tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010140458569243472024-03-04T23:26:53.169-08:00Getting off the A-ListHillary at Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980639408450755223noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401014045856924347.post-49327681072457377982016-01-13T08:29:00.002-08:002016-01-13T08:29:43.977-08:00An Interview With Dr. BockI saw this link on someone's page, and am so glad that I did! It's a great<a href="http://theautismintensive.com/interviews/kenneth-bock-md/"> interview </a>and introduction for those wondering about Nathan's specialist, Dr. Kenneth Bock in New York. It is embeddded into The Autism Intensive's website, so I am unable to embed it here, so just click the link above.<div>
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Blessings,</div>
<div>
Hillary<br /><div>
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Hillary at Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980639408450755223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401014045856924347.post-83846593064615585002015-07-17T16:57:00.000-07:002015-07-17T16:58:32.716-07:00Trying a New, Old Thing<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>The bad news:</i></b> We've had some regression. I've seen a back-step in his spatial planning, muscle tone, anxiety levels, and overall mental awareness. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>The good news:</i></b> I can pretty much trace the 'Why'. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I added back in the Ubiquinol that we had cut at his last appointment. I added back half of the dose that he was taking and I'm already seeing positive gains in his muscle tone and posture. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">As for the rest, it's back to that Hippocratic remedy; diet. As Dr. Goldberg states in his book, <u>The Myth of Autism</u>, often going gluten free isn't enough since grains in general can be so inflammatory. Thus, I had decided that going back to our Paleo ways was probably best. But I hated the thought. Even worse, <i>he </i>hated the thought! To have that bit of dietary freedom retracted made him understandably bummed.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>The even-better news</b>:</i> My friend had been encouraging me to study the Keto (short for Ketogenetic) lifestyle for my own auto-immune dysfunction, namely Insulin Resistance and Hypo-Thyroidism. The keto diet, which has been the recommended diet for epileptic patients since the 1920s, is not just very low carb, but very high fat-as in 80% of your diet coming from good fat, the rest from protein and veggies and very low carbs. The Atkins diet is a version of a keto-diet, but while it stresses 'net carbs' and high protein, the Keto emphasizes real foods (non-synthetic) and healing fats with as little total carbs as possible. For a really good introduction on the lifestyle and nutritional science behind it, I highly recommend visiting <a href="http://mariamindbodyhealth.com/">mariamindbodyhealth.com</a> and/or her book <u>Keto-Adapted</u> which is available as a paper book from bookstores or as an ebook from Amazon and B&N. The more I read about the anti-inflammatory benefits of eating this way, I began to wonder if this would be great for N to combat his neuro inflammation. This was confirmed as I read further and saw how this diet is benefiting Alzheimers patients (N is on an Alzheimers med), and then confirmed finally by the section where she talks about the positive effects they are seeing with Spectrum kids being switched to this diet. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The more I read, the more I saw the similarities between how we were eating at the very beginning of this journey back in 2012 and Keto. By combining Paleo and Candida diets, we were eating high protein and low carb. BUT, since the fat molecules carry the flavor, we were missing out on the good and tasty foods by not compensating for low carb with fats! Another of Maria E's books, <u>The Art of Healthy Eating-Kids</u>, is quickly becoming my newest cookbook handbook. Using the dairy substitutions, we are getting to eat cheesecakes, frozen treats called 'Fat Bombs' which range from chocolate peanut butter to lemon and so on, milkshakes, yummy waffles, etc. It's made it so much easier to get family buy-in and cooperation this time! As I write this, I'm finishing off a bowl of spiralized zucchini noodles sauteed in garlic, EVOO, and Romano cheese. Soooo good!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> After just 3 days, Nathan saw improvement!I didn't tell him exactly why we were eating this way other than to say that I think it would help him get off his meds eventually, and on day 3, he volunteered this testimonial, " You know Mom, sometimes my brain was starting to feel fuzzy, but the last few days I feel like I can control it better." Hallelujah!!! Thank you, Lord, for your guiding hand!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">As for me, I felt crummy yesterday, and then realized that I was probably experiencing yeast die-off and sugar withdrawals. I pushed through, and today I feel great!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>The final bad news</i>:</b> Now I have more groceries to purge again. This time it is all of the special starches and GF foods that we have bought. I will have to revamp my pantry, as well as go back to making pretty much EVERYHING from scratch. But it's all good, and that just means my priorities have been rearranged. If we all end up healthier, then who am I to complain?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">As always, thank you again for your encouragement and support. I can't tell you how much it means on this bumpy road that we're on.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Blessings,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Hillary</span>Hillary at Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980639408450755223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401014045856924347.post-34833088166411611372015-03-05T12:01:00.001-08:002015-03-05T12:01:42.356-08:00Some of the BEST news!<span style="font-size: large;">I am crying happy tears right now! I just got off of the phone for our quarterly phone appointment with Dr. Bock. Guess what?! N is responding so well to treatment, that we are switching to 6 month appointments <i>AND </i><b>we don't have to travel to New York anymore</b>!!!! We just have to have his labs done and a physical by his local pediatrician! I am so so happy, relieved, excited, thrilled, and grateful. This must be what 'exuberant' feels like! Hallelujah! </span>Hillary at Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980639408450755223noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401014045856924347.post-88335593984349500822015-01-19T12:54:00.000-08:002015-01-19T12:57:19.737-08:00Onwards and Upwards!<span style="font-size: large;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJpFPV4F6wpc8ZnETopKWP5hW6BdrSET6T2FbFxWxmaUpuO31hcUyGKV9ylltWyu6hjIfaDOQmxRNPoK9ErE_Hg4ZVBabPwwC1YjKYEAnT9ksuAa_jaRxyKLiNHLS1K-nuwRGUqTYzkRh/s1600/20150117_130510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJpFPV4F6wpc8ZnETopKWP5hW6BdrSET6T2FbFxWxmaUpuO31hcUyGKV9ylltWyu6hjIfaDOQmxRNPoK9ErE_Hg4ZVBabPwwC1YjKYEAnT9ksuAa_jaRxyKLiNHLS1K-nuwRGUqTYzkRh/s1600/20150117_130510.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made it up to the cabin!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What an exciting, momentous, heart-wrenching weekend this is for N's Momma! He is on his first campout withOUT Daddy! Not only that, it is a 2 niter, <i>and</i> it was a 2 mile/3.5 hr. hike up an icy mountain in freezing rain to get there! He packed a backpack up for the first time, and Dad said that he was such a trooper. He had problems with his grippers breaking off of his boots in the icy patches (apparently we need a serious upgrade for him in that department!), but he kept on a' trudgin. I am extremely thankful, proud, and worried about him!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My friend asked if I was concerned about any new knowledge he would come back with considering that he is surrounded by middle and high school guys. My answer? Oh yes; especially considering he is still so loveably naive and his logic is very black and white. His Dad gets irritated when I make the comparison, but my sweet boy has a similar personality to the character of Forrest Gump. Or for those Eleanor Porter fans, he is my "Just David". He is so sweet and compassionate. While I do not want him to ever ever lose that, I realize that to survive this sinful world, he will need to become a bit more thick skinned and jaded. So, yes, I'm concerned, but yet, I feel like this could very well be the social skills boot camp that my boy needs.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">He will be back home tonight, and I am anxious to hear all that has expired these past 3 days. What a difference 2 years of proper treatment makes! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you, Jesus!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Blessings,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Hillary</span>Hillary at Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980639408450755223noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401014045856924347.post-14247614833602167942014-10-30T09:14:00.003-07:002014-10-30T09:15:32.496-07:00A Brief Summary of the Past Year<style type="text/css">P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }</style>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Since I have posted about N's rapid
healing progress in a couple of NIDS/Bio-med forums I am in, I have
received several requests for a summary of what his treatment was. In
answer to that, I'm just posting it here so that I can 1) target
multiple requests at once, and 2) continue to share what is working
for us in the hopes it may work for other families! Below is a listing of what his sypmptoms were, followed by a list of the
actual physical triggers, followed by his treatment plan under Dr.
