A Tribute to David

In the midst of celebrating Mitochondrial Awarenees Week, I am deeply saddened to learn a very, very dear Mito Warrior passed away this morning. Oh how my eyes weep and my heart breaks as I cope with the news.

I was just thinking about my friend David last week. Ah, yes, I really need to write him an email and check in to see how he is doing. It has been far too long since we last chatted. These thoughts floated through my mind, but like so many good intentions, the thoughts never materialized into actions. So, in addition to losing a friend, I also must face the negligence of my own actions. He will never know how much I deeply loved and cherished his friendship.

David was one of the first people I met after becoming severely debilitated with Mitochondrial Disease. He was a ray of sunshine in a world of very little knowledge about Mitochondrial Disease. We frequently wrote emails. He had suffered with Mito for a long time and had so much knowledge about what helped and how to adapt one's life to Mitochodndrial Disease. He was a brilliant scientist and found an amazing link between taking low doses of Benadryl and symptom improvement in Mitochondrial Disease and associated conditions such as MS, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. Unfortunately, the scientific world did not care to learn of his incredible findings. His research did not reveal a new drug, only taking low doses of a cheap over-the-counter medicine.

By God's incredible grace, this vital piece of information lead me on my own journey. I took David's findings and started investigating why Benadryl was making a difference in people's symptoms. I soon stumbled upon mast cells and their role in so many illnesses. I soon learned about histamine and its ability to create havoc in one's body. I started learning about ways to control mast cells and control histamine in my body. This tremendously changed my life. I started taking mast cell stabilizers and using Benadryl in crisis situations. My Mitochondrial symptoms were stabilized and became much easier to predict and cope with.

Perhaps it is very selfish to think how my life might have been if I had never known David. But, he has been such a blessing in my life. He always took time to answer questions and to share all his own experiences. I pray the family is able to find comfort in this time of sorrow. Their beloved David was such a treasure and invaluable resource to so many people. Although the words from the email I wanted to write David will never reach David, perhaps I can still be of use and provide comforting words to David's family and friends.

"Fulfill my joy, that you be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through quarreling or pride; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:2-5).