Vic’s Unexpected Diagnoses | Part 1 | Over 50 and Flourishing

追加: 2026-05-26

[00:00:00]Hey, it's Dominique. Before we get into today's episode, I am so excited to invite you to my over 50 and flourishing tour called Behind the Curtain. This show is going to be an intimate in-person evening where I'm opening up about the moments that you saw online and what was really happening before, during, and after. These are the thoughts, the fears, the decisions, all of it. We'll laugh. We will get honest.

[00:00:24]We will talk about navigating life's transitions, letting go of guilt, and stepping fully into who you're meant to be. But more than anything, this is about community. Coming together in person, connecting with each other, and realizing you're not alone. And there are interactive moments throughout the night. You're part of this experience, not just watching it. I truly believe that your next chapter can be your most exciting one yet. and I can't wait to connect with you in real life. To find your closest stop and get tickets, click the link in the show description or in my bio on Instagram, Dominique Saka.

[00:01:00]Looking forward to seeing you there.

[00:01:09]Welcome to today's over 50 and flourishing. My darling is joining me. I always >> Oh no, he's back.

[00:01:15]>> Please stop.

[00:01:17]>> Your support, your your followers like Oh no. Oh god, must be a light week on over 50 employees. This is >> a slow news day.

[00:01:24]>> No, no, no. You know, they've all Look, we can't candy coat things. They've all seen the title and description. They know obviously something.

[00:01:34]>> Oh, they knew this was coming.

[00:01:36]>> Well, I mean, kind of. Yeah, it's >> okay. Well, pop some popcorn. This is going to be a good one.

[00:01:42]>> It's gonna It's going to be a long one.

[00:01:44]It's going to be a long one. You and I, I will say this. We heavily heavily debated whether we would bring this to this platform to any platform to the public or not and sort of went back and forth on it. I think you were probably a little bit more eager to discuss it than I was maybe.

[00:02:06]>> Well, I don't know that eager would be the right word. I felt a move by the Holy Spirit >> that I should share it because people are going through things all around us >> and um they look at certain people who put certain things out on on social media and that's all they know about that person and uh and they're like, "Oh, you know, what do they know about my struggles and and my life and my challenges?" you know, and uh we're no different than than anyone else and we are not exempt from challenges and struggles. So, I I felt I felt a an inclination to share, but I didn't never did. So, you're getting the scoop.

[00:02:52]>> Yeah. You know, and it's interesting you say that and you know me, you're kind of preaching to the choir when it comes to putting things out there, being real, being transparent, sharing the hard stuff because I agree with you. I don't think >> that, you know, the shiny polished penny is real, relatable, and honest. So, and I think for me, >> it's not that I didn't want to discuss it, but I wanted to give you enough quiet and space to heal and not be inundated with and it and you will be you have such a large fan base of people who love you, genuinely love you, and care about you. And I know you're going to get a flood of comments, letters, notes, messages, whatever it may be, of love, support, concern, and all of that.

[00:03:41]But we also know, you know, there's another element out there, too. And I just didn't want anything taking away from your mind being in a clear, peaceful place to enable your body to battle the battle that it was having to fight. And it was such an unusual succession of events. I mean, to the point where you and I last night when we were in bed together, we did the timeline of how everything happened because it's almost unbelievable the succession of things and and how one thing led to another, discovery led to another that it was essentially putting the the pieces of a puzzle together to figure out what started out as this crazy mystery.

[00:04:25]>> Yeah.

[00:04:26]>> Right.

[00:04:26]>> Mhm.

[00:04:28]That's that's all you're going to give me.

[00:04:30]>> Yeah.

[00:04:32]I mean, that was so succinct. Um, no, I I I agree.

[00:04:36]>> Yeah, >> I agree completely. Um, >> it's been quite an experience.

[00:04:40]Everyone's like, "What in the world are they talking about?" Well, you'll find out shortly.

[00:04:44]>> Yeah. Um, but yeah, I just I just felt like it was any of these challenges are an opportunity for believers to to demonstrate >> that what they say they believe is are not just empty platitudes, >> right?

[00:05:00]>> That that what they say they believe is is not just for when the sun is shining and everything is coming up roses and life is great and success after success and all of that. The challenges are really, I believe, where the rubber meets the road and where you really determine whether what somebody believes is really what they believe, >> right? And I think not only does that come from yourself, but I think others in your life also get to demonstrate that. And I know that you had kind of a mixed bag of feelings because you felt like all of this happened while we were still in the honeymoon phase of our marriage. And you felt a sense of, and you correct me if I'm wrong, maybe guilt, sadness that this was happening at such an early stage of our marriage and you were sad that, you know, we went from like a to but for me, I felt like it was an opportunity for me to demonstrate to you what love, honor, and commitment is in a wife and that the vows I took with you seriously meant something because this marriage was rooted in faith and rooted in all the right things and done the right way. So I maybe didn't feel I mean I was sad and going through and we'll talk about kind of the wild sway of emotions and and the way things played out but to me it felt like a really really good opportunity for me to step up for you in a way that I think you needed to see me step up.

[00:06:40]>> And you certainly did. And you certainly did. And and you're right. I mean, I I have said many times there have been times, many times, most of my life, I should say, have been rather charmed, you know, >> um no real no real challenges or real uh heartbreaks or or losses or struggles.

[00:06:59]And and so when all this happened, my first thought was, you know, great, you know, I I connect with the love of my life and uh finally in this place of such great joy and peace and gratitude to God for this gift >> and suddenly, you know, it feels like everything's falling apart. Um, and uh, I couldn't help but think that maybe you you were going to feel like, "Wow, you know, what a jip." You know, like uh, >> I thought I was, you know, thought I was uh, you know, >> thought I I thought I was getting this and you know what I mean?

[00:07:39]>> Well, I think what we got served to us was real life. what we got served to us is what millions upon millions of people across the globe get served to them. And we're no different from anybody else.

[00:07:52]We're no special.

[00:07:53]>> No, exactly. We're we're not exempt.

[00:07:56]>> And what happened wasn't anything anyone could control, >> right?

[00:07:58]>> You know what I mean? It wasn't it wasn't a choice. It wasn't anything that, you know, of of our own doing. It it just was the way life goes.

[00:08:07]>> Yeah. What was interesting and and what we will share is the um assessment of why this happened when it did and we'll talk a little bit about that. But I I feel like we ought to as they say rewind the videotape to as I was as I was documenting. Um and this all of this basically started the fall of last year.

