A Toxic Brain: Revelations from a Health Journey

By Sandra C. Strauss and Dan Watts, MD

"A Toxic Brain" provides more than hope with science-backed proven protocols and lifestyle interventions to prevent and reverse cognitive decline and other chronic inflammatory illnesses.

Sandra Strauss awakened to find her husband slumped over his computer, speaking strangely and not acting at all like the man she had known for more than 30 years. He was rarely ever sick, but now exhibited many alarming symptoms. Yet, none of the extensive medical tests he would undergo revealed any definitive issues. She embarked upon a quest for answers as to what had transformed him so suddenly into a stranger.

She found valuable insights consulting with a biotoxin researcher whose revolutionary research demonstrated a genetic susceptibility as a poor detoxifier, noted in about 25% of the population, which ramps up inflammatory responses.

Yet, this research along with analysis of root causes of inflammation leading to chronic inflammatory illnesses, is not often part of traditional evaluations. A startling realization struck Sandra: Could there be legions of people sitting in doctor's offices, undergoing tests that don't reveal underlying issues, yet resulting in debilitating fates from undiagnosed root causes of inflammation? What if the roots of their illnesses were identified early enough or treated with therapies that might possibly change their health destinies? With environmental exposures so prevalent now, why aren't patients tested regularly for them?

Written in collaboration with Dan Watts, MD, "A Toxic Brain" alerts readers to the connections between toxic exposures to dementias, autoimmune disorders, and other chronic inflammatory conditions, as well as other common contributing factors. Readers gain insights into the impact of toxins and other root causes for these illnesses, especially critical in our inflammatory times. Diseases caused by them are devastating lives and swamping precious resources, so consumer awareness is vital to support vibrant health destinies.

Sandra unpacks a 12-year rollercoaster ride of cognition, care, and emotional highs and lows, resulting from Rick's frightening fall from seemingly perfect health into a neurological nightmare. As an endurance run of body, mind, and heart, she also shares the raw details of other matters related to dementing illnesses—relationship shifts, family dynamics, legal concerns, and financial consequences. Sandra also offers valuable strategies for critical self-care essential for sustaining spirits.

"A Toxic Brain" is a well-documented journey. Readers will gain insights into the paradigm of care that now exists for treating 21st century health issues. Precision evaluations combined with effective treatments are transforming health destinies, including those conditions once believed to be irreversible.

At a time when millions are suffering and dying from neurological issues and other chronic inflammatory illnesses, and families reeling from all the demands that accompany them, "A Toxic Brain" highlights the importance of shifting the paradigm of patient care to transform wellness in a world out of balance. If you or a loved one are suffering from symptoms impacting both body and brain, undergoing test after test in hopes of a diagnosis, or been given one that doesn't seem to fit, "A Toxic Brain" is a must-read. This book was written because answers do exist.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Mar 28, 2022
• ISBN: 9781667826547

Book preview

Title

A Toxic Brain—Revelations from a Health Journey

Copyright © 2022 by Sandra C. Strauss

All rights reserved

Dynamic Options Inc., Sarasota, FL

Cover Design: Victoria Dolci

Interior Design: Syzygy Media, Silver Spring, MD

Disclaimer: The medical information in this book is provided as an educational resource only and is not intended to be used or relied upon for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment.

The lifestyle interventions discussed in this book should not be used as a substitute for consultation with your healthcare provider. Do not engage in any therapy or treatment without consulting a medical professional.

It is intended to provide helpful and informative material on the subjects addressed in the book. It is sold with the understanding that the author and publisher are not engaged in rendering medical, health, psychological or any other kind of professional services in the book. If the reader requires personal medical, health, or other assistance or advice, they should consult with a competent professional.

Neither the publisher nor the author is engaged in rendering professional advice to the individual reader. The ideas, procedures, and suggestions contained in this book are not intended as a substitute for consulting with your physician. All matters regarding your health require medical supervision.

The author and publisher specifically disclaim all responsibility for any liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise, that is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of the contents of this book.

