Plague of Corruption

Plague of Corruption: Restoring Faith in the Promise of Science by Judy Mikovits and Kent Heckenlively might be the most important book I've read this year. However, it has not restored my faith in science. On the contrary, it has diminished my trust in our health care system, particularly at the highest levels that issue forth guidelines. From the food pyramid (maligning fats) to the vaccine guidelines, it's clear that our leaders do not care about our health nor the health of our children anymore. They might have started out with good intentions but when new data came forth showing the harm of certain products (like masks, certain vaccines), the data have been shoved under the rug to protect the pockets of big companies who lobby many of our government institutions. It's an incestuous relationship that benefits only them. No wonder health care is a billion-dollar industry. Beware.

This book would make a good movie. It's got dedicated yet naïve scientists who uncover interesting details of new diseases, villains (you'd think these are the bugs themselves, but sadly, it's other scientists or govt. regulatory bodies), and ethical questions at its core. I devoured this book because I enjoy medical mysteries. However, I realize that not everybody is interested in esoteric details or gossip between scientists. So I recommend reading the Foreword and Introduction that's available with the "Look Inside" Feature. It will shed a great deal of light on the current situation with Covid and why we need to fight mandates that have no scientific basis.  

I studied microbiology and biochemistry in the 1980s and 1990s and read many of the original papers regarding the new field of retroviruses, pioneered by Dr. Mikovitz's boss, Dr. Frank Ruscetti (and others). The central dogma of information flow for many years was DNA-->mRNA-->protein. Retroviruses have RNA as their genetic material (hence the "retro" part) and they have an enzyme, Reverse Transcriptase (RT) that transcribes the RNA into DNA. Why, you may ask? Probably because RNA is unstable. With a stable DNA template, the virus can hijack cellular machinery to make multiple copies of the RNA and viral proteins and packaging them into new infectious particles. However, RT is prone to making mistakes so this allows for these viruses to mutate more quickly and respond to environmental stresses to maximize survival. Remember, a successful virus is one that can hang out in a population. If it kills too quickly, it cannot spread far and wide. In fact, some of the most successful viruses have actually integrated into our own cells. Some of them are quiet. Others are activated and can cause diseases. Many autoimmune diseases and cancers have a viral component and it's fascinating to see how our genes interact with the environment.

So what is all this corruption about? Dr. Mikovitz found a link between Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and XMRV (a mouse retrovirus). How in the world does a mouse virus get into humans? Via vaccines. 

That's because to make a vaccine, you have to grow the viruses in cell-lines. Whether or not we used a killed-virus vaccine or one that's attenuated to be less infectious (by passing through several generations in cell lines) you have to realize that what goes into the arm is not a pure concoction but rather a mixture containing other animal viruses, heavy metals, and other nasty things that can cause disease. And the more you vaccinate, the more likely you might reach a tipping point that can awaken a sleeping monster.  

We're used to thinking about vaccines as magic bullets. But for certain sub-populations, these bullets end up harming the person and usually these are children. We do not monitor their immune responses; we just take them in for shot after shot thinking we're protecting them from deadly diseases. But consider what an immature immune system is being presented with: multiple pathogens that challenge the immune system and some of these children's immune systems get so thoroughly out of balance, they end up with auto-immune diseases. There's also a link to mitochondrial dysfunction (mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell) with ME/CFS and autism.    

During the early days of HIV/AIDS we asked so many questions. Some were answered, some not, but it was an exciting time. It is Dr. Mikovitz's work that commuted AIDS from a death sentence to one that's managed with multi-drug therapy. However, in my naivete, it did not occur to me that some things would be kept from being published. I always believed in the free exchange of ideas--that's why we pursue science--so I feel the same way Dr. Mikovitz feels, the outrage of not examining more closely what we know when new information comes to light. We have to shift our practices if we discover that we are actually harming some people. But there's a lot at stake--pride and money--and even the best of us can be corrupted. And Dr. Mikovitz uncovers a great deal of it. And guess, who's mixed up in all this? Dr. Fauxi. 

