how exhausting that can be for us, so I do hope it passes soon. Did you end up getting to the gym today? I hope you don’t push it too much but I know how you like to keep busy 🙂

That makes sense re: postponing your travel to the Philippines. Hopefully it is only until May, as I know you’re eager to get back to her. Will you be finished laser then mid-March or early April? I forget the overall length of the protocol you’re doing. I hope it is still helpful for you…

Yes, the snow is terrible right now. It is coming down in big flakes, although it doesn’t look too bad at the moment, I know it is accumulating out there quickly. Thankfully I don’t need to go anywhere, so I am staying warm inside!

Cheers,
Charlene.

[Steve Dragoo]

@Charlene-Marshall Hi Charlene – It’s a ruse I like to stay busy. Hahahaha. I’m a guy, I can sit around all day with my brain going Uuummmm. Hahaha.

The cold did not get a good grip as I was aggressive in pursuing it with my favorite home remedy of strong hot fresh lime juice w minced garlic (after resting it 15 minutes) and a good real honey.  But it is slowing me down some. I did go to the gym but only stayed about 35 minutes – better than nothing I guess.

I think the laser is forever so I will go 3x a couple of weeks, then 2x a couple of weeks and continue 1x until I leave late May. Just as well we decided to move it as the main airline changed their departure time from Toronto before I would arrive there. So I would be scrambling to get that changed instead, I’ll just move it soon to May.

One of the worst storms I was ever in was back in 2003 in Denver, CO in mid-March. They had what they call a 90-year event as it snowed 4′ (1.2 M) and part of the new airport roof collapsed. So hopefully you get nothing like that one. Hopefully, you have neighbors if something happens. Makes me wonder how Andy is doing too…

Steve

[Charlene Marshall]

Hi Steve,

Your comment made me laugh since you’re always doing something either online or going to the gym! I am impressed with your ability to stay busy despite IPF, so when you said it is a ruse, it made me laugh. I guess we can all sit around all day sometimes, I plan to do that this coming Saturday and can’t wait Lol…

Glad the cold didn’t get a good handle on you and has subsided a bit. I hope you’re even better today, and can go back to the gym to your liking and/or laser therapy. When is your treatment for that this week?

Wait – you’re flying through Toronto on your way back? Do you have much of a lay over? I am not far from there!

I am lucky re: the snow storm. I came home yesterday and my neighbour and his son were doing my driveway which was so helpful cause I didn’t know how I would get in otherwise. I really appreciate all of their help, and then when the plough went by this morning and often pushes the snow right back into the edge of the driveway, I heard them out clearing again. They truly are my “snow angels” and I don’t know what I’d do without them. Today the sun is beautifully shining and really lifting my spirits – I love the sun! Now if only the warmth would come, I’d be all set, but all in due time….

I hope you’re having a nice week!
Charlene.

[Steve Dragoo]

@Charlene-Marshall Hi Charlene – Uuuuummmmm…

Had a laser treatment today and tomorrow. Talked to Andy about it because certain K-lasers have pre-programming and deep thoracic is what they used on me. It is not enough so I sent the doctor Andy’s new recommendations.

Well, my ticket to the Philippines has to be entirely changed so I’m not sure when I would be in Toronto on my way there.  Originally I had about a 3-hour layover but arrive about midnight. Sooooo… I’ll let you know when I adjust the ticket.

I will go to the gym again tomorrow so that will end the week: gym 2, laser 2, v cold 1, IPF 0.

Glad you have snow angels. Guardian angels make our lives easier.

Stay warm – spring starts in just 21 days… – Steve

[Charlene Marshall]

Hi Steve,

Great to hear from you as always! I hope your laser treatments are going well this week. Interesting about the pre-programming of the K laser, how did you find out this wasn’t enough for you? Glad Andy is receptive to giving more information to the doctors and helping them adjust their protocol to suit you better.

Do let me know when you adjust the ticket if you wouldn’t mind. I am not right in Toronto but closeby, although if you can’t get out of the transfer terminal it might not work but let me know details for sure. It would be so awesome to even grab a coffee together at the airport or something. I know we both enjoy our coffee, as I go pour myself another one…

These snow angels have certainly made my life better this brutal winter. I am hanging onto the fact that it is March 1st now and spring is indeed only 21 days away …. thank you for the reminder 🙂

Cheers,
Charlene.

[Steve Dragoo]

@Charlene-Marshall Hi Charlene – I asked the doctor what he was using and knew it wasn’t adequate. Andy responded what to do and I forwarded to the doctor yesterday but he didn’t do it right today. I just emailed him to call Andy if he had any questions so either he changes when I go Monday or I will get a refund and go somewhere else.