ISBN 978-1-66782-653-0

eISBN 978-1-6678265-4-7

Dedication

This is dedicated to all who seek solutions

for vibrant wellness, and to all practitioners

integrating evolving science for

optimizing patient health.

Praise for A Toxic Brain—Revelations from a Health Journey

"Over the past several years, it has become increasingly clear that Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body disease are multi-factorial, and the underlying drivers, such as specific toxins and pathogens, are beginning to be defined. A Toxic Brain is an important contribution to this evolving field, illustrating both the painstaking journey to ferret out the key disruptors of brain function for a patient, and the lessons learned—which could save many others in the future from similar fates. Author Sandra Strauss shows that she is at once a force of love and caring and of relentless biomedical pursuit."

Dale Bredesen, MD

Professor and author of The New York Times bestseller, The End of Alzheimer’s

***

"The factors that need to align for optimal brain function are innumerable. But, as revealed in A Toxic Brain, many of the issues that threaten brain function today, and pose a risk for brain degeneration in the future, are now beginning to be delineated and validated. A Toxic Brain explores these myriad challenges and, more importantly, provides an empowering plan for both identifying these threats as well as defusing them. This is a solid action plan for brain health and resilience."

David Perlmutter, MD

Author, #1 New York Times bestseller, Grain Brain, and Drop Acid

***

"Sandra Strauss has taken a devastating journey, from the loss of her beloved husband to the failure of the conventional medical model to recognize environmental, infectious, and toxic causes of disease. She has transformed her grief into advocacy and hope for those and their families, facing unexplained mystery illnesses. Unfortunately, a journey I am all too familiar with but what led me to Functional Medicine where answers do exist!

This book is a comprehensive overview of the many challenges seen with biotoxin exposures,and how to get to root causes and treatments, especially for neuro-psychiatric illnesses. This valuable tool not only provides resources for testing and knowledgeable practitioners, but also for the critical role of the care givers and support they need. It’s a needed wake up call to help navigate the journey to wholeness and healing with mind, heart, and spirit!

Margaret Christensen, MD

CarpathiaCollaborative.com

Host, ToxicMoldproject.com

I hope that this book finds its way into the hands of the growing number of people suffering with chronic complex illness. So many people are rejected and marginalized by our medical system in their search for health. This story gives voice to the journey of healing through functional medicine —an approach that validates the patient’s experience of illness as real and legitimate. Many thanks for this empowering story!

Anita Sadaty, MD

Redefining Health Medical

***

"A Toxic Brain offers valuable insights regarding the critical need for exploring the root causes underlying many of today’s symptoms. It is an enlightening resource connecting toxins as a potent contributor to not only cognitive decline, but many other chronic illnesses impacting millions today. Helping my patients understand how these root causes play such a vital role in their own health destinies, is why this conversation is well-integrated into my practice."

Kate Wilson, DPT, PhD

The Lotus Center, Integral Healing & Wellness

***

Through example and much study, this excellent book shares great insight into the many challenges we face with today’s rampant toxic exposures and their impact upon our health. These are further compounded when seeking treatment for health issues in a medical system not adequately trained to address them. There is a critical need for the mainstream medical community, policy makers, and the public to recognize the indisputable connections between toxic exposures and health. With this wisdom and by adopting precision evaluation and treatment options, patient health will be greatly served.

Dick A. Chapman, DDS

Florida Integrative Dentistry

***

"This health journey is truly a riveting account and eye-opening read. It exemplifies important elements needed for proper evaluation and treatment of neurodegenerative issues, often overlooked in conventional medicine, that were only discovered through functional practices. A Toxic Brain offers readers an exhaustive review of medical and proven science-based strategies helpful in the prevention and treatment of toxic-related conditions. Sandra is a fierce advocate sharing insights in support of vibrant health destinies."