[00:08:30]>> Yes. September >> September of last year.

[00:08:32]>> Never forget it.

[00:08:33]>> September 2nd.

[00:08:35]>> I don't remember much. I don't remember yesterday, but I remember September 2nd.

[00:08:38]>> Yeah, as well you should. So, I've journaled everything. Um, you and I were in a small town called Globe, Arizona.

[00:08:50]>> Yes. We flew into Phoenix and then drove up to Globe because I was shooting a movie there and you came with me and and uh shooting a film there. And we we landed Tuesday evening.

[00:09:00]>> Everything was great. We're going to shoot, you know, shoot a movie tomorrow.

[00:09:03]It's going to be great. And uh I woke up Wednesday morning and I was seeing double vision out of my left eye.

[00:09:11]>> Mhm.

[00:09:11]>> I didn't know why. I I I couldn't think of why it would happen. And it was very troubling especially because it was difficult f difficult focusing.

[00:09:21]>> Mhm.

[00:09:22]>> Like you're going downstairs. What stair is the right stair and which stair is the ghost stair? you're going to open a drawer or shake someone's hand on screen and which hand do you go for? Like >> it doesn't seem like a big deal until suddenly, you know, you're in the middle of doing something that you need that and it was uh it was very troubling and couldn't figure out why.

[00:09:44]>> Yeah. I remember in the hotel room you kept closing, you would close one eye, you would close the other, you would look at the TV and you're like, "The t TV's down here." And it was clearly off for you. And you had to ride out an entire day of shooting like that which and and we were shooting in, you know, old buildings and, you know, rickety stairs. And I remember one time you had to reach and grab for me because you were struggling to get down the stairs.

[00:10:09]So it was obviously concerning and we were trying to rack our brains. Did anything happen? Did Did you do anything? Did I mean what could it have been? So, I remembered Wednesday, September 3rd, which was the next day, we called the optometrist and you called him and and I remember you were on the phone and he said, "Could be nothing.

[00:10:33]Could, you know, not sure, but you may want to go to an ER to get it checked out to rule out an aneurysm."

[00:10:39]>> Yeah. Some kind of an edema or something. Yeah.

[00:10:42]>> Yeah. So, we were that night on set and there was only one ER.

[00:10:48]>> I was going to say fun fact, there is actually a hospital in Globe.

[00:10:51]>> Yeah, there is.

[00:10:52]>> There's not much else, but there is.

[00:10:53]>> But there is an ER in Globe, Arizona.

[00:10:55]So, during dinner break when the crew was breaking for dinner at 7:00 in costume, go running over to this ER, get you checked in, and they run a battery of tests. They do a PET scan on your brain and neck, uh, blood work, you know, they're looking for any kind of potential blockage or whatever, and we're there for what, two hours, maybe two and a half, >> and everything came back clean, you know, I mean, the the radiologist hadn't come in, but the doctor spoke to the radiologist and basically said, "Look, he's, you know, there's nothing imminent here." And that was that. And we were dispatched and back. We went to set and finished out the couple of days there.

[00:11:38]>> Yeah. And then as soon as we got back to Dallas, >> I went to the optometrist that that you had been going to. I didn't know him.

[00:11:47]>> Uh you referred him because you had been to him.

[00:11:50]>> And uh went into for the reason that I said I went in there >> and to my surprise uh he said, "Well, you know, I'm not really sure why you're seeing devil. I can't quite figure that out, >> but I can tell you you have a macular hole in your left eye. I'm like, >> what?

[00:12:08]>> Oh, really? Okay. Well, >> no news to me.

[00:12:12]>> And he encouraged me to go see uh an opthalmologist friend of his >> uh to get that looked at. So I think within a day or two I went to an opthalmologist that he referred me to and he you know dilated the pupils and looked looked deeply in there and he said well he said yeah I see a macular hole in your left eye but you also have a retina tear in your right eye >> but the hits just keep on coming.

[00:12:40]>> Yeah.

[00:12:40]>> Yeah.

[00:12:40]>> And he said it's not he said the macular hole is not big right now so we can just watch that.

[00:12:45]>> He said and the retina tear is not huge.

[00:12:48]He said, "But retina tears can grow >> and if it gets too big and fluid goes through it, you may be looking at like serious surgery." Detached retina was what he said. Yeah. You could lose your vision.

[00:12:58]>> And we were getting ready to go on the Bali trip.

[00:13:01]>> Correct.

[00:13:01]>> And I told him that and I said, "Well, I'd much rather deal." And he even said, he said, "It's a totally easy fix. I do 20 of them a week. I I laser it and cauterize it.

[00:13:12]>> Piece of cake. I mean, you're in or out 10 minutes, right?" And I thought, well, then I'll do that before I get on a plane to go to Bali because heaven forbid we get over there and something happens with the retina tear.

[00:13:23]>> Sure. Even pressure from an airplane cabin. You never know, right?

[00:13:27]>> So, so I went in a couple of the day next day or maybe the day after, very soon after. And uh and he did the procedure.

[00:13:35]It was not pleasant, you know. I mean, it wasn't as easy as he man. It hurt actually. I mean, boom, firing a laser through your eyeball. But he did it and and I came home. I had all that gel and stuff all over my eyes. And I came home and I rested for the rest of the day. But then the next day, you said to me, >> "What's up?

[00:13:55]>> What's wrong with your eye?"

[00:13:56]>> Yeah.

[00:13:57]>> And I was like, "What? What do you mean what what's wrong with my eye?"

[00:13:59]>> Yeah.

[00:14:00]>> And you said, "Well, the eyelid is kind of closed."

[00:14:03]>> Mhm.

[00:14:04]>> Like, "What?" And I went and looked in the mirror. I'm like, "What the world?"

[00:14:08]So, I called that doctor. I mean, when you just have a laser shot in your eye the day before, >> you assume it's some reaction to that.

[00:14:15]>> So, he had us come in >> and and looked at it. He said, "Yeah."

[00:14:19]He goes, "It's probably just some reaction." He said, "The the the lens that I put in there might have just scratched the cornea a little bit." And he said, "Your eye just closes for protection, but he said it should be okay."

[00:14:32]>> So, he came home and this is where it got weird.

