Stung 8x this morning on my thighs, knees, calves and feet.

Started and stung 1x on each thigh. Then, 1x beside each kneecap and 1x on each calf and finally 1x atop each foot.

Well, that's it for the summer and swimming in the pond. Seems as if we've gone right from summer into winter - perhaps we'll get a little bit of Fall.

Coleen, the physical therapist that has moved upstate for to study for her Masters, came over this pat weekend and worked with me, Man, I really has missed working with her. Meanwhile, whenever she returns to visit family she'll drop by my place for a session. But I don't think it will be enough.

Here's an e-mail from my cyber-friend John with a theory he's working on. John writes:

". . . I'll lay out the plan, then the fundamental premises, then the logic or
source of premises.

The plan: I did ten days of 1 gr of valtrex each day.
I do twenty bee stings/venom shots every Wed, Fri Sun.
I do acupuncture every Tues.
I drink WHOLE milk. About a cup or so a day in spread out doses.

The premises: We who are fighting this blight have Human Herpes VI living
in our myelin, nearly everyone harbors HHV-6.

We folks have already discovered that we feel better and function
better after a bee treatment but the salubrious effects are temporary.

Much like the above but I have always felt better after.

Human babies are born virtually de-myelinated.

The logic (or lack thereof) and the source of some of these ideas:

It seems to me that there is lots of recurrent and unconnected credit or
blame for this blight on HHV-6. The various reports mostly seem to discount
this virus since nearly all of the population in the US has it. However we
MS sufferers seem to have it in a greater volume. Someone, in Milwaukee I
think, is treating MS sufferers for this virus with some positive results.
So, fellow sufferer Mary Eleanor, her doctor husband and doctor son, worked
out the attack with Valtrex (normally for genital herpes, cold sores, and
shingles). She tried it in Dec and felt so bad during the treatment that
she quit before the full course. Dr. Sam (husband) told me he didn't really
notice dramatic loss of function but some and she felt terrible.

We were tending our bees last spring when I asked him (expecting a kindly
no way) if the problem could have been that we were killing viruses and
leaving leaks in the myelin. He said, "That's all I can think of."

Last Dec I was at a party with a doc whose position is to travel to the
jungle and find new medicines. I was flying the HHV-6 theory past him; he
explained that my eighth grade health class concept of pac-man eating
microbes was a little primative. He said that I should picture the problem
more as though the virus was a spot on an oriental carpet that my immune
system housekeeper decided to remove with a sponge of straight bleach. Yes,
the spot would be gone but picture the area around the spot. So if the
HHV-6 theory was right, this is were the damage came from.

In a "failure to thrive" juvenile case last fall, a pediatrican actually
came to court. She gatuitously volunteered that babies and myelin medical
fact which Dr. Sam concurred in.

So, if we can kill the little HHV-6 varmints with pharmaceuticals and
thereby stop using our own immune systems, will this at least stop the
degenrative side of this blight? And if I drink whole milk (don't know
where to get the real human) will I provide this 59 year old body with the
materials to build myelin even though I am too old to have an abundance of
the myelin building cells? In fact does this explain why RR becomes CP
after 50?

So I added the milk to what I was doing, stings and acupuncture, and had a
better summer in spite of the heat than last year. I planned to try to talk
my doc into a Valtrex presciption but I didn't get there all summer.

Then one day in August, Sam and I were working the bees, Mary Eleanor
walked over, she is back at least to where she was in Dec, and told me that
she was going to have another MRI to compare it to four years ago. (It's
nice to have medical connections.) A couple days later she called rather
excited. The MRI showed clear, definate actual improvement. Not bad in a
degerative disease. Sam said,"All she doing is the bees." But I said we
should consider whether the drug had checked it and then the bees get the
possible restore credit.

Anyway I called my doc who was willing to give it a try if I wanted to be a
human guinea pig. Sure do. I doubt that I can undo the symptoms of 40 years
ago but I'll be happy a rolling back the last five years. When that tissue
research is done and medicine can reintroduce the myelin building cells to
older bodies, it will be better but for now this is the plan.