Kimberly Hartke

Publicist, Weston A. Price Foundation

Contents

Why I Wrote This Book

Introduction

Part 1 Our Personal Journey

Chapter 1 The Way We Were

Chapter 2 Awakening to a New Reality

Chapter 3 Seasons of Despair

Chapter 4 Continuing Concerns

Chapter 5 A Toxic Illness

Chapter 6 Challenges of an Accurate Diagnosis

Chapter 7 Transformational Turning Points

Chapter 8 The Unraveling of a Beloved Man

Chapter 9 A Space to Breathe and a Time to Grieve

Chapter 10 A Difference of Opinions

Chapter 11 The Roller Coaster Ride of Cognition and Care

Chapter 12 Making Peace from Our Journey

Part 2 Living in Inflammatory Times

Chapter 13 Bodies on Fire

Chapter 14 Root Cause Realities

Chapter 15 The Rise of Autoimmune Issues

Chapter 16 Gut Issues—Ground Zero for Inflammation

Chapter 17 Neurotoxicity—Toxic Assault of the Brain

Part 3 An Evolving Health Paradigm—Functional Medicine and the Biology-Based Approach to Health

Chapter 18 Conventional/Western Medicine vs. Functional/Integrative Medicine

Chapter 19 Revelations from a Functional Perspective

Part 4 Taking Action in Our Inflammatory Times

Chapter 20 Smart Choices in Today’s Toxic Time

Chapter 21 A Wake Up Call for Us All

Chapter 22 An Evolving Renaissance in Brain Wellness

Part 5 Strategies for Managing Life’s Uncertainties

Chapter 23 Managing the Collateral Chaos from Chronic Illness

Chapter 24 Caregiving and Care Issues

Part 6 Navigating with Heart

Appendices

Appendix A Recognizing Neurotoxicity

Appendix B The Ticking Time Bomb of Lyme

Appendix C The Forbidden Foods on an Amylose-Free Diet

Appendix D Common Symptoms of Lewy Body Dementia

Appendix E Differences between Alzheimer’s Disease and Lewy body Dementia

Appendix F Functional Evaluation for Type 3 (Toxic) Alzheimer’s Disease

Glossary

Acknowledgments

Notes

Resources

Why I Wrote This Book

Without credible answers from mainstream medicine regarding what mysterious illness had stricken my robust and healthy husband Rick, I embarked upon a fervent journey of discovery. What had fired up so many strange symptoms that turned him into a stranger, seemingly overnight?

A team of specialists was unable to properly evaluate or treat his lingering and eventually fatal illness. It was a 12-year siege of ever-changing symptoms and cognition that—through traditional testing—defied diagnosis. Had it not been for one brilliant, resolute researcher who used revolutionary diagnostics for evaluation and treatment, the mystery of its cause may never have been solved. Rick died in 2016 from complications of an autoimmune, neurological condition triggered by toxicity, creating havoc in his body and brain.

Since most of Rick’s doctors had rejected explanations of the actual causes, the exact nature of his illness would only be legitimized posthumously, with revelations stemming from research. I am compelled to provide the details of what I witnessed, documented, and learned from his illness, both inside and outside of mainstream medicine, in service to others.

Now in the third decade of the 21st century, many conventionally trained doctors have yet to embrace the evolving science of functional medicine that recognizes, evaluates, and treats patients with a systems biology-based approach to patient care.¹ This approach focuses on identifying and addressing the root cause of disease. I share background on how some of these revolutionary insights and tools are transforming the health of patients, including conditions commonly viewed as irreversible. When millions are suffering and dying from autoimmune and neurological issues, it is time to shift the paradigm!

As a consumer educator with decades devoted to promoting strategies for wellness and well-being, I feel obligated to unpack my husband’s case with all its complexities. The complicated nature of his neurological condition robbed our family of every shred of the familiar. As an endurance run of body, mind, and heart, I am also sharing the raw details of other matters related to Rick’s illness—relationship rifts and shifts, family dynamics, care issues, legal consequences, and support strategies—in the hopes that it may help others navigate through their challenges.