[00:14:36]Two hours later, he calls me after the appointment on his cell phone and he said, "You know, Vic, I've been thinking about your situation all day and he said, I've never really seen that kind of reaction to that procedure. I do so many of them."

[00:14:52]>> And he said, "I'd like you to take uh if you would, I spoke with a with a neuro opthalmologist, a friend of mine downtown, and she she'll clear her schedule. If you can get in there tomorrow morning, she'd like to take a look.

[00:15:05]And I said, "Like, I can't. We're leaving tomorrow for Bali."

[00:15:08]>> Yeah, we have like an 11:30, 12:00 noon flight.

[00:15:11]>> And he said, "Well," he said, "It'll probably be gone in a couple of days, but if it doesn't, when you get back, you might want to make an appointment with her."

[00:15:19]>> So, off we went with double vision in the left eye >> andtosis, >> in the right eye. And I got to tell you, if I may, the trip to Bali, while it was amazing and magical and such a wonderful time, >> I was so stressed out the whole time because I know that anyone that's looking at me, I look like quasimoto, you know, I'm like my eye half shut, >> like I just got punched or something.

[00:15:45]And it was very self-conscious because I I knew >> what they were seeing.

[00:15:50]And in addition to I'm shooting video for the trip and I'm having this double vision in the left eye.

[00:15:58]>> Today's podcast is sponsored by Medicaid, a clinically proven British skincare brand known for agedefying results. One thing I've really noticed as I've gotten older is that my skincare priorities have completely changed. I am less interested in those quick fixes or hype and much more focused on skin health, texture, firmness, and products that actually support the way our skin changes over time. I want my skin to look healthy, rested, radiant, not overdone. That's why I've especially been intrigued by all the conversation lately around PDRN. You've probably heard about it from Korean clinics and injectable treatments. But what's exciting here is that Medicate found a non-invasive vegan approach that is dermatologist recommended. ExoPDRN prismatic plus serum unlocks the power of non-invasive vegan PDRN through advanced biotechnology. It's proven to boost skin's natural rejuvenation by more than 50%. And what I love is that it's designed specifically to visibly improve overall skin quality. things like luminosity, firmness, tone, volume, and the appearance of wrinkles. It also helps to calm visible redness and supports the skin barrier, which becomes even more important as we age. Let Medicate celebrate you growing older and embracing your prime with their new Exop PDRN Prismatic Plus Serum. Visit medicate us. That's me d and the number 8 us to discover more. Use code flourishing 20 to save 20% off your first order. You know what's changed for me over the years? I stopped thinking of cleaning as just making the house look clean and started thinking more about what I'm actually bringing into my home every day. What's on the counters where the food is prepared? What's soaking into towels and sheets? What's being sprayed into the air we breathe? It all matters more to me now more than ever.

[00:17:53]And that's one of the reasons I've really loved using Branch Basics. Their premium starter kit keeps things simple because one powerful concentrate works for just about everything. Laundry detergent, bathroom cleaner, glass cleaner, even produce wash. And I love that it's made from plant and mineral-based ingredients.

[00:18:11]Fragrance-free and designed to be human safe. A lot of conventional cleaners may smell clean, but many still contain ingredients linked to skin irritation, hormone disruption, and respiratory issues. And what surprised me is that companies in the US aren't even required to disclose every ingredient in their cleaning products. Branch Basics changes that entirely. I also appreciate this is a female founded company built from real personal health journeys. And once I realized how effective these products were without all the harsh chemicals and overpowering scents, well, there was no going back for me. And here's the good news for you. Branch Basics is now available everywhere you shop at Target, target.com, Amazon, and of course, branchbasics.com.

[00:18:56]Tossing the toxins has never been more convenient. And for anybody grabbing the premium starter kit, you can still get 15% off at branchbasics.com with our code over50. Just use code over50 for 15% off the premium starter kit at branchbasics.com.

[00:19:12]There's something about the end of the day, washing your face, climbing into bed, finally exhaling that feels even more important in this season of life.

[00:19:21]And I've realized that comfort isn't just a luxury anymore. It really affects how well you rest, sleep, and recharge.

[00:19:28]That's why I have loved Cozy Earth's bamboo sheet set and their women's bamboo stretchnit pajama set. They are so incredibly soft. They're breathable and they feel soothing without being heavy or overwhelming. Especially when these temperatures fluctuate, heat up, or sleep gets just a little more unpredictable. And honestly, there is something so comforting about slipping into pajamas and sheets that actually help you feel taken care of in these quiet moments at the end of a long day.

[00:19:54]It feels elevated but still practical and livable at the same time. I also love that they stay cool and breathable through the night because there is nothing worse than waking up overheated and uncomfortable when you're trying to get some good sleep. I also appreciate that Cozy Earth stands behind everything they make with a 30-day return policy, a lifetime warranty on the clothing, and hassle-free returns if something just isn't quite right. If this season has shifted how you sleep, lounge, or unwind, explore breathable softness designed to support, never overwhelm.

[00:20:26]This Memorial Day, head to cozyearth.com.

[00:20:30]Use my code flourishing for up to 30% off, but only for a limited time. This exclusive offer runs from May 18th through June 1st only. So don't wait.

[00:20:39]That's code flourishing at cozyearth.com for up to 30% off. And if you see a post-purchase survey, mention that you heard about Cozy Earth right here.

[00:20:50]>> So we made it through Bali and we got home.

[00:20:52]>> And the women, by the way, there were a couple things that happened. First of all, the women were very concerned, but also reassuring, and I I know that you felt that way, and I'm sure you were incredibly self-conscious about it, but they kept saying, you know, it's okay.

[00:21:08]It's okay. Don't worry. You know, I mean, they were really rallying behind you, and they felt terrible. Um, I do recall you had recorded a daily victory while we were in Bali and you did it without wearing sunglasses and you posted that video and then I noticed in the comments a ton of people >> I didn't think it was that noticeable at the time. In the morning, if you remember, in the morning after a night of sleep, it it seemed okay >> for about two minutes.

[00:21:40]>> I'm not even kidding. I would wake up and I'd run to the mirror. I'm like, "Oh, thank you. It's it's getting better." And then I could feel it start to fall almost immediately.

[00:21:51]>> But I felt like when I looked in the in the phone when I was recording the the devotional, I thought, "Well, it's okay.

[00:21:57]It doesn't look that bad." And and I'll kind of cheat away from the camera a little bit with it. Apparently, it was more noticeable than I thought it would be.