Bock. Again, I share this information with the aim that we can serve
as a source of encouragment, hope, and possible answers to other
families who have a member(s) on the 'A-List'.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Symptoms:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*Very delayed speech (echolalia only
until about age 4) with very little receptive language.</span></div>
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</span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</div>
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</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">*Hyper-sensitive hearing which led
togeneral sensory defensiveness</span></div>
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</span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</div>
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</span>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*Hypo-senstitive touch (like he was
wearing a snow suit all of the time)</span></div>
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</span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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</span>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*Very low muscle tone and easily
fatigued</span></div>
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</span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</div>
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</span>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*Inflexibility in regards to daily
activities and desires (extreme tantruming), as well as anxiety and
hyper focusing on select topics.</span></div>
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</span>
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</span>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*Unable to recognize social cueing</span></div>
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</span>
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</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">*Daily headaches (He didn't realize he
had them until we made dietary changes while waiting for first Dr.
appointment! Suddenly he was aware that this was not a typical
feeling for everyone!)</span></div>
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</span>
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</span>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*Spatial planning-not recognizing
peoples' personal space, or his own in regards to bodily cavities.
This led to him 'food stuffing' in his mouth, overeating in his
stomach, and not recognizing a full bladder.</span></div>
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</span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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</span>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*Chronic ear infections from 0-2yrs
(stopped once PE tubes were put in)</span></div>
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</span>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*Fine and gross motor incoordination</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Physical ailments that
were revealed from labwork in 2013:</b></span></div>
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</span>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*Sensitivity to
gluten, dairy, corn, beef, and pork</span></div>
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</span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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</span>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">*Not properly
processing Salicylates</span></div>
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</span>
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</span>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*Overactive
amygdala (leading to more inflexibility, anxiety, and hyper-focus)</span></div>
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</span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">*Bacterial infection in his stomach (It
is our opinion that this bacterial infection and the yeast
overgrowth, listed below, are probably the two main causes of this
whole mess. He was put on multiple rounds of antibiotics for his
infant ear infections, and given oral steroids for severe croup. It
was following these interventions that he started to fall behind in
achieving milestones and exhibit behaviorial changes.)</span></div>
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</span>
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</span>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*Yeast Overgrowth (Again, probably as a
result of the oral steroids and antibiotics.)</span></div>
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</span>
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</span>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*No traces of good E.Coli bacteria in
his stomach</span></div>
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</span>
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</span>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*Borderline hypo-thyroidism</span></div>
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</span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">*Bodily 'detox' and metabolic systems
out of balance and not functioning properly to naturally rid body of
environmental contaminants.</span></div>
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</span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">*According to the SPECT scan, he had a
slight profusion in his brain (caused by the inflammation of inflamed
immune tissues). It was a flat horizontal profusion that started in
the frontal lobes above his eyebrows and extended back near his ears.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Treatments:</b></span></div>
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</span>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*Glutiathione NAC cream to help body in
detoxing of environmental aggravants</span></div>
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</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">(<b>Important! </b><i><b>He had to use
a compounded cream instead of pills since Candida in the digestive
tract can feed off of the pills!)</b></i><b> </b><span style="font-weight: normal;">He
is also taking a Methyl B-12 nasal spray to help with this as well.
The transdermal (a.k.a. 'shots') method is preferable, but we were
unable to get those compounded up here, so we use the nasal spray
instead.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>*</b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Magnesium
Sulfate Cream to help with processing of salicylates. Also had to
reduce the intake of artificial dyes, nuts, and coconut products
which are high in salicylates. Initially he was taking daily epsom
salt baths as well, but has phased these out.</span></span></div>
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</span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>*</b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Various
vitamin and mineral supplements that his labs showed a malabsorption
of ,i.e. Vit. K, Vit. D, Acetyl L-Carnitine, Ubiquinol, Iodine, Omega
3, Taurine, etc. (due to his digestive tract infections).</span></span></div>
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</span>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">*High powered
probiotics to re-balance his gut cultures.</span></div>
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</span>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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</span>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">*Nystatin for the
Candida overgrowth. After he was showed significant improvement with
that, we switched to Candex and then off of the anti-fungals
entirely.</span></div>
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</span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">*Biocidin for the
bacterial infection.</span></div>
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</span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</div>
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</span>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">*Mutaflor to
replenish his good E.Coli</span></div>
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</span>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">*Instead of using
an SSRI to calm his overactive amygdala, we tried an oxytocin nasal
spray. It has worked beautifully without any of the side affects of
the SSRIs.</span></div>
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</span>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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</span>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">*Namenda to calm
the neuro inflammation.</span></div>
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</span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</div>
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</span>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">*Low does of
Armour for thyroid.</span></div>
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</span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>So far, so great!</b></span></div>
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</span>
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<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">After his
appointment last month, in which we reviewed his labs from August, we
found that the stomach infection is gone! The yeast infection is
gone! Thus, many of his supplements were reduced or eliminated after
seeing levels that indicated his body was digesting and absorbing
them properly. He is off of the Nystatin, Mutaflor, Biocidin, and
reduced probiotics.</span></div>
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</span>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">He tested clear
for beef, pork, and corn!</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">His daily
headaches were reduced once we started the anti-yeast regiment, and
then fully went away once we had implemented the Namenda for the
neuro inflammation!</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">His muscle tone
since starting the Armour is improved greatly, and we have reduced
that dosage!</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">His flushed ruddy
skin tone has gone away. He now has a beautiful ivory
comlexion.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">He has increased
focus, better motor control, and more is more aware of the people
around him. His brain is finally healthy enough to be able to learn
all of those social thinking skills that he needs to navigate
society. </span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">We
see that his metabolic and detox systems are improved but not fully
healed. Since his yeast overgrowth is gone, we can now put him on
NAC pills which we hope will give us better results than the cream in
that area. He is still taking the Oxytocin and B-12 nasal spray until
we see that those systems are healed. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">He just feels
better! He confided that he used to have stomach aches and have
problems passing stools until recently. Just like with the
headaches, he didn't realize that wasn't typical for everyone. He has
felt those pains for so long that he didn't realize it was a problem
until it went away and he felt so much better! Wow! That right
realization right there makes all of the cost, travel, and medicine
juggling worth it!! We will just keep plugging away at the other
areas in need of further treatment, until his immune system is fully
restored and he no longer needs medical intervention.