If you or a loved one is suffering from a collection of symptoms impacting both body and brain, undergoing test after test in hopes of a diagnosis, or have been given one that does not seem to fit, read on. I wrote this book because answers do exist!

Introduction

In my role as the staunchest patient advocate for my late husband, Rick, I desperately wanted to know what suddenly transformed my healthy, 59-year-old husband into a debilitated stranger whom I barely recognized.

After reading The Terrorist Inside My Husband’s Brain by Susan Schneider, the widow of Robin Williams—America’s beloved actor-comedian—I experienced a visceral call to action. Although the initial news reports listed Williams’ 2014 death as a suicide, it was later revealed that he had suffered from Lewy body dementia (LBD), a key factor in his self-inflicted demise. This progressive, debilitating neurological condition does indeed wreak terror on the body and brain, as we learned from Rick’s own hellacious experience.

In addition, the disease sparks suicidal thoughts. As a result, two beautiful spirits’ lives were decimated by neurological nightmares. In my quest for more answers, new information was revealed only while researching and writing this book. It further confirmed the toxic roots of Rick’s illness. Science has now demonstrated the connections of toxicity with another dreaded neurological disease, a sub-type of Alzheimer’s, and its possible connection to LBD. Yet, these toxic roots are now linked to many other chronic and life-threatening illnesses—autoimmune illnesses, cancers, heart disease, diabetes, to name a few.

Toxins are ubiquitous in today’s inflammatory times. We’re inhaling, ingesting and absorbing them often without the recognition of their impact upon our health. As science continues to confirm the relationship of symptoms and diseases to toxicity, it serves as a wake up call for us all.

It was an eerie realization reminiscent of an episode from The Twilight Zone, Rod Serling’s classic 1950s and ‘60s television series featuring freakish science fiction and suspense stories. Could there be legions of people suffering from inflamed bodies and brains, with the roots of their illnesses not being identified early enough? Or treated with therapies that might possibly change their health destinies? These questions begged for confirmation.

The much-loved Williams had yet another role to play: spotlighting this more unfamiliar neurodegenerative condition, which was not as well recognized a few years ago.

Rick had always been blessed with robust health, a brilliant brain, and a fulfilling career of service, all enveloped within a happy 27-year-long marriage and loving family. Seemingly overnight, he became acutely ill with a multitude of symptoms—bizarre changes in personality and behavior accompanied by tremors, a bloody rash, wrenching gut and head pain, photosensitivity, and abdominal jerking, and many others.

While I first believed all these symptoms appeared overnight, I now understand that really was not the case at all. His body was a silent, ticking time bomb, and when a multitude of symptoms became apparent, this instantly transformed our realities and our destinies. Something did not just hit him out of the blue. Yet, Rick rarely consulted with a doctor or shared his health concerns with me. Now, he was no longer able to conceal what he desperately had to have been hiding: something horrible had happened to his brain. There was no question about it. I was scared what this all meant.

While inflammation fired up Rick’s neurological nightmare, none of his conventional evaluations addressed these triggers. Mainstream medicine typically focuses on the diagnosing of diseases and the treatment of symptoms, usually prescribing drugs or surgery, rather than finding the imbalances in the body that may be causing them. Rick’s case serves as a quintessential example of how multiple inflammatory agents launched a cascade of imbalances that were never properly evaluated or treated by conventional medicine.

Even years after my husband was stricken, the underlying causes of these neurodegenerative and other chronic maladies, and the diagnostic testing available to evaluate and treat them, are not being recognized or adopted fast enough by mainstream healthcare practitioners. We cannot afford to wait! This tsunami is devastating lives and swamping precious resources. In Tip of the Iceberg, a 2019 paper for the National Institute of Health’s Institute on Aging, a group of doctors said between 2010-15 Alzheimer’s and related dementia global costs rose 35%, to $818 billion (US) and could hit $2 trillion by 2030.¹ That doesn’t include the collateral damage it causes to caregivers.