[00:22:04]>> Yeah. So, a lot of people had reached out to you in the comments section and, you know, were wondering, "Are you okay?" A lot of questions. Were you okay? Were you okay? So, we wrapped up Bali, came back home, and that Monday, so that was maybe a day or two after we got home.

[00:22:21]>> Oh, yeah. Right when we got home.

[00:22:22]>> Right when we got home, you made that appointment with the neurological opthalmologist in downtown Dallas.

[00:22:28]>> And uh this the the double vision was still the same, >> but the the ptosis was starting to get better.

[00:22:37]Uh, and so when I went to see her, uh, I told her the whole story, brought her up to speed, and she said, "Yeah, it it's pro it's weird." She goes, "I don't really know why, but it's it'll probably just write itself." But then she said, "I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't run some tests and rule out any options." So, she drew some blood and I left. And I'll never forget that I uh I was at the gym and uh got the phone call and and she called and said, "Hey Vic," she said, "So your test came back and she said, "You tested positive for myastthenia gravis."

[00:23:18]>> Okay. I've heard that word in like teleathons >> and I I know I've heard it in certain like medical commercials, you know, certain drugs and things and do not take this if you have myinia gravis or blah blah blah, right?

[00:23:32]>> And so, um, I was like, what does that even mean? Like, what is it? And apparently it's an autoimmune disease that attacks the nerves connection to the muscles. Um, fortunately it seemed, well, I'm getting ahead of myself, but after we got this diagnosis, we decided to do some research to find a specialist in town.

[00:23:56]>> UT Southwestern is known for a lot of specialization >> and we found a doctor there who was a specialist in my gravis and we made an appointment with him. He ran all the muscular tests on the rest of my my body and didn't seem to to to see any issues except here >> in the ocular >> ocular myestinia apparently it's a thing.

[00:24:20]>> Mhm. There are six different types.

[00:24:22]Ocular fortunately being the least um I don't know what word you would want to use but impacted let's say because it can also affect the limbs, arms and legs leading to muscle weakness, immobility, lungs.

[00:24:38]>> Yeah. Yeah. Um >> involuntary muscles internally. Yeah.

[00:24:43]That make certain things go.

[00:24:45]>> Yeah. Tongue. You even experienced a little bit of that. uh where the tongue feels heavy and difficulty sometimes in swallowing a little bit or talking and and that was happening during this kind of outbreak that you were having this expression of mythenia >> and I remember and I know this isn't a big deal but I just want to throw it out because it's important to me >> I love sports I love playing ball I love playing the piano well when you're seeing two of everything you can't hit a ball you can't catch a Uh because what if the ball you think you're catching is just the ghost and the real ball hits you in the face or you know you can't hit the ball because you're swinging in at the air. You you just can't focus or playing the piano and there which keys are you supposed to hit.

[00:25:30]>> So while it wasn't that particular ele part of it wasn't life-threatening. It was certainly disruptive to a lot of the things that I do regularly and that I love. Mhm. There was I remembered you called me from the gym and I was in the bedroom. I was doing something and you told me the diagnosis and I just felt this chill come over me because I remembered my days at channel 2. We would host the musculardrophe teleathon and I was one of the hosts of that teleathon. Now at that time myia gravis was under that umbrella of neuromuscular diseases and there were I think 24 and we would have people on who had you know the worst being ALS you know different types of a neuromuscular disease but it was never good and it always went from okay to worse to worse to worse and that was my experience with anything neuromuscular related. So when you told me that my my heart just sank because I thought oh my gosh you know what what are we dealing with here? So so at that point the journalist in me you know starts flying on the phone and researching and researching and researching and you know what is what is mythenia gravis? Well the first thing that I saw and that I learned and I'm going to read this to everybody because this is important. Um, it's a chronic autoimmune disorder. So, it was reclassified into an autoimmune disease.

[00:27:08]It is neuromuscular in its function, but it's it's autoimmune triggered, which is an interesting telltale sign because there there are autoimmune issues in your family as well.

[00:27:19]>> Yeah. My dad had had multiple sclerosis.

[00:27:22]>> Correct. Correct. So it does it it doesn't necessarily mean you'll get multiple sclerosis but it means you have a predisposition to some type of an autoimmune um expression in your life depending right I mean that was that was expressed to us. So myastthenia gravis is a chronic autoimmune disorder causing fluctuating weakness in voluntary muscles particularly eyes face and throat which worsen with activity and improves with rest. It's caused by antibodies blocking nerve muscle communication. While no cure exists, treatments like medication, surgery, and therapies offer a good prognosis allowing many to manage symptoms effectively. So I read that and I and then of course it goes into the list.

[00:28:09]First thing, drooping eyelids, ptosis, affecting one or both eyes. Double vision, often blurry. Facial expression changes, which you did not have. Trouble swallowing, chewing, you sometimes had that. Speech impairment, you didn't have that. Weakness in limbs and neck, you did not have that. So, so thankfully, >> thank the Lord. Yes.

[00:28:29]>> Thank the Lord. But it is an autoimmune disease where the immune system produces antibodies that block, alter or destroy receptors for the acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction. Um, so so this was interesting and and now this is where the journey with doctors kind of began. So we got connected with Dr. Ahmed over at UT Southwest. Wonderful, wonderful doctor. I was so impressed.

[00:28:55]First of all, anime fan. So that that didn't work.

[00:28:58]>> That was funny.

[00:28:59]>> Yeah, that was very funny. I know this is not professional, but I love your voice work.

[00:29:02]>> Yeah, exactly.

[00:29:03]>> Okay, we got the right doctor.

[00:29:05]>> We definitely got the right doctor. He was so lovely and listened and accommodating and explaining and like you said, he was doing the full muscle test on you from from vision to arm strength to leg strength to everything trying to isolate and locate where you are um having this problem with the nerves reaching the muscles. So he was very very thorough and I remembered after we left that visit and we talked about different treatments right and he talked about one drug u maston >> yeah mastin which helps it's like a daily therapeutic >> it's just a pill and it only lasts for four or five hours apparently but it's just kind of to help you >> help give you a little boost you know from time to time if you if you feel like you need it or Yeah.