</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I am so thankful
for N's progress. I pray that this will help others the way I have
been helped in the bio-med blogosphere. If I had followed N's
pediatrician's recommendations, he would be on amphetamines for daily
headaches, unable to eat many of the foods he can now eat, and be in
therapy forever. Now I foresee a much brighter and 'normal' future
for him. In fact, he is now in Boy Scouts so that he can learn
lifeskills to help him be a well-rounded man someday. Wow! Such
progress in such a short time! Thank you, Lord!</span></div>
Hillary at Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980639408450755223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401014045856924347.post-88396122086451331652014-10-06T16:13:00.000-07:002014-10-06T16:13:01.612-07:00NY Appt. 2014 Quick Update!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This is a super quick update since I hate typing on my phone. This morning was a fantastic appointment with excellent progress made! For my thumbs' sake, I'm just going to list it out as bullet points:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">*Dr. Bock was extremely pleased with N's skin appearance and increased muscle tone. At last year's appt, my ruddy faced boy lounged like a noodle on the sofa. This year, my fair skinned son sat next to me at the desk facing the Dr.and actively participating in the discussion.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">*Labs came back with better than expected results! While his metabolic/detoxification levels still came back slightly low (but still improved), his digestive and inflammation numbers were perfect! We will be removing many supplements and some meds because it appears that his stomach is finally healed and processing food properly! Hallelujah!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">*Given the good test levels, N asked for a repeat tests for the beef, pork, and corn sensitivities. Dr. Bock agreed that it was in order, and sure enough, they all came back completely clear! WOOOO HOOOOOO!!! There was much rejoicing in the little room-especially as contrasted with last year when I was on the verge of frustrated sobbing! We will gradually reintroduce the foods alongside with gradually altering his meds. If all goes well, we may attempt to reintroduce gluten and casein.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">*We will continue many of his meds as his immune system continues to rebalance and heal, but we are SO excited at the rapid progress being made! We give God all of the glory for this beautiful turn of events, and I give my deepest gratitude to those who have faithfully carried N to Him in prayer while speaking encouragement and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">wisdom over me. Thank you!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Blessings, </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Hillary and N</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<br />Hillary at Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980639408450755223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401014045856924347.post-22597693848732769002014-09-16T00:21:00.002-07:002014-09-16T00:21:57.132-07:00Brag Alert: Major Milestone!<span style="font-size: x-large;">Meet our new Boy Scout!</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlLSaGkXIPJEKia9b5m_v4dparGDqfqnIsLL7vJyeUgL7TIhjY_IdYoZtFcv-wgNHynHc1ZTKewuh7_V6yHAyzCtiICbgpYpcCekuG48i9Faf_jvbo-hT7Siz4OI-08Pg3kqdo3we99h6H/s1600/scout+uniform.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlLSaGkXIPJEKia9b5m_v4dparGDqfqnIsLL7vJyeUgL7TIhjY_IdYoZtFcv-wgNHynHc1ZTKewuh7_V6yHAyzCtiICbgpYpcCekuG48i9Faf_jvbo-hT7Siz4OI-08Pg3kqdo3we99h6H/s1600/scout+uniform.jpg" height="200" width="198" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cruddy phone pic, but you get the idea!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Two, or even one, year ago, this would not have been possible! Between the diversity of activities, the responsibilities, and the sensory overload, Boy Scouts was not something I would have considered as a healthy choice for N. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">But Now!!! He is <i>so</i> much healthier that he looks forward to the meetings! He memorized his oath, and various pledges in one week to earn his Basic Scout badge. Now he's beginning work on his next badge which requires him to build up to a 4 mile run. He is looking forward to camping out as well as all of the other</span> <span style="font-size: x-large;">skills he will be learning, and is in awe of the older Scouts around him that are working on their Eagle Scout badges.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">We have decided that this is a perfect opportunity to observe the expected behavior for young men, and to practice those social skills we have been studying. Plus, it's motivating him to develop interests in other areas, areas that do not involve screens or power cords! (Yes!)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">He signed himself up to sell popcorn for 2 hours in the foyer of the local department store on Saturday, and is eager to go door-to-door to peddle more. He is becoming increasingly self-sufficient and independent before my eyes. I am so excited for him as he begins to finally navigate this world that has bombarded and overwhelmed him for far too long!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">In 3 weeks we head back to New York to visit Dr. Bock. We will find out the results of the labs from August, and hopefully see if we can go from an 'attacking' posture to one of 'healing' and restoration; namely in the area of reintroducing foods and reducing meds. I am hopeful because of the huge behavioral changes that I have witnessed this past year, but I know that we could still have a long road ahead before his immune system is fully healed. Regardless, I will praise the Lord for his blessings right now, and joyfully anticipate the bright future that lies ahead for my sweet N.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Blessings,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Hillary </span>Hillary at Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980639408450755223noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401014045856924347.post-29875614263728854312014-04-08T11:15:00.002-07:002014-04-08T13:05:44.415-07:00An Encouraging ObservationSo the non-encouraging portion of this quick post is that 4/6 of our little family had the stomach flu this past weekend (Daddy and the three olders). Not fun. I am thankful that I appear to be done with cleaning up vomit for awhile.<br />
<br />
HOWEVER, the exciting point that I observed was when I came home from church on Sunday. When I had left, N had actually been vomit-free since the morning before and was telling me he felt great. Still, I left him home and took only his brother with me. After getting home a couple of hours later, I was greeted by a weepy, flushed N who was fighting back tears about his sister watching yet another episode of Murder She Wrote. He wanted to watch one of his shows and was upset that she had started another one. <br />
<br />
I asked him if he was feeling sick? No.<br />
Was he tired? No.<br />
<br />
Then I told him to find something to do while waiting his turn. He went and found Scrabble and asked me to play. I told him that we would after I got his brother some lunch and down for a nap. More tears! Ugh! It was as if we had stepped back in time one year. The inflexible, weepy N had re-emerged! I wanted to weep myself, but then the simple truth dawned on me! <b>With him not being able to keep anything down for 2 days, he hadn't taken any of his meds! I directed him to do so straight away! Within an hour, he was back to being his newer easy-going, flexible self. Hallelujah!</b><br />
<br />
This was so exciting to me! It was proof, once more, that what we are doing IS making a HUGE difference! As mentioned before, his 'chronic daily headache syndrome' is long gone (take that, Mrs. Pediatrician with her amphetamines!) <i>and</i> his brain is navigating daily life more emotionally secure. His muscle tone and energy level are much improved as well.<br />
<br />
Also, because of standardized testing last week, he did not have his neurofeedback session. Two weeks without therapy meant a return to more hyper-focusing and 'scrapbooking' about his current favorite topic, which at this point happens to be HTML coding. Yeah. While not quite as severe as before (he was still able to read my exaggerated eye rolling and big sighs), it was a noticeable difference to when he is regularly having his therapy. According to the computer data, we are making progress, but his brain still has many more front-to-back pathways to make, so it will still be a process there.<br />
<br />
In conclusion, I guess one of the best ways to see if something is working is to eliminate it. While I do not think most medical professionals would agree with that statement, it was a good bench test for us!<br />
<br />
Blessings,<br />
Hillary At HomeHillary at Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980639408450755223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401014045856924347.post-79782859099454047242014-03-30T23:23:00.000-07:002014-03-31T08:48:53.329-07:00A Sudden Reminder<span style="font-size: large;">This may seem like an odd place to post this, as compared to my other blog site, but I have my reasons. Last week in the Oso Landslides, I lost a friend, and more importantly, one of the most cheerful and encouraging women I know-especially in regards to my journey with N. After my previous posts, she made comments like:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>" All I could think of while reading this
