Alex
Omelchuk’s Story of Glyconutrients
Dr. Alex
Omelchuk, Cert. Ed, Dip. Ed., MD. LMCC, CCFP, FCFP
A partial list of association memberships and accomplishments:
Graduated from the Faculty of Medicine U of A (Alberta) 1962 Alex Omelchuk has
practiced Medicine for 25 years Was president of College of Family Physicians
Alberta Chapter Chief of staff at Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton Teaching
staff Faculty of Medicine University of Alberta British Airways Medical Officer
for Alberta Region Member of NASA , North American Aerospace Medical
Association, and the Canadian Society of Aviation Medicine Have extensively
studied recent progress in Brain injury Name and bibliography is listed in the
"International Who's Who of Medicine" , 1987 edition.
I once worked 80 hours a week - plus on call time (nights, weekends, and holidays) I saw upwards of 30 patients per day in my main office, plus I did hospital rounds, hospital emergency work, nursing homes and care facility visits, obstetrics as well as hospital administrative duties, and I was one of the few doctors who made house calls on a regular basis. (Yes, I have a very understanding wife!!) My wife and I also ran a satellite office - evenings, weekends and emergencies.
I Exercised
regularly - racquetball, ran my dog, and squeezed in as many "mini
holidays" as I could, often combining business and pleasure trips. I took
time for myself. So, it was with great surprise and shock that I found myself
cut down by a massive Cerebellar Aneurysm. I was perfectly healthy by all
outward appearances, and didnąt feel tired. In fact I was invigorated by work
and my desire to help people was strong. However, I forgot the Cardinal Rule:
Just because you have no symptoms, it doesnąt mean you are perfectly healthy.
On Nov. 5, 1987 at 10:44 pm I was perfectly fine. At 10:45 pm: literally one
minute later, I was virtually dead.
I suffered a
ruptured aneurysm of the right middle cerebellar artery with a massive
intracranial bleed. Literally, my head "exploded" with unbelievable
pain, and I was on the verge of death. Before I passed out I was able to tell my
wife what was happening and what she could expect to happen next. Orissa called
an ambulance and got me to my hospital ASAP. In the Hospital Orissa said that
because I was Chief of Staff - it was like a scene from ER. All of the best
surgical, emergency and medical specialists (doctors and nurses) were awaiting
my arrival in the ambulance bay.I received immediate critical care. I was
extremely lucky to have survived. Physicians and nurses in the US and Canada do
an excellent job in acute and trauma care. They are the best in the world and I
owe my life to their expertise.
As soon as I was stabilized (approximately twenty-four hours later), I underwent
nine hours of delicate brain surgery to repair the aneurysm and restore the
blood circulation to my brain. I was comatose and on life support in the ICU for
a number of days. Things did not look good for my ultimate survival. In fact, I
found out later that the bulletin board in the doctorąs lounge posted an update
of my condition, which read "in coma, near death, not expected to
survive."
I eventually woke
up but was totally incapacitated. I could not walk, talk or feed myself, or
function in any other capacity. I underwent all types of rehabilitation
therapies; speech, occupational, physio, and psychotherapy. This continued in
the hospital for months, and I maintained self-therapy at home for years.
Eventually I was functional and gradually improved over the years. But after
twelve years, I was still considered totally disabled. I was told to "get
used to it because you've recovered as much as you ever will."
My most
persistent disabilities were:
-severe impairment of short term memory and cognitive ability
-severe fatigue, I could only function for about two hours between naps
-my day pretty well went something like this: Get up, eat breakfast, have a nap,
eat lunch, have a nap, eat dinner, have nap and then go to bed.
-balance problems. I couldnąt feel my feet from the knees down and subsequently
fell down a lot.
-I had persistent, unrelenting head pain, which is a significant complication of
brain injury
-I would wake up in the middle of the night, moaning and crying in pain
-I had to take all types of pain medications, including Demerol, Toradol, 292,
Tylenol 3, Fiorinal, Fiorinal -C.
-My wife would sit up, to make sure I was still breathing because I took so many
pain killers, I was in danger of overdosing.
-She was always afraid that when I took a shower, that I would fall and injure
myself, and that she wouldnąt be able to pick me up again.
I lived with pain and fatigue for twelve years. Every day, all day, and all
night.
I was alive, but I had no quality of life. I tried to volunteer, just to keep
active and feel useful. I was becoming extremely depressed with my lot. I am a
doctor, and I couldnąt fix myself. I was introduced to Mannatech products in
the spring of 2000. At first, because I am a doctor, I was extremely skeptical
of Glyconutritionals and how they are able to help your body heal itself.
