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Yes indeed, I too know what a Major Depression feels like and how hard life can be while battling the many comorbid symptoms and conditions that can follow. My experience began in 1992 and “chronic depression” has been chasing me ever since. One thing I didn’t do was to “give up” hope and let it defeat me. Yes, it won many of the battles, but I have something in me to keep me fighting so that I can win “the war”. I tried about 30 different anti depressant meds, and it wasn’t until recently that I needed to switch to a different class (SNRI) in order to replace a med that I was on for too many years which had lost it’s effectiveness and was no longer working for me. The battle continues. For those of you who are new to depression etc… or for those considering “giving up” the fight, I would suggest that you set up an appointment with Dr. Mariano to seek help. He is “The Best” and if you want or deserve the BEST medical care for your life…..I would highly recommend Dr. Mariano !!!! I have personally been seen by approximately 40 doctors/psychiatrists/psychologist’s over the past 19 years, including some from Stanford, Berkeley, San Francisco California, and in my view and experience, Dr. M is “The Best” for me and my mental/physical health needs. For those of you who can make it out to California to see Dr. Mariano, if “Your Life” is that important to you, you can take it from me (or not) that I would highly recommend him. He has been “healing me” for the past two years and I know that with him as Commander in Chief of my Army…… I will win THE WAR against depression and other ailments that I am constantly being attacked by. Welcome to all new members here. Geno
I have been doing blood tests (labwork) for at least the last 6 or more years while monitering various hormone levels including Cortisol for Adrenal Issues. The instructions I have gotten from my Doctor(s) have always been to A. Fast for 12 hours, and B. NOT to take my medication in the morning before my blood draw, which is usually preferred at early morning hours 8-9 a.m. But of course, each persons labwork is specific for their needs and should very well meet the requirements and orders from their respective Physician. I would call the Doctor’s office who wrote you the lab order and ask the Doctor or his/her representative to find out for you so you do the blood draw properly. By the time you get to see your Physician to review your labwork, it may delay or interupt the outcome of your office visit and goal for health recovery etc… which would of course just DELAY more time while perhaps having to go back and do the blood work, schedule another appointment, wait some more, suffer some more, or cause you “More Stress” which of course if you are taking HC 20mg for Adrenal issues, then you most likely could benefit from “NOT ADDING MORE STRESS” to your life, which can cause patients like us more confusion and frustration in dealing with “The Medical System(s)” that CAN become frustrating after awhile. Just thought I would give you something to think about that may help you out 🙂 Finally, you have come to the right website to learn about things that may very well help you learn about some of your health issues ! Good luck , Geno
loopey107, I have many similar medical conditions as you. I am 46 yr old male, on TRT,Thyroid,DHEA,Hydrocortisone, SSRI and Dexedrine. I supplement my diet and I try to eat a nutritiously as I can afford. In the past five years or so, my IGF-1 results have ranged from 115 – 167. I believe HGH can and will help me overall, especially the improved “Quality of Life” and “Better sense of well being” as a majority of the detailed studies that I have researched have seemed to emphasize as a common result from HGH replacement, specifically for AGHD, Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency. Too many studies to post here, plus I don’t have them handy right now. Anyway, Dr. Mariano’s answers to your questions were very informative. I like it when someone else who has a condition similar to mine posts a question and get’s replies back that help me and others to learn 😀 In one of Dr. Mariano’s replies to you, he touched on the subject of “External Stressors” (e.g. work, relationships, psychological problems,social issues, etc..) and I would like to add to this subject from my own stessors in this regard that I did not see in any of your questions. As for me, I have had chronic sleep issues for many years (Insomnia, early waking & inability to go back to sleep at 3 a.m.) I do not have a weight problem and I am not obese (6’2″ 220lbs) but I do believe that many years of “Sleep Problems” may have contributed to my low levels of IGF-1. As you may know, GH is released in spurts during a certain stage in the sleep cycle. I don’t believe I have slept a complete 8 hours in years. Anyway, this is a “STRESSOR” of mine too. I also “Internalize” and worry excessively on