was 'Thank God N has the two of you for parents'. You won't quit till
you have researched all possibilities. Lucky young man.</i>"</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"
I still say he is the luckiest boy to
have you as his mama."</i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Julie went from being my CCD teacher during childhood, to singing with me in our little church choir, to being a huge support to me in 2006. At that time, I was a married adult and stationed back in my hometown. After the death of 2 loved ones, I was facing the reality of N's official diagnosis on the Autism Spectrum while wrestling postpartum depression and separation from my underway husband. One of my sure fire pick-me-ups was to drag N's 3yo twin and little baby sister to the quilt shop while he was in preschool on the days that I knew Julie was working. She would help me pick out fabric, and entertain said 3yo with fat quarters and bolts of sparkly, fairy-themed cloth. "You know, Hillary, every little girl should have a quilt with fairy fabric on it." She got to me. I ended up making one for each of my girls. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">What a saleswoman. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">She spoke bluntly but cheerfully. Best of all, she made me <i>laugh</i>. Thankfully, when I moved to Juneau, I was still blessed with her support and wonderful sense of humor via Facebook and Blogspot. She hugged, laughed, and loved generously, and as a result, she left behind a town in mourning for her and her son who passed with her.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Processing that this name on rosters and articles is truly <i>her</i> has been a hard, surreal struggle for me this week. I see other people writing farewell messages to her on her Facebook wall, but when I try, I can't. It makes it too real for me to handle. It is still settling in my mind that she has truly passed on.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">What has Julie's sudden departure reminded me? Well, two important...no, <i>vital</i> things:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">1) No one is guaranteed a slow, aged death. I must make every.moment.count. I must make sure that those who are important to me know the things I want them to know in case I should pass into eternity unexpectedly. And I must make sure that I am ready at all times to meet my Lord and answer for my choices.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">2) What is the <i>'instantaneous legacy</i>' that I wish to leave behind? </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I know the longer, deeper legacy that I am working on building each day. I have goals for my family's faith and relationships, but what about their instinctive thoughts towards me upon hearing my name or seeing my face? Julie's example is that when I first heard of her passing, my reactive thought was that I was losing her joy and encouragement in my life. <b>Joy and encouragement</b>. Those are the first words that I immediately associate with her. What do others, especially my friends and family, associate with my name? This is something I need to keep in the forefront of my mind as I choose my words and actions.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">For some reason it is easier for me to write about Julie here on this post than her FB wall. Maybe it's the pictures. Maybe it's because FB reminds me, again, how quickly she left us considering how I had just 'heard' and 'chatted' with her the day before her death. Regardless, I can say here how thankful I am to have had her in my life. I can definitely say that I am praying and heartbroken for her husband and surviving sons and grandchildren who have lost their Mother, Uncle, Grandmother, Wife and home (for her husband). I can not even begin to imagine the nightmare that they are facing. I am desperately praying for the Lord to be real to them and to send them a supernatural peace that passes all earthly understanding. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">That mountain was big. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">My God is bigger.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Blessings,</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hillary </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
Hillary at Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980639408450755223noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401014045856924347.post-4741015726153378352014-03-05T14:31:00.002-08:002014-03-05T16:18:10.795-08:00March Appt. and Update!<span style="font-size: large;">It's been awhile, but we finally had our quarterly appointment today. In the meantime, poor N has been put through another gauntlet of pokes, draws, and samples which we sent off to labs far, far away...Today's appointment was basically to check the labs from January and see where we're at 6 months into treatment.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">What we found is:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Stomach: The bacterial infection is better but not gone. Instead of 4 strains of bad bac. showing up, only one did, so he has to go back on a stronger dose of the anti-microbial for a longer period to see if we can git 'r done. He also is showing no improvement with the good e.coli. He still doesn't show any levels of it. After we finish 3 weeks on the anti-microbial, we'll start a higher dose of the e.coli and hopefully it will take.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Yeast: His levels are back up which is no surprise since we've reintroduced fruit,white rice, gf oats, etc. and I haven't been monitoring the candy and syrup as much. His levels are still 'normal' at a +1, but we're still going to watch it. Dr. Bock doesn't think we need to go fully back on the protocol and meds again, but we are going to be more diligent about spacing out the grains and fruits, and continue w/ Candex (a natual yeast-fighting enzyme) in hopes that we don't need to restart an anti-fungal.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Hypotonia-We are doubling the dosage on his Acetyl L-carnitine and his Ubiquinol in hopes that it will continue to help with his muscle tone. While we have seen some improvement in this area, it's very limited.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">His Vit. D was better, but still on the low end of normal. I was encouraged by this. Even though we need to increase his dose, the levels show that he is absorbing a great deal of his supplements which is great!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Now for the new, interesting developments:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Arsenic.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Yep. While we haven't been eating shellfish and tuna, we have re-introduced white rice which does contain arsenic. While it's an organic (as in naturally occurring, not organically farmed) arsenic and it's the <i>in</i>organic arsenic that usually causes problems, it shows us that his body is not flushing it out like it should. We know his sulfate and glutathione levels are low (which is why he takes transdermal creams for those), but we are adding in a more concentrated sulfate cream and a Taurine supplement to help boost his metabolic processes to work properly. (You can read about Taurine <a href="http://health.yahoo.net/natstandardcontent/taurine">here</a>).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Also, I've been seeing a smattering of articles relating Vitamin C deficiency to ASD come through my Facebook feed and NIDS forums. When I asked Dr. Bock about this, he said that it wasn't tested for directly in N's case, but if there's a Vit. C problem, it usually shows up in some of the other panels that are run. While he agrees there's definitely benefits to Vitamin C, he doesn't necessarily see a deficiency as a big trigger with my son. So, we'll go ahead and throw one pill in the mix each day as an added immune booster.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Now, lab tests aside, N is wowing us every day! He is learning to snowboard (which requires great balance and coordination) and he is keeping up with the rest of his group and not needing one-on-one teaching! He is also participating in Tang Soo Do Karate and is getting ready to test for his orange belt in a few weeks. His focus and discipline to be able to do this is astounding considering his past issues in those areas! He is still as sweet and endearing as ever, but is definitely developing a more well-rounded interest in activities and conversations. He is excited to resume Little League next month, and is soaring through a Coding curriculum to learn to program in various computing languages. He completed one year's worth of curric in one semester and has moved on to the next. He definitely gets that from his Daddy, and not me!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We are finishing up our 3rd year of biofeedback therapy. In January, the therapist switched 'targets' and is now using a method that specifically works on him being able to shift his thought patterns so that he is not hyper-focusing. We have seen drastic results. While the data test (yesterday) showed that he still needs a lot of work in this area to cement the pathways, his behaviorial data is fantastic. We are greatly encouraged by this development.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">As always, when I write these updates, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for all the Lord has granted us in being able to help our son. Between financial provision, attentive specialists and therapists, and graciously patient snowboarding and karate instructors, I am reminded that this is not a one-person journey. I am confident, however, that N has a wonderful life ahead of him, and that he will be successful, even if challenged, in all that he does because of the support he's receiving now.