Received a call yesterday from Hilda, Dr. Jim's nurse.

"Barry, are you ready to go ahead with this bee therapy?" she asked.

"Sure," I answered. I'd been waiting for the bees to wake up and come out of their hives for
months.

"OK.We have an appointment for you on May 5th at 10:45."

It is Hilda who will be providing the bees from a friend down the road. She will provide me
with a two week supply. The first few sessions will be done in Dr. Jim's office and he will
prepare us with what we may need in the event of an emergency. He and Carol, my wife, will
learn to do it together. I'm still unsure as to how we'll get the bees out of the jar and on the right
place on my body, but we will be using Pat Wagner's manual as our guide. The four of us will
figure it out. And so the adventure begins.

My legs are stiff and I have a hard time standing and walking even with my walking stick. It is
more than my balance. I am excited about this new venture and hopeful.

In preparation I have stopped taking methotrexate but still taking 20mg.'s of baclofen and 10
mg.'s of Ritalen along with vitamins and bee pollen.

My First Sting (Day 1) - 09:59am May 6, 1997 EST

Dr. Jim and Hilda were excited as we pulled up to the country doctor's
office. Holding on to my wife for support and balance I made it into the
waiting room.

Hilda had the bees in a small mayonnaise jar with holes slit on the blue
screw-cap top for air. The bottom of the jar had a small layer of honey. "I
sprayed some water on them and you should do that every day or so. They
need water and they eat the honey. But make sure you use enough tissue
paper on the bottom so they can eat through the paper and not get stuck in
it." I could see three or four bees that had drowned, stuck in the honey. But
they were calm. I thought they would have been busy and noisy but they
weren't. They were quiet. Hilda said Dr. Jim had suggested keeping them
in the refrigerator before we arrived to calm them down. It was a good
idea.

I undressed was weighed in, had my temp. and blood pressure checked. I
Was ready. With a pair of tweezers, Dr. Jim pulled out a bee and placed it
on my ankle. Somehow it wasn't complicated. We were all into it as an
adventure. It didn't take but a few seconds of holding it against my skin
before it stung.

"It's a happening thing," I said when it stung. We then waited twenty
minutes. We chatted, looked at the bees in the jar, watched the bee that had
stung me dying on the floor.

After about ten minutes he pulled out the stinger - like a little splinter. -
and after about twenty minutes when it was certain I was not allergic (my
biggest fear all along)we continued.

We went on doing another 5 bites, three on the front of each
ankle. Tomorrow, Carol and I will be home doing it alone, and we will do
the other side.We'll alternate places on my body as Pat Wagner suggests.

It was a warm feeling. It felt good. Perhaps because anything I can feel,
feels good.The only part that was surprising was that the sting lasted for
as long as it did.I felt it right up to falling asleep last night. Walking a few
steps from my scooter to my bed, I felt my ankle being able to raise itself
up a bit higher. My imagination? Maybe. I'll have to meditate more on
that. I know that the bee venom is a healing agent and feeling it as I did all
day long felt good.

Today, now, the sting feeling is gone. And I look forward to it tomorrow.
We're all excited.

Day 7 - 11:07am May 11, 1997 EST

We awoke early this morning to take my daughter to Sunday School. She nor my son have seen
me stung so she was up early to watch. I was excited to be stung again and after a cup of coffee
and vitamins I sat down on the high-stool by the computer and we started.This was the third
'sting' session at home.

Today we had decided to sting my legs, from knees to ankles. It feels good. It feels right. Both
Carol and I "see" a difference and she and my kids have been super-supportive. My daughter
Katrina wants so much to see me - walk without a walking stick - again. My family makes me
feel as if we're all doing it together. I am so grateful to Carol because as far as I am concerned
she's got all the work to do. All I do is sit and be stung. She's my hero.

It's this kind of support that is so very important - much more than I had ever before imagined or
considered. People like Donna that I've met on this forum are truly incredible. But I suppose
you've got to go through this bee experience to understand motivation like Donna's. Which is why
I believe this therapy will improve my condition. That it can.That if I open myself up enough for
it to work in me. That it has the potential to heal. Sure, it would be a miracle but I can feel that
miracle occurring daily in the lives of people like Donna. And Pat Wagner. \ But it hurts. There
is no getting away from that. It's like having 10 push pins in you at the same time for 15 minutes.
One of the bees doesn't sting and we open the door and let it fly away. Another escapes the
tweezers and flying about the room before finally landing on the window-sill. Carol calmly
re-captures it and places it on my knee.

"Ouch!" I exclaimed. "Ooo, that one really hurt!" I would like to think that this bee had a lot of
venom to release.More healing properties. Perhaps. And this is good.

And it continues to hurt. Like being stuck and leaving the needle in. But again, it's nice to feel
sensation. Nice to feel my limbs tingle.My wife walks to keep in shape and she always tells me
how after she's walked 2 or 3 miles her feet begin to tingle. And the warmth that continues, that
which I feel at the moment, is stimulating. My legs feel awake and alive. It's a good feeling.

Today we did 10 stings, adding two stings every other day I am determined to keep at it. I know
it takes time. I will see it through and see what happens and how I feel.

Day 13 - 10:20am May 17, 1997 EST

The second week has not been an easy one. On Monday I began to experience flu-like symptoms
and my legs and ankles were swollen from the bites. People around our community had been
getting the flu so perhaps it was the flu itself? Regardless, I was miserable and spent Monday
and Tuesday in bed. I couldn't walk. It was scary.

I e-mailed Donna on Wednesday and asked her advice.

MY letter to Donna. Wed 9:57

Subject: Dear Abbey

Donna, Thanks for your kind words. Let me tell you how I've been. I last stung myself Sunday
and for the last three days my feet and ankles were badly swollen. On Monday I had a urinary
tract infection and ran a fever and took anti-biotics up through yesterday morning. . Carol thinks I
had the flu or something and I was pretty out of it. Today, Wed., I am feeling much better
although my ankles are still swollen but not as severe. I still have saucer-like spots on just about
everywhere I've been stung. I intend to continue stinging tomorrow, although I will probably only
sting 4 or 6 stings. I seem to have handled the stings on my back the best, so I will probably sting
there. I'm thinking of avoiding my legs for a while and increasing amounts of stings much more
slowly. What do you think? Should I be concerned about the swelling? Continue to increase
number of stings x 2 each time anyway? Avoid area like that? I'm determined to keep on but I
thought you might have some suggestions. Thanks again. Barry

Being as supportive as she is, she responded immediately.

Subject: Advise From An Old Hand

Barry: Glad to hear from you. OK, now the advise. I didn't understand why the doctor started on
the ankles. Ankles and hands swell really bad at first. Hurt like crap too. We stayed on the back,
along the spine, for months, before going any lower than knees and elbows. Swelling is good.
Don't sting a area that is swollen. Wait until it is gone. Remember to take it slow. I wouldn't
increase only after 3 sessions. Example: 2 nd week if you start with 6 keep that week at 6. Then
increase by two the following week.

The huge swelling means that your immune system is working well. I yelled Thank Goodness,
when I read that part. That's a good thing. You do know that you will have a day or two that you
will feel really bad. It's ok and will go away.

Don't give up, it doesn't happen overnight. Let me know how things are going. Please keep in
touch. Always,

Donna

On Thursday I was back to schleping along with my walking stick and feeling much, much better,
anxious to continue the stinging again. I know that it is the accumulation of stings over time that
will make the =difference so I don't want to loose any of the time we've put in so far. This time I
took six stings on my lower back. Although the spots where the stings are on my lower back are
sensitive, the increased awareness is nice because it's nice to 'feel'. We're running out of our first
supply of bees. As I look at the mayonnaise jar I'm not sure many are alive. A lot have drowned
in the honey at the bottom. Next time we'll have to use more tissue paper. They can eat it through
the paper. Hilda gave us the number of a bee-keeper a few miles down in Franklin. We haven't
spoken to him yet but Hilda says he is eager to help and work with us, giving us the bees, and I
really think that's great. Everyone we've come in contact with throughout this experience have
been super nice.

Day 15 - 05:12pm May 20, 1997 EST

Picked up a fresh jar of bees at McCoys Honey Farm. This time we layered the bottom with
tissue paper after we poured in the honey. Dropped in the cardboard-tube of a toilet paper roll
and made our way up to Franklin Mountain. John McCoy, a man we'd never met, had told us on
the phone to just come up so he could re-fill our jar with a fresh supply. The first jar-full lasted
two weeks: the bees living on raw honey and a spritz of water every other day.

"Don't want any pay,"John McCoy insisted, as he spoke to us in front of his hives. He is a man in
his mid-thirties and into his bees. "Let's just hope that it works." He was surprised that we had
allowed ourselves to run out of the supply he had given to Hilda.

"Next time," he says, "have an extra jar and you can leave it on my doorstep before the other jar
runs out. And if I'm not home or open, I'll fill it and leave it and you can pick them up even if I'm
not here." Amazing. The people we've met are incredible!

He takes the jar and scraping the it against the screen of bees in his hive, fills it with a good
amount. They're active and really buzzing. We thank him and leave. I'm anxious to sting and keep
whatever bee venom I've worked up in my body, potent and going. Although after reading about
Donna and her 20 stings, I know I have a long way to go before I see any real results.

Since it's been four days since the last session , Carol and I pick up with 6 stings. This time - on
the center of my back- to the left and right of my spine. The stings hurt but I can bear it.Some
really hurt more than others. Some don't sting at all and we let them fly ree out the door.

Afterward, that evening, is when it is most uncomfortable.The stings hurt and are sensitive on my
back.Sitting and resting on my back is not easy

Wasn't able to sleep that well last night because the stings really bothered me. I feel hot all night
- heat always bothers me a lot - and I think that perhaps it is due to the swelling that the stings
cause. I don't know but by morning although I'm still sore I am not as uncomfortable as I had been
last week. This is good. Hopefully my body is getting used to the venom. \ Today, Tuesday, I am
feeling stronger. I feel more energy in my upper body and more in my legs.I am able to get up and
schlepp with my walking stick and not feel as fatigued and tired.I feel good. I will gradually
work up to more stings but determined to go slowly. Don't want to experience another week like
last week. Will sting again tomorrow.

Day21 - Memorial Day- 12:14pm May 27, 1997 EST

Felt very good yesterday. Could feel an energy and a tingling in my feet and legs that felt good.
Overall I am feeling stronger although my walking has not really improved nor my balance. Went
into the village today for the parade. Took snapshots and was able to stand up and shoot while
leaning against my car. This is good as it continues to demonstrate less of drag and fatigue in my
daily life.

