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An Update to Charcot-Marie-Tooth, COVID-19, and Frustrations

(C) 2021, Bemer Group

Disclaimer: I am NOT affiliated with Bemergroup. I receive no payment should you purchase their product. I purchased a product for personal use so I am sharing my experiences as a Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) patient. My experiences are not guaranteed to be yours.

A few months a month ago, I wrote a post about my frustrations with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) and COVID-19. You read can the post here. I want to share with you an update.

The effects of CMT began showing their ugly annoyances during late October 2020 as I had no Deep Water Aerobics classes, my Service Dog had passed away, and I had no other exercises. Bicycling had to end when the weather got cold. It seemed I was losing more ground on feeling good. However, my faith in God reminded me there is always hope.

After my Service Dog passed away, I began to realize that he had been doing quite a few things to help me. Something about dogs! Not only did he keep me moving, but, he managed to stave off many of the neurological issues associated with my type of CMT. Also, he helped my introverted-nerd personality become a little more extroverted. Fortunately, I was able to adopt another dog who is learning to be a companion. I am looking forward to seeing what she does to help me with CMT.

Since my last post about being introduced to the Bemer Group products, I bought the product and have been strictly following a daily routine as instructed by my Massage Therapist. Before I did this, I went through a few months of testing the product and learning the results, and going over them with her. Successful results led to having the therapy daily.

As you probably know already, CMT causes quite a bit of discomfort in many ways. I lived in shorts and T-shirts most of the fall-winter season as I could not be comfortable in other clothing. For me, that’s unusual because of the cold. Thankfully, the treatment with Bemer Group has helped me with relief from the discomfort.

The best part of the Bemer daily routine is I can do it at home from the comforts of my own bed. It’s the first thing I do every morning and at the end of the day. My routine takes 16 minutes with both sessions. The short bit of time has given me quite a bit of energy as I have never had before.

For me, I have noticed that the arthritic pain in my hands has gone away. The winter of 2020-2021 was the first one in which I did not have to take pain medications to ease the arthritis pain. Also, I have noticed an awesome increase in energy level which has caused renewed interest in many aspects of my life.

Now, I just need to find an exercise routine to make up for not taking the Deep Water Aerobics classes.

Talk with your doctor and neurologist about Bemer Group products.

Please note: Bemer Group products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. I am writing about my experience. Please consult your own physician or healthcare provider if you have any medical concerns.

Remembering Our Heroes

(C) 2021, Isaiah Jacobs

Not too many years after High School, one of my buddies and most popular guys in the school, lost his life while serving our country. I have another friend who suffered mental health issues after his years of service and have had the honor of meeting many men and women who served our country well. To them, and their families who served by supporting their Service Member, I say a huge “Thank You!”

Did I serve? No, Charcot-Marie-Tooth was evident in me so it prevented me from military service. I think my circumstance caused me to be ever so grateful for those who are willing to stand up and serve.

Today, as you celebrate a day off from work and school, take the time to say “Thank You” to a service member. When I have done this, usually I get a response of “You’re Welcome!” along with a huge smile.

Happy Mother’s Day!

  • (C) 2021, Isaiah Jacobs

A Happy Mother’s Day to mom’s everywhere! While growing up, I had several mothers! The woman who gave birth to me was my “real” mom yet I had several ladies at church who I called “mom” because they were close friends of mine and our family. There were times when I wished I didn’t have so many moms because it was hard to get away with anything. However, looking back, I am grateful for their love for me too.

My mother passed away ten years ago. Yes, it makes Mother’s Day a little rough as I miss her. However, I am blessed to have some wonderful memories of her and will think about those. It would be nice to have her around to celebrate the day with, but she is in Heaven with Jesus so I wouldn’t want her to come back to this world for anything. She is rejoicing in having no more pain or suffering.

May God bless your day with your Mother. If your mom has passed away like mine has, reflect on the memories. Or, maybe celebrate the day with those “moms” in your life who influenced your life.

Have a Blessed Easter!

