Some peace while putting the pieces together

I am creating this at the new coffee shop in town. The owner and I just talked about a concept we're calling a "bright ripple". The bright ripple starts with one, builds to two, and keeps growing. It's positive action growing exponentially until it creates a tsunami of bright beauty and chases off the dark. Everyone get your boards and surf the ripple!

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

TONI (Toxins Out, Nutrients In) Group

The path of dealing with the Morgellons symptoms set has forced me to look at cleaning out my body and putting proper nutrients in. Those who are managing or eliminating symptoms have taken a "toxins out, nutrients in" approach. Morgellons while horrific has many relatives...fibromyalgia, diabetes, chronic fatigue, cancer to give names to these conditions.

I am doing well. I feel my getting well has a purpose. While I am far from an expert, I feel I have enough knowledge to help others. I'm also amazed at the number of people who have taken the TONI approach to other conditions with great success. Given all of this, I asked my town's Recreation Center if they would support my starting a share group related to this important topic. They have been very supportive!

So, next month we will have our first meeting. I am curious how it will go (and how many professionals and non-professionals will show up). I am hopeful it will act as a catalyst to healing in Cortez...and maybe further. It would be great if it inspires similar groups elsewhere.

I  know many of you feel alone. I know the importance of sharing. I haven't made an entry in some time. I guess I've felt alone and powerless. If you get anything out of this post, let it be this- You are not alone and you have the power to make a difference! Happy Thanksgiving- Joe

Sunday, September 16, 2012

A Solution Worth Reading!


I’m once again in a temporary limbo. My house is rented out and still on the market. I packed up and am midway on an east to back west move. I’ve been visiting family along the stages of my move. One quiet day at my sister’s home prompted me to hike to the nearest mall and purchase Mark Hyman, M.D.’s book The Ultramind Solution.

While the title suggest it being all about the brain, it is and it isn’t.  Hyman explains the basics of Functional Medicine while expanding our understanding of the body as a system. Seven Keys to recovery/ balance are outlined along with a six week protocol to “tune up” the system; ultrasimplified, it is a “toxins out, nutrients in” approach.  A plethora of patient recovery stories shows us that a “take charge” approach to the body often results in dramatic elimination of symptoms.

Here’s another book worth a high recommendation. It needs to be on your shelf. Buy it! Read it!

Monday, August 20, 2012

Same Blog. Different Topic

Here's a topic I've been thinking through over the past several months. The research on introverts is blowing open another big can of worms! Please read, share and comment! Thanks, Joe



http://voices.yahoo.com/creating-introvert-friendly-school-11645064.html

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Important Research- Please Share!


The Charles E. Holman Foundation Announces Research Publication Honored Among Top 2%http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2012/06/19/prweb9616173.DTL
Austin, TX (PRWEB) June 19, 2012
A recent study of Morgellons disease has been cited as a “must read” by the Faculty of 1000 (F1000). The article entitled “Morgellons Disease: A Chemical and Light Microscopic Study”, by MJ Middelveen, EH Rasmussen, DG Kahn and RB Stricker, was published in the open-access online Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dermatology Research. Three of the authors, including the principal investigator, serve without compensation on the Advisory Boards of The Charles E. Holman Foundation.
F1000 is a global community of over 10,000 experts who select, rate and evaluate the very best articles in biology and medicine. The service is widely used to find significant new research articles, and the inclusion of the Morgellons article places the work in the top 2% of published articles in these fields. The study evaluation can be accessed at the F1000 website (http://f1000.com/716597867).
In 2011, veterinary microbiologist Marianne J. Middelveen from Calgary, Alberta, Canada and internist Raphael B. Stricker, MD published a study documenting similarities between Morgellons disease and a veterinary illness known as bovine digital dermatitis (BDD) that causes lameness, decreased milk production, weight loss, and skin lesions near the hooves of affected cattle. That study revealed that the unusual fibers seen in the animal disease were similar to those seen in and under the skin of people worldwide who suffer from Morgellons disease. The new study confirms that Morgellons disease is not a delusional illness, as some in the medical community maintain.
The latest findings confirm that fibers from both bovine and human samples were similar in formation at the cellular level and had the chemical and physical properties of keratin. The keratin composition of filaments from humans was confirmed by immunohistological staining with antibodies specific for human keratins. Fibers from human patients were found to be biological in origin and are produced by keratinocytes in epithelial and follicular tissues. The findings are consistent with the 2012 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) publication stating that over 80% of non-biopsy material taken from patients had a protein composition.
“This study puts the final nail in the coffin of delusional disease that these patients have been labeled with,” stated Dr. Stricker. “It proves that Morgellons disease is a physiologic illness. From here on, scientists will be able to move forward in finding a cause and a cure.”
The Charles E. Holman Foundation is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization committed to advocacy and philanthropy in the fight against Morgellons disease. The foundation was named for Charles E. Holman, a pioneer in the fight against Morgellons disease. The Charles E. Holman Foundation is based in Austin, Texas and is led by Executive Director, Cindy Casey Holman, R.N.
For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact Ms. Cindy Casey-Holman, R.N.
For the original version on PRWeb visit:www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2012/6/prweb9616173.htm