So, I'll try to keep from jumping at any conclusios until the end of April.
I had no down symptom during the Valtrex treatment although I had a walker
standing by. I did keep up the whole milk.. . . " John Brackman <judge20@fidnet.com>

I know this is a long letter with lots of stuff in it. But many folks have written to me inquiring about my success with Valtrex. Basically, I took it for 10 days and I don't feel any different. But if it "works" then it has eliminated the "cause" of what is eating away at the Myelin. I think. I suppose I should go for another blood test to se if it indeed is all gone.

But John is really into it now and perhaps there is something we can learn here from him. I have a lot of respect for this man.
 
 

Day 888 - 11:59am - Oct. 8, 1999 EST

Stung 12x this morning on my sides, hips and buttocks.

Started and stung 3x down either side. Then, 1x on each hip and finally 2x on each buttock.

Well, I've been using that bee hotel that I'd gotten from Dick Johnson a few weeks ago but I have to say I have not been very successful with it.The bees seem to be expiring very quickly. I know that it is my fault and that I'm doing something wrong. I'll just have to continue experimenting until I get it right Perhaps there are others using the Bee Hotel and can send me some advice. I'm open. I love the idea of having these many bees for months at a time. Just have to figure it out.

Here's a letter from my good friend Donna Chandler with some good news. Donna writes:

". . .Hey Barry, just wanted to let you know I am getting stronger everyday.
Last evening, one of my oldest, dearest, friends took me out to dinner.
That was so nice....I walked unassisted. Then we did a special thing,
we have a beautiful lake here, Kerr Lake, so we went to the point where
she and I just sat and talked for a few hours....just enjoying the
beauty of the surroundings. The lake is my "special" place. A place
that I've gone too for many years to renew myself. We have spent many,
many hours at this point and have so many great memories.

Today I am more tired, but more patient. I know that I didn't get this
disease yesterday and I can't get all better in a few weeks. Sound
familar...looks like I'm taking my own advise huh?

Just wanting you to know, I'm kicking...not as high but we're getting
there. . . . "
Donna Donald Chandler <don1948@halifax.com>

Well, love to hear from Donna - she's been using bee Venom Therapy for years and it is really er life-savior. Donna also has done a special page for Charles Mraz. In Memory of Charles Mraz I checked it out and there were some nice thing there - some really nice photos. Donna obviously had a unique, close and warm relationship with him. It's a nice page to see and read. Keep up the great work, Donna!

Day 892 - 6:05pm - Oct. 12, 1999 EST

Stung 12x today on my shoulders, back, chest and hands.

Started and stung 1x atop each shoulder. Then, 3x down each side of the spine. Then, 1x on the center of the chest. And finally, 1x on each hand - between thumb and index finger.

I'd loaded the box with at least 100 bees last Thursday and this morning there were only a few lethargic ones remaining to sting with.

Had a difficult time getting those bees out of the Bee Box and into a jar. All day I kept a mayonnaise jar to one of the holes on the side of the box - this is how the box is designed. I've spoken with Dick Johnson on the phone and he is terrific. A man who stands behind his product - his hand-made Bee Hotel is guaranteed.

He advises me to try and secure bees that are closer to the "supers" in the hive. "The closer the bees are to the supers in the hive," Dick tells me, "the longer their lifespan" - which isn't that long anyway. Now I don't know anything about bee hive - I'm involved only with the Bee Venom as a therapy. Perhaps the bees Katrina (my 13 year old daughter - my "official" bee-getter) is bringing back from the hives lately are older bees that are ready to "croak"anyway.

"But you must get the water and sugar syrup mixture "just right", Dick says. "It's 1 parts water to 2 parts sugar but you must "tweak" it for yourself."

I'll have to keep at it. I'm sure that when I finally get this Bee Box to work it will be well worth it.

Day 895 - 11:17am - Oct. 15, 1999 EST

Stung 13x this morning on my thighs, knees, calves, feet and ankles . . . and forehead.

Started and stung 2x on the sides of each thigh. Then, one bee escaped Carol's (my wife) tweezers and stung me on he forehead. Ouch! Then, 2x on the side of each kneecap. Then, 1x on each calf and 1x atop each foot and finally 1x behind each ankle.

