One Year as a Karateka

[Bill Mattocks]

I'd be careful about this, I have a friend who has this and it has affected him big time. From what he tells me it mimics other diseases and has settled into his organs, he's got it in his lymph nodes, heart, lungs etc. etc. It has messed him all up. However I've heard of other people who have it and don't have similar problems.

Right, I'm one of the lucky ones. I have no symptoms, it was detected because of dark spots on my chest x-ray during a recent physical. I have reduced lung capacity, but no other symptoms. My sister had it and had to take steroids and she had real problems, including having to have an emergency tracheotomy at one point. I have been through the lung biopsy and the pulmonary specialist says no treatment for me, it will go away on its own. Besides, if you have diabetes, the treatment for sarcoidosis will put your blood sugar through the roof. So it's either no treatment for the sarcoid, or get ready to have your feet chopped off and go blind from the blood sugar spikes. Not happy either way. I'm very lucky to have no symptoms and require no treatment for the sarcoidosis.

 

[Live True]

EXCELLENT BILL!
Great milestone personally and otherwise! Hope you are with us for a very very long time!

 

[Milt G.]

I just realized that I've been a student of Isshin-Ryu for one year.

In one year, lots has happened to me.

I've contracted diabetes and sarcoidosis. The diabetes is under control and the sarcoidosis requires no treatment, it will cure itself they say.

I've lost 50 pounds (in two months, as a side-effect symptom of the diabetes before it was diagnosed and treated).

I've joined a health club and started running again (three miles a day on the treadmill, takes me about 45 minutes. OK, I'm old and slow).

I have progressed from white belt to orange belt and learned three katas (Sanchin, Seisan, and most of Seuichin).

I have made friends who feel like family, who care about me and miss me if I am not in the dojo, people I see and socialize with outside of the dojo, and I even am trying to find a house within driving distance of the dojo so I don't have to change if I move.

I've discovered MT and made friends here.

I've got a long way to go, but I'm in no hurry. It's not the destination, it's the journey.

Semper Fidelis, Namaste, and Domo Arigato!

Hello,
Congratulations Bill! Great work! Please keep it up.

I really enjoy your posts!

Thank you for the "heads up"...
Milt G.

 

[jeorf]

Congratulations! I work as a nurse practitioner in diabetes so I know just how much you've gone through in this past year. You are strong and focused and I'm so happy to see how your life has changed for the better. The martial arts (especially a good community/school) is a great treatment for disease as I found out during my cancer treatment. Keep going!