January 12, 2008 Newsletter
We begin the new year with choices…
Our speaker was Gayle Stein who presented us with a Xango demonstration which included a short film, information & testimonials and samples of Xango for us to try. There are some very strong claims as to the benefits of Xango (Mangosteen) for the body. One of the claims is that Mangosteen works fairly rapidly when taken regularly to alleviate inflammation which is at the root of many illnesses including MS. One of the huge claims backed by testimonials is how it has caused many cancerous tumors to literally disappear. You may ask why there is something that works so well not being touted by “mainstream” medicine. Actually, Gail tells us that Pfizer has taken note and is now working with the Mangosteen Fruit to incorporate it into a medication. We can keep our eyes open for that one. I personally have decided to take the challenge and drink 6 oz. per day and see if I experience any benefits. Some of you may know my MS status…diagnosed 17 yrs, walk with a cane at the least, leg spasticity, weak left side with foot drag & left hand tremors. We’ll see how the effects are in this somewhat advanced stage and I will definitely keep you posted!
After the presentation, we had a drawing for Montel Williams new book “Living Well” which was won by Liv who says she will give us a book report. The book is interesting and again, stresses the value of eating well, exercising & maintaining a good attitude. Montel claims that eating well & exercising gives you a good attitude and we need to “get off the couch”!
We then had some discussion about neurological care in the Redding area. Redding seems to have a shortage of quality neurologists and one of them, Dr. Evye Szanto is in the process of retiring which leaves many scrambling. We have two TOUCH certified neuros for Tysabri…Dr. Harvinder Birk and Dr. Hamid Rabiee. Many people have opted to travel to UC Davis to the Medical Center, others to UCSF where the have a n MS Research Center. We have gotten some excellent reports from both places. Sutter Medical Center in Sacramento is an option for some and Pat Urie who has an excellent medical team in Los Angeles has just gotten a recommendation from her doctors there for Dr. John Geraghty in Auburn. It is unfortunate that we have to travel so far, but on the upside, it is good to know that there is quality care available.
We have a very special Guest Speaker coming from St. Louis to our next meeting February 2nd. Michelle Keating is a nurse who is also living with MS herself and her presentation is based on The Huega Center principles and the CAN DO program. A more complete description of this excellent program will be sent out to you soon. Be sure to mark your calendars for Feb. 2nd.
Be Well,
Patricia