Arrived home at noon and was looking forward to the stings. Had 8 of them down the center of
my back, left and right of the spine. Carol wanted to sting on my shins, "Just two," she says. "One
on each leg." I am nervous about being stung on my legs again because of the bad reaction I had
on the second week. I tell her, 'next time.' The stings hurt of course but not as much or maybe for
not as long a period of time. Maybe I'm just getting used to the venom. Maybe I'm getting used to
the sting. As human beings I've always marveled how we can get used to anything. And when
there is a virtual pot-of-gold at the end of the rainbow - I seem to be getting used to it pretty
easily.

I'm at the computer desk sitting on the highg-stool. Carol points out with the tweezers on my back
where she plans to sting me. I am only aware of the section she's pointing out.

Interesting, I haven't even bothered to look at my back. "Somewhere on the center of my back," I
say. I have so many bites back there that I can't intelligently suggest a location. I've taken to
wearing light, white tee-shirts. I'm happy it is Spring.

Gavin, my 13 year old son, is working on a program he downloaded on the computer right
beside me on the computer chair. . After an initial request, 'Oh, can I do one!?' his concentration
is back on the screen. I'm not ready for the kids yet. I find it amazing how he (and my daughter
Katrina,11,) have in 21 days just accepted these bees buzzing around in the mayonnaise jar -
caring for them, spraying water and watching the honey disappear from the bottom of the jar.
(wondering how to get more in without drowning any of the bees.)

I know it is going to take a while and a lot more stings before I see any real results. I must be
patient. I wonder whether I should sting my shins on Wednesday?

Day 26 - 12:11pm May 31, 1997 EST

I was stung yesterday. 4x's on my neck & upper back and 4x's on my
knees. On wed. was stung 4 x's on middle lower back and 4 x's on my
shins. My energy level today, Saturday, is high. I can't walk well but I can
get up and sit down easy enough. And turn over in bed. I'm not as fatigued
as I usually am.

I'm still taking 10mg.'s of baclofen twice a day and 10mg.s of Ritalin in
the morning. This is the least amount of drugs I've been taking in years.
Besides these medications I am taking Cats Claw, DHEA and a
multi-vitamin & mineral. Off & on I take bee pollen (usually the days I get
stung). I know that I should be working up to being 'medicine free.

Won't sting again until Monday at which time I will increase it to 10
stings. Stinging part on my back and part on my legs seems to be ok
although Pat Wagner says to focus on one area at a time. But I want the
amount of venom and my body seems to accept the venom easier when it's
not all focused on the lower half of my body. When I sting on my back as
well as my legs (with fewer stings to the legs in one session) they don't
appear to get as swollen. Perhaps my legs react more to the stings because
I have more problems with the lower half of my body.But my legs do feel
stronger.

Bees are just about gone. Need to go back up Franklin Mountain for a
fresh supply before Monday.

Day 31 - 10:39am Jun 4, 1997 EST

It's Wednesday morning. Just had 10 stings. 8 on my back and two on my
shins, one on each leg.Had stung on Monday, 4 on my back and 3 on each
knee but my legs really hurt so today I stung more on my back.

I am feeling the stings. Almost a soreness. But this feeling, the hurt of the
stings, seems to last shorter and shorter periods of time. By tomorrow this
time the soreness will be gone and will have transformed itself into a
point of energy - a place where my body reacts to what is being asked of
it instead of it's usual non-reponsiveness. Fortunately, it seems that my
body gets used to the places it gets stung - but it takes time. That's why to
give this thing a real shot at seeing if it works or not, they say you've got
to give it 6 months.

I may not walk better, yet, but I stand a lot easier and more often.
Yesterday I even stood over the toilet and took a pee.

Day 36 - 5th week - 11:32am Jun 9, 1997 EST

It's a Monday and my respite from the weekend of no stings is over. Stung Friday 10xs on both
legs - 3x on each knee and 2x on each shin. Hadn't any severe reactions (some swelling on
Friday night but I took some Tylenol and was able to sleep. By Saturday morning it was fine and
I felt good all weekend. By this morning I was ready for more. I'm anxious for the stings and the
bvt to really work and make more changes in my system especially in my walking. My balance
has definitely improved - was able to easily stand up and pull up my pants this morning. This is a
milestone of sorts.

Started on 12 stings this morning. Did 4x on my back and 4x on each leg. Don't want to overdue
the legs but working up to being able to tolerate as much as is needed.

Fed the bees processed honey this past jarful and I don't know how good an idea that was. Many
of them died - dropping to the bottom of the jar. I think perhaps this sort of honey is too liquidy
and they got stuck.. I don't know if there's enough for Wednesday so we'll have to head back up
Franklin Mt. This jarful has not lasted the desired two weeks.

Overall still feeling strong. It's nice because in the past the only times I felt this good (my
balance being better, my ability to sleep at night, somewhat normal bowel movements and
bladder control) have only come during or after having taken 2 - 4 mg's of Dexamethasone. And
the steroid high lasts only for 2-3 days before my body crashes back to where it had been.

Day 41 - 11:31am Jun 14, 1997 EST

Got a new jar of bees yesterday and maybe it's my imagination but they
sure look like they're getting bigger! Didn't sting yesterday was thinking
about doing it at night but as the day progressed it wasn't meant to be. A
friend dropped by with a bottle of scotch and was insistent that i imbibe
with him and I went for it. I don't drink hard liquor like that often. Woke
up this morning feeling real stiff in my legs.

Just had 12 stings - 6x on each leg 3x on each side of the shin. The feeling
is good and immediately there is more energy. Still not walking or any
miracles but the stings have certainly taken that stiff-stiff and tight feeling
out of my legs. I know that getting drunk last night was not the best thing.
I'd Better stick to wine.

Next week will move up to 14 stings. Wonder how high I will go. How
high I can go.The more stings the longer the session although Carol is
getting quite adept at it. One bee got away this morning. She just let it
settle on the window as she finished the session and then opened the
window at let it out.

No more swelling although my ankles are always a bit swollen but that's
from not using them enough. Now that it's easier to stand however, I must
start more bending and pivoting exercises employing my ankles. It's good
that it is summer-time and I will try to do more swimming in the pond.

Day 45 - 08:28am Jun 18, 1997 EST

Received an e-mail this morning from a Judy in Canada that I met on the
forum. She too began bee stings about the same time in May as I.
Interested to hear how others are doing and she seems to be seeing some
positive results as well. Pat Wagner had started her out and she is stinging
every other day working up to 20 stings.

What I find most heartening is the support everyone involved in the sting
process has for one another. She was open and sharing and I am anxious
to stay in touch with her. Donna, as well as Pat are her No. 1 supporters
so once again Donna continues to impress and inspire me with her
givingness and desire to share her positive experience with bee therapy.
Her enthusiasm gives me encouragement.

Still more talk on TV and radio regarding medical studies to begin on the
benefits of bee venom. This is encouraging but I don't intend on waiting
for the results. Indeed getting injections of bee venom would be simpler
but I can't afford to wait.

Stung 14x stings on Monday, 5x around each knee and 4x on my lower
back. Did not feel very good yesterday, Tuesday. My knees were stiffer
than usual. I have a theory that areas when stung for the 1st time, get
swollen, and swollen things are hot. It doesn't feel good. But as I continue
to sting that new area a few more times over the next few sessions, they
don't swell and don't get hot. They do feel more energized.

Today I stung the front of my legs, from the knee-caps down the shin 5x
each leg and 4x on my shoulders - 2x on each shoulder. My knees feel
stronger but still stiff. Want to bend my knees and ankles because I feel
that if I can do that walking will be closer. My kids are just about off from
school and perhaps I can get them to massage my knees and ankles - move
the blood around in them, perhaps along with the bee stings the stiffness
will lessen. But I can't rely on them and Carol does more than enough for
me in regard to the MS. I'll swim as much as possibble through the
summer in the pond weather permiting.

Day 48 The Equinox - 10:39am Jun 21, 1997 EST

Saturday and no stings today. Had 14 stings yesterday - 7x on each leg - 3x down the sides of
each leg and one on the back of each ankle.

The first day of summer and it is hot and sticky. Was the same yesterday. Went into town to do
grocery shopping. Pulled up to Shopn'Save and had lots of strength to pull myself out of the car
and schlep in with my walking stick although I had to lean on the car and wall for support. But I
made the effort to do it. Usually I spend lots of time on the computer designing pages. I have
always had the energy to work (workaholic) but the walking and getting from point A to point B
has always been the challenge for me. Which is why I gave up producing videos in Manhattan 3
years ago.

My legs aren't as fatigued as they often had been - where I can't even make the effort. All of this
certainly is not a major achievement so far because like everyone else with MS there are good
days and bad days and better days. It's just that lately, since the stinging, I am having more 'better
days' more often. My legs are still tight which is why I have a hard time with my balance. But I
think the more I can use them and push myself to stand up and stretch, the less tight they might
become and the easier it would be for me to walk. If nothing else the stings are waking up my
body.

Sure, it would be a miracle for me to walk again, even with a walking stick, without have to lean
or hold onto anything or anyone to secure my balance. But I'm going to 'keep on keeping on'.I am
determined. The stinging may hurt but I sure feel right in giving it a try.

Will start on 16 sting sessions beginning Monday.

Day 53 - 10:49am Jun 26, 1997 EST

Stung last night at about 11:00 PM. Had planned on doing it earlier but
between getting the kids to baseball and boy scouts it didn't happen. !6
stings - on my legs, 8x on each leg, up the sides 4x, 1x on each side by the
ankle bone. The stings around the ankle bone I hardly felt. It must be
awfully numb down there.

Last night was awfully hot and humid. My legs and feet felt real hot all
night and I was hardly able to sleep. Fell asleep at 1:00 am after watching
"Johnny Handsome" again, and woke up at 2:00 . I'd lost bladder control -
which is common when I get overheated. I always sleep on a mat so that
all I had to do was change my underwear (I keep an extra pair in the
bedside drawer) pull away the soiled mat onto the floor and try and slip a
fresh one under me. It took about 10 minutes - feeling hot and pushing up
and over on the bed. I was very hot and fatigued. Weird isn't it- waking up
and feeling fatigued in the middle of the night.

I didn't get a fresh mat because there wasn't one near the bed so I sat up in
bed andcooled off. At about 2:30 I was feeling much better - my legs were
not as hot. Used the bedside urinal to relieve myself as much as I could
even though I didn't really have to go - and fell back to sleep. Didn't seep
well but I didn't get overheated again.

Woke up in the morning feeling strong. My legs felt like they were more
secure as I schleped to the bathroom and into the kitchen. Feel like I have
the same energy level I'vebeen experiencing since the start. It's a good
feeling.

Pat Wagner e-mailed and said she would be on "Extra" on ABC this
morning at 11:00. My time on the computer says 10:50.

