Boys of Summer Book - Entry #126

You can see the complete film "Boys of Summer" for free by clicking here. 

100% proceeds go to the Michael J Fox Foundation. 

February 13, 2005 - Dad

Walnut Creek, CA

I had my most difficult night sleep, terrible anxiety in my arms and shoulders. Paulette is not able to drive again today. Because it is Sunday the traffic was not bad. The treatment was moderately painful. My legs feel good. My hands and arms remain quite slow and anxious.

February 14, 2005 - Dad 

Walnut Creek, CA

Another very difficult night trying to sleep. Paulette was unable to drive so I did. I know it sounds redundant but I think today’s treatment was the most painful so far. Edward sold me some herbs that are supposed to help with tension and anxiety.

February 15, 2005 - Dad 

Walnut Creek, CA

I remain sleep challenged. Paulette can’t drive today and I don’t feel up to it so I guess no treatment today. Happy Birthday to Paulette.

February 16, 2005 - Dad

Walnut Creek, CA

I think Dr Feng is a very skilled and passionate acupressure/Chinese medicine provider. If I had experienced any improvement during the treatment might have found a way to continue. But the combination of the pain, the driving (50 miles round trip) and the expense ($50 per visit) along with the lack of progress made it difficult to continue. There is always that thing about "giving up". But DR Feng started by saying I would notice a change/improvement after 10 visits, then 15, then 20. I went 23 times and that was it.

Boys of Summer Book - Entry #120

You can see the complete film "Boys of Summer" for free by clicking here. 

100% proceeds go to the Michael J Fox Foundation. 

January 22, 2005 - Dad

Walnut Creek, CA

We went for my second treatment and it was more painful than the first. The actual sessions are 20 minutes but since he does not take appointments you may wait a while to see him. It is a good time to listen to the other patients stories and share mine. 

So far we have met Harriet, Ben & Susan. Susan was amazing. She had been going to Edward for many years and went through a treatment mostly smiling. I felt stronger than yesterday and was able to drive home. I noticed less tension in my shoulders and was able to sleep through the night except for one trip to the bathroom. I also cut my Myrapex to .75 mg two times a day with no ill effect.

January 23, 2005  - Dad

Walnut Creek, CA

We went for my third treatment. It was the most painful yet. It was difficult to walk. Edward told me that I need to move more. He said, “Running water does not spoil”. 

We met Sandy and Jim. Jim was new like me and was having a difficult time. Sandy had been seeing Edward for a while and did much better. Edward showed me four exercises he wants me to do at least 30 reps of each daily. The exercises are: (1) Throwing the ball backwards, (2) Kicking the dog, (3) Lifting the heavens, (4) Seeing the heels. 

I performed them for the first time tonight. I feel like I’m talking a little clearer tonight.

January 24, 2005 - Dad

Walnut Creek, CA

I had a difficult episode in the middle of last night, around 1:30 a.m. I woke up ad felt very anxious -- like when I first started coming off Mirapex. After an hour of tossing and breathing exercises I took an Excedrin PM and slept until 8:30. I felt much better when I awoke. 

Today’s treatment was much less painful. Harriet was there and continues to have very difficult time. She has had 17 treatments and according to Edward is not being “brave”. So I decided to be brave and it seemed to work. The treatment took less time because I was not resisting. I’m hopeful that I have achieved some sort of break through. Time will tell.

Boys of Summer Book - Entry #119

You can see the complete film "Boys of Summer" for free by clicking here. 

100% proceeds go to the Michael J Fox Foundation. 

January 20, 2005 - Mom

Walnut Creek, CA

A friend of ours has had great success with her cancer treatment with a Chinese medicine doctor named, Dr. Feng. She said he has had absolutely remarkable success with a number of patients. Dan and I go to see him tomorrow.

January 21, 2005 - Dad

Walnut Creek, CA

Paulette and I went to see Edward (Dr. Feng) for an evaluation, which consisted of him asking me about the symptoms of my PD, my diet and applying pressure to points on my feet. Based on the results he said if I follow his program he could help me. He said I should have treatments ten days in a row ad if I don’t feel I’m making progress that I should consider quitting treatment. 

I decided to begin and had a treatment that day. The treatment was the most painful experience I can remember. Dr Feng is an older man, at least late 60's, maybe late 70's but he is very fit and has very strong hands. His hands are his main tool but he also has a "T" shaped device. The top of the "T" fits into the palm of his hand and the metal shaft, about the diameter of a pencil with a rounded point, extends thru his fingers. He pounds on the bottom of the foot, on the instep, the heel and the toes. Some times depending on my reaction he encourages me to relax or be calm. 

Sometimes if I yell or scream very loud he tells me to “be brave” or mocks me, asking if I am going to "sing a song?".

We were in his office for about three hours, most of the time talking. 

There is also a strict microbiotic diet he wants me on that consists of his special rice mixture, organically grown fruits and vegetables (no spinach), a minimum of 64 ounces of spring water or his special tea and wheat grass. I was exhausted by the time we left. Paulette drove home. Oh yeah I got my first parking ticket in many years. I thought I slept a little better that night. My weight was 187 pounds.

January 21, 2005 - Mom

Walnut Creek, CA

His office reminds me of a set from “The Maltese Falcon”. It’s in an old part of San Francisco. Dr. Feng is elderly. I had a hard time understanding some of his words.  There was a woman having a treatment while Dan was having his feet soaked. She was screaming. I could hear him saying, very calmly, “You’re not being brave”. But then she walked out and she was smiling. 

I was very skeptical. Dan said he wanted to give it a try. He said he wouldn’t know unless he tried. Dad screamed like I’d never heard him scream before. I couldn’t see how there could be that much pain and then have positive results.