Well, Gavin went down to the hives yesterday and opened one of them up and managed to scoop out a nice jarful. He also got stung once - through his pants - a first for him - and man was he yelping! "You're used to it!" he yelled. "Wow, that hurts more than anything else in the world!" All I could say was, "It's good for you." To which he retorted, "For you, maybe. Not me!"

I changed the syrup mixture for feeding the bees in the Bee Box and this morning the bees are doing well - most of them clustered in a corner. For this morning's session however, I used some bees that had remained in the jar that Gavin had used to get the bees from the hive so I didn't have to deal with getting bees out from the Bee Box itself. Soon enough.

I hadn't stung my legs and feet for a few weeks now and I have really been feeling far more stiff and tight - on my legs and feet. But after today's session I've been feeling really good. Much looser than I have been for quite some time. It's always the same. When I sting anywhere I feel a difference. But especially my legs - when I sting them I feel a big difference.
 
 

Day 899 - 9:37am - Oct. 19, 1999 EST

Stung 13x this morning on my neck, back, hips, arms and hand.

Started and stung 1x on either side of the neck. Then, 3x down each side of the spine and 1x on each hip. Then, 1x on each forearm and 1x on the left hand, between thumb and index finger.

Well, the bees in the Bee Hotel are still alive and kicking. It's even time to add more of that sugar syrup - they've practically finished all that I'd given them already. I'd best get that mixture "just right".

I'm off this morning to Dr. Jim's for a flu shot. I know there are pros and cons regarding this but I've been taking a flu shot for years and have been blessed with avoiding the flu. Several years ago I did come down with the flu and man, what a bummer. So even if it knocks me out a bit for a day or so I feel it's well worth it.

Here's an e-mail from my cyber-friend Johanne. She writes:

". . .I was wondering if you've been reading up on that new drug called
Procarin. Here's the web site for the message board.

www.insidetheweb.com/mbs.cgi/mb711608

I'm going to talk about it with my neuro when I see him in dec. See if
I can't get on somekind of provincial medical plan. There isn't much
of anything about it here in Canada especially in Quebec. . . " Johanne Fournier <johannef@sympatico.ca>

Well, I have heard lots about this and you can find out a little bit more about it at this link. But I have not heard anything definitive about its results as of yet. If there is something really positive going on here - love to know about it.
 
 

Day 902 - 9:23am - Oct. 22, 1999 EST

Stung 20x this morning on my thighs, klnees, calves, ankles, feet and buttocks.

Started and stung 2x on each thigh. Then, 2x on each knee - either side. Then, 1x on each calf and 1x on the inside of each ankle. Then 1x atop each foot above the large toe and 2x on each buttock and finally 1x on either side of my lower back.

Once again, stinging the legs and lower portion of my body feels great. Can never get enough of that. Whenever I sting - after every session - I'm always reminded why I sting. Why? Because it feels so good. No, not the stings. It's the action that happens in my body - the awakening - my legs and feet and my overall sense of energy and vitality.It must be experienced.

And it seems that I am headed towards a millenium of my very own. 1000 days of Bee Venom Therapy by January. Man, "what a long strange trip it's been". Or I should say - it is!

The leaves have just about all fallen and Winter is on its way. Tomorrow, "blustery & cold" is the forecast.

Here's an e-mil from a woman who is looking for some support for a friend. Shelly writes:
 

". . . I am a care giver for a 76 year old gentleman with MS. He started the bee
stings on Friday, October 15, I am concerned for him, due to the fact that it
seems a little unorthodox. However, I am not the one in a wheelchair, with
MS, so I take him. My concern is that he will be disappointed, and I care
about this man, I do not want to see him hurt, or sick, he lives alone and no
one is there for him. His son lives in Texas and the other has nothing to do
with him. He is legally blind. I go three days a week and clean, do laundry
and take him shopping. I would feel better knowing I am helping him not
allowing him to hurt himself.
I would appreciate some support that I am doing the right thing by making
sure he gets to the place where they do the stinging.
Also, he is going to Texas in the next few weeks, around Lake Jackson, do you know
where he can get the stings, while he is there?