Day 57 - 09:33am Jun 29, 1997 EST

Stung 16x on Friday morning (June 27) down the lower half of my spine, 8x each - left
and right sides. No bad reactions but stinging on my back always seems easier. E-mailed
with Pat Wagner, she suggests stinging in a certain pattern as she recommends in her
manual.
She writes:
"Sting yourself in the three body parts mentioned in my book. Waist down once; neck,
shoulders and arms once; main trunk of the back once. Start closest to the spine with
each part, then move out from there the next time you are at that body part. "

But I'm not sure why so I e-mailed and asked:
"I haven't been stinging in the manner you recommend. primarily because I didn't think it
made any difference - that the important thing was getting it into your system. Is this not
the case? And. . . what is the reasoning behind the way you suggest Is this based on your
experience with the venom working more effectively? I keep thinking if I concentrate
around my knees and ankles and lower back, it will work better for my walking and
balance? Am I incorrect?"
Waiting for a response.

My sister called from Israel this morning. She was very excited about a person she wants
to introduce me to. She and my sister will be in New York this week.
"I told her about you and she feels sure she can help you. She's an herbalist and
a professor of psychology at Hebrew University. Her name is Eli Katz."
I tell her about the bee therapy and she is surprised. She hadn't realized I'd
stopped taking the Methotrexate (chemo-therapy) and like most people who aren't "in it"
and doing it, don't really realize what doing bee therapy is all about - a commitment.
No sooner had I hung up that the phone rings again. It's Eli Katz.
I'm surprised by this unexpected call. A little suspicions too - what does she
want? So many people - good people - want to experiment with people like me - with
MS - defenseless - no cause, no cure. They believe in what they are into. Whether it be
bee stings or chemo - or herbal medicines with a mixture of psychology. I wonder
whether herbal medications conflict with bee therapy? Looking forward to 18 sting
session tomorrow.

Day 60 - 09:33am July 2, 1997 EST
Yesterday felt good and this morning too. Having "better & better" days.
Stung this morning (Wednsday) 18x - 2x on either side of my knees and 8x up
the outside of each thigh - ending on the back of my hips.

Had also stung 18x on Monday (June 30) - along the upper portion of my back -
3" away from the spine on either side - going up towards my neck and
then spreading outwards - to include 2x on each shoulder, left and right -
the way Pat Wagner recommends.

Received an answer from Pat as to "why" she recommends stinging all
over the body and not concentrating in one area like the legs alone.

She writes:
Because this is a whole body disease, you need to sting the whole body.
When stinging your legs repeatedly, your picking on them and they won't get
better. Much like having a sore and picking at it. It won't get better,
will it? Try it as described in my book and I think you'll see big
changes. Keep on stinging, and bee well!

Bees seem to be doing better than ever too. I suppose having taken less bees (less in the
jar) and feeding them less honey and water is working. Less is more. Bees are very social
insects I'm discovering. While stinging on Monday morning we let a few fly through the
open door after they'd escaped the tweezers. To my amazement, 6 hours later that
afternoon they were buzzing around outside - wanting back into the house. Incredible!
Also, Carol got stung for the first time. One little guy flew out of the jar unexpectedly
and stung her on the cheek. She was a trooper. Went to the mirror and removed the
stinger. She's not allergic either. It seems that allergic reactions - bad ones - are very rare.
On the "Extra" TV program I watched last week on ABC, Pat said that 'she'd stung over
7000 people and had never come across a deadly reaction to a bee sting'.

We talked about stinging and Carol said she can imagine when I have 18 stingers in me
at one time the feeling would be different.
"I notice that after the 3rd or 4th bee sting you can't really be sure at what point it
actually stings you."
That's because I'm not sure which one is stinging. Also, once the bee stings, it's
not like a mosquito where I smack it and stop the bite. Held tightly by the tweezer's tips,
Carol nudges it into my skin as it twists and turns and pumps its' venom. All-the-while,
the stingers on my skin on which I've already been stung remain, still releasing their
venom. It's quite an experience and perhaps it's like some people say, 'you've gotta be
pretty desperate'. Well, maybe I am. Hopefully it will be a miracle in my life. I still have
4 months to go before they say any real changes occur. So far, so good.

Day 62 - Independence Day 09:33am July 4, 1997 EST

We all went down to the village this morning to march in the parade. I felt good enough
to get out of the car and take pictures. Overall my energy level is still up.
When we arrived home had 18x stings down my back - further out from my spine
towards the sides of my back - 9x on either side.

My sister came to visit yesterday from Israel and brought with her some herbal medicine
drops. A friend of hers, an herbalist and prof. of psychology at Hebrew U. fels very
strongly that these herbs - along with her prayers and meditations on and about me -
personally - will do much to heal me. She says that I should see some real results in
about 10 days. How can I refuse?
I e-mailed Dr. Jim with this information and asked for his advice and opinion.

I wrote:
Jim,
. . . so what do you think? First
in regard to herbal medicines in general - like 'gingko' and 2 or 3
others which I will get the names of when she brings them - things for
energy, nerves, immune system - and second, how you think they might
re-act with the bee venom. Obviusly I'm anxious to try anything -
especially something so metaphysical and spiritual - and would like to
do it all.
I know there is probably no medical facts on all this but do you think
it would be alrigut to include the herbs? This woman, Elly Katz - a
healer who will is also arriving in NY this week for 3 or 4 days for
the healing of others - says that I will be feeling better - much better
- within 10 days. As you know, I am committed to the bee stings but I'd
hate to put this one off. Can I do both? It's a tough one to ignore.
Thanks for just being there. I know the decisions up to me, I just don't
want to OD on too much weirdness.

His response:
Barry,
Interesting stuff! I don't think there should be a problem with adding the
herbal treatments to the bee sting therapy. Generally, herbs are pretty
safe to take. Also, I don't think they should interfere with the bee stings
- I think the main action of bee sting therapy has to do with it's
anti-inflammatory action, which should not interfere with the herbs. I
wonder if Elly would recommend you stop the stings - I would hope not. Of
course, if you have a great response soon, you won't know for sure if it was
the herbs or the bee stings kicking in that did it - but I don't see that as
a real problem, and my guess is that it would be the herbs, as the info on
bee stings indicates many months, as you know, before a real good response is
expected.

The metaphysical angle is also intriguing. The more I study health and
medicine, the more convinced I am that there is a whole lot of stuff going on
that scientific medicine is ignoring in its focus on the body as some kind of
machine. It is a marvelous structure for sure, but there is a spiritual
aspect to existence that's been left out of the equation for too long in
western science - the kind of reality that shamans and psychic healers are in
touch with. It sounds as if Elly can tap into that knowledge - if so, she
may indeed have something very significant to offer you. Let no stone be
left unturned in your journey back to health! Keep me posted - it sounds
fascinating.
Shalom,
Jim\

Well, Elly doesn't suggest stopping the bee stings so I will be doing both.

Day 65 - 12:13pm July 7, 1997 EST
Started on 20 stings today - on the upper part of my back - 3" away from the spine - 5x
on either side, and then going downwards on my arm, 5x behind the muscle of each arm.
Also, on Friday, started to take the herbal medicines and between it all have been feeling
more energetic on a more consistent basis than I have in many years. The herbalist who
prescribed the herbal droplets says she expects me to feel quite a difference in only 10
days - so it is with obvious enthusiasm that I have begun the regiment and a hard one for
me not to have gone for. Better yet, she sees no conflict with the bee therapy.
Took a few steps today - with my walking stick - but without having to hold onto another
person's shoulder or a wall. A small step for mankind - a big step for me. No miracles yet
but I'm hopoeful.

Day 67 - 10:34 am July 9, 1997 EST
Stung this morning 20 stings on the lower portion of my body from the waist down to my
knees, again 3-6" left and right of my spine, almost along the two sides of my body but
not quite - more still around towards my back.

Stinging the front portions of my body still has me squeamish and have not yet stung my
chest or stomach or abdomen. Stinging areas that are not often exposed are more
sensitive. The stings hurt today more than Monday's session perhaps because I stung in
places that I haven't stung before. But tomorrow these places will hopefully feel more
energized. And along the sides of my body should be better for my walking and balance
too.

Still have enerrgy and today is the second day I've gone without the 10 mg's of Ritalin. I
figure the herbal medicines are also giving me energy so perhaps it's a good time to stop
the Ritalin.

Day 69 - 7:53am July 11, 1997 EST

As expected, have a lot of energy this morning. Yesterdy's sting area - along my sides to
my knees - no longer ache and now feel stronger. Still can't walk but stood up and did
some bending of my knees and back while holding on to a grab-bar. This is good as it
demonstrates my overall increased feeling of energy - or at least, less feeling of fatigue.
Standing and stretching is no big deal, but when I'm too fatigued to even get up I know
I'll never walk. So I am anxious. I'm into the 10th week - so I'm still only in the
beginning of the bee therapy.

It's been a week since the start of the herbs and I'm sure this too is adding greatly to my
energetic feeling. Especially in that this is the 3rd day of no Ritalin. Still taking 10mg's
baclofen 2x a day - morning and night. My legs - knees and ankles - are still tight and
I'm afraid without it I will cramp. I suppose I should see what happens if I cut it to half
the dosage. Deep down, I'm not really anxious to get off all drugs. Only the ones that
interfere with the therapies. If they enhance them, what's wrong with that? There's also
something very comforting about taking drugs. You take them and you know what to
expect. With everything else, you're hoping for the best - hoping for the miracle.
I'm not sure I've seen the last of the Ritalin.

Day 70 - 5:44pm July 12, 1997 EST

Stung 20x's again yesterday - 10x (5x on either side) along the top part of my back and
shoulders and 10x (5x on each side) out along back of my arms. Pretty much decided, at
least for a while to stay at 20 stings and see how it goes.
Feeling strong and energetic - even anbit looser and not as tight as I'd been. The heerbs
are probably doing good things too and no Ritalin this week - only baclofen.

