The Task of the Archangel Michael in our Age

Hello, It’s been a long time, and I’ve been dealing with some deeply confusing circumstances. I haven’t wanted to add that confusion to the general space here, so I’ve held back from posting until I felt there were things I could say with some degree of certainty that might help others make informed decisions about the treatment in Japan. My case is unusual in the number of structural problems that have emerged since the injection in June 2021. These have included an 88% occluded iliac vein, a severely dilated presacral venous plexus, a previously asymptomatic case of occult tethered cord that became rapidly progressive post vaccination, arachnoid adhesions in the lumbar spine, degenerative changes in both the L and C spine including disc bulges and neuroforaminal narrowing, an azygos vein narrowing, bilateral sacroiliac joint inflammation, and, most recently, what appeared to be a cervical CSF leak with extradural fluid accumulation that had likely been present since at least 2023. Because so much of my illness has involved these structural manifestations and the associated pain and dysfunction, I’ve had some difficulty comparing my experience with that of people with a more typical ME/CFS, POTS, and dysautonomia presentation. One thing that has been incredibly eye-opening was seeing how many other patients I encountered in Japan also had evidence of at least some structural involvement, with the iliac vein occlusion being particularly common. I also suspect we are going to hear much more about venous abnormalities involving the neck and head, as this appears to be an emerging area of study among researchers working with us. What is clear to me is that I began feeling better almost immediately after June and I arrived in Japan, before I had started any treatment. I don’t know why. But it was apparent both in my walking data and in a general increase in energy and reduction in neuropathy. Even before beginning treatment, I was already walking more than I had been able to in the previous three years. Once treatment began, however, it became increasingly difficult to separate those initial improvements from the effects of the treatment itself. Over the course of our time in Japan, I gradually went from walking around 5,000 steps a day to consistently reaching around 10,000 steps, often day after day without crashing. I could come home after walking that much and remain on my feet without the severe leg and joint pain that would previously have made that impossible. One potentially important variable is the environment. I live in a relatively cold part of San Francisco that gets very little direct sunlight, whereas it was around 80°F when we arrived in Japan and became progressively warmer over the course of our stay. Altogether, I was able to sustain this increased level of walking for roughly three months in Japan. During that period, I underwent four weeks of DFPA and five weeks of SGF, with the treatments spread out somewhat differently from the usual schedule because June has family in Tokyo. Without getting into all the subtleties of what did and didn’t improve, the clearest changes were a significant reduction in my neuropathy, primarily in my legs and lower back and also in much of the severe cramping throughout my upper torso and into my lower back. Those symptoms improved quite quickly, and I was able to build on those gains while I remained in Japan. Then I returned to San Francisco on August 5th. I was a dealing with a fever and respiratory illness in the context of my deficient immune function. Since returning home, my ability to walk and function has been progressively decreasing, while my neuropathy has been increasing again. I’m still trying to understand why. At this point, I genuinely don’t know how much of the improvement I experienced should be attributed to the treatment, how much may have been related to the environment in Japan, or what is responsible for the deterioration since returning home. I don’t want to force a conclusion when I don’t yet have one. All I can say with certainty is what I experienced: I improved substantially while in Japan, that improvement began before treatment, continued while I was undergoing treatment, and has not held since returning to San Francisco. I’ll share more when I have a better understanding of what is happening. Sending blessings and encouragement to everyone here struggling with this illness and those supporting us ✨☀️✨

I was touched to find not only one but three books about Rudolf Steiner's Spiritual Science in the Koiwa Library here in Edogawa. Seen in the light of Anthroposophy consciously borne suffering is essential to the human being's path of spiritualization. "This is what man instinctively feels when he senses the mysterious connection between pain and suffering and the highest that man can attain." When a human being freely accepts pain in full consciousness, suffering becomes an act of will through which the temporal personality is gradually permeated by the Eternal Spirit. It is therefore essential to understand suffering as part of the path of spiritualization, for it awakens forces within the soul. Humanity instinctively senses this mysterious connection between suffering and the highest destiny it can attain. In the Mystery of Golgotha, Christianity rightly sees the victory of eternal life over the temporal and transitory. With the blood that flowed from the Cross, we see the divine compassion that flows for the whole human race as its source and origin. Through Christ Jesus' suffering and death, His Resurrection, and His Revelation, we behold the Spirit's transubstantiation of matter. This is the destiny of the human being and of the Earth. This love act of God reveals the archetypal pattern in which we are each called to participate.