[00:29:52]>> Yeah. And the other major treatment for this w is high doses of predinazone a steroid >> and that's an anti-inflammatory autoimmune inflammation in the immune system causes this type of reaction and response. And so I'm I tend to be more of a naturopath type person. you know, I I believe in pharmaceuticals when you need them, but I also believe in doing things to enable your body to work for itself and and to help it heal as well. So, we we started asking a lot of questions about the um >> prennazone.

[00:30:30]>> Prennazone. Thank you.

[00:30:31]>> Yeah. And the and the list of like side effects were almost worse than >> Yes.

[00:30:37]>> than what you were treating with it. Uh which kind of under a little bit. I don't want to do that.

[00:30:42]>> Right. And I didn't want I I was very hesitant for you to even start that. And I remembered we asked him, "Is this something that he needs to do now or can we do some research? Can we wait on this and and see?" And he said it wasn't imminent. You know, you can wait and see. And so we chose to do that. I've noticed something lately. I still love the ritual of coffee, the smell, the warmth. you know, sitting quietly in the morning before the day starts. But my relationship with caffeine has definitely changed over the years. Too much of it and suddenly I'm jittery and overstimulated. And that's why I've really been enjoying Mudwaterat's new low calf coffee. It gives me that comforting coffee experience without the crash, racing thoughts, or just feeling totally wired. It's made with organic arabica coffee beans, elanine, and functional mushrooms like lion's mane and cortiseps. So, it still tastes like real coffee, which is real important to me. not watered down or strange, just smoother, calmer energy that feels much more balanced. And what I appreciate is that it helps me feel focused and awake without that emotional roller coaster that can come with a full cup of coffee.

[00:31:49]Their low calf blend has just 45 milligs of caffeine, so you still get the ritual and enjoyment of coffee, just in a way that feels gentler on your nervous system. I also love that they offer other blends, too, including caffeine-free options, matcha, and protein products for both body and mind.

[00:32:05]And during mental health awareness month, I think it's such a good reminder that protecting your peace and energy sometimes starts with the small things we do every single morning. Are you ready to make the switch to cleaner energy? Head to mudwater.com and grab your starter kit today. Right now, our listeners get an exclusive deal. Up to 43% off your entire order, plus free shipping and a free rechargeable frother when you use code flourishing. That's right, up to 43% off with code flourishing at mudwuttr.com.

[00:32:36]After your purchase, they'll ask how you found them. Please support our show and let them know we sent you. Summertime expenses really do seem to hit all at once, don't they? Between vacations, higher gas prices, tuition, camps, and just the overall cost of living right now, it can start to feel a little overwhelming real fast. And for a lot of people, the easy solution becomes putting more and more on credit cards only to get stuck dealing with highinterest debt later. That's why I wanted to mention American Financing. If you're a homeowner, they help create strategic plans to simplify finances and make your home's equity work smarter for you. What I appreciate is that this isn't about pressure or gimmicks. They actually look at your current situation and help build a plan tailored specifically toward your goals. Imagine rolling highinterest debt into one simpler, more manageable monthly payment. There are no upfront fees and zero pressure, just honest advice from salarybased consultants. On average, their customers are saving $800 a month.

[00:33:37]In today's economy, that kind of breathing room can make a real difference. Whether it's helping cover summer expenses, creating a little margin in your monthly budget, or simply reducing financial stress, having a plan in place can help you feel more in control again. Start today and you may even be able to delay two mortgage payments. American Financing, America's home for home loans. 866898585.

[00:34:03]That's 866898585 or americanancing.net/dominique.

[00:34:10]Finding the right rug is weirdly harder than it should be. You either find something beautiful that feels way too delicate for real life or you get a washable rug that looks temporary or cheap. And when you actually live in your house with guests, pets, spills, and muddy shoes, all the things, you need something that can hold up and still look elevated. That's why I really love tumble rugs. They look like designer rugs, but they're built for real life. The biggest thing for me is how practical they are without sacrificing style. Spills literally beat up on the surface instead of soaking in, so you can wipe them away in seconds.

[00:34:43]And when you need a deeper clean, the rugs are fully machine washable. Even the larger sizes are. Wow. And can we talk about how genius the rug pad system is? The cushion non-slip pad tucks underneath and keeps everything securely in place, which makes such a different in hightra areas. I also appreciate that they're ootex certified, so they're safe for kids, pets, and anyone spending time on the floor. And design-wise, they really are beautiful. The patterns feel timeless and elevated instead of trendy or disposable. Before Tumble, I felt like I was constantly trying to scrub stains out of rugs or worrying about ruining them. Now I feel like I can actually live in my home and enjoy it without stressing over every little mess. Perfect for living rooms, kitchens, entryways, hallways, kids rooms, you name it. Basically anywhere in your house where life tends to get just a bit messy. Machine washable rugs made better. For a limited time only, our listeners get 10% off plus free shipping at tumbler.com/flourishing.

[00:35:43]That's tu mble.com/flourishing.

[00:35:49]At that point, we wound up seeing your counselor and I really want to bring this into the conversation because I think it's so it's such an important part of the equation. I >> and I'm going to let you talk about that.

[00:36:02]>> I've been seeing a counselor here in in the area for seven years.

[00:36:10]Um, some very, very difficult, heartbreaking, troubling things were happening in my life. And, uh, and so I sought out a faith-based >> a Christian counselor and, uh, had been seeing him, you know, like once a week. And so, you know, we've we have gone to see him a couple of times as well as a couple.

[00:36:33]>> Um, and uh, told him what was going on.

[00:36:37]And uh he had a friend that he knew who was herself a doctor.

[00:36:45]>> Yeah.

[00:36:45]>> Uh and she practices what did we we looked it up. What was the term that that we used?

[00:36:52]>> I'm going to find it.

[00:36:53]>> Functional. That was it.

[00:36:54]>> She's a functional medicine practitioner.

[00:36:57]>> Correct.

[00:36:58]>> Yes.

[00:36:59]>> Yeah. Dr. O'Brien. Um and you know what I want to do also? Um, I will put in the description I will put links to all of these people and practitioners simply because they they all served such a critical and pivotal role in one thing leading to another and all proved to be incredibly helpful for you and for us.

[00:37:22]Um, and when you talked about Brian the counselor who you had seen, you know, for many years before I even entered the picture, we started seeing him together as a couple. because we both believed that and and just like I've articulated this marriage is so different from anything that I've known.

[00:37:42]>> Praise the Lord. And you know, we started seeing him together as a couple when we were dating and as things were progressing because we just wanted to do this, right? You know, we Yeah.