Day 71 1:24pm July 13, 1997 EST

Will sting 20x tomorrow. It's Sunday and I'm getting my extra day off of not being stung.
Still feel energetic and my balance is better. Was able to stand for a few seconds without
holding onto anything yesterday- and that's a lot for me. Not only do I have the strength
but the balance too to do it. If nothing else, I feel as though my condition is not
worsening. this is very good feeling. Taking the herb droplets, doing the bees and am
only taking the baclofen - 10mgs 2x a day.
The Fresh Air kids are gone and we've spent a good part of the weekend with Bill and
Kaye, neighbors that come up on weekends from the city. Katrina is off to Girl Scout
Camp this morning and the bees are still alive - and I'm surprised this batch has lasted
these last 9 days. . .
When we brought the jar over to John McCoy the last time we had been in a rush
and weren't careful and had not placed the paper towel carefully over top of the
honey along the bottom of the jar and bees had gotten stuck and were drowning
in the goo. We'd probably put too much honey into the bottom of the
mayonnaise jar to begin with because a good number of the bees - maybe 10 or
20 - had drowned as soon as Jim had scraped and scooped them in.
"Next time, maybe put in less honey too," he suggested. John is really into
helping and supporting me and we chatted about the winter and getting the bees once the
hives close up for the winter in Oct./Nov. We both agreed to wait and see what happen
over the next few months.
"We'll figure something out," he said. "You can always get them from down
south."
Meanwhile, concerned about the bees, Carol and I had hurried of to the supermarket for
paper towels so as to stuff them down the side of the jar to soak up more honey. But as
we sat in the parking lot with the fresh batch of healthy buzzing bees - maybe a 100 to
150 of them, we decided to wait until we got home. The thought of an accident, should
these little babies escaping the jar into the car and then (I would imagine we'd open the
doors in a hurry) into a crowded parking lot, was more than we were ready to chance for
the survival of the bees. We figured even if they all drown we could always get more.
So we waited until we got home before pushing another papertowel along the side of the
jar - downward touching the bottom and soaking up more of the honey. But with
2 paper towels along the sides of the jar the bees were no longer clustered into the toilet
paper roll and were now clustered along the crevices of the creases in the paper
towels. The creases gave the bees the entire jar in which to congregate and cluster
together so that they were up against the glass and the jar's cap. This is why the toilet
paper roll is so important because with the roll the bees cluster together in one space -
inside the toilet roll - and they are easier to get at with the tweezers when you open the
jar to use them. You see, the bees don't fly around in the jar but rather cling too one
another like magnets and are really quite easy to snag with the tweezers once you get the
hang of it. So I had thought there would be a problem in getting at them now but no.
Carol is getting good at this and being extra careful when opening the jar ,managed quite
well. A few escaped every now and then - but that always seems to happen. All you do
then is wait till they light on the window and catch it with the tweezers, and use them.

The day is hot and humid supposed to go to 90 degrees. But I feel good. Time to drive
Katrina to camp. 20 stings, manyana.

Day 72 - 1:24pm July 14, 1997 EST

Had 20x stings yesterday morning - 10 on each leg 5x down the sides of each leg to
either side of my ankles. It has been a few weeks since I'd stung that low on my legs and
feet and yesterday they were sore - but only for the first part of the day. Last night was
hot and humid and so too this morning. But I am feeling good and energetic - my
schlepping is easier and my trek through the house - to the bathroom and into the kitchen
and to the compuuter and back was easier.

Day 74 - 10:49am July 16, 1997 EST

Stung this morning 20x - down the center of my back - 10x on either side close to the spine. The bees are finally dying out. . Although there may be as many as 30 remaining I don't think they'll make it to Friday. They are much more lethargic, not trying to escape even when the jar is opened - although you don't want to keep it open for too long! They will 'buzz' out I suppose.

Carol was able to easily snag them with the tweezers and place them against the skin on my back. And they stung quite quickly as well. I'd say we went through the session in record time. Even when they escaped the tweezers they only dropped to the floor and buzzed around down there. I wonder if stinging with fresh bees as opposed to 'older' ones makes a difference? They certainly didn't feel any different.

Very hot and humid here in the northeast - NY. Hotter than it's been Temperatures hit 101 degrees here yesterday and I was hot. I don't have to tell you what heat does - to me I become like those bees - real fatigued. To me fatigue is when I just can't get my body to do anything. The mind is willing but the body is weak.

But I most definitely had less fatigue than usual although last night was very hard. The humidity really got to me. I had dinner with friends and perhaps drank too much wine. Couldn't fall asleep until 2:00am after taking a Melatonix pill. Awoke at 3:30 and had lost bladder control - was very hot. Carol got out the fan for me and I used a cold bottle of apple juice - first placing it behind my neck, then under my armpits until finally cooling off. Fell back to sleep till 5:30am, tossed and turned till 7:45 before getting up .

But I felt good when I awoke. Schlepped easy through the house. Looked forward to the sting session at 9:00am and am feeling real good still. The weather should be drier today.

Have to get more bees tomorrow. Also have an appointment with Dr. Jim on Friday - first since May 5th and my first sting.

Day 75 - 9:49am July 17, 1997 EST

It's been very hot and although I'm still not walking I am nowhere as fatigued as I could be. I know that, Have an appointment with Dr. Jim tomorrow at 1:00 and am anxious to get his reaction to my condition, He's a professional with no bias.

Yesterday I took 10 mg's of baclofen - and this morning I couldn't resist and took 10 mg's of Ritalin. I figure the weather is hot and I can use the extra 'oomph'. Donna told me that the venom itself stays in your system giving it the charge for 12 hours. She suggested that this was the period of time that you really wanted to give extra attention to stuff you put into your body. Obviously it's always important to be good to your body but, I rationilized, if I take Ritalin, this would be the time to take it. it has been 24 hours since I stung and won't sting again until tomorrow. Anyway I took it.

Need more bees. There are still maybe 2or 3 that are still alive. Carol took the jar outside and opened the lid. But they wouldn't leave the jar. Very sad. I wonder if I am being cruel to them and should use them to sting me so as to die with purpose.

Donna called me last night - the first time I'd ever spoken to someone I'd met on the web - and we chatted for a least 45 minutes and she was great and wonderful. Happy and cheerful and supportive. A real beauty of a being. After hanging up, I had an idea. Peehaps use this space as a bee forum of sorts. A place where people can talk about the therapy as they are experiencing it. Something to think about.

Day 76 - 8:39pm July 18, 1997 EST

Went up to Franklin Mt. and picked up a fresh batch of bees from McCoy's Honey Farm. To me , they just keep looking bigger all the time.

Stung 20x this afternoon - 10x on each arm from the back of my shoulders down below my elbows, up to but not including the wrist. I wonder what wouldf happen should I try stinging into my veins? Whoa!

Anyway, did they ever hurt - or as Donna has said, "burned". She says that in the spring her bees sting really "hot" . She uses ice or a cold frozen metal can on the area she's about to sting. It cools it off before the sting. I've never used it. A cold can seems as unsettling as the actual sting. I just let Carol lay them on me with the tweezers and I just 'grit & bare it' - but after today's session, which indeed hurt more than ever, I'm considering giving it a try. Perhaps it hurt because I was stinging on virgin territory. Perhaps the fresher bees 'sting' more. Or maybe it was the time of day - I usually sting first thing in the morning. the stings welted up a bit and are still hot and a bit sore, but nothing unexpected. They say the more they swell and all the better you know they're working on you.

Saw Dr. Jim this morning and it was great to talk with him. He's such a right-on guy and really supportive. He knows that there's no cure and his approach to medicine is definitely holistic. I couldn't ask for a better guy on my team. I told him how I've been feeling - more energy less fatigue with less drugs than I'd been taking for years. The main thing, I said, is that I don't feel like I'm getting worse. No, I'm not walking better but I'm only on day 76 - not even the half-way mark to when I can honestly say I'd given it a try. I wish I'd have started honey bees years ago- not even that many - when I was walking better. Well, can't cry over spilled honey.

Day79 -09:24am July 21, 1997 EST

Had 20 stings this morning down my back. 10x on either side, further out from the spine. The stings didn't hurt as much as on Friday. Perhaps because I stung on my back - always easier. Maybe the bees aren't as fresh'. Do 'fresher' bees - right out of the hive - make for better or more effective bites? More painful ones anyway. I think it has to do more with where I'm stung. Last Friday I stung on my arms - someplace new.

Taking the herbs for. . . 16 days now. July 6 - exactly 2 months after the start of bee venom therapy. I have more and more energy all the time. I'm able to walk - at times - 2 or 3 steps with my walking stick and without holding on to anything for support or balance. That's something.

Yesterday I was back by the pond and I had this urge to feel the grass. The humidity was low and there was a cool breeze - a comfortable 73 degrees. When I'm outside I'm usually on my scooter, an old black Rascal, because grass is not something I get around in easily and I don't like getting off. I usually stay on it unless I'm swimming in the pond or transfer to an Adirondack. Anyway, yesterday I threw caution to the wind and dropped out of the scooter and lay in the grass. It felt wonderful. While down there I did some stretching exercises - even better. But the best part came when I was ready to get up. I was easily able to climb back up and into the seat. I was able to bend and push up enough with my own strength to climb back in by myself. That was a big deal for me.

Day 82 -08:56am July 24, 1997 EST

Stung 20x yesterday (wednesday) on my legs - 10x on each side from the knees down, left & right sides, to my ankles(2x on each ankle) and onto my feet( 2x 0n each). My feet became slightly swollen throughout the day but the energy in my legs was tremendous. Was able to rise up and stand easily without my walking stick and had the desire to walk. Walked - using my walking stick, Carol and then Gavin for support, about the patio. Not a lot of walking, maybe 30 - 60 steps, but more importantly is that I wanted to walk, had the desire to do so. My legs weren't feeling so stiff as they often do. Is this the 'bee-high' I've read about? I don't know. For me the 'high' was not feeling so stiff, having some control over what I wanted my limbs to do.

Awoke this morning feeling good - still more limber and less stiff. The schlepp through the house was easier than usual. It's a good feeling to be feeling.

Day 84 - 09:04am July 26, 1997 EST

Stung 20x yesterday (Friday) on my lower back, hips, down my thighs to my knees - 10x on each side. Stings didn't hurt that much in relation to other times. But I didn't follow the routine as outlined by Pat Wagner and perhaps that was not a good idea. Should have stung my upper back and arms but felt so good after Wednesday's stings decided to sting the lower portion again.

But yesterday and this morning am feeling more stiff than usual. Got up this morning and schlepping through the house took more energy than usual too. Was far more fatigued yesterday as well. Looking forward to stinging again on Monday on the upper portion of my body.

My mother-in-law sent me a book on herbal prescriptions and lo and behold to my surprise one of the herbs prescribed by the herbalist is not recommended for MS in that it strengthens the immune system. But I reminded myself that the herbs were only partially the cure - a more major part is this woman's ability to heal spiritually. Anyway, I telephoned my sister on the 22nd and asked her to get in touch with Elly Katz, the healer-herbalist, so as to ask her what the story was. Rivka, my sister, said that Elly was coming in to NYC from Israel on the 23rd and she'd try to get in touch with her then.

Last night I received a call from Rivka. She had come in from Miami on Thursday (the 24th) and had left a message for Elly to call her at my parent's house on the upper west side of Manhattan where she will be staying for the week. But yesterday afternoon - they bumped into one another on Broadway and 80th Street. Amazing! The odds of that happening are too great to calculate. Two people from Israel meeting by chance in a city of 8 million people - incredible! To make a long story short, she gave Rivka her number at the hotel she's staying at for the week and asked her to have me call her on Sunday morning at 8:30 am.