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Blessings to you all,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Hillary and N</span>Hillary at Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980639408450755223noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401014045856924347.post-57276893864690067332013-10-25T11:06:00.000-07:002013-10-25T11:06:14.617-07:00Big Day Yesterday!So, in spite of some sadness in our family this week with my Grandmother's passing, there have been a couple of bright spots. First off, yesterday was the first day that N was on his full dose of all of his meds! It's exciting to see what happens. While I keep reminding myself to keep my faith in the Lord rather than meds, I am hopeful for continued improvements! One such improvement that we experienced yesterday was that after 2 years of attempts, we were able to get X-rays of his teeth at his dentist appointment! Woo hoo! Prior to this, his sensory issues created a hyper-sensitive gag reflex and he didn't have the bodily control to be able to tough it out. Yesterday he was able to deal with those uncomfortable bite-wings as well as sit for a full minute with the foamy flouride treatment trays in his mouth without any gagging! Thank you Lord for those rays of hope and sunshine in the midst of still-frustrating days!<br />
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On a quick side note, I must say that my other bright spot has been with N's little brother G. At 18 months old now, I can't even begin to express how exciting it is to watch him grow and develop "normally". While he still has a vocabulary limited mostly to food items (Hey, he is my kid after all!), his receptive language is perfect. "Where's your cup?" He finds it and brings it to me. "Bring me a book to read." He does. Balm for my soul. I love watching him play with his cars...really <i>play</i> with them, and not just put them in a neatly organized lineup! He rolls them down his kiddie slide. He runs them over the furniture- and the dog. lol He crashes them into each other. He calls them "Vroom vrooms". I know it sounds silly to anyone else, but a Mom with an ill child can relate to how exciting these things are. Of course the bittersweet pill is the knowledge that N was incapable of that until he was almost 5. However, I try to push that guilty thought out of my mind and focus on the blessings before me. God IS good. He can be incomprehensible and mysterious, but He is good and He does send us hope, comfort, and resources-even if it seems like a small flicker of a light in the midst of overwhelming darkness.<br />
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I pray that you all have a lovely weekend filled with health, peace, and joy!<br />
Blessings,<br />
Hillary <br />
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<br />Hillary at Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980639408450755223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401014045856924347.post-39312817893220647492013-09-27T08:24:00.000-07:002013-09-28T00:25:29.037-07:00Quick update!<span style="font-size: large;">Well, there's been one great development since the last phone appt in July, but that's about all since we have only just now began on the new meds! Grrr. Alaska is one of 7 states that does not allow out-of-state compounding pharmacies to ship into AK. Since some of the meds had to be refrigerated, we were going to have to overnight them to TX and then have willing family re-freeze the ice packs and overnight it to AK. We were looking at $100+ a month in shipping! So, I've spent the past months calling pharmacies all over the state. I would get some lab-tech who would say "Sure, we should be able to do that," but when the Dr. would call in the script, the pharmacist would deny it. Many of the prescriptions are light sensitive and have to be mixed in special labs which we apparently do not have up here. sigh. Add in a 4 hour time difference between AK and the Dr's office in NY, and it made for a very frustrating time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In one case, I finally gave in, and we went with B-12 (methyl, not cyano) nasal spray instead of the subcutaneous injections. The injections are much more preferable with great results, but we just could not get them filled and sent easily here. The local compounding pharmacy was willing to order the ingredients for the nasal spray and begin making that here for him, so we took them up on it. He started it last week and has to be on it for a month before we can begin the Namenda (the alzheimers' med).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We also have three more meds that are finally on the way, but the two I'm really excited about are the Namenda and the Mutaflor. When they ran the labs on my boy, they found he had none of the good E.coli in his system and high levels of the bad stuff. So, the Mutaflor is a pure, healthy E.Coli strain to replenish his gut. Also, when I left off last time, I was off to research the Namenda. What I found was so encouraging! They are having huge success with it for ASD kids-especially where the social skill development is involved. Many parents say that their kids suddenly started to 'click' and 'get it'. They were suddenly able to make friends and navigate social circles. That makes so much sense if it is truly working to reduce the inflammation in those areas of the brain! It's also a med that's fairly easy to start or stop, meaning there are little side effects. The biggest problem with it seems to be our good ol' politicized insurance system. Since this is still considered off-label use for ASD, many companies won't cover it. Thankfully ours did since it was going to be $300 for that one med on top of all of the other meds and supplements! Thank you Lord!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The major development for now is that his headaches are mostly GONE!! Occasionally he'll tell me that they are at a "Level 1" meaning it's a slight headache (versus the "Level 7/8" they used to be at daily!), but it's usually a "Level 0"! I'm so excited for him! "Chronic Daily Headache Syndrome" my foot! I laugh in the face of it. Muahahahaha</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Also, he's been soaking daily in epsom salts (magnesium sulfates) and baking soda, and using a cream to replenish his sulfates so that he can process phenols and salicylates. Thankfully, that seems to be working well. His ruddiness is gone, and his skin just looks healthier. We've been weaning off the daily baths and just using the 1/8 tsp cream and it seems to be working well. If he does have a 'flare up' we just know we may have to use the baths as a treatment. Hopefully once we get his gut balanced and the yeast gone, these sensitivites, along with all of the food allergies, will be healed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Okay, I'm off to start the day. I pray you each have a wonderful, healthy weekend ahead!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Blessings,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Hillary</span>Hillary at Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980639408450755223noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401014045856924347.post-57912559255384802122013-07-23T13:23:00.000-07:002013-07-23T13:25:25.017-07:00One Month Update!<span style="font-size: large;">Wow! What a month it's been; loads of summer sunshine and healing for my boy. Who could ask for more?? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Okay, to start off with, N has made vast improvement on the yeast infection/gut dysbiosis front. He had 'migraine' type symptoms for exactly one week; headache, nausea, light sensitive, weak. To make it worse, it was over 4th of July! Poor baby. I found via on-line research (and the Dr. confirmed on the phone consult just now) that this is totally typical
of the yeast-die off. On day 8, it was like a switch turned off. The migraine symptoms stopped, and since then his headaches have been barely
noticable. He said they feel like they did last fall before we started the NIDS diet. (That was back when he didn't have body awareness and was considered hypo-sensitive to touch and feeling.) Hooray! Also, to note that all of this die-off happened just by removing all sugars from his diet and from the high powered probiotics that the Dr. put him on. This was before we even started the Nystatin prescription anti-fungal! Now he's been on the Nystatin for 2 weeks as well, and Nathan said he feels like we "...just brought in the tanks to annihilate the yeast." Spoken like a true boy. haha</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another development is that he also said he's seeing better!? He told me that he used to
have times when his eyes would get foggy and blurry, but that's not
happening any more and his vision is clearer. I asked him why he never
told me, and he said he just thought that was normal! Poor guy! Even if
we don't make any more 'progress' in healing him, I think that NY trip