Monday, June 18, 2012

Another Recommended Read

A friend and health professional recommended the book Nutrition and Physical Degeneration by Weston A. Price, D.D.S. Dr. Price traveled the world in the 1920s and 30s to document the effects modern diet was having on our species. The observed changes in health when people move from a traditional diet to a modern diet of processed and sugar heavy foods is drastic!

Photos document the health of people living off traditional diets. Even the aged appear to have perfect teeth and good health. This is true for native Celts, Inuits, Aborigines, Native American, and other. All of those eating traditional diet have exceptional health.

There is also documentation of first and second generation introduced to western diet. Tooth decay are common, bone abnormalities occur regularly, and general health falls into chaos!

It is difficult to picture ourselves eating as our ancestor did, but traditional diet is what our bodies are adapted for. The Scottish fishermen are likely most similar to my ancestry; they ate primarily fish and oats. I am rethinking my own diet.

I highly recommend reading this book. With great willpower it is possible to change diets to fit our bodies needs. 

Friday, June 1, 2012

A Good Book in an Odd Light


Life is starting to get busy! My house is up for sale, I’m job hunting and I’ve been working on several pieces of writing. The majority of my word-work is focused on non-fiction and this prompted me to check the local library’s shelf for new acquisitions. I want to share some on The Autism Revolution by Martha Herbert, MD, PhD with Karen Weintraub (published through Harvard Health Publications).

As with many of the books on health issues, I typically scan to see content and focus in on particular interest. You know me; first thing to examine is what is being shared on mercury. Surprisingly there is very, very little. In fact it’s shocking how little is shared on mercury. Two paragraphs are dedicated to the well-known rule of “Don’t eat big fish” and mercury is mentioned as a toxin on another page. That’s it! The authors dedicated a similar amount of the text to Pop-Tarts. I’m not an expert on autism. However, I do believe there is enough known to suggest mercury plays some role in the growing number of autistic as well as ADD and ADHD sufferers. It should have been addressed and not ignored. Okay, time for me to step down from my soapbox and share why I think you should look at this book.

While mercury is not discussed directly, the whole-body strategies seems to mimic excellent means for recovery from mercury exposure (such as presented in Chronic Fatigue, ME, and Fibromyalgia: The Natural Recovery Plan by Alison Adams and found along with an exceptional amount of worthwhile articles and information at: thenaturalrecoveryplan.com). It is very well written and easy to understand. The writers consider a web of issues in addressing autism along with case examples. I highly recommend reading this book!

One other thought on the whole matter. While the Morgellons/ Mercury/ Autism connection has yet to be confirmed through research by medical professionals. It certainly makes sense to view Morgellons on a spectrum (in general as well as specific description). The autism spectrum of symptoms as discussed in the many cases of recovery in this volume and their documented regression/removal follows the “Nutrients in- Toxins out” approach parallels recovery stories from Morgellons sufferers.

As so little is being written on Morgellons directly, reading books on other systemic conditions such as The Autism Revolution may prove fruitful.

Saturday, May 12, 2012

"House-Cleaning", Writing and Hoping

It is Saturday morning. Typically, I do clean my house. The "house-cleaning" I'd like to mention though relates to this blog. I've been getting post related to Morgellons cures and such. I've just been deleting as I see them posted. I apologize if any of you have encountered these on my blog. I'll be better about keeping the "snake oil" salespeople beyond our reach (is there such a thing as a cyber-pit bull to help protect this little blog?)