Day 86 - 11:44am July 28, 1997 EST

Stung 20x again this morning. This time along my upper back, closer to the spine, and up along my shoulders close to my neck and then down my arms to my elbows.

Had a draggy sort of weekend but that was probably because I drank too much wine. But had a great weekend with friends and it was well worth it. Not that I drink a lot because I don't. But any drinking stiffens the legs (usually the following day) and of course forget about the balance. But it's worth the few glasses of wine. By this morning (Monday) felt strong again and after the bee stinging session even better. Still not walking but still great energy and it's only day 86.

This batch of bees are dying. It's been 11 days and I don't think they'll see Wednesday. "Lots more in the roll," Carol says. "They just don't want to come out." She believes they are revivable but I don't. They're not buzzing around and don't look very healthy. Again I wonder what difference having your own bee hive would make and what I will do when the weather gets colder. Carol has changed their jar by easily lifting the toilet paper roll out of one jar with the tweezers and placing it into a nice new fresh one.

Still taking the herbs. Spoke to Elly yesterday morning (Sunday). We spoke about the one particular herb that is not reccomended for MS because it acts to 'strengthen' the immune system and in this way might add to the body's immune system to destroy more of my meylin sheath . This is the rationale behind taking Methotrexate (chemotherapy) which I had been taking prior to the start of the bee venom therapy and now herbs.

"I can't see your body, if it were working in a healthy fashion, attacking itself," she said. It just didn't make any sense to her. She had prescribed these herbs specifically for me, she told me. She didn't arrive at this formula and combination of herbs from an herbalist or medical point of view. It stemmed more from her feeling about me during meditation. "How are you feeling?"she asked. I told her where I was at and she suggested I stay with it. I agreed "I'll be leaving back to Israel on Wednesday evening. Here's my number where I'll be. Call me then and we'll talk more." I will.

Day 88 - 11:44am - July 30, 1997 EST

Bees didn't even make it till Tuesday so we drove up Franklin Mt. yesterday to replenish our jar. But John couldn't re-fill the jars for a few hours so it was decided that we'd come back the following morning, Wednesday, this morning. "You got to give me another jar," he says, "and then you can just call me and I'll leave them for you here - outside." He points to an old rustic looking bench. "I'll just leave them there and you don't have to make an extra trip up." What a nice guy. Here he is giving me free bees and he's concerned about my making an extra trip up the mountain. It's a nice drive anyway so neither one of us, Carol nor myself, really mind. We decided to set up a duplicate jar - with the honey, toilet paper roll, paper towels, air-holes on the lid - the whole nine-yards, and leave it with him.

He hands me a piece of paper." That woman 's husband was here and we got to talkin' and I told him about you. His wife has MS and she'd loved to talk with you about it." More and more people want to know. I assure him that I would call.

"I still don't know what I'm going to do this winter," I tell him. "If I continue."

I had told him at the onset that it would be at least 6 months before I'd be able to determine whether or not I was going to continue - whether or not all the stinging and the pain was going to be worth what I would be getting in return. So far the results - for the first 88 days - have been remarkable. I feel stronger. More energetic. More eager and able to do more with my body and less fatigue. My legs are still not loose and limber enough to walk though. I'm fortunate for the summer-time and to be able to swim as often as I do. Maybe 4 or 5 times a week. I'll have to get into some sort of stretching routine this winter. Must keep my legs active. Must not take the path of least resistance and sit too much - too often. I have to be ready to walk again.

Spoke to Elly this morning. "If I'm not getting worse, " I tell her, "then I'm doing better."

"I want you to get better," she says. "Not stay the same. I see you getting up and walking."

"I must apologize for not being more enthusiastic," I say. "But I've been disappointed so many times in the past by potential cures that I find it best for me to stay as 'even' as I possibly can. I am grateful and extremely hopeful," I tell her. She is very understanding and compassionate and asks only that I bless her and send her good energy.

We talk about the herbs she has prescribed - in particular the one that strengthens the immune system. "I want you to take more of it," she says. "I want your body, your immune system, to be so healed that it will never again think of attacking itself." Sounds good. Part of taking herbs, it seems, is changing the dosage as needed depending upon how the body is responding. "If only I could bend my knees and ankles." I say. That's what I just can't seem to do enough of."

She recommends a reflexologist but I'm not sure what that is and what they cost and whether or not there are any around here. "If you have a health food store near you," she says, "you'll find one." I'll have to check it out.

Finally we discuss the metaphysical aspect of all of this. She reminds me once again that what she is offering me comes from a spiritual place - from the realm of higher awareness and consciousness. I let her know her that I meditate daily and believe in what I don't see - in a God energy beyond my human consciousness and understanding. "I learned how to meditate through the Jose Silva Method and am inspired by the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda and by Judaism and the Torah."

"Listen to me," she says. "When you're meditating see these cells in your body - the ones attacking your immune system and your body, see them leaving. Don't be angry with them, just see them going away. You can even make a party for them - a going away party."

"Where are they going?" I ask.

"That's not a concern of yours," she answers me. "Just have a place in your meditation from where they can leave - can exit. A window or a door maybe. You'll, come up with something." In my mind, I visualize just how. She asks me to call her in Israel next month. I will.

Day 90 - 06:32pm - August 1, 1997 EST

Stung 20x on Wednesday afternoon when we came back with a jarful of fresh bees. Stung 10x on each leg from the sides of the knee down to either side of the ankle and on each toe - big & little.

Thursday was an O.K. day - hot, sluggish, still not walking but anxious eager and able to work and swim throughout the day. Stinging on my legs this time didn't give me the same power in my legs that it had given last week. But the bees were fresh and awfully lively and yes they hurt. One got stuck in Carol's hair and she had a time getting her out. She kept buzzing in her thick hair and Carol went outside with Katrina, my 11 year old and a real trooper,who used the tweezers like a pro to pick it out. Once out of Carol's hair though, the bee kept wanting back in the house - back with her girlfriends. We didn't let her in of course but interestingly enough she found a home with some of her long, lost cousins.

Last Tuesday I'd thought that my bees hadn't made it and that they had all had died inside the toilet paper roll. Remember, Carol had put the roll into a fresh jar thinking they were salvageable although I hadn't. So before we'd left to Franklin MT. to pick up the new batch of bees, I'd taken the roll out of the new jar she'd prepared (with fresh honey and paper towel) and threw it away atop the composte pile out back. There were a few of them crawling around inside the roll andwanted - needed - to stay around the roll. And after removing the roll , I'd simply tossed the jar aside nearby.

Well yesterday afternoon I went to check the toilet paper roll and see what had happened to the few survivors was I ever in for a shocker. They were gone- all of them. I figured - ants probably. Ants or flies or mice must have gotten them, attracted by the honey, you know, the food chain thing. But that wasn't the case at all.

"Pop! Come here. Look," my daughter Katrina called to me excitedly. Over to the side where I'd discarded the clean jar of paper-towel and honey were bees! - maybe 50 or 75 of them! They were healthy and buzzing in and around the jar. I couldn't believe it. I picked up the jar and peered inside. They were going nowhere. They were quite happy and satisfied just buzzing around in and around the jar.

Today (Friday) stung 20x again. . . This time on my back - from my lower back up, left & right of the spine -5x either side of the spine - and then 10x up right on the spine. Back felt sore for most of the day. hoping to have a good, 'energized' day tomorrow. It has been warm and humid and I've been feeling sluggish.

Day 93 - 01:19pm - August 4, 1997 EST

Stung 22x this morning. Started on my lower back and then down the sides of my thighs to the knees - 10x on either side.Still feels sore but I'm getting used to it. It won't hurt for long. Also, it seems that when the bees are not 'fresh they don't burn as much.

That batch of old bees out back, believe it or not, are still buzzing although there are less of them. I'm thinking about keeping all the bees outside in an open jar. Then they can come and go at will. Perhaps this is the way to keep them alive for longer periods of time. Certainly this once discarded batch has survived longer than any other. But Carol is for keeping the bees contained - in the jar in the cellar - where it;s cool. Somehow having bees buzzing about the outside of the house is not all that conducive for guests - especially unexpected ones.

Had a good energized weekend but still not walking - feeling stiff in my knees and ankles - not loose and limber. Still taking 20mgs of Baclofen a day (and that's it on the meds other than the herbs) and don't know what it would be like without any baclofen at all. Don't want to take any more though because too much Baclofen and there's no 'tone'. And the 'tone' is what gets me up and keeps me up and standing when I'm not fatigued -= and the bees have certainly helped the fatigue. That and possibly the herbs.

But I want to walk and indeed I am forever getting up and using Gavin's or Katrina's or Carol's shoulder for support. But because I'm stiff I'm unable to get into any sort of gait on my own to check out the true condition of my balance. But if I can't bend my knees then I'm left just dragging my feet and lifting the whole leg - up and over - so as to clear whatever's beneath me as I lean on a shoulder and drag along. And that ain't walking. But again, if I'm not getting worse, this is getting better. Perhaps the herbs will bring about some more flexibility. And maybe I should check out 'reflexology' - and what that's all about. I e-mailed Dr. Jim this morning and perhaps he'll give me some insight on it. Regardless, I'm still very much committed to this bee venom therapy and am determined to go the distance. Although at times it seems like forever, I'm only at the half-way mark of the 6-month trial period and I'm certainly feeling a whole lot better than when I began.

Day 95 - 10:51am - August 6, 1997 EST

Stung 20x this morning on my legs and feet. Started on the big and small toes of each foot, then on either side of each ankle and then up the legs to either side of each knee and finally 1x on each kneecap. They hurt but what else is new.Felt stiff this morning when I got up and hopefully will feel more limber this afternoon and tomorrow - often happens after stinging the legs.

Gavin, my 13 year old, got to do some stinging this morning for the first time. He was really into it and I think this is good. He feels like part of the process and it brings us closer. Of course it was under Carol's supervision but no doubt in time he will be able to do it all solo. But not yet - I'm still too nervous.

Last night my kids insisted that I watch "The Lion King" with them. We don't have TV yet - cable hasn't come this far. So we rent a lot of video. Anyway, I'd been giving a lot of thought to some good visualzation for what Elly suggested I 'see' during my meditations - 'seeing' the disease leaving my body. Not to be angry - just being and seeing that which attacks my meylin - seeing it simply hightailing out of me and onto something else - somewhere else. And last night I saw it .

Katrina said, "Pop, you're really going to like this movie." And I thought - right - a children's movie. But because I try and take advantage and do whatever I can with my kids, I was happy to join them. And in the end I not only kind of enjoyed the movie - it did have all the makings of a good Disney classic - but I was also rewarded with some really super material for my visualization. There are a number of scenes where the animals - wild, stampeding - are all headed in one direction - out. Fleeing, jumping, kicking up big balls of dust, just hightailing out - It's perfect. Going. Leaving - Good stuff. Donna had e-mailed some suggestions as to what she 'sees' in her meditations.