What we're seeing today, the suppression of data regarding Covid, is absolutely criminal. Scientists in India have been using the anti-parasitic drugs, hydroxychloroquinine or  Ivermectin, as a prophylactic, but also as a treatment for patients with Covid in combination with Zinc and Azithromycin. But because this protocol is still not approved by the FDA, it opened the door to using experimental vaccines on an emergency basis. From the beginning, it was touted as the thing that's going to save humanity from what is basically a disease that has a similar mortality rate as influenza. Yes, that was the first lie--that Covid is 10x deadlier than the flu. The next lie was that asymptomatic people can infect others. And on and on... diabolical. And now with the FDA giving its approval to the Pfizer mRNA gene-therapy, there will be more mandates, even though there were no proper controls. All of this is very disturbing. It's bad science; it's bad medicine. And our freedom to live according to our conscience is being eroded. Job or jab? And unfortunately, those who speak out against the lies are shut down. There is no debate, no examination of the data. But thank God for the people who are willing to put their lives and careers on the line, who are brave and I am joining them in this fight. 

I've had to rethink everything I know about infection and immunology in light of retroviruses and quiescent ones in our own DNA, how they could get activated. I too have observed an explosion of people with chronic ailments and allergies (I'm one of them with chronic migraines). Although I have always believed that vaccinations have saved lives (and even participated in a Phase III trial for Hepatitis B vaccine) I'm not sure whether people have been able to separate the effects of vaccines vs. those of good sanitation and hygiene. But increasingly, I am concerned that we might be doing more harm by having so many vaccinations. With my own children, I followed the regular protocol, declining the ones I thought weren't necessary because I kept my children at home until they were old enough for school. Thank God they didn't face any adverse reactions but I truly feel terrible for the parents whose children were harmed. I wonder if there's a schedule of vaccinations that minimizes damage.

We are made beautifully with a well-designed immune system that works to defend our bodies from various pathogens. The skin is the largest organ in the body and it's amazing! So are our T-cells and B-cells and clotting mechanisms. But they can go haywire as well and the current crop of so-called Covid vaccines may do just that. Never before have we been successful at making an effective vaccine for coronaviruses because they cause the body to hyper-react when challenged with the pathogen (it's called antibody-dependent enhancement or ADE). I don't know whether natural infection also causes it (in the case of dengue fever, there's ADE) but we'll see what happens with Covid this winter. The advantage of natural infection is that you get both T-cell and B-cell immunity that's long-lasting.  

I find Plague of Corruption credible. I believe the science and the documents Dr. Mikovitz has shared. She has great passion and I respect people who are willing to suffer for the truth. May we all be so courageous. 

I just finished Henry Miller on Writing and what a joy to read his "voyage of discovery" even as I struggle to write what matters deeply to me. I was introduced to him via Anais Nin many years ago and they both played a part in my own awakening. So it was especially interesting to read his thoughts on censorship. It's almost prophetic. He writes: "...there exists one morality for peace times and another for war. In times of war everything is permitted, everything condoned. That is to say, everything abominable and infamous committed by the winning side... In cold blood, years before any outbreak, they prepare to make others do their bidding; mentally they embrace every conceivable form of horror and destruction, and they set about their business calmly, deliberately, ruthlessly, waiting only for the opportune moment to put their plans into execution." This gave me chills as I thought about the people involved in Event201 leading up to AD 2020. 

Recently my publisher for Little Thief! Chota Chor! sent me book plates to sign and return so I was thinking about what's underneath the story and it's this: Question everything! Question your assumptions. And as we learn new things, revise your thinking. Truly, it's a re-visioning. And here I am envisioning the future, with the King and Queen of Heaven reigning! And not a mosquito in sight :)

Silence and Prayer

I've gone through two surgeries in the past month and of all things, I miss writing the most. I can't do much of anything right now, except pray. It is my superpower. So please let me know any special intentions and I will pray. Right now, I offer a few thoughts but mostly some pictures of my convalescence, the many blessings. As you can imagine, Michael and the cats are a great comfort, as are many books. I did finish my chapter book, Max and Midnight. It's amazing how long these things take. Stories were polished in July, got art from Dagny in Aug, put it all together in Sept, and worked on cover/back in Oct. I managed to get it done a week after surgery #1 and 5 days before #2 knowing that any writing/typing would be difficult after. So please take a look. 