Original plans where to change terminals so I will figure out what to do about the flight in a couple of days.

I hope you have a peaceful day and great weekend if we don’t chat again for a while… – Steve

[Charlene Marshall]

Hi Steve,

Oh gosh, so sorry to hear you’re running into issues with this laser provider! I’m glad to hear they’re willingly able to give you a refund if they don’t make changes to be more reflective of the protocol Andy is suggesting. You were finding it helpful though, no? I’ll be thinking of you on Monday and hopeful that the provider changes his approach based on speaking with Andy. Was he / she willing to do that for you, so that the approach can be adapted?

Yes, please do keep me posted on your travel plans and if you land through Toronto for any amount of time. No rush of course, it is the weekend…. I hope you’re enjoying a quiet day! It is snowing here again – unbelieveable – but I am taking my Mom to see her favourite talk show host tomorrow, Ellen Degeneres in Toronto, so that should be fun. The snow can get out of its system today so the drive isn’t bad tomorrow!

Take care,
Charlene.

[Steve Dragoo]

@Charlene-Marshall Hi Charlene – I have good expectations Monday but also will be direct and complete if he does not change the protocol. Playing with my life as a doctor is unacceptable, especially when he knows to do it differently.  So I trust it can be changed as my options are limited in this area of the world.

In 2003 I won a trip with my mortgage banking company along with the top 10% of all loan officers. The company spent about $3,000,000 on the 5-day party in Boca Raton, FL. Our first night we were greeted walking across the pool area to the dining hall by Aretha Franklin singing to us on stage. Then a fireworks display in the bay. In the dining hall, we had a bunch of exotic animals including a leopard we took pictures with. After dinner and before all night dancing, a new comedian made her debut on stage. Her name was Ellen Degeneres. The year was February 2003…

Enjoy your time with your mom and be safe.

Talk soon… – Steve

[Charlene Marshall]

Hi Steve,

I absolutely agree with you about the importance of being frank and direct if the doctor isn’t willing to change the protocol. It isn’t acceptable to administer something to you, effecting your life, in a way that you don’t want and is incorrect. Please keep me posted on how Monday goes, I’ll be thinking of you and hoping that there are no issues with the physician.

Wow, that is so cool Steve – thank you so much for sharing! Little did you know then likely how famous she’d become, huh? I really like her values and all the things she stands for, so I hope it is a good show. I’ve heard Boca Raton is absolutely beautiful, that trip sounds like a trip of a lifetime and I am so glad you won it. Good for you!!! It would have been amazing to hear Aretha in person too, wow! I bet that trip left you with many wonderful memories…

Thanks for the kind words about tomorrow. It should be a fun, but tiring day!
Talk soon,
Charlene.

[Steve Dragoo]

@Charlene-Marshall – yes the trip was a great experience and the party of a lifetime. But I have had many adventures over the years.  Back then my wife and I had been taking dance lessons for about 5 years and we cleared the floor even in our forties…

Another time she and I were at Pres. Reagan’s reelection party in Washington, D.C. Yet a time before that we were at a fundraising dinner for the Iran-Contras, Reagan was there too. Peace – Steve

[Charlene Marshall]

Hi Steve,

Yes, I can only imagine what a party that would have been! The Ellen show was amazing, it actually wasn’t a comedy / stand-up show, which she normally does. It actually talked about how much adversity she faced and overcame to become the humanitarian she is today. Quite inspiring actually! She mentioned some things she was doing in 2003, and it made me think of you. So glad we got to go yesterday, and really glad you had all those wonderful dancing and party memories between you and your wife 🙂

Hope you had a nice Monday and that today went okay with the doctor about adjusting the protocol? Let me know when you can, but no rush.

Talk to you soon,
Charlene.

[Steve Dragoo]

@Charlene-Marshall Hi Charlene – glad you had a good time with your mom and got home safely.  In the US there was a devastating tornado that killed a bunch of people and it probably was spawned in part by the collision of the front that hit you and warm water temps from the gulf.

Gratefully the doctor figured out what he needed to do and we did it.  Now I am glad to make business recommendations to him that could bring him more IPF patients. We all on the cutting edge of this great laser technology and it is a good time to be getting involved with such easy and practical benefits like the laser.

I will suggest he use backlinks on his website to the PF forum (among others) and incorporate several long-tail keyword phrases that will bring more eyes to his page.

Life is good.