HOW, WHEN, and IF, I will get better and feel and function somewhat “Normal” again. On a daily basis, I have “Obsessive Thoughts” on my health, why I have all these conditions, when and if I will get better, and my focus on a daily basis is about 90% on trying to figure out “HOW THE HELL I CAN GET AND FEEL BETTER !” I am very fortunate to have Dr. Mariano on my side to help me. If you can somehow try to figure out a way to become one of Dr. Mariano’s patients, you would be alot better off. He is an awesome, highly educated, medical mastermind, if you ask me. I had gull bladder surgery in April, so my mind and body are still stressed, thus delaying my improvement from multiple hormone deficiencies, HPA dysregulation, Major Depression, (Dysthmia/Anhedonia like condition), Chronic Fatigue. etc.. The “Stress” alone during the waiting process to heal and recuperate (Especially from Adrenal issues) can delay recovery as well. It seems to me that your weight issue may be causing you a lot of stress ? Anyway, good luck with reaching your goals, glad you aked the questions that you did ask as they can and do help others on this site. Geno
@Geno 2798 wrote:
i found it, http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia.pdf/AGHD_questionnaire
Disregard the site above, but if anyone is interested in downloading and filling out the Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency questionnaire, you can find it here: http://www.agingbetter.com/PDF/Quality
@damitchell2222 2570 wrote:
Right now I am currently on 200mg of test cyp a week and some Super Miraforte (with Chrysin) to control my estrogen. I am then seeing a phyciatrist separate from this and he is in the process of changing around my antidepressents. I am currently on 30mg of Cymbalta (being tapered off) 150mg of Welbutrin (being tapered off) and 15 mg of Zyprexa (being tapered off). He has put me on 100mg of Lamotragine in the morning and 100mg of Lamotragine in the evening which he plans on keeping me on. I wish I had a doc who was a psychiatrist and a endocrinologist all in the one. That would be amazing. I suffer from depression and anxiety and am a 31 year old Phys-ed and Math teacher. Dr. Mariano does it sound like my physiatrist and endo are doing the right things for me?
200 my per week of test cyp seems like slot for a 31 yr old. If I were you I would do whatever it takes to come out to California to see Dr Mariano !! He is a Psychiatrist and he works with endocrine problems every day. He is “The Best” at what he does for people like you and me ! He would be perfect for your medical needs! I highly recommend him, from my own personal experience in finding help for my mental and endocrine health conditions
Castrated, you say you have been tested and somewhat “treated by” 3 Doctors and you still are not happy with the overall outcome and satisfaction of how you feel after all the effort, time, medications, Doctor appointments, etc…? I can relate to your frustration and desire to “feel well again” I spent approximately 15 years and went thru at least 20 Doctors, and at least 60 different Rx medications tried and tested on me and it was in August 2009, when I finally felt SO SICK AND TIRED OF BEING SICK AND TIRED, as it was at that point in my life where my mind and body was telling me that “I just may be dying” because I truly felt so exhausted etc…, that I was only able to be awake and active for about 2 hours out of the day, and all I wanted to do was “crawl under the blankets and sleep thru life !”. Well, I finally saved up enough money to set up an appointment with Dr. Mariano, who I had been researching his medical talent via Forums and his writings etc. I was lucky because I live only 30 minutes from his office. Bottom line is, Dr.Mariano was able to “Bring me back to life” so to speak and he accomplished a miraculous turnaround in my well being in only 7 months of treatment than what 20 other Doctors for at least 15 years COULD NOT accomplish ! I see that you are on “The West Coast”. If I were you and if you seriously want answers and results for your medical conditions, I would highly recommend that you call his office to set up an appointment to be seen by Dr. Mariano !!!! People come from other States and countries, I believe, to receive THE BEST medical treatment from such a extraordinary genious of a Doctor, such as Dr. M is !!! Dr. M is awesome and he GET’S RESULTS for his patients !!! If I were you I would establish yourself as one of his patients ASAP, as it just may be that since he is expanding his practice soon, he may just become so busy with a swarm of new patients and in such HIGH DEMAND, that those who are lucky enough to be a patient of his (like me) will be VERY FORTUNATE to have the privelege to be treated