I was so pleased All Saints was a Sunday but I didn't go to All Souls Mass on Nov. 2nd. Instead, I sang along at home as Mass was livestreamed on youtube. The simple Gregorian chant was so beautiful and matched my ascetic mood. I also got out to vote and praying for the truth to be unveiled. Over and over, I am impressed with the wisdom of our Founding Fathers. God bless America. I find myself singing America the Beautiful a lot. 

There's not been a night that I don't cry. Pain is awful. Sleep is difficult. I have even managed to fall out of the recliner from feeling claustrophobic and trapped. I question whether this is God's will. My feelings can shift from peace to poverty in minutes. But thinking about favorite Scripture verses are a sure path to peace, like Ecclesiastes 3:1 To everything there's a season and a time to every purpose under heaven. I've taken off my sling/brace to type this post and I have to be extra vigilant with the cats' sudden movements. I cannot afford to tear the repaired tendons. I know I need to practice patience and humility. The silence has been good for me, brought tremendous clarity and closeness to our dear Savior. But as you can see, I succumb to the need to write and connect with you all. I should retreat again into the silence because I believe that is what God desires--it is a school of prayer and thanksgiving. Please pray for me and I, thee. Come, Lord Jesus. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 

2 Corinthians 12:9 9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 

Chronic Conditions and Healing: Part II -- An Integrative Approach

In Part I, I discussed Dr. David Hanscom's methods for dealing with chronic pain as outlined in Back in Control. Today I want to discuss the two other books I found very useful in thinking about the physical aspects and how a good doctor is a sleuth, leaving no stone unturned, listening to clues to aid him in helping him diagnose the underlying causes and treating them. What I found most interesting is that all three physicians said that they never learned pain management for patients while in medical school. The approaches they were taught were highly reductive and akin to putting on a Band-Aid, without looking for the root cause. All three are interested in practicing good medicine by looking for the truth. And for them, the first step is listening and taking a detailed patient history. 


Total Recovery: Solving the Mystery of Chronic Pain and Depression. How We Get Sick, Why We Stay Sick, How We Can Recover by Dr. Gary Kaplan, D.O. with Donna Beech reads like a good detective novel. He covers many interesting cases and they build in complexity. Here are some of his discoveries.

1. All assaults on the body, mental and physical, are cumulative. Surprisingly, the same areas light up in the brain whether the patient is hurting physically or emotionally.

2. The single point of origin are microglia. Glial cells are helper cells in the brain. We are so used to only thinking about nerve cells, we forget that they have to be tended to, and that's what the glial cells do. They protect the brain from injuries and trauma. They are part of the healing process. But if inflammation is sustained, they can become permanently up-regulated, releasing inflammatory agents of their own. Since we don't know how to down-regulate them, it's important to reduce all the factors contributing to inflammation.  

An example he gave was of a woman with multiple sclerosis. She had sustained several setbacks and was experiencing all the symptoms but the MS itself was triggered by untreated Lyme (a tick-borne disease). As each layer was uncovered, she gained partial health. But it's only when the Lyme was treated with an antibiotic course of a month that she finally regained motor control again.

3. There are many connections between food, infections, and childhood traumas that have a bearing on your health now. Examine the things that don't feel right in your life. 

You don't have to put up with aches and pains and mental fog. He suggests: get good sleep, have all infections treated, make sure your gut is in good condition (it is our second brain), that you're not consuming foods that are making you ill, address physical injuries, even minor ones, if you think you've never been the same since, and get help for lingering psychological trauma. If you've truly recovered, you will find yourself feeling strong and resilient. If not, you are still in a wounded state and vulnerable to future assaults. Even talking with a good friend can bring healing, as can praying together, walking together, massage. And last, check how many medications you are taking. His guidelines, "A drug has to work better than the side effects it creates. If it doesn't, get rid of it."