She writes:

"I read your post on the immune one. I also meditate with the same advise she [Elly] gave you. Only a bird comes and takes mine away. I know that's silly, but works for me."

I really believe in prayer and meditation and I've been doing it for years. It really helps focus my mind on what it is I desire. But it's not always easy for my mind does tend to wander. But the more I go inside, the better I am.

Day 97 - 12:55pm - August 8, 1997 EST

The last set of stings had me feeling up although yesterday I'd spent too much time out in the sun and didn't get to swim and cool down. Not good because this left me more fatigued throughout the remainder of the day - more so than in the recent past few months. But awoke this morning feeling 'abnormally-normal'.

Stung 24x this morning. Started on my upper back about 3-4 inches from spine - left and right sides (4x) - up to the neck and shoulders (2x), then down the arms and elbows (2x), wrist (2x) and hands (2x) - 1x on my left index finger. That was an accident. That bee had fallen from the back of my hand landing on my finger and as Carol was attempting to prod it back up with the tweezers . . . she stung.

My hands have been feeling tight - tighter than usual, the fingers numb, senseless to the touch. Nothing I'm concerned about - one of those things I've learned to live with over the years. But because Pat Wagner says not to concentrate on any one area in particular - to spread it out - I'd decided this morning to sting my hands figuring, why not? - good way to spread the venom. But boy, was I surprised by the reaction of the sting on my finger. Both hands are swelled, my arms too but my left hand the one on which I stung the index finger - blew up like a blow-up doll - puffy and swollen. But I'm not concerned. I'm sure it'll go down.

Had company over night before last and everybody agreed that I looked so much better. This of course sounded good but isn't enough. I now have overall more stamina and more energy and less fatigue - no doubt brought on by the bee stings as well as the herbs - but I'm still not walking. I've decided I will have to make my desires more attainable. Just getting up and dancing has not yet happened - although it is only Day 97 and I've barely reached my half-way 'give it a try' point. I am going to concentrate (during meditation) on walking with a stick - without holding on to anyone for support. This would be wonderful, no?

Like most people I had this fantasy of being stung and throwing down the crutches. It's been a good fantasy but in real life I just don't think it happens that way - at least not for me. As Donna says, "It's taken you years to get into this condition - it may take a while to get back. Be patient." So I am going to include walking with my walking stick - slowly, on my own, without holding on to shoulders and walls - as part of my visualization during meditation.

When I was taught the Jose Silva method of meditation by Paul Grivas (a great man who has passed on, may his soul rest in peace) he stressed the importance of 'end results'. He would say, "See it in your mind's eye as though it has already happened."

Day 100 - 02:05pm - August 11, 1997 EST

Stung 20x this morning. 4x down the back of each thigh, 2x behind each knee, and 4x on the back of each calve. Hadn't stung on this area of my legs before, and although it hurt being stung and is sore even now as I sit on the sting area, it feels good - it feels awake. This is the aspect of the stinging that I like. The feeling that my legs are awake and alive - not numb and lifeless. Tomorrow or even later this afternoon I'll be looking for more energy - power in my legs - on my quest to walk again.

Stung a little differently this morning. Couldn't sit on the high-stool by the computer desk for this session as I usually do. This time we stung in the bedroom - on the bed. I lay flat on my stomach and Carol went to work with her tweezers. She's gotten quite adept at it. Gavin, my 13 year old, stung me as well a few times and Katrina (11) removed the stingers and patted some Benadryl on the little welts. Again, I can't imagine how I could be doing this alone, let alone without their love and support.

Had a pretty good weekend, the swelling on my hands and arms were away by Sunday. Very hot, did a lot of swimming in the pond, 10 - 15 laps on my back at a clip. That's when I feel the most energetic - in the pond. So I stayed in for longer periods of time, pulling out cat-tails and weeds around the sides. My hands were less tight than usual and this was good exercise.

Can't seem to swim the 'crawl' - can't kick my legs steady enough while going forward - but can kick, off and on, while doing the backstroke. This gives my legs some stretching and strengthening while giving my upper body a reasonably good workout. Interesting, I also seem to have more strength in moving my legs backwards than I can forward. Must have something to do with the ability - or inability - to bend my knees. Always feel refreshed and super-energized after a swim - and that good 'unfatigued' feeling lasts for hours. Will miss the swimming when the weather gets too cold to continue. Thinking of a rubber 'deep-sea diver' suit but man, I'd think just putting one on would knock me out. Who knows, never put one on before.

But still feeling stiff. Today will go into the 'big' city and check out the health food stores and centers for reflexologist. Elly, the Israeli herbalist and healer, had suggested one when I'd complained about my stiff knees and ankles.

I'd e-mailed Dr. Jim regarding relexology and he wrote back:

". . . I know a good deal about reflexology, and have some good books on it. It's definitely legit, and related (I think) to acupressure. It seems to work best for pain problems, it's very safe, and you've got nothing to lose by giving it a shot. I've got some simple charts that will guide you to what part of the feet or hands to work on for your knees."

I'll definitley connect with him regarding the material but also want to find a practioner - at least to start out with.

Still taking 10mg's of Baclofen 2x a day - morning and night - the herbs prescribed by Elly, 1000mg's Vitamin C, and a daily multi vitamin and daily meditation and prayer. Energy level is up, feel like I'm not getting worse. . . but still not walking.

Day 102 - 01:40pm - August 13, 1997 EST

Stung 22x this morning - startiung from the upper portion of my back and going down the left and right sides approximatley 2" from the spine - continuing down and outward onto the hips -2x on either hip.

Used the same bees I've had for more than 2 weeks - not looking to lively this morning though - but this jar has lasted longer than any of the previous batches. Over the last 3 or 4 days, every morning, I've been taking them out back, opening the lid and letting them fly free. And every evening they all return to the jar - huddling together in the toilet paper roll. I then drop a few drips of honey and squeeze a papertowel with water into the jar and watch as they 'buzzzz' with excitement. I know they're happier this way and indeed they've survived longer. But I don't think the venom is as potent as with fresh bees because the stings just aren't as painful. Is pain an indication of potency?

Still feeling stiff and although I can occasionally walk a few steps with my walking stick - without holding on to anything or anyone for balance or support - it is not an easy task. I'm still as uncomfortable as ever about going anywhere. Will it be to far to get to from the car? What if I'm 'somewhere' and I have to go to the bathroom? What if I find myself in a chair that's to low to get up-and-out of? Although I'm able to do all of these things - I can't do them always - and not often either. Only occasionally and nowhere near any consistency.

Dr. Jim E-mailed with this. . . re: reflexology practitioners. He writes:

". . . the only one in the area who I know personally is a woman named Alice Waag, who lives in MT. Vision, she's quite old . . . but certainly knows what she's doing. She's a real character, by the way."

Wasting no time I telephoned. Her daughter Carolyn answered the phone and put her mother Alice on the line. I told Alice that Dr. Jim had given me her name, about Elly the healer and herbalist and about the MS. She was very warm, responsive and friendly, assuring me of the merits and validity of reflexology. "It will put your entire system straight - in right working order." Sounds right to me although I didn't need any convincing.

"When do you want to come?" she asks. "As soon as I can," I answer. So after discussing price (very reasonable) we made up to meet Thursday morning, at 10:00am, at her home on MT Vision. I look forward to it but concerned about how far it is from the car to the inside of her house. She did say no steps but she also said there would be some walking. Ahh, the trivial concerns of a person with MS.

Day 104 - 03:28pm - August 15, 1997 EST

Stung 16x this morning. Pat Wagner and Donna Chandler have suggested altering the number of bee stings every so often and because the bees were so difficult to handle, we did fewer than the usual number of stings.

Started on my upper back - 2x on either side, 2"-3" from the spine, then moved up onto the shoulders - 2x on each, then 2x on each bicep, then 1x on each elbow and finally 1x on each forearm.

Used the same bees that I've been keeping outside and that have now surrvived the longest period of time ever - going on 3 weeks. They were really buzzing and swarming in the jar this session as Carol opend the lid and attempted to get at each one. Maybe because they were used to flying around at will or . . . perhaps because I've been feeding them Carol's home-made 'Queen Ann's Lace Jelly'. We ran out of honey yesterday so I fed the jelly to them instead. It tastes just like creamed honey and they certainly devoured it as if it were the real thing. They swarmed all over every dollop I dropped into their jar. And the stings even hurt more than the previous session.

Went to my first reflexology treatment yesterday.

Pulled up to the house - a beautiful, remote country setting. Alice and her daughter are there to greet Carol and myself. I pull and push - up and out - of the car, schlep through the grass and make it into the house. "You'll leave a lot better than how you've come," she says.

Inside, a big easy chair in which I plop. How will I ever get up ? On the floor a basin of
water to soak my feet. 'Yikes! warm water,' I think to myself - but I go with it anyway. Alice chats free and easy. She's an 83 year old French woman - spry and light and cheerful - and as Dr. Jim had promised, a character.
"Everything is connected to your feet," she says. "All your organs." I ask about my knees and ankles. This is why I've come. "This will get your entire system in proper working order," she assures me. The same reasoning as Elly Katz, the 'herbalist - healer' upon whose suggestion I am here. An Holistic approach. Get the system in working order and it will fix itself. She crosses her knees and lifts my foot onto her lap and begins to massage. . . and massage and massage. "Can you feel it?" she asks me time and again Ahh, yes, it feels good. The feet and ankles are waking up. They tingle.

Alice talks about health and the importance of diet. "Eat lots of garlic, lots and lots," she insists, "it purifies the blood."
When I get up to leave, (with some difficulty- to low a chair) I indeed move easier than
when I came. A bit more limber? Not as tight? Perhaps. I know this treatment is cumulative too - no sudden miracles. If nothing else the blood in my ankles are flowing for the first time in a long time.

I make another appointment for next week. I'll give this a go and see what happens. I like Alice. No doubt she is a healer. May her energy work for me.

Day 107 - 10:59am - August 18, 1997 EST
Stung 20x this morning. Started under my armpit and went down - 10x on either side of my body all the way to the hips. The bees were fresh and quite difficult for Carol to control. Twice she had to put them into the freezer, for 10 - 15 minute increments, so as to 'cool them down'. When the bees are colder it seems to calm and quiet them, allowing Carol enough time to pry open the lid and slip her tweezers inside the jar - grab a bee and close it again - before another buzzes out. Also, as the temparture drops on them they cluster together and are easier to get at.