I continue to write as the muse directs me. I've been working on a non-fiction piece related to Morgellons. While I have a number of the Morgellons crowd writing/sharing their stories, I would like to open the chance up to write an account of your story. Submissions should be under 1500 words and your best attempt to "Show the World" what you've gone through. Send them to me on my main website: jwkeleher.com before June 1st, 2012. I will contact those selected to be included in this publication.

I'm once again trying to find work. My present setting has had numerous challenges and has left me drained in many ways (financially, emotionally, and...well, you name it!) Anyhow, the real estate market here is good at the moment...and for that I am very thankful. I'm hopeful of making a quick sale and getting "the heck out of Dodge". As always, you take the good and leave the bad behind. Good thoughts and prayers are what I'm hoping from the readers of Morgellons Joe. A new job and setting would boost my spirit considerably! Thanks, Joe

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Spiritual Healing

I know I've talked about the importance of prayer, meditiation and calm in healing. I've recently been introduced to the works of  healer Bruno Groning and have found it refreshing simple and sincere. He did most of his healing after WW2, but among his "Circle of Friends" there are still many documented healings. If you're interested in finding out more, go to: http://www.bruno-groening.org/english/

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Letter to the Editor of The Examiner, San Francisco

The CDC recently released and posted online Clinical, epidemiologic, histopathologic and molecular features of an unexplained dermopathy which included a map showing a cluster of Morgellons Disease sufferers associated with the Guadalupe River watershed downstream from the New Almaden Mercury Mines. While some in the medical world suggest this symptoms set best fits in the diagnosis of Delusional Parasitosis, my research and experience suggests symptoms relate to mercury toxicity (see Keleher in Explore! Journal for the medical professional- issues 17.4, 17.6, 20.5, and 21.1). Paresthesia (crawling, biting, poking sensations under/on skin) is a known symptom of mercury poisoning (see accounts of Minimata, Japan as well as Northern Iraq or do a search on pubmed.gov of “mercury” and “parensthesia”). The best means of determining a systemic body burden of mercury may be testing gluathione levels. I believe further investigations are needed.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

CDC Report Morgellons Cluster in Guadalupe River Watershed



The CDC report on Morgellons (Unexplained Dermopathy) defines a cluster of Morgellons sufferers near the base of the Guadalupe River watershed. Upriver from this is the remains of the New Almaden Mercury Mines (largest mercury mines ever in the US). The case for a connection between Morgellons symptoms and mercury exposure is growing stronger every day.

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Watch Hungry for Change

The folks who produced Food Matters have just released another excellent health related movie. It is made up of mostly interviews of experts. It is free online until the end of the month. The title is Hungry for Change. It is definitely worth a watch!

Friday, March 2, 2012

Want to Read Some of My Fiction?

I have just epublished a young adult novel titled Chicken Scratch Yazzie. It has absolutely nothing to do with Morgellons (which is a good thing don't you think?) Anyhow, links are below- Joe

J. W. Keleher's Smashwords Author Profile: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/JWKeleher2
Book page to sample or purchase Chicken Scratch Yazzie: http://smashwords.com/b/138257

Worth Watching!

http://fox13now.com/2012/02/24/curious-controversial-disease-morgellons-confounding-patients-doctors-alike/?fb_ref=s%3DshowShareBarUI%3Ap%3Dfacebook-like&fb_source=profile_multiline

http://foodmatters.tv/CampaignProcess.aspx?A=Link&VID=12104220&KID=130278&LID=488129&O=http%3a%2f%2fwww.hungryforchange.tv%2f

I hope both of these links work (I'm not certain why I always have difficulties with link...you may have to cut and paste). One is to a two part series on Morgellons. The second is a trailer for a new movie by the folk who brought us Food Matters. It looks like it'll be great....and it's free at the end of the month (just need to sign up).

I hope everyone is well! Joe

Monday, February 6, 2012

Dr. Omar Amin

Pamela Crane sent me word on this and I feel it will be worth watching.


