Deke Slayton and Vitamins

I’m a firm believer in alternative forms of treatment, and think they have a place right alongside conventional medicine. I for one am taking meds for my high blood pressure, along with supplements prescribed by a naturopathic doctor. My MD has no problem with this. Yes, I found someone who has an open mind.

I’m currently reading yet another book on early space flight, and this week’s book features Deke Slayton and Alan Shepard (Moon Shot). If you’re a fan of astronauts, then you know that both Deke and Alan suffered from conditions which led to them being grounded for a long period of time. Alan suffered from Meniere’s disease, while doctor’s discovered an idiopathic irregular heart rhythm in Deke. Alan eventually went all out, seeking experimental/radical treatment, which cured him. Deke’s cure-all was accidental.

While suffering from an irascible cold, Deke reported to flight surgeons who instructed him to take vitamins. Can’t hurt, they told him. So, Deke downed mass doses of B,C, and E, and because of the intensity of his cold, he kept ingesting the vitamins. Much to his surprise, he noticed that his occasional (the irregularity seemed to occur once a month) heart fibrillation, ceased. When he reported this to the head flight surgeon, Dr. Chuck Berry, he instructed him to stay with the regimen. Can’t hurt and maybe, just maybe…

Well, very long story short – Deke tried to persuade a set of physicians over a period of time, that he should regain his flight status, however, being skeptical they refused. Deke was beside himself and frustrated to the hilt. Everyone kept telling him, it can’t be. Vitamins can’t solve the problem. But he never gave up. Finally checking himself into the Mayo Clinic, he underwent a brutal series of tests, proved the doctors wrong, and regained his place in line for flight. He was cured!

If this occurred today, his vitamin regimen would be more widely accepted, however, back in the 60’s and 70’s, MD’s eschewed non-conventional methods of healing. It was a one-way street.

So here’s to tenacity, and Deke and Alan.