Now, after Rick’s death, I am sharing details of his undignified and frightening fall from seemingly perfect health, including the roller coaster ride of my own emotional highs and lows. I offer our experience, including personal details about Rick’s sometimes wild, uncharacteristic behavior and personality changes, for anyone who might be facing a similar situation and wondering what happened to their loved one.

In my role as witness, scribe, and educator, I have compiled the details of our family’s journey to provide background for:

•Patients and their loved ones, who may be experiencing a similarly confusing, frustrating journey in search of answers.

•Health practitioners, to encourage adopting functional evaluation methods to discover underlying organic reasons driving patient symptoms and the therapies and lifestyle interventions needed to correct them. For those who have patients with brain or behavioral issues, to consider neurotoxicity, Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), toxic encephalopathy, Lewy body dementia, Alzheimer’s Type-3 (toxic-related), and autoimmune disorders as underlying conditions.

•Industry leaders and government regulators, to recognize how both production and manufacturing of products and regulations regarding them can either support the health, safety, and protection of our citizens, or have the potential to create and sustain chronic health issues.

•Readers interested in learning more about supporting their own brain health by understanding the root causes leading to neurological inflammation, common symptoms and behaviors associated with it, lifestyle interventions to help prevent its occurrence, and strategies for managing life when the unexpected strikes.

For the most part, Rick’s mainstream medical teams were compassionate and caring. Yet they were not trained to look holistically, so they mainly focused on Rick’s brain and behavioral issues. All the other physical symptoms he experienced were signs a functional practitioner would have noticed, inquired about, or tested for. His evaluation in conventional practices included plenty of imaging studies but could not reveal all the biochemical reactions causing his symptoms to flare. I include information about functional evaluation and some of their therapies later in the book.

In presenting Rick’s case history, I have drawn from an extensive compilation of my own detailed observations of his changing symptoms and behavior, the treatments that appeared to work, and the ones that did not. I have highlighted some of the email exchanges with practitioners chronicling Rick’s lab reports, neuropsychological testing results, medications he was prescribed, and other support documents gathered throughout his illness.

As a man whose career was dedicated to serving others, Rick loved the concept of pay it forward, inspired by the movie of the same name. This book is his legacy—to pay it forward, so others might benefit from the pieces of the neurological puzzle that took years for us to assemble and is now being continually reaffirmed by practitioners of advanced medicine.

***

This is a fitting place to introduce Dan Watts, MD, a quadruple-board certified physician with decades of experience in both conventional and functional disciplines. He is the founder and director of The Renewal Point in Sarasota, Florida, focused on both prevention and transforming health through integrative assessments and therapies.

Upon relocating to Florida in 2018 while seeking a functional practitioner for my own healthcare, I was referred to Dr. Watts, who is known for his stellar reputation and an impressive list of credentials. We first met during his presentation highlighting the impact of toxins upon health. What a welcome discovery—a doctor who understood toxicity and other root causes of health issues! He immediately won my confidence and trust.

Later, as his patient, I shared with him that I was writing a book recounting Rick’s toxic-related illness and revelations learned from that journey. He graciously offered to review it and I’m grateful for his wisdom and guidance in creating this resource for today’s toxic times.

Life presents us with opportunities that often serve to shift the direction of our lives. Dr. Watts shares his inspiration for the paradigm shift in his own medical practice, his battle and that of his wife from toxic-related illnesses, his passion for getting to the root cause of health issues, and other insights as a functional/integrative physician.²

An Eye-Opening Perspective for Transforming Patient Care

More than twenty years ago my mother-in-law, Fannie Belle Burnett, was diagnosed by a neurologist with Parkinson’s disease, exhibiting pill rolling tremor, postural changes, slower movement, cognitive impairment, rigid muscles, and other Parkinsonian-related symptoms. Although she was being treated with medication, her symptoms progressively worsened over the next two years. Parkinsonian groups were woefully pessimistic: Just wait until it gets worse, Fannie Belle; then you can get an electric wheelchair.