CBS News airing program on Omar Amin Phd and NCS on Tuesday nite at 10pm
Neurocutaneous Syndrome and Morgellons

http://www.kpho.com/story/16666981/cdc

Friday, January 27, 2012

A Comment I Left with the CDC Report- CONSIDER MERCURY

My name is Joe Keleher. Professionally I am a teacher, writer and archaeologist. I had symptoms from the Morgellons symptoms set and documented my recovery (Keleher 2008a). I noted patterns found in Kellett’s 1935 article and investigated connections between historically documented Morgellons symptoms and mercury exposure ( Keleher 2008b). The article “Rethinking Delusions of Parasitosis” follows possible connections in DOP accounts. I believe these symptoms relate to biochemistry and a change in mercurial species within the body; inorganic mercury (such as related to amalgam fillings) cannot pass beyond the blood/brain barrier while organic species can (further discussion in Keleher 2011). “Approaching Morgellons: A Former Sufferer’s Perspective” was also published by the peer reviewed medical journal Explore! (Keleher 2012). Researcher can contact me through my website: jwkeleher.com. I also present related materials on morgellonsjoe.blogspot.com . My thoughts and prayers go out to those still suffering.



Mentioned Publications:
Keleher, Joseph W. "Hell and Back Again” Explore! 17. 4 (2008a), http://members.cox.net/llyee2/NCS_article_by_joe.pdf . (Accessed 8/23/11).
Keleher, Joseph W. "Patterns in Early Morgellons Disease Considered as Effect of Mercury Exposure." Explore! 17. 6 (2008b).
Keleher, Joseph W. “Rethinking Delusions of Parasitosis”, http://morgellonspgpr.wordpress.com/category/joseph-keleher/ (accessed 10/19/11).
Keleher, Joseph W. “Beyond the Barrier: A Hypothetical Model for Cause and Progression of Morgellons Disease”, Explore! 20.5 (2011).
Keleher, Joseph W. “Approaching Morgellons: A Former Sufferer’s Perspective”, Explore! 21.1 (2012).

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Finally The CDC Report on Morgellons is Released!

I said I would only blog when big news related to Morgellons evolved. It did! The CDC has finally released the Morgellons study (interesting only a couple of days after the publication of my article "Approaching Morgellons: A Former Sufferer's Perspective" for Explore! ...in which I mentioned the unacceptability of their delay). I have not fully reviewed this study (actually I've been subbing and haven't had time) but with a quick glance still see probable connections to mercury as cause. Check it out and PLEASE leave comments!!!

http://www.plosone.org/article/comments/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0029908

Friday, January 6, 2012

Let Go and Let God

If you’ve read my account of recovery, you know I have a history of attending 12 step groups (ACOA). Some groups are better than others. A general piece of wisdom shared is to “Let Go and Let God”; this along with the entire program has application in all aspects of life.

Yesterday seemed to have been a landmark day for me. I’ve been thinking about my role in this condition, steps I’ve taken and the understanding of Morgellons. I’d like to make some remarks directed toward approaching Morgellons as a sufferer, my current situation, and then I’m going to “Let Go and Let God”.

First, it is unfair and cruel we have been labeled as delusional. We know enough about the physiology of this condition to know this is not simply a psychological phenomenon. The symptoms are systemic and include less spectacular (such as low body temperature, high resting heart rate, endocrine disorders, and many others) to more spectacular (of course the fibers and the crawling sensations). If you have followed my research and, like me, believe the foundation of this condition to be mercury as a neurotoxin, a blood test of glutathione levels should indicate whether the body is burdened by mercury (other tests may not be the best indicators). I do think it is easy to get overwhelmed by approaching this condition and hope the list below helps as a suggested outline of conquest.