Had made another trip up to Franklin Mt. to John McCoy's Honey Farm on Sunday for the fresh batch of bees and more honey. The old ones linger but fresh ones must be better. . .. because they indeed do sting 'hotter'.

The MGH Forum has been totally re-developed and no longer lends itself to posting this journal in the way I had been at the start - 107 days ago. So - I'll be continuing to post here and of course visit the forum whenever possible. Again, support in all of this - bees and MS in general - is really key. I wonder what percentage of people with MS also experienced - or do experience - a lack of 'familial' support in their lives?

Receiving lots of interesting and supportive e-mail over the net though - from those who have
been stinging for years - and from those 'wanna-bees'. Here's an e-mail from Jeanne in Texas. She's decided to give stinging a try 'the old fashioned way'. She writes:

" . . . I am a labor and delivery nurse. . .and have a hive of honey bees up in a big oak.
My son collects them for me and is getting quite clever at catching them! . . . We have an apptointment with a bee keeper in the a.m. to get a 'queen' and make catching bees easier for the family. Even though it has been great entertainment! I am in Central Texas and there is no real support group. I'd like to find out all I can and share information with others in the area. Jeanne" (jeanne@vvm.com)

Day 109 - 11:13am - August 20, 1997 EST
Just stung 20x and waiting the 15 minutes before the stingers are removed. It burns nad I suppose writing will keep my mind off of it.

Stung 4x on each thigh - left and right sides - 2x on each knee - either side - and then 4x on each foot - 2x on either side of the ankle and 2x above the large and small toes. Gavin, my 13 year old, was going to sting me 2 more times on each knee-cap but when he opened the jar to get at the bees he wasn't careful and two bees escaped the jar. We then spent the next 5 minutes shooing them out the door. Then Carol looked at me and said, "Yeah, I suppose 20's enough."

Still taking 50 mg's of DHEA, 10 mg's of baclofen 2x a day, the herbs prescribed by Elly
Katz the healer-spiritualist, reflexology sessions with Alice Waag, a multi-vitamin and have just upped my vitamin C to 2000 mg's a day.
Also, swimming as often and as much as I can - still doing 10 - 15 laps across the pond - but only when the weather permits. High of 70 degrees today - a chill in the air and not swimming weather. Must begin to seriously consider alternative exercise methods.

Due to speak and report back to Elly Katz in Israel very soon. Are the herbs working? Are her
healing prayers helping? I am praying that they are. The energy level is still up however - and this is the best part of it - although the knees and ankles are still stiff - too stiff. The balance may be better, but only slightly- but how can I really tell if I'm not walking? Well, I am able to stand freely on my own (albiet with a walking stick) for longer periods of time. That's something.
But overall I am doing better - better than I had been doing 109 days ago . . . and I'm still 2
months and 11 days shy of the 6 months 'bee-sting trial' period.

Also, hearing more and more about others experimenting with bee sting therapy too. Received an e-mail from Jim yesterday whose sister-in-law is experimenting with bee venom. His wife, Cindy, is working with her sister, helping her sting. But that's not all.
Jim writes:
". . . my sister-in-law has found a gentleman here in the Warren, Ohio area who had
lost all ability to walk. After his therapy had progressed. . . he now walks with the use of
a cane. . . . [and] he now has a group of people who are living with MS come to his
home, 3 times a week where they administer the stings to each other .... any one who is
there with the stingees helps in anyway they can .... some load up tweezers... others help
pull out the stingers etc...etc... I must admit that I am not the special one though... it is
my wife who is really becoming the one involved with this so that she can be there for
her sister... I am here for the moral support I guess ... " Tenucci@aol.com

Talk about people supporting people and about how important support is in all of this. Wow!

Day 111 - 02:13pm - August 22, 1997 EST

Stung 20x this morning and man did they ever hurt. Probably because i stung on all
new spots of my body .

Started (1x) at the back of each shoulder, then (1x) on the front - 1x on each bicep and then 1x behind each bicep - 1x on the tip of each elbow and 1x in the crook of each elbow, then 2x on each wrist and 2x on the back of each hand - 1x above the index finger and 1x above each pinky finger.

Think I've finally figured out what the bees like and how to keep them alive for the
longest period of time. Yesterday morning I'd noticed that they'd suddenly gotten excited
and began buzzing around inside the jar. They wanted out. And I'd come across this on beesting.com only a few days earlier:

"Generally bees do not defecate in the hive and won't in the jar either but will die if held
to long . . . After a few days (less than a week) . . . .take the jar out before dark and set it
down in the shade on the ground and take the lid off. The bees will fly around a bit,
relieve themselves and since they are in strange territory they will return to the jar (its
now home). At dark put the lid back on. . . There is no practical limit to how long you
can keep bees alive by this process. "

So I had started doing this but it had been raining over the past few days and I'd been
concerned that in the rain the toilet paper-roll inside the jar would get wet - 'meltdown' -
and thus the bees would loose their 'hive'. But Carol had a simple solution - after taking
it out in the rain, to just lay the jar down on it's side. Katrina, my 11 year old, was into it
and took them out back, unscrewed the cap like a pro and laid it under an old oak tree.
And Gavin, my 13 year old, has been going out daily to feed them - dripping a teaspoon of honey past the bees and toilet paper-roll in the jar and onto the paper-towels at the bottom. And the bees are happier than ever, hurt more than ever and possibly even more effective too.

Had another session with Alice Waag - the reflexologist - and this time Alice's daughter,
Carolyn - a woman in her mid 50's, divorced and living with her folks - worked on me
as well. Both ladies are indeed competent but no doubt Alice has the touch - a feather
touch. Alice herself is thin - 120 lbs. - and frail. Carolyn is quite large with very
Germanic qualities taking after her father, Oscar. But Carolyn's strong hands certainly
had my blood circulating nicely, thank you. Anyway, reflexology must have some
inherent value because Alice's husband Oscar is 90 years old - and her dog, Boomer . . .
is 19! "You're doing better," she tells me.

I know she is just being encouraging an I am grateful for her encouragement But as far as I'm
concerned, I know that if I'm not getting any worse - then I am indeed doing better. A difficult
concept for someone who is not dealing with MS to comprehend.

Day 114 - 01:24pm - August 25, 1997 EST

Stung 30x this morning. Started at the base of my neck - aprrox. 1/2" from the spine - and went down 15x on either side. As I got lower down towards the kidneys, flared out slightly. The bees are healthier than ever and burn like heck. Felt like a pin-cushion this morning. Why so many more stings this morning - more than ever before?

Had a 'fatiguey' Sunday and broke down and did 10mg's of Ritalin. Had an art exhibit to attend down the road and it was either Ritalin, go feeling draggy or do some unscheduled stinging on Sunday - usual sting days are Mon., Wed. and Fri. But Ritalin seemed like the'drug of choice'. Besides - how bad can a little Ritalin be? Certainly the thought of 1 or 2mg's of Dexamethasone crossed my mind . . . but steroids would be 'falling off the wagon' a little too much. But while in that frustrated state of fatigue, which I hate, I was thinking. . . is my body becoming too accustomed to the bee venom? Is the 'bvt' not working as well as it had? It seems as though on the days that I don't sting I am more fatigued than on the days that I do. Does this mean I should sting more often - more than every other day? That seems almost impossible. Or perhaps I should increase the number of stings on the days that I do sting?

So I discussed adding a few stings to the session with Carol, my wonderful and loving wife, and she just took matters into her own tweezers and kept on stinging - 21x, 22x, 23x . . . and, yeah - the body is alive and awake this morning.

The stings always hurt - but after the pain the feeling of life that surges through it is difficult to put into words. It must be experienced to comprehend. Anyway, hopefully, I just had a bad weekend. That's MS for you, right?

And then I received this e-mail and it reminded me - on the positive side this time - how anything can happen when it comes to MS. Lisa R. writes:

". . . I am 4 years into my diagnosis and am using herbs suplements and other natural things
in addition to 60 mg of baclofen. I have intense nerve pain and spacticity. My mom has had several of her friends tell her about bee stings and MS and she has been pushing me to find out more. I think I am to tired of pain to add more on purpose! I have been using pycnogenol and aloe and shark cartilage for nearly a month now . Last night I woke up and went to the bathroom and suddenly realized I hadnt used my cane,hugged the wall,drug my foot or anything. For the first time in 4 years I didn't feel wrong in my legs. I got up and walked back and forth across the room like the old me! I just said a thank you prayer for letting me feel like me again if only for awhile. When I woke up this morning all was back to ms again, but I realized I had hope back. So hang on to the expectation that you can get your life back! We all got this in different ways, we all experience it in different ways and I believe we can all get better in different ways! All of the best to you in your journey! Lisa R."

God bless you Lisa. And thanks for reminding me that yes, the power to be healed is still in me and in every cell of my body - even though it may be demonstrating dis-ease.

All is possible for those that believe.

Day 116 - 11:54am - August 27, 1997 EST

Stung 20x this morning on my thighs, legs and feet. Started on my thighs - 4x on either side, 2x on either side on my knees, 1x behind each calve, 2x on either side of each ankle, 1x on the top of each foot.

Have been feeling OK since the weekend but walking is still not a happening thing. The knees and ankles are still stiff and just don't bend when I want them to. But the stinging always gives me the energy - to at least stand up and 'schlep' along with my walking stick.
Perhaps last weekend I should have stung rather than taking the 10 mg's of Ritalin. I'd forgotten the cycle of prescription drugs - or drugs in general for that matter - not having imbibed for . . . 116 days now. Thing is, when it wears off I'm left feeling worse - more fatigued in this case - than before. The more you take, the more you need - just to stay where you were before you'd started taking. Not that I'm anti-drugs, because I'm not. Drugs, are great - especially when there are no alternatives and the side-affects aren't too bad. But in my case - and especially now with the bee stings - if I can do without - well, so much the better. Because I'm commited to going forward with this. God knows I've given the Methotrexate, Cylert, Amantadine, Dexamethasone etc., etc. a try. And if the time comes that I must revert to all that again - I will. But nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Anyway, Donna e-mailed me to let me know that indeed stinging anytime and as often as needed is quite all right.
Donna writes:
". . . . If I am very tired whether I have stung the day before or know I can the next, I take a few maybe 8 to 10. Perks me up and then I am ready to go. It's not going to hurt anything. . . "

So for the time being I'll keep on stinging and stay with the herbs prescribed by Elly Katz the herbalist-healer, plus - 50 mg's DHEA, 10mg's of Baclofen 2x a day, 2000mg's Vitamin C, a multi vitamin/mineral and daily meditation. I wonder where I'll be at the 6 month 'trial point'? I'm hoping the bvt is working - at least halting the progression of the dis-ease. I'm not looking forward to the fall. In the past, for me, it's always been the season of exacerbations.