by him ! I’m glad I made the decision to finally go see him !!! “I feel ALIVE AGAIN, because of Dr.M’s extraordinary medical talent and genious mind. Good luck ! I hope you do wellWow! 132 posts on the subject of Adrenal & Thyroid issues. A majority of these posts describe the symptoms that I had, especially the chronic tiredness and inability to function in day to day tasks. It turned out that Dr. Mariano was able to diagnose me CORRECTLY, and he totally changed my life for the better !!! Like many of you, I researched many of the other sites,books, and everything else I could find on the causes and treatments for the many various “disabling” symptoms one faces when hormones become out of balance or low. When I finally could not take if anymore, and my mind was weak from “frustration” from NOT finding good medical treatment for my conditions, and after having been seen by at least 20 different Doctors,Endos,Psychiatrists, etc, and since 1992 I have been prescribed at least 60 different Rx medications, (Yes, Sixty (60), without seeing improvement in my health for many years, I finally found Dr. Mariano on that other site “MesoRx” and I followed his highly educated writings from that site on to TheDefinitiveMind.com site. Without listing all my labs and each and every symptom/ailment I had, I will put it in a more simpler way in order to save time for any reader who is interested. It turned out that Dr. Mariano’s practice is in my own backyard. I live 30 minutes away from his office, so I was very, very fortunate in that regard. Unemployed, and on SSI Disability, I scraped up enough money to finally go see the Doctor whom I had been reading so much about on the Internet. I knew in my heart that Dr. Mariano was going to be “The One” special Physician to finally “Fix Me” as it was at that time when I first went to see him (Aug 2009) that my Adrenal/Thyroid/DHEA, and more, were not functioning very well at all and I honestly felt like “the walking dead” as I was LIFELESS, and bedridden with exhaustion both mentally and physically ! I often thought that I was dying. I am happy to say now, after being treated by Dr Mariano since August 2009, “I feel Alive again” and well. For me, it is a MIRACULOUS turnaround in my life, and I am so happy to have finally found “A great Doctor” in Dr. Mariano :D. Some people travel long distances to see Dr. Mariano. I would consider myself a living testament that is proof that when one us serious about getting THE BEST medical treatment for medical conditions such as many of us on this site share or have in common similar ailments etc.. And if you can get the chance to get out to California to be seen by Dr . Mariano, I would highly encourage anyone to do so and call his office to schedule an appointment !! You will be helped by Paullete shen you call his office. She is the nicest, professional person in the world, and she will help you with appointments. She’ wonderfull to work with you. Dr. Mariano is the “Medical Genous” so you should refrain from asking Paullete any “Medical questions” and save them for the Doctor. Of course I can only express my own personal grattitude for the wonderful outcome I have experienced in the treatment that I received from Dr.M, but since I am sure that many of you may have your own anxieties, questions, doubts, etc.. about what you should do and/or if you should somehow find a way to go see Dr. Mariano, I would be glad to answer questions from anyone, if I can. I am not qualified to answer expert medical questions, I am just “A regular patient) of Dr. M’s. But if anyone has any “General questions” that I can somehow be of help, please feel free to ask me. Oh ya! One last thing. I heard that Dr.Mariano may be expanding his practice soon. It may be a good idea to “Get in” and establish yourself as one of his patient’s. It is only my personal opinion that I visualize more and more people flocking to him for his masterful medical talent, and people from all over the world will be flooding his appointment schedule in the near future. He already has patients from out of State and other countries I believe. I am just so glad and fortunate to have become one of his patients. You are viewing a good site for starters if you are seeking to learn about the topics discussed here. That’s how I began my quest to find “The Best” Doctor and treatment for me ! Good luck to you all . Geno
Well wapf fan, it appears that you also are lucky to live nearby Dr. Mariano’s office. Glad to hear you feel better also ! I’ll tell you one thing, I may have lost my career, my health, and in the prime years of my life, one can say “I had lost it all” beginning around 1995 when my Major Depression began, then SNOWBALLED into many various other conditions, symptoms, disorders, etc.. etc… I went from a great career earning anywhere from $70,000 – $100,000 per year down to a monthly SSI Disability check of $700.00 per month, which had a huge negative impact on my Mental Health as I was only in my mid