“When a man’s healthy nature works as a whole, when he feels himself to be living in the world as in a great and beautiful and worthy whole, when this harmony brings him a pure, free joy, then the universe, if it could come to be aware of its own self, would cry out in exultation at having reached its goal and would marvel at the height which its own being and becoming had attained.” “Placed upon the summit of Nature, man sees himself as another complete nature, with the task of achieving another summit in himself. To this end he heightens his powers, imbuing himself with all perfections and virtues, invoking choice, order, harmony and meaning, and finally rising to the creation of a work of art.” ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Rose Garden, Gora Park, Hakone

Hello, I wanted to share a very brief update. My symptoms continue to worsen in the upper torso: hands, arms, shoulders, shoulder blades, neck, jaw, ears, occipital region. The neuropathy is very painful and makes using my arms, among other things, difficult. This is why I have been inactive online. The attached pictures are MR Myelography imaging of the cervical spine: on the left is a healthy control and on the right is a picture of my own cervical spine. Dr. Kato has diagnosed me with a CSF leak with extra dural accumulation of CSF. He believes this may be causing, or at least contributing to the neuropathy in the upper torso and head. I have been unable to put any pressure on the base of my skull since receiving the c-19 vaccination in June 2021 and this happened simultaneously with my inability to sit without pain. If the leak began then it became much worse in October 2023 through the event I have described in previous posts. I also had OTCS (treated surgically last summer) which disrupts CSF flow. So this structural problem may explain my lack of response so far to DFPA and SGF in my most actively symptomatic region. My ability to walk, sit down and recover from pain in the lower back has all increased since starting the treatment and I'm looking forward to sharing more about that when I can. I'm struggling with pain right now but I believe that we're getting closer to understanding the broader picture and am very hopeful that we will be able to stop the progressing symptoms. Dr. Kato performed an epidural blood patch approximately one week ago and so far that has not improved my symptoms. If the leak has been ongoing since 2021, likely at least 2023 it may take some time to notice results especially given the unique manifestation of symptoms. Sending warmth and gratitude to you all ☀️ and thank you so much for the wonderfully kind things you have said to inspire me 🙏🏻

It is God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," that has shone into our hearts to enlighten them with the knowledge of God's glory, the glory of the face of Christ. We hold this treasure in pots of earthenware so that the immensity of the power is God's and not our own. We are subjected to every kind of hardship, but never distressed; we see no way out, but we never despair; we are pursued but never cut off, knocked down but still have some life in us. Always we carry with us in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus too may be visible in our body. — 2 Corinthians 4:6–10

Self Portrait, Raphael, 1499

The heart is the key To the world and to life. One lives in this helpless situation To love— And to learn of one's dependency On others. Through imperfection One becomes open to the influence of others— And this openness Is just the point. In sickness, others can and should Help us. So, Christ, From this standpoint, Is the key to the world. Novalis, from Teplitz Fragments, July 1798

We are so grateful to be here and pray that this treatment will strengthen our bodies so that we are able to return to the world. "Restore me; bring me back to life, Loving One. You have spared me. You have refreshed my soul. Purify my mind and soul. Come and inhabit my heart, Jesus, Your pristine house. Holy Guardian Angel, take me under your wing. May your fires cast light upon the path I am walking. Come and direct my steps. I cry to you: help me, if only for today." ~ from a poem written by Saint Thérèse

“If I say, ‘my foot is moved,’ thy Mercy Oh Lord, assisted me.” ~ Psalm 94:18

Tchaikovsky: 9 Sacred Pieces: 1. Cherubic Hymn No. 1: "Izhe cheruvim'i" piped.video/watch?v=JI-BWJwk…

I wanted to briefly share an update; my apologies for the delay it has been difficult to conceive a clear picture of what is going on in the midst of flares, considerably more activity than I am used to, and the mental strain of continuing to search for a unifying diagnosis that explains the systemic and progressive nature of the disease. Most excitingly I am responding to the DFPA & SGF and would say that I feel about 10-15% better consistently now after 3 weeks of treatment. My improvement so far has been modest relative to some of the patients here. However that improvement is occurring fills me with tremendous hope. As we continue to work with doctors here the focus has shifted some. It seems the accumulation of 5 years of overlapping injuries creates a very complicated presentation. I hope to be able to share more with you about this in the coming weeks. Improvements: walking is easier than it was pre treatment, sitting is becoming more tolerable though still painful, I am not flaring up as quickly from bending or other activities that involve my lower back, I am not feeling run down or sick after coming in contact with people nearly as often. The area that is currently the most painful is the scapular region/shoulders and arms. Arm use (typing) causes me to flare which is why I currently not able to be very active on here. I hope to share more with you soon. Sending love and warmth always

