Patient Case Brief

Quick History

Back in 1990, I had my first partial complex seizure at sleep time (I was around 12 years old), and I ignored it for long years as I figured that not sleeping in the middle of the day resolved the issue and I no longer had them.

I was diagnosed with left temporal low-grade glioma in 2009, and he was told that most likely he had those seizures. I suspect it has been around for decades, given my history. I started having nocturnal seizure-like episodes at 12 years old that went untreated. It is interesting to note that if he took an afternoon nap, it would result in a nighttime episode.

In 2005, by coincidence, I had my first brain MRI and discovered that I had what appeared to be a benign tumor on my left temporal lobe (the MRI was requested because of a left leg numbness). My neurosurgent advised me not to take any action but to continue to watch if progress is showing before taking any action. Therefore, I put things on hold until I had my first partial complex seizure in 2008. That pushed me personally to take a new action, seeking surgery elsewhere at a place where surgery was actually possible, given that my many neurosurgents in Jordan told me that it was inoperable.

Accordingly, I had my brain surgery on February 9, 2009 in Canada, at which time they resected 92% of the tumor, which was diagnosed as an Astrocytoma Grade II (later in Cleveland, UK, they said it was an oligoastrocytoma in their report, which turned out to be more correct).

(the tumor sent off for testing, which showed that MGMT methylation issues are responsive to standard of care, namely Temozolomide, which I did not take until this moment)

While the surgery was “successful”, it surely left me with brain challenges that partially improved 3 to 6 months post-surgery.  However, a few months later, my symtombs worsened without tumor growth for a few years.

I wasn’t recommended to do anything except taking brain MRIs.  No tests, no food choices or diets, and I used to have my high-carb diets until 2013, when one MRI showed me that some brain tumors were slightly developing, and that made me move to the nutrition world, and I have followed blood tests linked to diets that are specific to my cancer.

I had two grand mal seizures, one in 2015 while I was trying to wean off Trileptal (without referring to a doctor) and another in 2017 despite being still on Trileptal.

After my first brain surgery, sleeping was difficult because complex partial seizures were showing up when I started to sleep (which used to take place when I was a child but I ignored because back then the solution was to simply not take a 30-minute nap in the middle of the day). After years of working on healing my gut which started in 2017, this issue stopped occurring.  This started with me discovering the new route of Functional Medicine, and that let me meet many fine practitioners who investigated new paths that I hadn’t been informed about before.

On November 4th, 2020, I had an COVID-19 and it was difficult on me. I had an MRI just in case, and I discovered that the brain tumor had grown again.  After discussing this with my practitioner, and she strongly believed that what caused this tumor growth was the high use of L-Glutamine (RepairVite) which I took to heal the leaky gut I have, so I stopped these immediately and decided to look for surgery.

On January 4, 2021, I had my second surgery, and the neurosurgeon made a resection removing 90% of the tumor (Learn More About Post the Brain Surgery), and that extended my memory and helped me find wording, which I will explain later here.

Then, in September 2023, I had an MRI showing that I have tumor growth that requires attention again and I have decided to go for tumor resection again.   I then decided to make my third surgery successful once again, but most likely far better than the previous ones.

It is worth mentioning that between 2000 and 2009, I used to do bubbly/shisha (smoking) every other day for around 2 hours.

 

Brain Surgeries

  1. (2024): Third Tumor Surgery
    Surgery was even more complex than before, and that took place in Germany under Prof. Madjid Samii.  Pathology states that it is low-grade oligoastrocytoma (low-grade mixed glioma). The amazing potential outcome this time was that the entire cancer area is no longer remaining despite that so many other doctors told me that this wasn’t possible.   
  2. (2021): Second Tumor Surgery
    Surgery was complex, and a large surgery took place in Spain by Dr. Bartolomé Oliver.  Pathology states that it is Low-grade oligoastrocytoma (low-grade mixed glioma), WHO grade II .  Around 90% of the tumor was removed, and 10% remained. I have full details, including anatomical pathology, surgery images and videos, and far more.
    LEARN MORE
  3. (2009): First Tumor Surgery
    Dr. Rolando Del Maestro performed the complex surgery.  Low-grade oligoastrocytoma (low-grade mixed glioma), WHO grade II.   Confirmed heterozygosity at 1p and 19q confirming an oligodendroglial component. 
    I have details of Anatomical pathology and surgery images.  