was worth it just for the headaches and the vision!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thankfully, I just got off the phone for our 1 month follow-up appt. with Dr. Compain (Dr. Bock's associate). We went over the myriad of labs that were collected and the various tweaks we need to make to his meds. Without going into to much private detail, I will gladly share that his gut-flora and bacteria levels were low for the good and high for the bad. Yep, his digestive tract is a mess. Thankfully, we should be able to heal him w/ the probiotics and some anti-microbial prescriptions to kill the bad bac. His minerals and thyroid tested fine which puzzled me since I thought he sounded so typical of thyroid dysfunction w/ the low muscle tone and fatigue. I was starting to feel confused, but this seems to have been answered by his creatine levels being really low. The symptoms of that? Low muscle tone and fatigue! The supplements that we've already started should help tremendously with that, so we'll see. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Um, what else? Let's see. Some of his Vitamin levels were low or borderline. His glutathione (which is the body's main anti-oxidant) was low. This is very common w/ a lot of the neuro-spectrum kids. We will start a prescription cream for that since taking it orally can feed yeast. (To quote my friend "Yeast is evil.") Also, his sulfate level tested low. Sulfates help the body metabolize (drum roll please) phenols and salicylates!!! Remember how I shared that at his physical exam w/ Dr. Bock, he had told us that he saw evidence of that and how we are supposed to be limiting salicylates? Yep, he was spot-on. While I'm not surprised, it's nice to have it confirmed empirically.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think that's the bulk of the findings so far. We are still working on getting one of his prescriptions filled since Alaska has special rules for out-of-state compounding pharmacies mailing in. We are still working on finding a place in-state that can fill one that should be an injection. If we can't do that, then the 2nd best option is a nasal spray, but the sub-cutaneous injection is definitely preferable.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">One other thing that the Dr. mentioned is introducing Namenda in a month or so (after he's been at the full dose of his other scripts for about a month). It's a medicine that is mainly used for alzheimers patients because it reduces brain inflammation. That would make sense as to why they've been having great results with it for spectrum kids the past few years! Since it's going to be used for 'off-label use', I have to sign a consent before he can order it. So, now I'm off to go research and pray about this new option. Thank you, Lord (and Al Gore) for the internet! ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Blessings,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Hillary and N</span><br />
<br />Hillary at Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980639408450755223noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401014045856924347.post-31837056135091875552013-06-26T10:20:00.000-07:002013-06-27T08:27:17.440-07:00Update from NY!<span style="font-size: large;">We got home 4 days ago, but I am just now sitting down to write. The past few days have been filled with unpacking, research, and more research! What did the Dr. say? Well, here's my attempt to sum up all of the info in some concise bullet points:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1) We won't have the follow up with any of the lab results for a month (except the in-office allergy testing), but from the physical exam and our interview, he concluded that N does have a yeast infection in his digestive system. He has to be on a low carb/sugar diet along with a prescription anti-fungal and powerful probiotics to kill the bad yeast while replenishing the good flora. The yeast causes the cells of the stomach lining not to adhere as tightly as they should, and so they form pin-hole leaks and leak substances into the rest of his body where they shouldn't be. Thus the slang term "Leaky Gut Syndrome". Hopefully many of his food sensitivities will be cleared up once his stomach is healed. Oh-and this was probably caused from the multiple rounds of antibiotics he had as an infant and toddler for chronic ear infections. For some reason, a majority of the kids on the A-list have these ear infections, and so the consequent yeast infection is not uncommon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">2) He <span style="font-size: large;">also has </span> a problem synthesizing phenols or salicylates. This causes his cheeks to be constantly flushed and could be a trigger of his daily, never-goes-away headaches (<span style="font-size: large;">T</span>he yeast infection could be a cause as well.). We need to put him on a low phenol diet, in which he has very little processed food and plant-based food-especially nuts and veggies! As you can see, this is in direct contrast to the yeast diet which is based on higher intake of veggies! UGH!! What's a Mom to do? Well, thankfully he can eat meat, right?...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">3) Well, it turns out he also tested sensitive to beef and pork! AAAAAAHHHH! While we don't eat a lot of pork, the beef is a serious bummer. Thankfully we can buy buffalo (at 12.99/lb!) and free-range chicken that I can grind into sausage. Also Applegate makes an uncured Turkey bacon. Phew! He can also eat all the salmon he wants, but we have to watch the crab, cod, and halibut because of the mercury levels. Thankfully wild-caught AK seafood tends to have lower levels, but we still have to watch it since most of these kids have an impaired ability to expel environmental toxins. Now you see why I've been having to research my little heart out these past few days! What can I feed this kid???</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">4) Based on his skin mottling on his arms, and his goose bumpy flesh, the Dr. believes that we will see some sort of metabolic issue show up in the lab work in regards to processing vitamins/minerals/fatty acids, et. Also, he agreed that there is a high likelihood of a thyroid issue because of N's low muscle tone and inability to regulate his body temperature.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">5) From the behavioral symptoms of anxiety,fear, and inability to transition, as well as inability to read social cueing and interaction, the Dr. is sure that N's amygdala is out of balance. It is causing him to hyper focus on the fear-based behaviors instead of helping him modulate his overall environment and social situations. To calm this down, many docs prescribe a mild SSRI. This Dr. prefers a more natural, gentle approach, and so we are trying a nasal spray of oxytocin (the same hormone a woman's body releases after childbirth and during breastfeeding that is calming). It made sense to me and I prefer natural to synthetic when possible.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">6)We are also going to try methyl B-12 injections. This will basically give N's system a boost when it comes to being able to recognize and expel environmental toxins and allergens. We also left with other supplements that mainly focus on the proteins that are needed for neurological development and function. When we get the labs back we will tweak this regiment as needed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">7)Thankfully N tested negative to a mold/mildew allergy since those are so common up here in this rainforest. Hallelujah!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We have one more test to complete here at home and send to the lab, and then after that we will start the meds and supplements. I admit I am cautiously optimistic. I must say, though, that I was HIGHLY impressed with Bock Integrative's facility and staff. They were all so great and understanding. The building is a full clinic, and it was clean with a welcoming yet professional feel. Everyone there was so wonderful with N, and it was great to be able to sit down with a Dr. for over an hour to discuss N at length-not a 15 min. fly by. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you do decide to go there yourself, I would recommend staying in Kingston, the nearby mid-size city. I booked a room at the HoJo in Saugerties, and had to keep paying toll roads to get to the Dr's office and to Kingston where the mall and movie theater is. Also, rent or bring your TomTom since that area is full of lots of little hamlets and two-lane roads which would <span style="font-size: large;">be easy to get lo<span style="font-size: large;">st <span style="font-size: large;">in</span></span></span>. For entertainment, there is a 6 Flags park about 2 hours north which made for a great, rewarding day in the midst of long airplaine rides and lab tests. Also, there are tons of great little antique shops, so next time I will definitely be working in an extra day there if possible ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Overall, I count this trip as a success. Even if nothing else happens, I found someone who is TRYING to help N and has already identified many physiological reasons that he is probably feeling bad without even getting into the lab results or any of the holistic/integrative side of things. Hopefully all of these different approaches will get his immune system to calm down and his body to balance out to where it needs to be to fully function. While our local Dr. did relent and order some of the labs we needed to help us with costs, she did say that all she recommended for N was to give him the diagnosis "Chronic Daily Headache Syndrome" and to put him back in OT and PT. ??? That being said I am so thankful for options and that the Lord has provided for us to be able to pursue them. Hopefully more mainstream physicians will embrace the research and successes these integrative doctors are having so that more children will have access to being healed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Again, thank you all so much for your prayers and suppo<span style="font-size: large;">rt. <span style="font-size: large;">I truly cherish <span style="font-size: large;">you and it helps me im<span style="font-size: large;">mensely to hear those affirming<span style="font-size: large;">, encouraging words t<span style="font-size: large;">hat keep me focused on the <span style="font-size: large;">end goal and not the <span style="font-size: large;">oft overw<span style="font-size: large;">helming circumstances.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Blessings,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Hillary</span>Hillary at Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980639408450755223noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401014045856924347.post-41392621811828459052013-06-17T07:00:00.000-07:002013-06-17T07:00:05.137-07:00Here we gooooooo!Hi everyone! By the time you read this (if Blogger cooperates) N and I will be on the plane headed to Red Hook, NY to see Dr. Bock! We are hopeful and optimistic that he will at least help us clarify some of the allergies/thyroid/candida issues that I'm pretty sure we're dealing with.<br />