thirties when “I lost everything” I remember my family and friends trying to cheer me up at times by saying that famous comment “WELL, AT LEAST YOU GOT YOUR HEALTH.” But the truth was that when my Major Depression hit me hard which in turn contributing to being singled out by a few corrupt supervisor’s who succeeded to GET ME FIRED from my professional career for using too much sick leave time from work, I became a TARGET for them. The fact was that…..No! I DID NOT HAVE MY HEALTH ! I haven’t had “My Health” since around 1995 !! As I was trying to emphasize in my original post my “JOY, AND GRATTITUDE” that I have now, due to the treatment(s) that Dr. Mariano so “Masterfully” provided me, I simply cannot express in writing here how GREAT I feel now. My medical files that I keep at home reveal that I have been seen by 25 or more various Doctors and I have been prescribed over 65 prescription meds since the early 90’s and when I look back at it all now, I see a paper trail of “Wasted time, life, and effort” from being “Undertreated” for so long, and/or I may be able to describe it best this way…… “Over 25 Doctor’s and 65 Rx medications did not help or improve my health and I continued to suffer on a daily basis. But it seems that when I finally found Dr. Mariano and studied his type of Medical approach in which he practices, I said to myself……”THIS IS THE DOCTOR WHO IS GOING TO FINALLY FIX ME !” I scraped up enough money for my first exam back in August 2009, and I just knew for a FACT THAT HE WOULD BE ABLE TO FIX ME !!!! I was averaging 2-3 Doctor visits per month for many years trying to “Get lucky” and land on a Doctor who had the time and the TALENT, to roll up his/her sleeves and focus on “FIXING ME !” and I searched and searched since the early 1990’s continuosly thru 2009, when I found Dr. Mariano:D
I remember telling myself prior to my first office exam with Dr. Mariano that if he did not work out for me, or for whatever reason “We didn’t CLICK” etc… I felt so hopeless after far too many years of going from Doctor to Doctor, seeking the BEST medical care for me and my conditions, I would have been pretty much devastated and I would then truly be at a loss of what to do or where to go next. I have met a handfull of Doctor’s who were mean, evil, and disgruntled, unprofessionals, and who I did not like at all !!! I am lucky that I live close by his practice! Sometimes I even have to worry about gas money to get to my appointments with him. 🙁 For anyone out there who cares to read what I am writing, (or don’t care for that matter) I am just so elated with a NEW LOOK ON LIFE now that I am feeling “Alive Again” and I cannot contain my emotions of joy, finally, after soooooo many years of “Being Barely Alive”
I will stop here for now. I don’t want to sound as if I am exaggerating or “Bragging” because I know alot of people out there who are feeling like life is “Too Hard” because of our medical conditions etc… may not be able to travel to see Dr. Mariano. It just so happens that I live within 30 minutes from his office, but that doesn’t mean that I am any luckier or better off than anyone who truly needs and wants to find a GREAT DOCTOR, but who lives outside of California, or outside of the U.S. for that matter. I simply thought that since we all search and read these types of websites and scan over these types of Forums etc… then at least it may be helpfull to finally read a good “Success Story” every once in awhile, instead of reading people’s “Negative Stuff” every day! I wish you all well in your journey for “Optimal Health” 😀Hey Cappa, I noticed you are seeing “your own GP” and some type of “outside consultation” person/therapist or ??? I’d like to help you if possible by giving you a little bit of advice from a guy who at last count has sought medical care from approximately 26 Doctors (after looking through my own medical records file at home to confirm), I have kept s copy of just about every medical document that I could get my hands on from all the various doctor visits I gave had over since 1992, and just like you, I STRUGGLED & SUFFERED along the way all of those years of receiving THE BASIC MINIMUM OF MEDICAL CARE (The Band-Aid) treatment is what I call it, but even though I don’t know much about your own medical conditions, past, or current, I would like to give you some very true and solid advice about seeking “The BETTER CARE AND TREATMENT” from the medical system that is available to you and which may be within your ability to seek out a more “Accurate” treatment plan that may help you to get out of that deep, dark , hole that you somehow found yourself in, and what sounds like to me that YOU WANT OUT OF RIGHT NOW !! and/or as soon as possible! Right ? Well, for one thing, you are lucky to have found Dr. Mariano’s Definitivemind website ! I have learned a lot about my own health from this site and like I mentioned in my recent reply to you, I am fortunate enough to live 30 minutes away from Dr. M’s office. Cappa, you might want to look into seeking medical care from medical “SPECIALIST’S” who are disciplined in the area’s of the