“Now my soul is troubled. What shall I say? Father, save me from this hour? Yet it was for the sake of this hour that I came. Father, reveal the glory of your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have revealed it, and will reveal it again.” ~ John 12:27–28

June and I visited the Koiwa Shobuen Iris Garden near the banks of the Edogawa River.

This past weekend, I received an SGF injection into my lumbar spine from Dr. Kato. After reviewing my history and the numerous surgeries that have provided no meaningful benefit, he suggested that I consider a spinal cord stimulator. We hoped that the SGF injection in this area might provide some indication as to whether this type of intervention could be useful. After this injection it was recommended that I test myself a bit more to see how symptoms respond. Since coming to Japan, I have been walking more than I was previously. I had more or less stopped walking except around the house because it would consistently lead to neuropathic pain in my legs, feet and lower back. I think leaving an environment that had become associated with illness and dysfunction has been immensely healing in and of itself. I was steadily increasing my steps- starting at about 3,000 daily up to 6,000 without flaring and I believe the treatment was helping with this. After this localized SGF injection I tested two important symptoms. I sat for maybe 20-30 minutes on a very cozy sofa. My pain gradually built in the same way, pressure in the pelvis, pain in the scrotum, lower back pain and for me it was very interesting to observe a symptom that I have experienced before but not as clearly: As I remained seated, I became progressively more drowsy and fatigued. The longer I sat, the more tired I felt, while at the same time the pain and pressure sensations in the lower back and pelvic area continued to build. As soon as I stood up my energy came back and I felt normal. The day after this I tested myself by walking over 10,000 steps for the first time in 3 years. I felt more strength in my legs which I believe is due to the treatment so I felt confident walking this distance. That night I was fine however the next morning I woke up feeling very sore, stiff and with considerable aching pain coming from my lower back. Then in the days since it has shifted to more neuropathic pain and even standing I am feeling constant pins and needles, also my toes are going numb. It was interesting to observe how the pain and soreness were markedly worse on the right side of the body. I also consistently experience symptoms in my upper back and arms that are triggered by use. For example, typing on a computer. Since arriving in Japan, I have been sending more emails and spending more time on the computer, and that has led to increased burning sensations in my forearms, tingling in my hands, aching in my hands and elbow joints, pain in my shoulders, and discomfort around the shoulder blades. What I find interesting is how interconnected these symptoms are. For example, while in a flare, simply using my right arm will not only trigger symptoms in the arm itself, but also pain further down on the right side of my body, such as in the right groin or the right lower back. This is all to say that I am in quite a lot of pain right now and have lost some of the progress that I felt I was making. At the same time, I feel confident that I am in the right place. I trust the people here and believe in this treatment. I am seeing with my own eyes the effect it is having on some patients and watching people improve, which gives me hope. My focus right now is trying to better understand the disease process that has led to the systemic nature of this illness and why it continues to progress. I am hesitant about a spinal cord stimulator because I do not feel confident placing hardware into my lower lumbar spine while there still appears to be an active disease process occurring in that region. This is an area where diseased tissue has already been identified, where arachnoid adhesions have been observed, where the surgical wound previously dehisced, and where there are multiple signs that something abnormal has been ongoing for quite some time. I would say that the most encouraging sign so far has actually been an improvement in my sunlight sensitivity. It has not disappeared completely, but I was recently able to spend around fifteen minutes walking in direct sunlight without developing a rash. For me, that was a very meaningful sign of improvement and one of the clearest positive changes I have noticed thus far. For anyone who is currently struggling with illness and looking to the treatment here, I am learning not to compare my healing with others so much. Every case is different, every body responds differently, and not everyone will see quick improvement. I think that is especially true in more complex or idiopathic cases where significant tissue injury or nerve damage has likely already occurred. I also want to send everyone here my warmest wishes and deepest gratitude for all of the prayers, encouragement, and support. Thank you <3

The highlight today was finding the art section at the Edogawa City Koiwa Library

You Alone Are Immortal piped.video/watch?v=b4UIw7-p…