Healing is Possible: New Hope for Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Persistent Pain, and other Chronic Illnesses by Neil Nathan, M.D. is one of the most detailed books I've read on integrative medicine. Dr. Nathan delineates the six most common culprits, followed by another six less common but frequent imbalances, and discusses new approaches to the relief of pain, as well as alternative approaches to cancer, autoimmune diseases, and autism (it is becoming a growing epidemic). What I liked best about this book is how he explains what to ask our own physicians when we finally make the visit. Educating yourself is key. Oh, and there are lots of medical stories, success stories!

The Big Six that lead to fatigue, exhaustion, tiredness, more fatigue, brain fog, joint pains, more fatigue.

Adrenal deficiency--your adrenal glands make DHEA and other hormones. DHEA is the precursor to estrogen and testosterone. I'd never even heard of a DHEA deficiency but Dr. Nathan notes that 90% of his patients are deficient and if he had to perform only a single test, this is the one. It's easy and if you are low (for your age), you can supplement it. You can buy it at a health food store! Um, please don't be taking this without being tested. It *is* a hormone and hormones need to be just right. Think Goldilocks. 

Magnesium deficiency--we need it for our nerves and muscles to function. Measurement should be inside cells (scrape off some cells from your cheek and send to the lab). You can take oral supplements but they aren't absorbed as well. If you are deficient, the best treatment is an IV cocktail of Mg, Ca, Vit. C, Vit. B12. By the way, taking a bath with Epsom salts is very beneficial. Your skin will absorb the magnesium. St. Thomas Aquinas really did have excellent advice! 

Thyroid imbalances and Iodine deficiency--this is involved in regulation of all your metabolism so if you're deficient, you will need a supplement. It's important to make sure your body can actually convert the T4 to T3.

Sex hormone imbalances--I don't think I need to say much here. Both men and women are affected. Think Goldilocks. Hormones need to be just right.

Food allergies--this is a biggie and can be hard to pin down if it's not an immediate reaction (can be life-threatening). But a delayed reaction to food items can be judged if you keep a food diary. The correlations must be 100% otherwise you'll end up thinking you're sensitive to everything.

Intestinal dysbiosis--this refers to our gut health. Many people have pathogenic bacteria and yeast in their gut. They need to go (you will need antibiotics for this). Take probiotics, eat fermented foods. Populate your gut with good bugs (Lactobacilli, Bifidobacteria, etc.).

The Little Six are related to blood sugar imbalances, insulin resistance, heavy metal toxicity (if you have silver fillings, the mercury in them might be leaching out and making you sick), mold spore, chronic infections, amino-acid or neurotransmitter imbalances. All these are treatable. For example, if you're low in serotonin, you're going to be depressed, irritable, and anxious. So you can eat foods that have the precursor to it or take a drug that increases the lifetime of the serotonin in your brain.   


I know this is a lot of information in a short space, but I will add one more thing: the spiritual element. In the Catholic church we have the Sacrament of Healing. I have received 50% healing each time (better than the placebo effect, which hovers around 30% and I often don't even receive that with some of the medications I've tried). I do not know why I'm never healed completely, and it's something I take up with God on a routine basis. The way this works is that after making a good confession (usually a week or month prior), the priest anoints you with Holy oils and prays over you. You don't have to be Catholic to receive this. These are minor exorcisms. Never underestimate the power that sin has over you but when the priest absolves you, Christ's Precious Blood is being poured upon you, cleansing you. Your sins are forgiven, your soul is pure again. And you can begin healing. 

I pray for all who are sick, suffering, and dying every single day. I pray you will be well and take joy. "For I know I have the plans for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~ Jer 29:11.

Chronic Migraines and Healing: Part I -- Back in Control

As many of you know, I've spent a good decade of my life wracked with migraines. I've been to family doctors, neurologists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, but I've not had long-term relief. I still remember being pain-free for 17 days in a row and how exciting that was, like getting a new lease on life. Over the years, I've learned a lot about pain physiology, but until now, I never connected all the dots--our bodies, minds, and souls are inextricably linked while we are alive--and what happens in one realm affects the other.