I spent hours at the
computer, researching the glycoscience.com site, Medline, Medscape, and other
Internet sites. My thoughts were, "well, if this product does what it
claims to do, I want it. NOW!" Within weeks I started to notice
improvements in my energy levels, short-term memory, cognition, and I began to
feel fantastic. I no longer had to nap, I could feel my legs from the knees down
and I didnąt fall anymore. In about four months, I was totally pain free. I
have not had to take any tranquilizers, pain pills or anti-depressants since
July 2000. All aspects of my life have improved.
-I can function
effectively all day without resting
-I teach Anatomy and Physiology to students at a private college.
-I give public lectures on the science and benefits of Mannatech products
Mannatech has given me my life back.
Tell people of the wonderful things that Mannatech can do. Nutrition is so
important.
-when your cells are healthy, you are healthier
-your cells can repair themselves, given the proper missing nutrients .
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Attachment:
curriculum vitae
Curriculum Vitae
ALEX OMELCHUK, Dip.Ed., M.D., L.M.C.C., C.C.F.P., F.C.F.P.
Born: Bloomsbury, Alberta, Canada: July 24, 1935.
Married to A. Orissa Paley in 1985.
ACADEMIC BACKGROUND;
High School:
Strathcona High School, Edmonton, Alberta. ( Academic )
Graduated with senior matriculation 1952
University:
University of Alberta ( Calgary ): Diploma of the Faculty of Education 1956
Alberta Department of Education :Certification in Education & Industrial
Arts1956
University of Alberta , Faculty of Medicine: M.D. (Physician & Surgeon )
1962
Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada - L.M.C.C. 1962
College of Family Physicians of Canada - Certification - C.C.F.P. - 1970
College of Family Physicians of Canada - Fellowship - F.C.F.P. - 1979
Professional Organizations - Membership.
Canadian Medical Association
Alberta Medical Association
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta
College of Family Physicians of Canada
Edmonton Academy of Medicine
Aerospace Medical Association ( U.S.A. )
Canadian Society of Aviation Medicine
Edmonton Medical-Legal Society
Appointments: - Academic and Professional
Internship and Post Graduate training - Royal Alexandra Hospital, Edmonton,
Alberta.
Active Staff: Royal Alexandra Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta. 1963 - 1987
Glenrose Provincial Hospital (Rehabilitation Hosp.), Edmonton, Alberta
Norwood Auxiliary Hospital (Chronic Care Hosp.), Edmonton, Alberta
Dickensfield Auxiliary Hospital (Chronic Care Hosp.), Edmonton, Alberta
Dr. Angus McGugan Nursing Home
Examiner for Certification Examinations of the College of Family Physicians of
Canada. 1971-1976
Clinical Lecturer, Faculty of Medicine-University of Alberta, Edmonton. 1967-76
President, Kingsway Emergency Services. 1972-75
Founding Member: World Organization of National Colleges and Academies of
Family Medicine ( W.O.N.C.A. ). 1976
President, College of Family Physicians of Canada - Alberta Chapter. 1976
Appointed to the Ad Hoc Committee on Comprehensive Cardiac Care in Alberta
-by the Minister of Hospitals and Medical Care of Alberta. 1977
Alberta representative to the National Board of Directors, College of Family
Physicians of Canada. 1977
Canada Ministry of Civil Aviation, Medical Examiner, appointed 1981
British Airways Medical Officer ( Alberta Region ). 1981-82
Vice President, Royal Alexandra Hospital (1000 beds), Edmonton, Alberta.1981
President,Royal Alexandra Hospital (1000 beds), Edmonton, Alberta. 1982-83
Member of the Committee on Patterns of Practice and Health Care Delivery,
College of Family Physicians of Canada. 1979-82
Alternate Chief, Department of General Practice, Royal Alexandra Hospital,
Edmonton, Alberta.1985
Chief, Department of General Practice, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Edmonton,
Alberta. 1986-87
Instructor-Anatomy & Physiology, Summit Career College, Kelowna, B.C.,2000
Director of Research - Canadian Nutrition For Kids. Appointed July 2001
Appointments & Membership: Non Academic
Secretary-Treasurer of St. Anthony's Parish, Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church
of Canada. 1979-80
President of St. Anthony's Parish, Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada
1980-81
Member of The Order of St. Andrew ( Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of
Canada).
Member of the Ukrainian Professional & Business Menąs Club of Edmonton
Member of the Model A Ford Club of America (Edmonton branch)
President of the Model A Ford Club of America (Edmonton branch) 1976-79
Member of the Laurier Heights School Parent - Teacher Association. 1979
These accomplishments are documented in part by the following publications:
Who's Who - Province of Alberta, Canada. 1980
International Who's Who in Medicine. 1987
International Book of Honor. 1987
Retired from the Practice of Medicine in 1987
Toastmaster's International
member 1997
club treasurer 1999-2000
received CTM in 2000
President, club #872 - 21, 2000-01
U. of Victoria - guest lecturer @psychology & sports clinics May 31 &
June 1 / 01
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Residency program .