Week 1: Let's see what happens

My right lower leg, affected by bone infection, which also irritates my skin.

I am now entering my trial, and I have high hopes. I should begin my evaluation by sharing more information about my condition. In January of 1986, I was involved in a serious car accident. It was serious enough to end my life, and provide me with an "after death" experience, just like many of those described in many books on the topic. That's another story, and I don't want to digress. My right leg was crushed, and my fractured tibia was exposed to the air and the dirt of a grassy Texas field. It is no wonder that bacteria entered my bone at that time, and during my hospitalization, the doctors had to battle with a bone infection. With a heavy dose of antibiotics, they treated the infection, and I had no symptoms for 17 years.

Side view of the same leg.

Two years ago I noticed a reddish rash on my shin. I didn't think it was anything significant, but it gradually grew, started getting itchy and released a yellowish pus. This indicated infection. I thought I had a skin problem at first, but after blood tests, I was diagnosed with a bone infection. I still had a metal plate in my leg from that car accident, and I thought that it was best that I finally remove it. I wanted to make sure that the metal didn't have any adverse reaction in my leg. I also thought removing the metal would give the bacteria one less place to hide.

The surgery was a success, and after antibiotic treatment, the infection seemed to be under control.  But after 4 months had passed, the symptoms returned. I have treated this infection with series of antibiotic treatments, with mixed results, but each time, it seems there is less improvement each time. I always need to take a substantial break from the antibiotics, to prevent an adverse reaction in my kidneys and liver. I have recently completed my 8th series of treatment. The infection is larger than ever. It has spread into my ankle and foot, so I am losing faith in the antibiotics.

As the antibiotics become less effective, I have started seeking other solutions. I may never be able to completely be rid of the infection, but it is crucial that I have it localized and under control, because it can spread through the bone to other parts of the body. Since the blood circulation in my right lower leg is very weak, it makes sense that my infection is able to grow there. It is possible that this serendipitous solution provided by Peter Chang will improve the blood circulation that my leg needs to allow my body to fight and control the infection.

I will post my progress weekly with photos and descriptions. I thank my friends for their kind words of encouragement.

DAY 1

I wore my bracelet all day and night, and was even able to keep it on my wrist during my shower. I was assured that the product was water-proof, so I didn't have to worry about taking it off. I was told that I should take it off one day per week to give my body a rest. Do I notice any differences so far in my first day? Well, there wasn't anything very noticeable. But I did feel a slight warming sensation in my extremities. It did not affect my sleep last night. I wasn't quite so tired after lunch, like I normally would be. But, I won't read too much into it.

DAY 2

I stayed up until 1 am last night working. I had to wake up at 6:30 am to get ready to teach. I dread the tiredness that I expected. Strangely, I woke up easily at 6:00 am before my alarm rang. I am a little tired, but not as much as I normally would be. Should I take off my Oxygener to get a deeper sleep?

DAY 3

Last night I went to bed at the normal time, putting my son to sleep and reading him a book. This morning, I slept in a little, but I didn't have any problems waking up. It seems waking up is much easier nowadays. I asked Peter about my altered sleep patterns. He said it is normal. He said the brain sleep deeper when it has more oxygen, so the brain is not as tired. He also said he usually doesn't sleep until 2 am when he wears the bracelet, because he is not fatigued as easily. I didn't need to take a nap today. I had an active day working on the computer, covering a local protest as a journalist, and taking my boys out to a movie.

DAY 4

I haven't taken any antibiotics in a week. I have also started eating yogurt and drinking probiotic drinks to begin building my good bacteria in my intestines again. I haven't noticed any increase in the itching or redness in the leg. It looks the same. But, usually when I stop taking antibiotics, the redness and itching grows.

DAY 5

I have been enjoying the Sigang Temple Festival, which happens every 3 years. It means I have stayed up very late for three nights in a row, and I even stayed up until 3 am tonight.

DAY 6

I took off the Oxygener for an entire day, because Peter and Shirley recommended that I take a day off every week from using the product.