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Unfortunately our hesitantly cooperative pediatrician has become uncooperative and would not order any more of the remaining chem panel tests and thyroid tests (that we could have done locally). sigh. This means that now we will be paying for all of these out of pocket via Dr. Bock whereas our insurance would've paid had she ordered them as our PCM. Oh well, like the big guy said, we mainly needed her for the SPECT scan, and she did do that... We'll just revisit the pediatrician situation when we return next week.<br />
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SO! I would really really appreciate your prayers as N's Twin heads off to summer camp for the first time, Little Sister leaves us in Seattle to join up with my sister and her family, and the Big Guy and Baby G. hold down the fort here. I'm already teary-eyed and so anxious for when we're all back in the same buildling again, but I know that this is all going to be worth it, and it will be wonderful to have some one-on-one time with N. We've looked at the idea of the local petting zoo, tubing down a river, a freshwater beach, and of course Game Stop for him. :) I will hopefully be writing about good news upon our return.<br />
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Until then, I pray you each have a wonderful week full of summer sunshine and equally warm memories.<br />
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Blessings,<br />
HillaryHillary at Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980639408450755223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401014045856924347.post-76705678682197729532013-04-16T00:16:00.000-07:002013-04-29T22:32:41.243-07:00We Are New York Bound!<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Just a quick note before my eyeballs pop out of my head! I feel like I have wasted this beautiful, sunny, Alaskan Spring day on the computer. But in all actuality, it was not a waste; it was a milestone! We got our appointment for June 20th with Dr. Bock, and so spent the remainder of the day making all of the necessary travel arrangements to get me and the boy from Alaska to the East coast. We are so thankful for mileage plans, as well as generous Grandparents and Aunts & Uncles who are encouraging us and blessing our socks off! LOVE THEM!! Plus the timing coincides beautifully with Brent's final days in the CG, and thus, he had no problem getting the time off. He and our younger son will have quality time together while L is at Bible Camp, B is getting to spend a week with her cousins in Oregon, and Nathan and I try to navigate New York. (Gulp!) What a summer this is shaping up to be!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Good night and blessings to you and yours. Thank you, again, for your encouragement and support. We are overflowing with grateful hopefulness and awestruck by our Lord's divine planning.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Blessings,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hillary</span></span><br />
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<br />Hillary at Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980639408450755223noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401014045856924347.post-31207245860394634922013-04-08T18:27:00.004-07:002013-04-16T00:17:52.171-07:00April Update Take 2-We're In!!!!!<span style="font-size: large;">YES!! Praise God! So, we h<span style="font-size: large;">ad a slight change; well, okay a <span style="font-size: large;"><i>ma</i><span style="font-size: large;"><i>jor </i>change!</span></span></span></span> <span style="font-size: large;">We changed whom we are goin<span style="font-size: large;">g to consult with. <span style="font-size: large;">After reading <span style="font-size: large;">yet another book (this one titled <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Healing-New-Childhood-Epidemics-Groundbreaking/dp/0345494512">Healing the New Childhood Epidemics: Autism</a><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Healing-New-Childhood-Epidemics-Groundbreaking/dp/0345494512">, A</a><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Healing-New-Childhood-Epidemics-Groundbreaking/dp/0345494512">DHD,As</a><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Healing-New-Childhood-Epidemics-Groundbreaking/dp/0345494512">thma, and Alle</a><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Healing-New-Childhood-Epidemics-Groundbreaking/dp/0345494512">rgies</a> by Dr. Kenneth Bock ) I realized that there are other in<span style="font-size: large;">tegrative doct<span style="font-size: large;">ors who treat Autism similarly<span style="font-size: large;">. While they may not do it <span style="font-size: large;">under the banner of NIDS, they use an integrat<span style="font-size: large;">ive appr<span style="font-size: large;">oach that combines traditional medical testing <span style="font-size: large;">and medications with out-<span style="font-size: large;">of-the box treatments like anti-fungals, <span style="font-size: large;">d<span style="font-size: large;">ietary needs, specific supplementation, etc. In fact, I had quite a wake-up call because I thought all of the DAN! (Defeat Autism Now!) doctors were naturopaths who did not <span style="font-size: large;">have access to the traditional testing methods. While many of them are, t<span style="font-size: large;">h<span style="font-size: large;">ere<span style="font-size: large;"> is, also, a team of <span style="font-size: large;">DAN! doctors who ar<span style="font-size: large;">e board certified doctors. In this case, Dr. Bock is a board certified Family Practice doc who has morphed into treating the 4A's out of necessity, and <span style="font-size: large;">uses most of the same methods as Dr. Go<span style="font-size: large;">ldberg<span style="font-size: large;"> and Dr. Russell<span style="font-size: large;">. While he doesn't require a SPECT scan, <span style="font-size: large;">he runs extensive bloodwork testing as well as other an<span style="font-size: large;">alysis. We alread<span style="font-size: large;">y have the S<span style="font-size: large;">PECT so that w<span style="font-size: large;">on't hurt anything, and can show him exactly which areas of the brain are inf<span style="font-size: large;">lamed. He's also done a lot of work in <span style="font-size: large;">honing the thyroid testing of these patients and found that many who test within norma<span style="font-size: large;">l levels with a traditional t<span style="font-size: large;">est will still <span style="font-size: large;">have a <span style="font-size: large;">dysfunctioning thyroid <span style="font-size: large;">by testing each of the 4 thyroid l<span style="font-size: large;">evels <span style="font-size: large;">separately. I am especially int<span style="font-size: large;">rigued by this sin<span style="font-size: large;">ce Nathan has many of the symptoms of h<span style="font-size: large;">ypo-thyroidism and it is prevalent in my side of the family. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">W<span style="font-size: large;">e have prayed for timing and <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">for guidance. Brent an<span style="font-size: large;">d I decided that whoever <span style="font-size: large;">could get us in first is who we would see. Well, Dr. Bock can schedule an <i>actual appoint</i><span style="font-size: large;"><i>ment</i> for June (once we get our app<span style="font-size: large;"> back in) and Dr. Russell's office <span style="font-size: large;">is still not accepting new patients<span style="font-size: large;"> (still at #11 to even <i>schedule</i> an appo<span style="font-size: large;">intment).S<span style="font-size: large;">O, <span style="font-size: large;">while we are bummed it didn't work out for us to go to a famil<span style="font-size: large;">iar p<span style="font-size: large;">lace with family there, <span style="font-size: large;">N<span style="font-size: large;"> and I are e<span style="font-size: large;">xcited to go to New York; a place nei<span style="font-size: large;">ther of us have ever been to! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The timing and fina<span style="font-size: large;">ncial side will be more inter<span style="font-size: large;">esting since it will be when Brent is working two jobs (finishing out the <span style="font-size: large;">U<span style="font-size: large;">SC<span style="font-size: large;">G and working <span style="font-size: large;">as</span> Southeast R<span style="font-size: large;">adar during the height of fishing season)</span></span></span></span></span></span>, and Dr. Bock doesn't accept insurance. However, we both<span style="font-size: large;"> feel such peace and exc<span style="font-size: large;">itement about this new development that we are trusting God in both areas and <span style="font-size: large;">just going to plug <span style="font-size: large;">along unless He shuts a door.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you so much for <span style="font-size: large;">continuing to pray for, and encourage us on this journey to healing. We are so excited for N<span style="font-size: large;"> and his future!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Blessings,</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hillary </span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Hillary at Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980639408450755223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401014045856924347.post-23587655704500161762013-04-03T22:50:00.002-07:002013-04-03T22:50:25.567-07:00April update!Well, I wish this post would say that we are on our way to the doctor, but sadly, no. We're still hovering at #11 on the waiting list, and trusting God for perfect timing in an appointment for our boy. However, we're still working on what we can do while we wait.<br />
