Grant Good
Olsburg, Kansas
Focal-Segmental Glomerularsclerosis (FSGS)

I am 16 years old and a junior in high school. I have dealt with various health issues since birth. As an infant, I had failure to thrive and was small for my age until the age of five. I saw many specialists during these years and was diagnosed with Russell-Siver Syndrome, a type of dwarfism. However, when I turned five, I began to grow and it became apparent that I would not be short in stature. I started having severe pain and swelling in my left knee during the fourth grade. It was recommended I have arthoscopic surgery. Following surgery, I was in terrible pain and began running a fever. Again, specialists were called in and I was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. My symptoms were relieved with treatment of the medicine Naproxen. Despite concerns expressed by my parents, this treatment was continued for a number of years. In the summer of 1996 during a physical examination, it was discovered that I was spilling protein into my urine. I had also complained of being tired and was retaining fluid. The specialist recommended was a Pediatric Nephrologist who diagnosed me with Nephritic Syndrome. I was still spilling protein with high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol and Triglycerides. A kidney biopsy gave way to a diagnosis of Focal-Segmental Glomerularsclerosis (FSGS). In layman’s terms, this is a disease that scars the kidneys and nearly always causes renal failure. FSGS is considered an autoimmune disorder and therefore treatments with massive dose of Prednisone were started. When there was not a significant response to this treatment a 12-week course of Cytoxin (a chemotherapy drug) was begun. Again there was not a significant response and cyclosporin (an anti-rejection drug) was prescribed. There was not a sign of improvement and the kidney specialist told us that we must have testing done to determine whether the treatments were doing more harm than good. We knew at that point we had no choice but to try something new.

After extensive research we became interested in Sierra Integrative Medical Center. We contacted the clinic for information. Other patients told us…get there as fast as you can! We were drawn to the clinic because we were told they would look for the cause of the disease not just treat the symptoms. In all the years I have seen doctors, not one time had someone had this philosophy. I went for diagnostic work, lab tests and a week of treatments in the spring of 1999. I returned for four more weeks of treatment in June 1999. I no longer take Prednisone, blood pressure medication or any of the other prescription medications. I have followed the program designed specifically for me by the doctors to do at home.

My family and I have been extremely pleased with the professionalism and knowledge of the staff of SIMC. We also greatly appreciate the countless hours of care and concern they have given to help me improve my health. My quality of life and health have improved immensely. After a recent visit to my Pediatrician, he expressed my condition was totally unexpected and even used the word, MIRACLE. I know that the prayers of loving Christian friends are being heard and that I am in the right place to receive treatment. I have gained over four inches in height since beginning treatments at SIMC. My blood pressure is normal with cholesterol and Triglycerides improving and my kidney function lab work shows improvement. Most importantly, I am leading a normal life participating in school activities and hobbies I enjoy. My family and I are grateful to the doctors and staff at SIMC dedicated to the healing of not just the popular diseases but the unpopular ones and we are very thankful for each one of them!