Summary

It looks like I have some disorder in the family of Hereditary Spastic Paraparesis. The main problem is that I experience soreness & fatigue with very little use of my legs. Boy, am I thankful for my handicapped parking placard! I also lose my balance very easily, in part because of the spasticity of my muscles & also because of my hyper-reflexia. Another symptom has been the sluggishness of throat muscles that are necessary in clear speech. Blood DNA tests have come back negative for the branches of this HSP which have treatment. This condition is degenerative, & all we can do is try to treat my symptoms, which have been getting progressively worse for at least 10 years. Nothing so far has helped, except knowing my physical limitations (not that I always get off my feet in time :D).

Thanks for your prayers and expressions of concern!

I'm OK.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

What a wonderful time of year when so many freely speak of Emanuel, who came to reconcile sinful man to Himself!!

II Corinthians 4:6-11

God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,"made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body.

I see the light at the end of the tunnel...

... with respect to this neuro-muscular metabolic investigation. The Parkinsons med (carbidopa/levo) did not help, so enough of that. I will have 2 DNA blood tests in about a week: Ceruloplasm & very long chain fatty acids. There is a low probability that either will show anything, but these are the 2 tests that could lead to some treatment, & these 2 are relatively inexpensive in comparison with other possible tests (which wouldn't even lead to treatment anyway!)

So, I am not saying we will have a diagnosis with these tests. I may, but even if I don't, that will probably be the end of persuing a diagnosis. I am just relieved that this road is almost at an end. My leg strength & balance is declining, but the Lord's grace is sufficient. Thank you all for your continued prayers.