[00:37:54]>> We wanted I I feel compelled to to to point that out. Yeah.

[00:37:58]>> It's like, oh, they're already having trouble. No, it wasn't it wasn't any kind of trouble at all. Right.

[00:38:03]>> In fact, we just wanted to be proactive.

[00:38:06]>> We wanted to make sure that we were approaching this relationship and investing in this relationship and grounding this relationship.

[00:38:17]>> Yes.

[00:38:18]>> In in the the strongest of foundations and uh make sure that that we gave it every >> you know every boost and support that we could into it. grateful for that and grateful for him and and we still see him what he presented in that session I thought was one of the most compelling pieces of information I've heard to date and that is and your question was why now right why now I am the happiest I am the lightest I am the freest I have the most joy >> I am the most at peace that I have been in 20 years, 25 years.

[00:39:02]>> Yeah.

[00:39:03]>> And what I I really could not compute in my mind was I had been through hell.

[00:39:15]>> Mhm.

[00:39:16]>> I mean, for lack of a better term, I had been through arguably the most devastating, damaging, heart-wrenching, discouraging time. And I I felt like at some point that I had I had survived.

[00:39:37]>> Mhm.

[00:39:38]>> Not necessarily flourished, but I had survived.

[00:39:42]>> Sure.

[00:39:43]>> That I I had not done anything stupid. I had not fallen to pieces. I had not, you know, gone off to live in a desert island. I had not um um sequestered myself from family and friends and work and church and whatever. Um, but I thought that I had made it through that devastating >> Mhm.

[00:40:07]>> chapter and to suddenly find out that autoimmune diseases in particular can lie dormant for years and brought on by stress.

[00:40:25]Well, you know, certainly plenty of stress over the last seven years.

[00:40:31]>> And apparently what he told us was that when you're in this fight mode, when you're in this I have to survive at all costs mode, your body steps up >> and it hunkers down and it pushes through. But when the crisis is diminished, maybe not past but diminished, your body relaxes.

[00:40:59]And when it relaxes, it like almost gives itself permission to let all of these things that it was holding at bay during the crisis, okay, now you're free to go do your thing. And uh that was really something >> that was >> when when he said when he when he said that >> I thought are you kidding me?

[00:41:22]>> Like you fight so hard to survive, you know, a a a difficult moment or or period in your life, a a a difficult set of circumstances.

[00:41:35]And when you get through it and think you've survived, it didn't destroy you.

[00:41:42]>> Maybe damaged you badly, injured you badly, but you know, it didn't destroy you. Um, you think you're okay. Okay.

[00:41:51]And then God sends me you.

[00:41:57]And it just seemed so surreal that now would be the time that it would choose to let loose and do its thing.

[00:42:08]>> He talked about um a don't ever apologize for your tears. He talked about um he counsels many first responders, frontline people, officers, firefighters, whatnot.

[00:42:22]>> And this happens to a lot of them.

[00:42:24]>> Yeah.

[00:42:25]>> That they >> That's what I hear. they endure. They are in that fight or flight mode, you know, and they're holding on for their retirement and their pension and they finally get there. And when they can exhale and relax, that's when the disease manifests and presents. And it does seem so cruel, but the body has a unique way of holding it together until it no longer feels it has to hold it together.

[00:42:51]>> Yeah. And then all that suppression of stuff, you know, has to make its way out.

[00:42:59]>> My first thought was there are people in the world that sought to destroy me and I felt like they didn't. I I I was I was so confident as as time passed by.

[00:43:18]I I was so confident that I had come through it and that people who sought to destroy me did not succeed.

[00:43:28]And my first thought was, well, maybe they kind of succeeded after all.

[00:43:39]>> I wouldn't give him that kind of power.

[00:43:41]>> Well, >> or agency over your life or your body.

[00:43:45]Only Only God holds that.

[00:43:47]>> Exactly. Exactly. Exactly.

[00:43:49]>> People don't.

[00:43:50]>> And that was what I reminded myself daily. You reminded me daily.

[00:43:54]>> Mhm.

[00:43:55]>> Um God's spirit reminded me daily.

[00:43:58]Church reminded me daily. Uh Brian, >> sorry, Brian reminded me weekly.

[00:44:05]Um >> yeah, but I know that was tough. And I know that you were battling this sort of, you know, did they win?

[00:44:17]did they get me? I'm like, no, I they have they do not have the final say and God is still writing your manuscript. And I truly believe by you um just even sharing this journey, there's so many people who can relate to what you're saying. Um >> that's my hope that that that's my hope.

[00:44:38]I believe that and and I believe that there are there are many and I hope wives of husbands who are experience experiencing this are bringing their husbands in to listen to this. This isn't just a you thing. This is an us thing. Yeah.

[00:44:54]>> And it's just like what you talked about prayer conversation how we think about things, how we reframe things, how we move through things. And there were a lot of other changes that were soon to come for you through all of this. This is such a team effort and this is team victory over here.

[00:45:16]>> Yeah, >> that's what this is.

[00:45:18]>> And you know, we read a devotional at one point that has stuck with me. It's the simplest of of concepts and yet profound.

[00:45:27]>> And many of you may may even relate to this. When you go for a long period of time with smooth sailing, no real medical issues, no real physical challenges, um prosper, you do well, you have good work, you have good relationships, and and you get into this rhythm of this is this is what a great things are great. What a good life. What a great life.

[00:45:56]And a lot of times when something happens, your first thought is, why me?

[00:46:03]>> The profound thought was, why not me?

[00:46:06]I'm not I'm no different. I'm no I'm no more special than anybody else. We live in a world of pain. We live in a world of disease. We live in a world that is fallen, that is broken.

[00:46:19]>> Um and none of those things are any respector of persons.

[00:46:24]And and so I remember thinking so feeling so strongly when we read that I'm like exactly why not me >> why not me why why why shouldn't something like this happened to me >> sure >> and what was to come as well >> what was to come we after that session with Brian and kind of explaining the whole autoimmune response and why this would be happening now which was such an unusual concept for us to wrap our minds around that's when he also sent us to the functional medicine practitioner Dr. O'Brien >> who was going to give us a very different approach from what Dr. Ahmed was going to bring. But it was my hope because I believe wholeheartedly in functional medicine. And it was my hope that we would find a journey that would embrace both functional medicine and maybe traditional medicine and figure out what that dance looks like for you.