Well, my strong-willed mother-in-law wanted nothing to do with going downhill without a fight! She explored other avenues and sought the wisdom offered in the emerging field of functional medicine.

One doctor in particular, Dr. David Perlmutter in Naples, Florida, was successfully treating Parkinson’s patients. Under Dr. Perlmutter’s care, not only did her symptoms improve dramatically over the next two years, but his treatment enhanced her quality of life in so many ways. Fannie Belle miraculously improved through the wisdom of integrative/functional medicine.

When she later returned to her neurologist in Memphis, Tennessee, her doctor was so impressed with her progress, he remarked, Fannie Belle, you are doing so much better with the medication we last gave you.

Why doctor, I’ve been off all the medication for over a year, and I feel great! she replied.

Indeed, my mother-in-law’s experience spared her the usual fate of Parkinson’s patients, leading to a near Parkinson’s-symptom-free life. Watching her miraculous recovery served as my own inspiration for transforming my practice into one based upon integrative and functional medicine.

Now, with more than two decades dedicated to integrative medicine, our medical team has assisted hundreds of patients in looking and feeling their best through proactive, preventative, and regenerative measures available through functional evaluations and therapies.

Dan Watts, MD

***

There are so many details to share in this neurological journey it is not possible to relate all of them. I am especially sharing the ones that were overlooked or dismissed so you might be inspired to explore them. Rick’s underlying issues were not properly addressed by his traditional healthcare practitioners, who focused primarily on treating his symptoms with medications, rather than exploring what was causing them. Yet, it was precisely by identifying what had caused his symptoms that would ultimately reveal answers.

Rather than relating the details of these root causes in describing the journey of his illness, more information regarding their significance is provided in subsequent sections, as well as the tools and technologies which are transforming health destinies. For your convenience, a glossary is provided in the back for definitions of acronyms, medical terminology, and other terms featured.

Lastly, entwined within a debilitating, neurological illness, the need for caregiving must be addressed. The final chapters feature the challenges I encountered as a caregiver with its heartaches and lessons for the heart, along with strategies and proactive measures that can be taken in preparation.

Navigating the unknown with an open mind and open heart reveal miraculous discoveries for the body, mind, and spirit.

Sandra Strauss

For more about her role as a champion of wellness and vibrant aging, visit:

SandraStrauss.com.

Part 1

Our Personal Journey

Chapter 1

The Way We Were

Before the Cascade of Symptoms

As a vocational rehabilitation counselor, Rick’s passion was helping the disabled—working on behalf of those whose lives and livelihoods had been impacted by an accident, a chronic illness, someone’s negligence, or by a permanent brain injury. He also served as an expert witness, establishing a litigation consulting practice and testifying in cases that included vaccine injuries, toxic worksites, and traumatic brain injuries. Attorneys hired him for his expertise to assess wage loss and recommend the requirements of ongoing care for legal settlements.

Rick was a devoted husband and involved father, loved for his wit, wisdom, and big heart. He was a man of integrity with a stellar reputation. He was my rock for more than 30 years, totally grounded in all the right stuff. In fact, a local bakery must have known too, because on his 50th birthday cake, they inscribed, Happy Birthday, Rock!

From our first date in 1972, his love of positive psychology was one of the things that attracted me to him. His first gift to me was the book, I Am Lovable and Capable, by Sid Simon, a prolific author on values, self-esteem, and subjects closest to the heart. That set the tone for our relationship. We were on the same page, affirming the best and highest in one another. Indeed, Rick was a master of affirmation. He uplifted us with his words and affirmed the best in me and our two daughters by encouraging us to pursue our goals, cheering us on to achieve them, and then finding ways to celebrate our accomplishments. He truly embodied unconditional love, and I was especially grateful for our mutually supportive marriage.

Dancing in a Dream Life

Summer 2003

With his career as a vocational rehabilitation consultant, Rick was constantly juggling a heavy caseload of clients. During his weeks away that summer, while working on a class action suit in the Arctic region of Canada, we eagerly anticipated our family adventures together.