(C) Isaiah Jacobs

Easter is one of those times in my Christian faith which just rips my heart out. It’s not unusual to find me crying my eyes out when viewing a pageant, play, hearing and singing the beautiful Easter hymns with the glorious voices and instruments or movie about Jesus’s crucifixion on the cross for my sins. To imagine or think someone or anyone would do that for me, brings tears to my eyes.

Jesus Christ was crucified on a cruel cross on Good Friday. He rose from the dead three days later on Easter Sunday so that we could have eternal life in Heaven with Him. That is, if we decide to accept Jesus Christ as our Savior. A great website to learn about the Christian faith, how to become a Christian, Jesus, and God, is Peace With God.

Becoming a Christian has been the best decision and the best thing I have ever done in my life. I know when I die, I will be in heaven with Jesus. I hope and pray that you will make the decision too.

A Faith in Jesus

“Faith!”
Photo by Zac Durant on Unsplash

These days, there are a bazillion ways to get help with what ails you! From medications to meditations, exercises to yoga, man-made devices to holistic therapies to psychological. The list could go on and on and on but I think you get my point. These days, Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) patients have plenty of choices.

While I have had to use some medications over the years to keep me from having too much pain, needle-nerve pain is the worst, it is not usually my first choice. Needle-nerve pain feels like a thousand needles prickling me. However, I have not had to take any medication for muscle pain which thrills me to no end.

My first resource when dealing with the pain, new or old, is to call on the name of “Jesus!” Yes, “Jesus!” Sometimes I repeat “Jesus” several times. And, not at all in a profane way, as some might do. I pray that He helps me to get through the challenges of the pain. He does but in many different ways -that’s for another post. Sometimes the pain returns but He is there with me to help me with it too.

Many people will ask, “well, if Jesus can help with the pain, why doesn’t He stop it?” I have to say, “I do not know the answer to that question. When I ask Him He doesn’t always answer that question. One time, I learned it was because a friend needed to see His Power. However, I trust Him and have seen His Mighty Power help me so many times it’s an incredibly awesome experience. Also, many years ago, the serious pain I was suffering led a girlfriend to become a Christian. To me, that is worth it all. While I cannot explain everything in the Bible or how God works, I would say to be careful around someone who tells you they have all the answers to your questions. If someone claims to have all the answers, RUN!

I have a simple strong faith. My faith isn’t ground in having all the answers. It is ground in the Promise that Jesus says He will never leave or forsake me. I trusted Him with my life many years ago and He has NEVER EVER let me down. And, He never will!

If you would like to learn more about the Christian Faith, Jesus, God, and the Bible, please visit Peace With God.

Happy Spring!

(C) Isaiah Jacobs

While Summer is my favorite season, Spring is the close second. It means time for me to get outside much more often. Also, I plan to begin a new exercise routine this season since Deep Water Aerobics was cancelled and never restarted.

If you remember from a previous post, I started a routine this winter using a Bemer Group product (no affiliation, more about it later) which helped tremendously with the cold weather. My current thought is to start biking. It will help my legs to get more exercise and something for me to do outside!

I am planning to explore my universe with my new dog more this spring and summer. There are several places that I can go railfanning so we will explore them as well as hike a few battlefields!

How do you celebrate Spring? Any new exercise routines? Please share in the comments below!

Daylight Saving Time Begins!

(C) 2021, Isaiah Jacobs

A-h-h-h-h Spring! According to the calendar, the first day of Spring is next Saturday, March 20! Tomorrow begins Daylight Saving Time once again! For that, I am happy! Why? It usually means the really cold weather is gone, no more snow or ice storms, and warmer weather is on the way. We have had some snowstorms in late March, I remember a few in early April too, but they melt away very fast- a great way to celebrate snow, here today and gone tomorrow.

Being retired from a career of 33 years and having more time at home, my schedule has changed to where I can be outside more than ever before. The time change means the days will be warmer soon and I can get out with my dog to enjoy whenever I want which is a blessing!

Don’t forget-

Spring forward

One hour before bed tonight!