And finally here's an e-mail from someone looking for help. Is there anybody out there? Judy writes:
". . . .My brother-in-law has multiple sclerosis and can't move below the neck. He has been having his son and granddaughter sting him with bees but with their job and everything they will no longer be able to do it. He lives in St. Louis, Missouri. Is there anyone there he could get to
give him the therapy? Thanks for any info you can give me." Judy Halbert
Rich Halbert <halbert@kreative.net>

Day 118 - 03:24pm - August 29, 1997 EST

Stung 22x this morning on my shoulders, elbows and hands. Started - 2x behind each shoulder, then 2x on the front collarbone above each shoulder, then 1x on each forearm and then 2x on each elbow and finally 4x on the tops of each hand.

Stinging about the shoulders and collarbone was a new area for me and as expected it burned a lot and swelled accordingly. - especially my right hand. Although I have stung my hands before, never this many at one time. The hand is all puffy and swollen and aches but I've consciously decided to not put any kind of salve on it - like Benadryl. Perhaps the venom will be more affective without anything to suppress it. Worth a try.

I seem to be really getting this thing with caring for the bees down. They are happier, healthier and stinging hotter than ever. Every morning they start to buzz around inside the jar - wanting out. So I take them out back under the oak tree, open the lid, squeeze a little water into the jar with a paper towel - and they begin to buzz even more - a few going airborne. Then I dip a thin twig into the honey jar and drip slim strands of honey onto the paper towel down at the bottom. Maybe I'll even stick the twig gently into the toilet paper-roll itself. Man - do they ever love that! A few will jump onto the twig and buzzz all around and on it as they wake up - crawling out from the tube. And if one or two hadn't made it back to the 'hive' the night before they quickly buzz back and join the crowd. They're like mini pets! I may actually have to take a trip up Franklin Mt. for more bees this weekend because I'm using them all up - rather than because they're expiring on me.

Been seeing Alice the reflexologist and she's always very up and positive. "You're doing better, I can see," she says. "Never give up, Never!" she reminds me over and again. "Little by little - you'll see. I can see it, " the 83 year old octogenarian insists confidently. This is good but there are no miracles happening here yet - although she'd like to see one. She feels herself to be in touch with the 'powers that be' . Dr. Jim e-mailed me about my visits with Alice. Dr. Jim writes:

". . . Got a call from Alice Waag last week - it was classic Alice: she told me that she
was sure she was going to cure you, then told me she had doubts you really had MS
anyway. Like I said, she's a character. But, I did want to hear from you as to how your
visits with her have been. . . "

And here was my response:

". . . Alice is certainly every bit the 'character' you promised she'd be. No doubt - she has
healing powers - and like just about every healer I've ever come across, she is sure she
can heal me too. And no doubt they all can, but only if and when I am 'healable' - ready to be healed.. God can do no more for me - than he can do through me. She means well and what she
probably means is; 'it is possible' - and she certainly wishes it so.
The massage has got to be keeping the blood moving down in my feet - and this is good
as you suggested some time ago. Bottom line is, if all the other 'methodologys' come
together - the bees, the herbs, the meditation - then indeed the feet and legs must be
prepared to walk.
Regarding her doubts about whether I indeed had MS or not? Well, she and I have an
interesting relationship. Let me say; my mother said the same thing to me for quite some
time after my initial diagnosis 20 years ago.. ."

Day 121 - 11:48am - September 1, 1997 EST
Stung 20x this morning down my back. Started in the middle of the back - 2"-3" from the
spine - and stung 10x down each side all the way down and onto my buttocks. But today our
session manifested into an amusing situation.
As usual I was sitting on the high-stool by the computer desk as Carol expertly snagged the bees from the jar and placed them against my skin. But the further down onto my buttocks Carol stung, the more forward I found myself having to lean so as not to sit on the stingers. The desk is pretty solid - built right into the wall - so I wasn't worried about it holding me up or anything. But I had to keep stretching myself forward more and more after each sting so that by the time we'd reached 20 stings, my torso was stretched out - from the edge of the high-stool to the desk - like a moat! On one hand it felt pretty good being stretched in this way but then again it seemed a bit precarious. So after only about 5 or 10 minute I had Carol remove the stingers. Normally we leave them in for 15 minutes. No harm done though. Next time we sting this far down onto my buttocks though -I'll do it on the bed.

Seems as though the stinging on my hands last week has done me good. They were swollen all day Saturday but by Sunday morning they were back to normal - no swelling. Today, Monday, are not as tight as they often are and the fingers are much more limber - typing and moving across the keyboard - more easily - less errors.

The weekend continues and everyone is in the midst of enjoying the last days of summer. Party here, party there - a beer here and a glass of wine there. Everyone means well offering drink and good cheer. The stings this morning - especially stinging on the buttocks - felt very invigorating giving me a good surge of energy. I can certainly use it with yet another gathering to attend this afternoon. But before I go, will head for the pond and swim so laps. The best part of summer - for me anyway.

Day 123 - 02:23pm - September 3, 1997 EST
Stung 24x this morning on my lower extremities. Started on my upper thighs - 4x on
each thigh - 2x on the outside of each thigh and 2x on the inside. . . then my knees - 2x on each side of the knee. . . then 1x on each knee-cap. . . then 2x, half-way down, on either side of each calve. . . then 2x behind each ankle bone - either side. . . and finally 1x atop each foot on the crease between the ankle bone.

Still can't get over how well this last batch of bees are doing. It's going on 3 weeks now and
they are healthy and happy and sting hotter than ever. I'm into them now - taking them
out back every day and feeding them strands of honey that I let drip off the end of a twig and
into the jar, and squishing droplets of water with a paper-towel right into the toilet-paper roll. It's obviously doing them good.Occasionally I'll even dip my index finger into the honey jar before sticking it right into the toilet-paper roll - not being too concerned about being stung - and they don't even sting me. My point is: they're nothing to be afraid of - for me anyway.

Well today it's 4 months from when I started all this. Two more months to go in the 6-month trial period. I have to admit I'm a bit saddened that I am not up and walking better than I am. On the other hand, although I'm not walking, I certainly am feeling as-well-as when I began and probably better - definitely in regard to fatigue - with no heavy-duty drugs either. Just the 10mg's of Baclofen 2x a day, 50mg's DHEA, the herbs prescribed by Elly Katz, healer & herbalist, 2000mg's Vitamin C, Alice Waag and reflexology and meditation. For example, the stinging on my legs this morning certainly gave me that surge of energy that I needed for a trip to the dentist today. Walking from the car to the office to the chair to the office and back to the car - all that takes energy. Let's face it: there are times when I can't get up out of the car. And those times have been fewer and fewer since I've started the bee venom therapy. And it's true, I don't get a surge for as long a period of time from the stings as when I first began stinging - but perhaps this is because I expected more from the therapy in the beginning - I'd expected to get up and walk. But maybe I still will. Maybe. It's only Day 123.

Along these lines - I received some wonderful e-mail from Linda and it made me feel hopeful. She confirms for me what I've been feeling all along about the bees. Linda, from Idaho, writes:

" . . .I've had MS for 29 years . . It took a few years to find out about them [bees], but
I'm sure glad I did. I even have my own hive. I've really slacked off this summer and can
really tell [the difference]. . .I've been doing them for about 3 1/2 years...over
3000. I'm in a chair now and I didn't start until I got to that point. I wish I would have
started earlier, but I didn't know about it until I finally started. I saw Pat Wagner on TV .
. . [and] contacted another man where I live that was doing them also. He has been doing
them longer and has had more stings. Unfortunatly he began too late [too], but he
feels like I do...BVT has kept him from getting worse."

Sounded promising and I wanted to know more - so I wrote back and asked:
". . .Really loved hearing that you feel the bees have kept it all from progressing over the
years.. . . .Do you really feel it's too late for you? That you won't get any better? Have
you seen anything get better since you began? Anything you can build on?. . .. "

And Linda's response:
". . . No Barry, I don't think I can walk again, mainly because the muscles in my legs are not strong enough. I haven't been able to walk for a few years now and don't have the energy to really try...I am in dire need right now, I've fallen back in to the fatigue problem and the blah attitude that isn't there when I get stung Maybe [I'll walk] someday (if I can get back on BVT like I should be). I really don't have much of an excuse because I have my own hive...It's just finding someone to sting me on a regular basis.. . Linda" HuniBeezz@aol.com

Well, I feel bad that Linda doesn't have anyone to sting her on a regular basis but I feel good that others are experiencing what I intuitively have been feeling all along - that at the very least the bvt can possibly stop the progression of this dis-ease while at the same time energize you with less fatigue so as to cope with daily living. And also, the importance of exercise and getting up as much as I can and 'schlepping' from place to place when I've got the energy - the importance of keeping the mucsles in some kind of condition, prepared and ready for when the time comes - to walk again. But none of it - neither the bees or the exercise - is easy. And how much more difficult all this would be for me without the support of my family. I can never say enough about the importance of support in all of this.

Day 125 - 02:45pm - September 5, 1997 EST
Stung 20x this morning on the upper part of my body - the back, arms and wrists. Started on my back, the farthest point from the center of the spine . . . stung 4x up either side, left and right. . . 2x behind -but not under - the armpits. . . 3x on the back of the arms to the elbows . . . and then - skippinng to the the front of the hands - 1x on center at the wrist.

Had gone up to Franklin MT. for a new batch of bees yesterday. Gave John McCoy, the beekeeper, Donna's e-mail on how to 'winter-the-hives'. It was a bit too complicated for me because without an actual hive as a point of reference, I'm lost. But John said he'd read it over and see what it entails. If after 6-months I decide to continue to sting - in whatever fashion, I want to be prepared. I don't want to have to stop and figure out how to get started again. Because I can see that once stopping, it could definitely take a little bit to get revved back up. It may be too late to have my own bees if I decide to continue, but it's worth checking out.

These fresh bees today though, wild. I've given my last batch of bees a reprieve. . . letting them live out the rest of their life-span in the old mayonnaise jar under the oak. The new jar, placed outside beside the old one, is quite a contrast. These gals are partying, whipping around inside and outside the new jar. Young and healthy - ready to do battle with my MS. And battle they did, slipping from Carol's tweezers at every chance they could. Watching the old batch as compared to this new one, it's quite a difference. But the old bunch of girls were wicked to the end - their stings on Wednesday as sharp and painful as the new ones today.

Here's an e-mail from someone who's stopped bee venom therapy - and is now considering taking it up once again. Fred writes:

"I am CP [chronic progrresive MS] and have had this for about 20 years. I
have not done [bee stings] for a while. I think I got immune to it . . . ..What I did
notice was after the stings., . . I had more energy and my reflexes were better, but it
does'nt last very long. I got up to almost 50 [stings] every other day for about 1 week and
then backed off to a matinance of 20 per time