Rick and I enjoyed creating unforgettable memories for our family and relished every chance to rev up our adventurous souls somewhere beyond the familiar. We knew our regular family escapades would soon be nearing an end since our oldest daughter, Stephanie, was now a junior in college and Stacy was entering her senior year in high school.

A picture of a Bavarian castle, its majestic spires rising into the blue sky, hung on our refrigerator. Amid the daily bustle of our household, as well as looming work deadlines, the picture of that magic castle became a touchstone for me, a faraway place that beckoned my soul reminding me that a well-deserved rest was just a flight away.

A year later, as we were waltzing across the dance floor in Vienna, Austria, I was having one of those Please, pinch me if this is real! moments. Rick and I and our two daughters had just visited the Bavarian castle, Neuschwanstein (the inspiration for Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle), perched magnificently atop the Austrian Alps. This was my long-envisioned dream come to life. Indeed, the Strauss family was smack dab in the middle of a fairytale vacation, dancing to the music of a Strauss waltz, composed by my husband’s namesake—a much more famous Richard Strauss.

While enjoying the breathtaking splendor of Bavaria and beyond, Rick and I began plotting more travel adventures as soon-to-be empty nesters. Costa Rica was calling me next with its lush landscapes, zip-wire adventures, and tropical rainforests. When we returned from Bavaria, we posted a new touchstone picture of cascading waterfalls surrounded by exotic flowers on our refrigerator: our next escape into paradise.

But it was not to be.

Chapter 2

Awakening to a New Reality

March 2004

Just six months later, those dreams of paradise were dashed when the unexpected suddenly turned our family upside down, bringing life as we knew it to a halt. One early March morning, I awoke to find Rick slumped over his computer. The screen displayed the same page it had when I kissed him goodnight the evening before. Rick was a workaholic with a sharp, analytical mind and a reputation for coming up with award-winning solutions, so I thought he had just burned the midnight oil to complete a client report. But this was not his usual style—he was not acting at all like himself.

Usually, nothing rattled Rick. His calm demeanor and rational ways had always been a perfect complement to my capriciousness. But now, he was visibly shaken. His hands trembled. He confessed that his steel-trap brain hadn’t been working in the same way for some time. I recalled a very strange, penetrating gaze he had flashed me the evening before and had wondered what that was all about.

Later, I’d recall that Rick had made a few rather uncharacteristic and unusual comments lately, which I had chalked up to his increasing withdrawal into his office. My attempts to inquire, What’s wrong? did not reveal any insights. I presumed it was from stress, or perhaps a very silent, midlife crisis was making him especially introspective. Whatever it was, it felt eerily abnormal.

Now I recognized: something was horribly wrong. Rick was well-known in legal circles for his brilliant work. His gifts of research and assessment had built a highly specialized career as he helped clients economically rebuild their lives following loss or illness. The legal system is very demanding; timeliness and accuracy are critical. Over the years, Rick had accumulated a thick file of attorney correspondence attesting to his expertise, and he was in high demand as an expert witness.

His brain had never failed him before, at least not that I had noticed. But upon further reflection, I recognized that Rick had said and done some rather weird things over the last few weeks. Client reports were strewn in piles around his office, waiting to be completed. He admitted he could not process all the information swirling around in his brain. Now he repeatedly echoed the same phrase: I’m leaving you with nothing. I had no idea if he had just wiped out our savings or what else might have triggered that comment. All I knew was that I woke up to a new reality.

The Search for Answers Begins

I no longer recognized the man I once knew completely. The man I had always counted on, who was so dependable, and who cherished me, totally morphed into a stranger, stricken by something that stole away his very essence.

For the first 27 years of our marriage, Rick was rarely ever sick. Now, I was filled with both fear and confusion. Beyond his inability to focus and concentrate, he had tremors and weird, undulating, abdominal thrusts. His back, chest, and arms were covered in an oozy, bloody rash. He had difficulty keeping his eyes open, and he