Thank you for your reply, at least I know we are not alone out here" . . . Shelly Shelly6980@aol.com

Sounds like a really nice lady and a very intelligent gentleman. I love it! 76 years old and "moving his feet" as the Quakers say. He knows what he's doing - doing the best that he can with what there is. I have a tremendous amount of respect for the two of them.

And if there is anyone out there in Texas who can lend some hands-on" support - why not? Or just a little e-mail from some folks who can identify with Shelly. Often times the one giving the Bee Venom Therapy needs more reassurance than the one being stung. The person receiving the therapy "feels" the benefits. The one doing all the stinging may feel a bit awkward. Good people!

Day 906 - 10:19am - Oct. 26, 1999 EST

Stung 12x this morning on my shoulders, sides and arms.

Started and stung 4x down each side of the torso. Then, 1x atop each shoulder and finally 1x on each arm.

As I am entering into my own millennium of Bee Venom Therapy I seem to be getting into a refined routine. The Bee Hotel which I've been storing bee in for 2 weeks now - is working out nicely. Katrina didn't have to go down to the hives to fetch bees for me yesterday. instead, she only had to coax them out of the Bee Hotel. If the bees indeed survive in Dick Johnson's Bee Hotel for 8-10 weeks at a time - as they are supposed to, stinging this Winter will be a lot easier for all of us. Certainly for the kids, but I always feel uncomfortable about sending them down to the hives in the dead of Winter to get some bees out of the hives. If this works, we can get all the bees we need in two or three trips. Nice!

I went out yesterday and snapped a shot of the hives with my digital camera. John McCoy, the beekeeper from Franklin MT. who leaves 11 of his hives on my property, allows me to use all the bees that I need. John has not as of yet winterized the hives. He will soon enough.

Day 909 - 9:09am - Oct. 29, 1999 EST

Stung 12x last night on my thighs, knees, calves and feet.

Started and stung 2x on the front of each thigh. Then, 1x on the outside of each knee and 1x on each calf. Then, 2x on each foot - 1x on the crease and 1x above the large toe.

Katrina helped coax the bees out from the Bee hotel last night which was not difficult. The bees are all doing quite well. Anyway, I figured, why not sting then - at night? So Katrina stung me giving Carol a break this morning. The main thing is to just keep that bee venom in my system. I enjoy stinging in the mornings because it really gives me a boost throughout the day. But in truth, any time is a good time.

Now, here's an e-mail from Shelly who helps care for Charlie. Shelly writes:

". . . Charlie stood by himself for the first time in six years, he actually took two
steps forward. He was holding on to a door but he did it. Thank God . . ." Shelly Shelly6980@aol.com

Charlie is a 74 year old man with MS - and he ain't rolling over and giving up! No way! He's doing what he can to make the most of what there is. He only started stinging a few weeks ago - but he sees and feels the difference. And that is what it's all about. Perhaps Bee Venom Therapy is not a cure - but it does wake things up. And what a fantastic supportive person is Shelly!

Day 913 - 10:53am - Nov. 2, 1999 EST

Stung 10x this morning on my buttocks, thighs, knees, calves and feet.

Started and stung 1x on each buttock. Then, 1x atop each thigh and 1x on the inside of each knee. Then, 1x on each calf and 1x atop each foot.

Have been feeling pretty good through the change of seasons here. The Fall is often a time of exacerbations and such but, thank God, things have been status quo. Have been feeling more stiff and tight in my legs and that is the reason for stinging my legs and knees again this morning. Stinging always loosens things up. That's what is so great about Bee Venom Therapy. There is always an immediate relief.

I'd gone back over to the MGH Forum the other day just to see what folks & MS were chatting about. Had entered a New Message regarding Bee Venom Therapy and what I'm into and once again I could not believe how negative and nasty people were. Just doesn't make any sense to me at all. I wasn't putting other therapies down, just saying that people should just be aware of options. Anyway, I now remember why I frequent those sites so rarely these days.

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