[00:47:20]So we went over to Dr. O'Brien's office and you already had, you know, the myinia blood work done. There was some other blood work. She wanted a ton of blood work from your primary care practitioner from years out because what she wanted to do was she wanted to start to see when these changes were happening in your body. And that our blood work tells a profound story, especially if you are getting annual blood work and especially if you are going into a deeper dive with inflammatory markers.

[00:47:52]aside from just your your general cholesterol, lipids, and things like that, but really inflammatory markers, blood sugar, all the things. And so she was able to see a pattern of decline in your body, especially your body's immunity to be able to fight things. So on paper for her, it was making perfect sense as to why your body got to the place where it did. So she brought us in and we had an hour consult consultation with her. She also had you do even more blood work because she wanted you to do way more than any primary care practitioner had ever run on you.

[00:48:30]Especially now with the mythnia. There were other markers that she was looking for. But what she immediately said to you was you need to be on an anti-inflammatory diet. You need to be on an anti-inflammatory lifestyle.

[00:48:45]meaning foods that cause inflammation.

[00:48:48]My poor Italian, this was brutal for you. But no gl no gluten, no sugar, minimal dairy, no alcohol for you.

[00:48:59]Basically, no fun. She wanted a pasta.

[00:49:02]>> Yeah, pasta.

[00:49:03]>> I could do an only pasta diet, >> but not a no pasta diet. No bread. Wait, what? Back up. What?

[00:49:12]>> Yeah. She wanted you to do a complete elimination diet of all things gluten, no alcohol. She wanted to get your inflammatory markers to flatline basically. And then I also shared with her supplements. You know, I've got a ton of supplements here in this house.

[00:49:28]And what I had already suggested that you start taking like high doses of vitamin D, high doses of zinc, B12, omegas. Um, we even >> She's good. She's good. We even and and this may sound fringe for a lot of people but I am a you know believer in this too um just through research a lot of people have been doing things like um >> ivormectazol yes for >> my friend Jeff >> my friend Jeff's wife uh they they were on it for different things and and it really seemed to help. So >> and we talked to Dr. O'Brien about all of these things all of which she signed off on. So I I was grateful. She and I were kind of speaking the same language so >> and I was really really appreciative to be connected with a practitioner who was so well-versed in the wellness space 25 minutes away from our home which is a gift. A lot of people travel far and wide to find practitioners like this.

[00:50:24]>> So that started you on this trajectory of completely cleaning out your diet.

[00:50:30]>> And she reaffirmed the whole stress thing too. I remember sitting across her desk and she said, "You know, a lot of this this kind of thing can be brought on by stress. Have you had any stress in your life?" And you and I looked at each other like, >> "Uh, >> yeah."

[00:50:47]>> Yeah. You started crying.

[00:50:49]>> Yeah.

[00:50:49]>> You started crying in her office when she asked you that.

[00:50:53]>> Yeah. Stress is not a long enough word.

[00:50:56]>> No.

[00:50:57]>> But uh No.

[00:50:58]>> Yeah. So that started let me let me reference the timeline here because all of this was basically happening in succession. Okay. So that was right around the beginning of October because at the same time you were due for your annual this is when the story takes an even wilder turn. So at this point you're trying to manage the myas and okay let's also talk about the symptoms symptomatically by October 1st and that first Dr. O'Brien visit where were you with your vision?

[00:51:33]>> Well the double vision was still there.

[00:51:36]It was it is not anymore. Thank the Lord.

[00:51:41]>> But it took a very long time and it was very gradual >> until just one day you're like hey >> I don't have it.

[00:51:48]>> Everything seems kind of normal. Mhm.

[00:51:50]>> Uh and of course the ptosis u went away shortly after we came back from from Bali.

[00:51:57]>> Yeah.

[00:51:58]>> I was having an occasional a thickness uh in my tongue and in speaking and I could I could hear it occasionally when I would form words, you know.

[00:52:08]>> Mhm.

[00:52:09]>> Um but again, it would just be a couple of minutes and then it it'd go away. It pop up out of nowhere. Um, I think I kind of identified that it would show up when I hadn't eaten for a while.

[00:52:21]>> Yes. Yeah. And that was another thing, too, which was an adjustment for you.

[00:52:25]Not Not only were you eliminating all your favorite foods, but now they wanted you to eat more consistently throughout the day to help fuel your muscles. And this said to the guy who can go all day without eating and then binge eat at 8:00 at night, you can consume an entire day's worth of food in one meal. And now you were having to completely rethink that. You were having to get protein in every meal. You were having to eat at least three times a day, increase your water intake.

[00:52:55]Everything your whole life was just, you know, >> Yeah.

[00:52:59]>> the rug was pulled out from under you.

[00:53:01]>> Yep. So, shall we talk about the appointment the the next appointment? You want to segue into that?

[00:53:09]>> Sure. So, you you start this protocol, right? you're you're just at the beginning of all of this and getting used to it that at this point I'm making you gluten-free pasta with meat sauce.

[00:53:22]I'm finding gluten-free pizzas. I'm doing everything I can, >> which aren't bad, by the way. Those cauliflower crust pizzas. Not too bad.

[00:53:31]Not too bad.

[00:53:31]>> And he and he loves my meat sauces.

[00:53:33]>> Put a lot of chili pepper on it.

[00:53:37]So, we we have we have figured workarounds and you order gluten-free at restaurants and and we've made all that work. Um, you were also due for an annual at your primary care.

[00:53:48]>> Yes.

[00:53:49]>> Which now leads to the next.

[00:53:52]>> Yes. So, uh, every year, you know, I have a physical general standard thing. And um one of the things when you get to be I think it's over 50 maybe men over 50 it's not 55 it's 50 uh any man over 50 when they do general physicals they give them among many other tests a PSA test and PSA is a number it's a value that they give to the possibility of cancer uh and in the prostate And uh the the number is typically 2 3 4 and it it fluctuates and it always has over the years. Uh last time I got it done it was like four, three and a half or four. But this time uh went in for the physical and the doctor called me and said, "Your PSA level is elevated."

[00:54:53]And my first thought was, you know, it's been elevated before. you know, it's gone five >> five and a half and then it drops to three and a half. I mean, it's just in that little area there.

