KATRINA ARCHIBALD
Redwood City, CA
The Archibald Family

After two weeks of droopy right eye accompanied by sharp pain, I took myself to an optometrist. A week of appointments brought no information and no relief. I was told to seek the advice of a neurologist. One day after my initial consultation, I was told that I should prepare myself for a life involving Multiple Sclerosis. The neurologist began describing treatments I should be expecting, i.e. steroids.

With tears in my eyes, I fled home and did as much research via the Internet as possible in a twelve-hour period. It was all becoming clear to me. My hands had been numb on and off for a little over two years. I was exhibiting at least 70% of the symptoms listed on the MS website. The outlook was grim, so I ventured over to the holistic website, which offered information on alternative treatments. I suppose it was worth a try, but come on! A fat-free diet? A gluten-free diet? No more wheat? (I really enjoy food) And just maybe I will be able to ride a bike? Are you kidding me? Well, this was just not going to work for me. I had things to do, people to meet, places to see. At the age of twenty-five, I was very busy young lady. I needed something concrete. I could not afford to just “wait and see.”

Still irate I told my parents. The first words my father said to me were, “We are going to Sierra Integrative Medical Center (SIMC) tomorrow.” I had known about SIMC for a couple of years after my father’s battle with a blood disorder, which left him with ankle to hip scars from ruptured aneurysms in both legs and Prostate Cancer, now in remission. Alternative treatments had worked for my father; I just had not realized they treated MS.

Skeptical yet hopeful, my father and I traveled to Reno. I met with the physicians and medical staff and we talked for over four and a half hours. I discovered the many different causes of my symptoms. I had many different viruses (herpes, chicken pox, diphtheria, lymes, Epstein Barr) allergies (food, chemical, environmental), the list was extensive. The next day I started my treatment.

The treatment consisted if IVs, oral supplements and allergy injections. This might scare some people; you know… the whole “needle thing”. And, well, it scared me too. However, all I had to do was imagine the alternative. I stayed at SIMC for six weeks. For a time I wondered if it was really working. Gradually, my eyesight came back and the pain subsided which meant my allergies and viruses were not gone, but under control. The doctors informed me that I should come back for an “oil change” about once a year. “No problem!” I came home with what seemed like a pharmacy full of injections and supplements.

As time went by, my health seemed perfect. I began to forget my shots. I began to forget my supplements. I thought everything would be just fine. I was wrong. You see, SIMC is proactive. It takes the talent of doctors along with the determination of the patient (positive attitude is always a virtue, as well.)

Ten months later, I caught a flu. Within two weeks, I had lost 19 pounds and was unable to walk throughout my house without help. I recovered from the flu, but I had recovered from the weakness in my legs. The day my mother offered to purchase a cane to help me walk was the day I knew I must return to the clinic.

This time was not easy. I would stay at SIMC all day, everyday. The physician knew she could help me; it would just take a bit of time. She tried new treatments she tried old treatments. I was beginning to think I had used up all my miracles. During the sixth week, I noticed I was not holding on the wall as much. By the seventh week, I could close my eyes and stand on one leg. I remember the physician paraded me around the IV room to show me off. I was so proud.

That was two years ago. I have since backpacked in Thailand for six weeks. I do yoga five times a week, mountain bike ride and chase my nephews around the backyard. Everything I have asked for in life, the clinic has given me.

If my story still does not sway you towards Reno, here is another one:

My father, Bill Archibald has, as I said, a rare blood disorder. This causes his blood to clot and he has suffered from aneurysms and a stroke. If that does not seem like enough to go through, he was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in May”99. His PSA level was in the high 12’s. I begged him to go to the clinic, and he agreed. Five weeks later, his PSA level fell to 0.6. His oncologist asked him how this happened. You see, he has prostate cancer as well and he has never seen a recovery this radical.

The Archibald family was blessed the day we heard about Sierra Integrative Medical Center. We are blessed to know the physicians and staff. We now believe in miracles.