    LEARN MORE

Other Surgeries

  1. (2023): Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy 
    I had dysuria and urine incontinence, and a right kidney stone was discovered. I had cystoscopy and flexible ureteroscopy, as well as laser fragmentation and DJ catheter insertion. I was then discharged on September 12, 2023.
    Occasional Auras and Seizures
  2. (2016): Hernia
    Laparoscopic Hernia Surgery was conducted successfully. More information (including videos) is available upon request.

  3. (1984): Appendectomy 
    I had an Appendectomy. It has been completed successfully, according to my parents, and it took place in the UAE.

 

Current Symptoms

This is a brief list of symptoms that I am suffering from now, and these have taken place since my first brain resection until now

  1. Memory Challenges and Reading Difficulties

    Since 2009, my challenges have been word-finding difficulties, and it’s harder to start memorizing new terms/words.  I read relatively slowly, and I get tired after reading beyond 20 pages if I’m reading typical subjects, but I can’t do more than 2 pages if I’m reading fresh and complex subjects.  I also have difficulties with finding locations.

    However, after the second surgery on January 5, 2021, I started having more challenges.  Finding words has become slightly worse, and reading has become worse but improved a year later.

  2. Occasional Auras and Seizures

    I had two grand mall seizures in 2013 and 2017.  I started CBD in 2022, and it has helped a great deal, but some incidents, like getting sick or if I’m under stress, would show auras and/or manageable seizures.

    LEARN MORE

 

Tests and Diagnosis

I have done so many tests, all of them with the guidance of different practitioners

  1. MRI: Tumor Growth

    The MRI that took place in September 2023 showed that further growth and it requires attention/surgery.

    READ/WATCH MRI HERE  

  2. Intestinal Antigenic Permeability
    Cyrex Lab: Array 2

    Discovered in 2017 and tested three times so far.  The tests are showing that Lipopolysaccharides (LPS), both IgG and IgA are still in the Equivocal range.

    By the end of November 2020, I will have my fourth test done, hoping for good progress this time.

    LEARN MORE

  3. MycoTOX Profile
    Mold Exposure

    Very high readings of “Ochratoxin A”, “Gliotoxin” and “Mycophenolic Acid.” I cleaned the sources at the house, and I went through treatment for months, then did the test again on 6/2020 to find out that I still need to do more.

    ABOUT THE TESTS
    and
    THE UPCOMING PROTOCOL

  4. Neurological Autoimmune Reactivity
    Cyrex Lab: Array 7x

    All the readings are green except for Alpha + Beta Tubulin IgG+IgA, where it is Out of Range.  The diet and supplements are supposed to be helping with this.  The focus now is on the Array 2 outcome, and once that is healed, we’ll test this one.

    LEARN MORE

  5. Multiple Food Immune Reactivity
    Cyrex Lab: Array 10

    On July 7, 2019, this reading showed that I can’t eat eggs or cheese, nor rice or wheat. Beans and lentils are out of range too.  I can’t eat macadamia (bad for keto). The rest are a few and aren’t difficult for me to follow.

    LEARN MORE

  6. Multiple Autoimmune Reactivity Screen
    Cyrex Lab: Array 5

    Earlier in 2020, we discovered that 3 readings were in Equivocal range, while 4 were Out of Range.

    LEARN MORE

  7. GI MAP
    DNA Stool Analysis—Stool Test

    Having done the GI MAP test, I discovered several issues, with H-Pylori being the most important one that is being healed.

    GI MAP: DNA Stool Analysis – Stool Test

  8. SPECT Scan
    Precision Analytical Report

    I have met with Dr. Sandlin Lowe, MD, at Amen Clinics in New York. The outcome was astonishing, showing that both my left and right temporal lobes aren’t functioning well.  I followed plenty of the discussion’s protocols, but I did not feel any positive outcome during the first year

    LEARN MORE

  9. DUTCH Test
    Precision Analytical Report

    Estradiol (E2) is low, while Sex Hormone Binding Globulin was high (for many years). I could not yet treat this, despite different supplements given to me.

    LEARN MORE

  10. Organic Acid Test
    The Great Plains Laboratory

    That showed many readings that were higher and lower than the range. I have spoken to Dr. Robert Miller about this test and, most importantly, the neurotransmitter issues.