When I was coming home from the Carolinas SCBWI conference, I rode home with Rebecca Ivester, and she mentioned a book, Back in Control, written by Dr. David Hanscom, a spine doctor. It took a while to get a copy from the library but well worth the wait. From the beginning, his sound advice resonated. This doctor almost put himself out of business. He still performs surgeries for patients who truly need it but for those suffering from chronic pain, he has other tools. You can start right away by visiting his website: http://www.backincontrol.com/ 

First, understand that pain is a good thing--it protects us from damaging our bodies. You're probably not aware that you're shifting continuously as you sit in your chair to prevent one spot from getting too sore. Pain is a survival mechanism. But chronic pain is a mechanism that's gone awry. In the beginning, the injury that causes pain is helpful in healing. But after some time, when the injury itself is healed, the pain signal can still be generated...in the brain. The pathway is cemented. Think of amputees who experience pain in a limb that's no longer there. Chronic pain, then, is an overreaction to sensory stimuli in the brain and it only gets worse with time. It's caused by both physical and emotional factors and the best way is to treat all underlying causes simultaneously.

Emotions First:

Here's a progression of negative emotions. We go from being alert > nervous > anxious > afraid > paranoid > terrorized. And as the good doctor learned in medical school: neurons that fire together, wire together. In my case, I've gotten increasingly anxious about getting a migraine that I avoid even pleasant things such as movies, concerts, and vacations. It's easier to stay at home in an environment I can control. Loud noises, flashing lights, hormonal changes, a drop in barometric pressure, all trigger a migraine. 

So what to do? Unlearn the pain. When Dr. Hanscom sees patients, the first prescription he gives is writing. He calls it expressive writing. I call it free writing, but it's one and the same. It's a place to literally write away the pain. I can attest to the power of free-writing, especially the Morning Pages that Julia Cameron preaches. I simply feel better, am more focused, and productive when I write. Even my family knows that after three days of not writing, I can turn into a terrible crab. Better to take 15-20 minutes each day to write instead. Hanscom recommends two sessions each day. The second prescription is meditation. And this is not about emptying the mind but being mindful, paying attention--feeling the breeze upon your face, a cat's soft fur, the rumbling purr, the taste of food. Really being present. The third prescription is getting good sleep because it's enormously healing. So you see, you can begin right away! And aren't they the BEST prescriptions ever?

The second stage is forgiving others who've wronged you,  forgiving yourself for the wrongs you've perpetrated, asking for forgiveness, and really letting go of the bitterness in your life. 

Another prescription is to spend more time playing and practicing what you enjoy. Just as pain is learned (rapid fire by the brain), so are skills like playing a sport or instrument, albeit at a much slower pace. So strengthen those *play* pathways. For me, this means spending some time every day playing the piano, really focusing on learning the songs, and singing. And I am so pleased to see this strategy working. I've been able to reduce the pounding in my head by singing a Byrd Mass. Perhaps because I'm praying simultaneously. Lol. In any case, I'm writing and playing more. Also practicing coloring and calligraphy. See these pretty psalm cards? I mail these out as well.   

Dr. Hanscom encourages you to move forward and create a vision for your life. Address family issues. Get organized. Keep up with the daily practice. Connect with the life you want--step into it with or without your pain. Expand your consciousness. Embark on your inward journey. Go on a spiritual journey. Finally, give back.

He cautions against positive thinking that isn't true (because it masks reality) or mind over matter mentality. You cannot be free of pain by sheer determination. Don't I know this! I have to remember that I didn't become chronically ill in a day (the migraines started five years prior and were sporadic before they became chronic), and neither will I be free from them in just a day. Unfortunately, the pain pathways are permanent, so they can be triggered. He says, "You will fail." So learn to fail well. Keep up with the daily practices and trust that your brain is changing. 

I loved what he said toward the end: Be CREATIVE, not REACTIVE (they're anagrams). We creatives have all the necessary tools to bring emotional and mental healing to our bodies through our art. Next time, I'll discuss physical aspects because no amount of writing will rectify a magnesium deficiency or food allergy. And let's not forget the advice from the Angelic Doctor. Part II, An Integrative Approach next.