various medical conditions that your “GP” simply CANNOT help you with and whom is NOT trained or able to help you with. I don’t want to sound rude or sarcastic, but to put it simply for you (and others who may be reading this and who may not already know)……”If you have
a toothache/cavity for example, you wouldn’t go see a Chiropractor or a Dermatologist for your tooth problem would you? Or if your vision was deteriorating or blurry, you would go see an Eye Doctor and NOT a Podiatrist (foot Doctor) right?? I had to learn on my own by researching everything I could about MY OWN MEDICAL symptoms, diagnosis,medications, types of treatments, what works and what does not, etc…, and it was not easy for me because just like you “I was too miserable to think and read and I could not even get out of bed on most days !” for many years !! I even subscribed to professional medical journals that normally ONLY DOCTOR’S could get, or you had to at least be a “Medical Student” at a University with some Medical Journal companies. I made myself “A medical student of MY OWN HEALTH” which in turn helped me over the years to be able to communicate and understand many of the complex Medical Language so that I could go into a Doctor’s office and HELP MYSELF by helping the Doctor to help me MORE THAN HE/She WOULD HELP PATIENT’S that may appear to the Physician NOT TO REALLY CARE ABOUT TRULY IMPROVING ONE’S Health & life. Doctor’s can tell which patient’s will comply with the Doctor’s treatment and/or “Take the prescribed medication AS PRESCRIBED” or NOT. You also mentioned that “You are your own worst enemy” ???? I can relate to that also. When I was feeling at my worst and was losing hope on finding the proper medical treatment that I needed etc. I was too TIRED AND DEPRESSED to truly care about life and I felt so hopeless that “Nobody cares to want to help me ” and all of that negative crap took over my mind (Major Depression) and I did not eat healthy, could not sleep well, (or I slept all day long alot) and the only thing I was good at was “BEING SICK SND TIRED OF BEING SICK AND TIRED”
Well Cappa, I am somehow wired from a good upbringing and Good Family Structure in y life, and up until 1995 when I lost my career as a Peace Officer after becoming ill with Major Depression over the loss of my son, then loosing a very high paying career job soon afterwards, my life and my health went downhill from there. Like I said before, I can relate to some of your views on how “life sucks” etc… But as I was trying to say earlier, I must be wired a certain way because no matter what crap has happened bad in my life, and my health, I have something inside me that has always made me believe that I could keep my head above water, and NOT DROWN!! Try your best to keep your head above water and with the very little energy you have left in you, try to educate yourself more about your health and don’t rely only on your “GP” to heal you. Stop being your own worst enemy and if you drink,smoke, or do illegal drugs, YOU MUST QUIT !! I used to self medicate with Beer, drinking with my so called friends while trying to “Ease the pain” of my life problems, but I found sobriety and I have been clean and sober for more than 6 years now !
Since I met Dr. Mariano 7 months ago, his Awesome medical mind and talent along with MY OWN Personal medical treatment plan has IMPROVED my life by around 70% !!!
I no longer feel like “The walking dead person” that I felt 7 months ago !!!! He has a few more treatments to give me in conjunction with the various treatments he has me on now, and I am so much happier and hopefull about getting my health and my life back in order, after way too many years of “Getting Nowhere” with the many other Doctors and many various prescription medications that were “Thrown at me” so to speak, over the past 15 years or so. Hang in there Cappa ! It will get better !:DCappa, I don’t know how old you are but I’m a 46 yr old male who has felt “Unhealthy” and Tired, Depressed, Sad, Angry, Hurt, Alone, Fatigued, and just about everything else there is “Mentally and Physically” dreadful, regarding to how a person feels and views life in a world where “Feeling Tired and Sad” every single day for many years (in my case aproximately 17 years ) whereas I can only tell you a little about me and what I did that may help to motivate you to NOT GIVE UP !! I have had similar conditions like “wapf fan” described as well, and believe me when I say that “I also felt like you do now” and/or worse for that matter for many years. I did not think I would ever find the proper medical care (and believe me… I searched and went through many Doctors and was tried on at least 60 different types of medications over the past 17 years, and I am still on about 9. Anyway, with the little energy I was able to muster up, and with the little “working brain memory” i still had to research and read and the efforts I miraculously was able to put forth to try to find a “Good Doctor” or treatment that could restore