[00:55:02]>> And he said, "Well, it's like 6.8." And he said, "Um, I'd like to retest it. I'" He I was taking some medication.

[00:55:09]>> And he said, "Uh, that medication can have an effect on the PSA number. It can in fact shield the actual number."

[00:55:20]>> And so, I'd like you to lay off that medication for a month or whatever, two weeks. can't quite remember it's not important and and then come back and we'll do another test.

[00:55:30]>> So I did I stopped this daily medicine medication that I took >> and I went back and got another test and it was 7.9 going the wrong direction.

[00:55:42]>> Mhm.

[00:55:42]>> So then he said I would like to order an MRI. had an MRI >> and apparently they're really quick turning those results around because I think he called me. We were sitting in the kitchen >> and he called me I think it was the same afternoon >> it was.

[00:56:00]>> And he said uh they found a spot, the MRI has identified a spot on your uh on your prostate uh that they believe is cancerous. And I said, "Well, they believe." And I didn't really want to, you know, don't jump to conclusions here, right?

[00:56:18]>> So I'm like, well, what do you mean they believe? I mean, what are the odds? And he said, well, >> they rate these on a scale from one to five and they give yours a five.

[00:56:34]Why me? Why not me?

[00:56:40]>> Yeah.

[00:56:40]>> And I asked him and you were sitting there. I think he had him on speaker, didn't he? I asked you to ask him if it were him who just got diagnosed, what would he do? I wanted I wanted to know that.

[00:56:52]>> Yeah. We asked him what what are our options? What what could what should we do? How would how should we proceed?

[00:56:59]>> And he said, "Well, there's radiation."

[00:57:02]And you and I looked at each other and were like, >> and he said, and and they there also is a procedure where they implant radioactive pellets in your prostate, which is basically the same thing. It's radiation.

[00:57:17]They want to do that. And then he said, of course, and there's also a prostatctomy where you just remove the prostate.

[00:57:25]Well, for those of you that don't know, you can pretty much kiss all sexual function and even continents like your ability to control your bladder. Uh, you can kiss that goodbye. And I thought >> you run a high I won't say totally, but the risk is great.

[00:57:42]>> Very great >> because of the nerve damage on both ends.

[00:57:45]>> Apparently, the prostate is wrapped in nerves and it's the nerves that control all of these things. Yes.

[00:57:51]>> Well, you know, I I I certainly wasn't prepared to give up any of those things.

[00:57:58]Just married the love of my life, right?

[00:58:00]Um not an option.

[00:58:03]So, you my darling started doing your investigative journalist thing and you found >> uh a relatively new procedure.

[00:58:14]>> Mhm.

[00:58:16]called Tulsa, transurethal laser ablasion.

[00:58:21]>> The idea is that they anesthetize you.

[00:58:25]They put you in an MRI and they use the MRI in real time to go in with a laser and and >> an ultrasound.

[00:58:34]>> Yes. And locate >> the the cancer and zap it. Basically burn it out of existence. Mhm.

[00:58:40]>> We came to find that uh there had been some pretty good success with this procedure.

[00:58:47]We were told that so as we read about it, we found out that one of the doctors who I believe even pioneered >> this procedure, thank you heavenly father, >> was in Dallas.

[00:59:05]So we made an appointment with Dr. Cochran. Yeah, >> you guys, this is a neat guy, okay? My mother literally said, "Ask him if he's married, Victor, because he's brilliant."

[00:59:16]>> 82 years old.

[00:59:17]>> 82.

[00:59:18]>> And you know what he told me? He said, "I could have retired years ago, >> but I'm so excited >> by the new technology that we are developing. I want to be around to see it and use it and watch watch men uh get through these things." Yeah. And in fact, he had a radical prostatctomy. He had prostate cancer, I believe he said, in his 50s. And he did suffer some of those symptoms that you talked about.

[00:59:46]Now, he did say there are new things on the market, pills, pharmaceuticals, whatnot to help in that area. But his whole idea in partnering with the gentleman who founded this technology, he's the he's the doctor, the surgeon who knows how to apply it. But just like you said, his whole idea was why run that risk of men facing that when you have a less invasive, easier to recover from procedure that doesn't require surgery, it doesn't require radiating anything, burning, damaging, nothing.

[01:00:20]>> And what was amazing what was amazing about it was he said, not only is it minimally invasive, but there's zero downtime.

[01:00:28]>> Mhm. like he had people that would come in and have this procedure done and go home that same day. So, it's an outpatient procedure and go to work the next day.

[01:00:38]>> Now, granted, you shouldn't be entering a weightlifting contest the next day, but you can function normally and it sounded it sounded very promising to us.

[01:00:47]>> Yeah, we had a wonderful he also met with us for an hour, answered every question that we had.

[01:00:56]We left his office and I'll never forget this. He said, "Well, I want both of y'all to pray about it and then call me back and tell me what you want to do."

[01:01:06]>> Yes. It was very clear that he was a man of faith. And uh >> that was incredibly encouraging.

[01:01:13]>> Incredibly.

[01:01:14]>> The next thing for you was to move forward, you needed to get it was a PET scan. Is that correct?

[01:01:19]>> CAT scan.

[01:01:20]>> Cat scan.

[01:01:20]>> Cat scan.

[01:01:21]>> Because they wanted to scan the whole body and make sure that it was just in the prostate, >> no other cancer in the body. And thanks, glory be to God, there was not.

[01:01:31]>> Clearly, there's a lot to unpack and there is more to this story. So, we felt it was worthy of another podcast episode. So, we are going to wrap up this one today, but I encourage you to stay tuned and watch next week's podcast where Vic continues his health journey.

[01:01:51]And a journey it has been, a journey that many of you have been on. um just very unusual the nature and sequence of events in all of this but you know like he said no surprise to certainly our heavenly father and you know many of you can probably share in the same story. So I thank you very much for being with us today. As I said at the beginning of this podcast, this was something that took a lot of thought and prayer about how to discuss, when to discuss, even if to discuss because I think you need privacy and you need calm and peace in your life when you are journeying through a health issue. But we did feel like we got to a place where it was time and we were ready. And I appreciate and I'm just going to ask in advance the nature in which this is received. Um, I am going to assume that it will be handled with incredible kindness and respect and I thank you in advance for that. And stay tuned to next Monday's Over 50 and Flourishing. Vic will be back as he continues this journey. But we appreciate you holding our hearts with such care and we'll see you next week.