1) In recovery setting up your defense before your offense is wise (to avoid other health issues down the path to wellness).
2) There are many suggested protocols out there. In general those which appear to succeed are directed toward reclaiming the internal terrain. The book I’ve recently recommended by Alison Adams has, I believe, the best thought out approach to detoxifying our insides (she also brings up the importance of body/mind connections and how thoughts play a part in recovery). Protocols recommended by Mr. Commonsense, Ramona at Healing Grapevine, Trish Springstead, RN at ESP Botanicals, Pam Crane (and all of her blog/radio guests), as well as myself have overlap and appear helpful. I also recommend the book The Tao of Detox as it gives some clarity on living with the toxins of today. Links for all of these sources are found in the upper right hand corner.
3) Consistency and patience are needed to recover. Tap into your spiritual side. Believe fully what you believe. Set your sight on recovery. Keep it simple and be good to yourself.
4) Know that YOU ARE NOT ALONE! Apologies for using the internet means of shouting, but it is so important. What you are going through is tough. Use the resources available to you. I am certain there are many sufferers who have little or no access to the internet (specifically the tribes in Africa with documented similar symptoms which, I believe may be down steam from historic mining with mercury used in extracting gold and silver in tailing piles getting into the water sources). No matter what our situation, there is always someone who has it worse.
5) Find peace as you pick up the pieces. Keep a quiet place for prayer and meditation. You deserve it!
6) Document what you go through. The more of us speaking, the more likely we will be heard (shades of Horton Hears a Who comes to mind). Start your own blog if you’d like or just keep a journal for yourself (it will help you understand how you progress). Let people know what you’re going through. Patterns emerge as we all know we have something to say.
7) Keep faith that real answers will come soon. There is enough research going on to establish the truth of this condition. Once the truth is known, I suspect there will be a landslide of medical researchers looking at this. Keep hopeful!

My current state of affair is less than perfect, but could be a whole lot worse. Going to Africa for work last year was extremely stressful and appears to have set off some endocrine related problems (I documented my body temperature falling as low as 91.8F) which appears now to be stabilizing at a closer to normal. I have had little income since my return. I am currently substitute teaching on an as need basis and renting out a room in my house to cover my basic costs. I continue to write and am waiting for word from my editor on my most recent novel (who knows maybe it’ll be a best seller?). I have started to see a mental health professional to deal with PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) and related family issues; it is helpful. I continue to exercise regularly, eat well, take supplements, and keep my eye on the pie of true health.

Yesterday as a turning point happened for several reasons…but I think it is long overdue. I wrote up a pitch for the Discovery Channel for a short series on the history of Morgellons symptoms, sent it off last month, and yesterday received a form letter rejection email (not quite the Xerox of a Xerox (my brother-in-law who works for Xerox keeps reminding me Xerox is not a verb) I often get from publishers, but damn close). Part of what prompted me to write the proposal was the recent History Channel piece suggesting Morgellons was an alien bacteria which had come down in a meteorite (and they call us crazy!?).

The other event which made me think it is time to let go, is I found my email blocked by someone who is well qualified to assess the Morgellons symptoms (especially in relation to toxicity). This condition can certainly make me feel a little spastic and I had overdone the “look at this” approach (actually, I take this recent state of mind as a good sign meaning toxins are being shaken out and released). Honestly, I don’t blame this person for rejecting my efforts; I needed to be reminded of “passing the buck” not happening as simply as sending off my research or associated pieces of the puzzle.

Speaking of research, I’ve done plenty. I was the first to document recovery of the major symptoms and felt it was my duty as an archaeologist to pursue patterns I found in history. I felt these pieces being published in a medical journal would certainly get some of the world to look at this condition in a better light. This past year I published a piece describing The Barrier Theory and hope it will be considered by researchers. This month another piece (and I’ve let the editor know I plan for it to be my final) giving insight from a recovered Morgellons patient to the medical professional will be published. I wrote and pursued publication of these pieces to better our understanding of this condition (and improve the lives of those suffering). In one of my communications with a major Morgellons research team I was told, “It’s all about time and money”; I’d like to see researchers replace this attitude with one focused on the health and happiness of those suffering.

With all of this being said, instead of attempting to make my typical weekly blog entry, I will blog only when something significant enough to shift our understanding of Morgellons occurs. I feel I’ve done all I can. It is time to “Let Go and Let God”. Peace, Joe

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Free Access to Explore!

I have just gotten this message from Crystyne Jackson, editor of Explore! It is an excellent source for those searching for answers to health related issues. I haven't yet looked at the materials in the issue, but will later today. If you are interested, follow the info below.

Happy New Year! Joe



I have just opened EXPLORE for anybody to read, by going to

www.explorepub.com

Then exploreguest

Then exploreguest123111

Somewhere along the way they need to put in their email, which we can not see, because they all use the same
FREE code. There is no charge for this, they can print out articles, read to their Hearts content.

This offer expires on January 24th, 2012, when the new Issue is ON THE SITE 21.1, hope you will take advantage of this FREE Offer and help me spread all the valuable Info around the world.

This is my Holiday Gift to everybody who wants it.

Chrystyne Jackson/Explore Pub.