    LEARN MORE

 

Treatment Plan

The treatment plan has surely been different over the years for different purposes.  However, I am  

  1. CBD Oil
    (ongoing)

    I have worked with three different practitioners who specialize in CBD.  After many months, I discovered that the numbers must be much higher than when I first tried. This helped very well without medications, but it is still not 100% seizure-free.

    LEARN MORE

  2. Supplements
    (ongoing)

    I have been on different supplements for different purposes for years, but all with the help of practitioners.  All of these are well documented in brief on the website.  Dr. Flannery and other excellent practitioners are in charge of managing those to support various issues diagnosed (beyond cancer).

    ALL THE SUPPLEMENTS

  3. Personalized Tumor Neoantigen-Specific Vaccine Treatment
    (last taken on 12/2022)

    That took place and I have documented what I went through, what the vaccine was, and what tests it showed (we took a sample of the brain tumor itself in 2021)

    LEARN MORE

  4. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
    (last taken on 12/2020)

    I did 12 sessions in November 2020, then started another 12-session plan before my second brain surgery in January 2021.

    LEARN MORE

  5. Therapeutic Ketogenic Diet (with further restrictions)
    (last taken on 12/2020)

    The well-known diet with further restrictions. Dairy-free, butter-free, with restrictions on selected vegetables that are typically accepted in Keto.  I began only 6 weeks prior to 2021 surgery.

    LEARN MORE

  6. H-Pylori & Pathogens

    I am currently on one month of Matula Tea and hoping to finish at the end of November 2020, although my previous treatment did significantly change the reading.

    I suggest you have a look at the supplements I am taking that were used for the Pathogens

    MY READINGS
    ALL THE SUPPLEMENTS

 

Past Diseases/Infections

  1. Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy

    I had dysuria and urine incontinence, and a right kidney stone was discovered. I had cystoscopy and flexible ureteroscopy, as well as laser fragmentation and DJ catheter insertion. I was then discharged on September 12, 2023.
  2. Covid-19 Disease

    I got infected on November 5th, 2020, and the first three days were extremely difficult.  After 10 days have passed, most of the symptoms have gone down, but the testing shows the case is still positive.

    MY COVID-19 DETAILS

  3. Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth

    My breath test was positive for hydrogen sulphide. On 2012, three months later, I was healed after following a dietary protocol and set of supplements

    HEALING SIBO

  4. Unhealthy Food: High Carbs, Processed Food

    I stopped eating poor food since 2013 as I started moving into healthier diet options, and I stopped consuming processed food and high-carb and sugar-based sources. I then switched to four different diets over the years; all are healthy, for sure, but not all of them nailed all my issues at once.

    ABOUT MY DIET

Currently on Hold

These are treatments and tools that I have tried, but they have not yet yielded positive outcomes.  I am still thinking they will work at some point once I finish root causes that haven’t yet been healed.

  1. Low-Level Level Laser Therapy

    I have met two fine doctors who spoke to me about the Erchonia XLR8 device. I tried about 30 sessions at first without any positive response.

    MORE ABOUT THE PROTOCOL

  2. Pulsed Electromagnetic Field

    I have researched and spoken to the best specialists in the field. I had several sessions with Dr. William Pawluk, who is “the” expert in the field of PEMF, and I ended up with two devices.   I still use it often, but it has no positive impact on brain function or seizure control.

    LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT I OWN

  3. Neurofeedback

    I started with Dr. Barry Sterman, and then went through many doctors with different devices.   Some doctors believes that with a brain resection, it is not practical to expect anything from the Neurofeedback

    LEARN MORE

Thoughts for Future

These are things I haven’t yet worked on, but I may have to do that if I fail to find positive outcomes from the current plans

  1. Personalized Vaccine 

    I already had one in Germany back in 2021, and I honestly believe that it made a difference.  However, it stopped providing further benefits back in November 2023, and I may think about other vaccines if others are providing new models with better outcomes.

  2. Chemotherapy: Temozolomide

    I have confirmed heterozygosity at 1p and 19q, and the MGMT promoter was methylated. At the right time, I wasn’t sure if I might decide to take Temozolomide at any point in time; I was always against the Chemo path for my case.

Practitioners I Worked With

Since 2013, I’ve been working with different people, most of whom are in the United States. A good number of them are ones that I traveled to, while others I got their service online.

They have different approaches and have different specialists. I have mentioned them here, and I spoke about each one of them, and where applicable, I shared their proposed solutions and/or supplement protocols.