Blessings – Steve

[Charlene Marshall]

Hi Steve,

Thanks so much for getting back to me – it was a great day with my Mom, but gosh I am tired from a full outing yesterday. I took a lot of time to rest and recover today!

Wow, I didn’t even hear of the tornado! Where was this? What an odd time of year for a tornado! That said, with global warming issues, it seems that nothing is safe from the force of mother nature anymore. We’re in another polar vortex now, its supposed to be -22 tomorrow… I wonder if this cold air mass was part of the reason for the tornado, as you mentioned, combining with warmer air from the gulf. That is terrible, I am going to do some reading about it.

Really glad the doctor adjusted the protocol for you, and that everything went well today! I was hoping this would be the case. Sounds like a good plan re: increasing the patient base for him however would be most helpful, especially as it seems most folks are really benefitting from laser. Hope you get a bit of a rest day tomorrow 🙂

Take care and thanks again for writing!
Charlene.

[Steve Dragoo]

@Charlene-Marshall

Hi Charlene – I think most of the tornadoes hit eastern Alabama, pretty unusual.  Not sure global warming had much to do with it because usually El Nino and El Nina affect the winter/early spring more than we understand.  That too is strange because those two originate in the Pacific usually west of southern CA.

It is sad how easily and unannounced we can become suddenly tired.  Sunday I took two big naps and don’t even know why.  Maybe I was tired from remembering all that dancing we did years ago. Hahahahaha. What has helped this old man is lemon/lime juice, B complex, D3 w K2m7, Serrapeptase, and going to the gym when I don’t want to.

I should know by Friday how good the laser is helping because I go 3x this week.  I certainly hope as much as others have claimed.

I hope you have a peaceful and recharged Tuesday!  Always love hearing from you especially knowing how busy you are… – Steve

 

[Charlene Marshall]

Hi Steve,

I hope your week is going well, and thanks for your kind words! It is so cold here today (-22) that I opted to work from home, because I have an evening meeting tonight and don’t want to tire myself out just by going to/from the office and trying to breathe in this brutally cold air. It usually triggers a cough, which then exhausts me. I completely agree with you re: how unannounced and sudden we can become fatigued. This was hard for me last year on a trip out east but thankfully the family I was staying with was very understanding, as my friend is a nurse and encouraged lots of naps. I am feeling like that’ll be something I need today too! Kudos to you for going to the gym even when you don’t want too. Very inspiring, as I know that is not easy, especially when we feel so tired!

Let me know what is revealed on Friday in terms of the laser therapy if you wouldn’t mind, I really hope it is working as well for you as others claim it to be as well. Take care and enjoy the rest of your week – don’t push yourself too hard!

Talk soon,
Charlene.

[Steve Dragoo]

@Charlene-Marshall

Hi Charlene – well the past couple days have been a lot busier than usual so something had to sacrifice and it wasn’t going to be the donuts… Ssoooo the gym lost a round.  I had a surprise new contract that needed a fast turnaround and was working on it at 4:50 AM before my laser treatment today. When I returned had to fix breakfast, write a marketing letter for the laser doctor, and had a job interview at 11:30 AM.  Then I finished the new contract and started working the last few hours on an old contract.  The interview this morning resulted in a new contract this afternoon.  So keepin busy.

Sure, I’ll let you know Friday about the laser.  Currently, it is giving me a little more energy and combined with the serrapeptase I see a consistent 2 point improvement in my O2 readings on average. The cold has almost disappeared and that’s a good sign for spring – right???

Are you still drinking the lemon/lime in the morning?  Long term it has a lot of good benefits so I hope you are ok consuming it.

Happy Wed/Thurs/Fri… – Steve

[Charlene Marshall]

Hi Steve,

Great to hear from you as always! The sun is shining brightly today, I have my coffee and spring is just around the corner, so far today is a good day. I hope it is for you as well!

Oh my gosh, have you recovered from your late night/morning ahead of the laser treatment? I don’t remember the last time I saw 4:50 am! The job interview must have gone well if it resulted in a new contract, good for you. You’re so busy, but I’m glad you are finding work that is meaningful and helpful for you ahead of returning to the Philippines. Since this is online gigs, will you hold onto them when you return?

Really glad that laser continues to be effective for you, that is wonderful! Goodluck with your day today and I look forward to hearing how laser has gone for you this week. Side note: I am working on a survey to put on the site, which will be collecting information from people having troubles navigating the forums. Stay tuned!

Yes, I am still drinking the lemon/lime water in the morning… it’s actually become quite therapeutic for me in the mornings, to slow me down a bit and become quite enjoyable.Thanks again for the suggestion!

Charlene.