Charcot-Marie-Tooth, COVID-19, and Frustrations

“Coronavirus!”
Photo by Glen Carrie on Unsplash

Well, if I were a betting man, I would be richer today than I was a year ago. Why do I say all that? Somehow, I knew COVID-19 was going to be an issue with its lockdown nonsense at least into the election season. Most people seriously doubted me. As more stringent lockdowns began in some parts of the country, my frustrations continue as the “lockdowns” have harmed more people than we really know.

While I understand the need to be careful because of a virus. I’m not seeing where any pre-cautions are any different than those I was taught as a very young boy probably soon after birth! My mother taught me not to put my hands in or on my mouth, do not pick my nose but use a tissue, do not cough into my right hand since you might shake someone’s hand, wash your hands frequently and often (I know, right?!), stay away from people who are coughing or have a cold. Common sense health care, right? Right.

My first and foremost frustration is how diligently I worked for many years, probably close to twenty, to help me feel better and stay ahead of Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT). It’s been proven that if you stay active, you can slow the effects of CMT, though not truly stop it or cure you. I have been careful not to be lazy or take the easy way out with many aspects of life so I would stay active. When the governor of Virginia closed everything in the wake of COVID-19, it really upset me because he was messing with my health- along with many others.

Back in 2006, while in physical therapy sessions I learned quite a few exercises to help me with some pain. At the same time, I had started taking Deep Water Aerobics (DWA) classes. It wasn’t long before I connected the exercises in the physical therapy to the exercises in DWA and realized it could be very beneficial to continue taking the DWA classes. After that, I made sure not to miss any classes as it was more fun than going to physical therapy. In the time prior to the COVID shutdowns of March 2020, I never missed more than a few classes at a time. Now, it’s been about a year.

Thankfully, during the summer of 2020, I was able to use a friend’s pool to workout. Thanks to my brilliant Deep Water Aerobics Instructors who provided excellent instruction prior to COVID and provided me an instruction list to a workout routine. Also, I took up riding my bicycle every day along with walking my dog. This routine helped me through to the fall season when it finally got to cold to swim or ride my bike.

Since it doesn’t seem like my DWA classes at the local fitness center will ever start up again, I inquired about personal training sessions. However, the classes would be very expensive, possibly unreliable with the whims of the politicians these days, and there would be no use of the locker room to change. Not good. I could change in the hallway bathroom but I am not too interested in sharing my naked self with the world as I just knew the door would open at an inopportune time. The other choice was to go home in a wet bathing suit. For me, CMT affects my nerves which happens to NOT mix well with cold water and winter weather. A recipe for nerve issues and becoming ill. So it didn’t work out.

Fortunately for me, I have learned to pay quite a bit of attention to my body and what I do to make it feel better or worse. I learned that continuing to have my massage therapy and chiropractor sessions, but spaced at least a week apart, and scheduling every three weeks would mean minimal discomfort.

The blessing in all of this frustration is coming, I believe. My massage therapist is always on the lookout or learning new ways to help people feel better. Not too long after my frustrations of no Deep Water Workouts began, she introduced me to a new type of therapy called “Bemer.” Since it is what I call holistic, meaning no medications involved, I was willing to try it.

My journey into using the Bemer product to help me feel better with guidance from my massage therapist has begun. I will share updates as I can.

Please remember, my experiences are my own and cannot be guaranteed to provide you with the same results. CMT affects each person differently. Discuss any exercise routines or products with your doctor.

Merry Christmas!

(C) 2020, Isaiah Jacobs

MERRY CHRISTMAS! I enjoy the Christmas season with all its decorations and beautiful music. I have quite a few memories of Christmases from my childhood with my parents who made the season a special time. My parents taught me that Christmas is more than gifts and decorations.

Most of all, I am very thankful for the Birth of Jesus Christ, for His saving me from my sins, and for the Promise of eternal life in heaven when I die. The Christmas season to me is a celebration of His Birth, especially Christmas Day! The greatest Christmas Gift ever was God sending His Son Jesus as a Baby to be born on earth and live among people. At the early age of 36, Jesus was crucified on a rugged cross for our sins. It’s hard for me to believe that God or Jesus would care enough for me and where I spend eternity to do that for me. BUT, He did.

A great resource to learn more about God’s Plan of Salvation for man is Peace With God.