my health back to “A functioning” level, so to speak, I NEVER GAVE UP AND I KNEW SOMEWHERE IN THIS BIG WORLD OF OURS that there was and (is) a Doctor in which I could trust and find that could and would help me get out of that DEEP, DARK (gravelike) HOLE, that I was “stuck in” for so long ! I don’t even have a job due to my many medical conditions that have “Disabled” me. So I am not financially wealthy nor did I have the help of “The Medical System” such as someone who is Rich and Famous, such as the President of the United States would get if he were to become ill with the various medical problems you and I have and many others on this site, but I always kept up hope and I did not give up until I found the right Doctor and the proper medical treatment (For Me). I don’t know much about your conditions and you apparently did not wish to elaborate on these forums ( and I understand why—- It’s probably because it is too tiring and exhausting to write or type, and/or the energy it takes out of you to even talk about your medical problems most likely fatigues you and makes you feel CRAPPY about yourself and all that negative stuff, right ?) Besides….. You probably say to yourself “Nobody cares about me and my problems” You used the words “Pitty Party” somewhere in one of your posts. Ya, it SUCKS sometimes when our lives and medical problems arise to the point where life seems soooooooo DIFFICULT, and you don’t even want to get out of bed etc…… Ya, I know that feeling very well !!!!!:mad: After many years and too many prescriptions and Doctor searching appointments over the past 17 years or so, I finally found Dr. Mariano, and I was lucky for one thing, and that is that his office is only about a 30 minute drive from where I live !!:D Without going into detail about my treatment with Dr. M (Against the Forum Rules) I will just say this to you and anyone else reading this post reply “I am happy to say that after about 7 months of medicaL treatment with Dr. Mariano, I FEEL BETTER TODAY ABOUT MY LIFE AND HEALTH THAN I HAVE DURING THE PAST 17 YEARS OF TRYING TO FIND THE BEST MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR ME !” Seven months ago I thought I was going to die from my mind and body shutting down or something ?! I did not feel like as if I was even ALIVE! I was too tired and depressed etc.. Today I feel much better and I can’t wait to see Dr. M next month !! Hang in there! Never give up !!
I saw your post and I thought maybe i would share a quick point on Accutane from my personal knowledge about it, I’d that’s ok? Dr M is the expert, and I am in no way trying to intercept your question nor am I any authority on the subject, I am just a regular “member” on this site who wants to better my own health and learn from Dr Mariano and others on this site. So here’s my two cents. You don’t mention why you want or need Accutane. If it is for Acne, then I can only say that from my own experience, when my Dermatologist discussed the idea of rx’ing me it, it seemed to be “More of a hassle” to obtain it and he wanted me to get written permission from a Psychiatrist because of the concerns about the possible side effects it may have on people taking anti depressant meds and the SUICIDE issue that you mentioned in your question to Dr M. I personally did not want to go thru all the hassle that it seemed to have to go thru to get it, and after I had researched Accutane more in detail, to be honest with you, It kind of scared me a little bit after reading about it’s chemical make up and all of the other things it can possibly do to a person. I chose to go with an anti-biotic med and a topical gel both , rx’d by my dermatologist and it worked out fine for me. But as you know already I’m sure, everyone is different in so many ways !
Just a little of my own personal views on Accutane. Just trying to help out with a quick reply as I just so happened to have had a few minutes to add this quick reply. Hope it helped you somehow ? Geno
Good advice DOWNTHELANE ! Thanks. Just when I think I have thought of/or tried everything, I am always glad to hear some new advice and input on insomnia ! Geno
Did anyone notice Dr. M wrote “I’ll be back” responding to the original question of…”Where is Dr. M? Maybe us forum site member’s, and/or his patient’s can give him the nickname “THE TERMINATOR” like the action hero ARNOLD SWHARZENEGGER, who’s famous movie line was… “I’LL BE BACK !” as Dr. M is a HERO to me and many other’s in the sense that he is such a GREAT PHYSICIAN and he does “TERMINATE” life threatening symptoms and illness’ for his patients, it is my personal opinion that the disabling and horrible way I was suffering from various medical symptoms, after approximately 2-3 months of him treating me and his diagnosis/treatment plan he prescribed for me has been truly lifesaving for me and I feel better than I had ever felt in the previous 13 or more years. I view his treatment of my health as “A MIRACLE !!!!!!”:D