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For starters, we have narrowed down that his headaches are probably from a yeast/microbe imbalance (aka "Candida Overgrowth" or "Leaky Gut"). We noticed that every time he consumed a lot of sugar or fruit, he would complain that his headaches were worse, or would get this dazed, hung over kind of look about him. He would get spacey and have a hard time focusing, and thus, get very emotional very easily. These are all tell-tale symptoms of the yeast overgrowth, which is common with NIDS kids. It makes sense that he started to get these headaches right when we started the protocol since he began consuming a lot of fresh and dried fruit since we eliminated our other favorite, portable snack foods, i.e. string cheese, popcorn, hard pretzels. <br />
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The doctor will probably put him on an anti-fungal, but in the meantime, we are going to try to starve the yeast. As any baker can tell you, yeast feeds off of sugar, so we are eliminating dried fruits, any sugary baked goods and snacks, as well as grapes and bananas. As per the NIDS protocol, we are limiting his fruit to 2 servings a day (or 1 large-ish apple, which are his favorites), and we are rationing his ketchup intake (his favorite condiment on all the eggs and meat that we eat). We have also put him on a super enzyme as well as Kyodophilus probiotics and he drinks a cup of Kefir a day. I am planning to start either making my own goat keifer or goat yogurt since the price is so high, but for now he is getting the stuff from the store cooler...My friend who is also treating her daughter similarly recommended a urine test to specifically check for the Candida levels. Our pediatrician was not familiar with it, so I'm considering whether or not to look for a local naturo-path that may check the levels for us so that we are not waiting on the doctor in TX to tell us what we're pretty sure we know.<br />
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Well, that's about all the updating for now. I should add that after 3 days of being fairly sugar-free, N told me that his headache was the best that it's been in a long time. Praise God!<br />
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Blessings,<br />
HillaryHillary at Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980639408450755223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401014045856924347.post-6248220260808391632013-02-24T23:54:00.004-08:002013-02-24T23:54:46.737-08:00Quick update!Wow! Things have been happening here and I realized I haven't done a very good job of keeping everyone posted. Sooo, here's the latest:<br />
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1) We tried re-introducing citrus, and that seems to be going well-no big changes. However, we've also added in white rice and oats over the past couple of months. I thought he was doing okay with them, but I have noticed that we're back to jumping up and down like a rat terrier when excited or anxious, and he's reverted back to stick figure drawing whereas he was doing full detailed artwork before the re-introduction. So I'm secretly (to avoid more protests) weeding it back out of the cupboards to where we just have those on occasion. When it comes to grains, it just seems like grain-free is his best bet.<br />
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2) He is still having the headaches that he began having way back when we started this. We thought that maybe he's had them all along from the inflammation, or that it's from all the new pathways being opened up, but through research and friends have discovered that he is sensitive to salicylates. These are chemicals found in plant immune systems. They cause a host of problems in sensitive people. In N, it seems to mainly be overly ruddy cheeks and headaches. Most plant and veggies are high in them (sigh), but since we switched to very little almond products and only golden delicious apples, and eliminated dried cranberries and raisins (some of the most common offenders), he has said that his headache is mostly gone and his redness is much better. He still is a light rosy pink in the cheeks, but really, I could care less. When he gets older and takes a little more concern and ownership in this whole thing, he can deal with that. I am having to pick my battles after all!<br />
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3) In the NIDS yahoo group, I have gleaned a lot more ideas for things I can try on my own while waiting to see the doctor. (Btw, we're still holding strong at #12 on the list. ) One test is 10 days on/10 days off of ibuprofen to help with the inflammation. We are going to begin that tomorrow and see if we find any difference with that regiment.<br />
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4) Finally, on my part, I had bloodwork ran last week, and my thyroid<i> is</i> functioning again! I am in the normal range completely off of the synthroid, AND my insulin resistance is not problematic any more! I am off the metformin, and my blood sugars looked perfect! Praise God! Plus, a lot of the issues I've dealt with for all of my adult life with PCOS (poly cystic ovarian syndrom) are resolved! It's crazy; all those years I fought going gluten-free for myself, but when it comes to my kid I didn't only go gluten-free, but <i>grain</i>-free and am personally so much healthier for it! What a knucklehead I was to fight it for so long!<br />
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Okay, I think that's it for now. Nighty night everyone!<br />
Blessings,<br />
HillaryHillary at Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980639408450755223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401014045856924347.post-80709869246680841872012-12-10T15:35:00.000-08:002012-12-10T15:35:53.981-08:00http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmP574ikRFsHillary at Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980639408450755223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401014045856924347.post-40580112433291325382012-11-30T10:10:00.002-08:002013-04-16T00:19:19.665-07:00A.D.D. Be Gone! (And a Food Update ;)<span style="font-size: large;">Okay, this will be a quickie since we're off to run a gazillion errands as soon as the littlest guy wakes up from his nap. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Right before we started the dietary protocol, we were given an assessment from L & N's neurofeedback counselor for L to be assessed for A.D.D. The counselor and I agreed that L is a textbook case: spacey, hard time focusing, slow at getting everything done (including going on a walk!), indecisive, etc. The assessment was more of a formality to confirm my concerns so that the counselor could see if there were different areas she should focus on for brain training. Well, the other day, as I was thinking again upon L and the healing of her nervous tick, I suddenly realized that all of her ADD symptoms were gone! Vanished! She is now an assertive, confident, focused, and diligent child! She is still sweet and compassionate, but other than that, she has a totally different persona! I was so focused on L's tick that I completely missed noting the other equally exciting healing! Thank you Lord!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Okay, now on a totally different tangent, we tried reintroducing corn a few weeks ago since it's in practically everything processed. That would have opened up the worlds of tortillas and chips, cereal, limited candy, and pasta. Hooray! However, after a week or two of bringing it back in, we noticed lack of body control again (not so much in spatial planning, but in being overly rowdy) and wide emotional mood swings (elated to weepy). Plus, Brent and I agreed we just didn't feel good. We felt bloated and heavy again. That's interesting since that was such a normal feeling before that we didn't notice it. Now we see a BIG difference! So, corn was moved out of the cupboards again, with the hope of having occasional quinoa pasta (made with cornstartch) since it's a minor ingredient and it is highly processed corn which shouldn't be too inflammatory in small amounts. We have given it a couple of weeks since then, and now we see him being back to how he was before. He's much more emotionally stable and more in control of body function. So, even though he tested negative for a corn allergy in his bloodwork, there's obviously something going on there!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now that it's been a couple of weeks of a stable diet, we are attempting to reintroduce citrus. We are taking it very slowly, and starting with the clementine oranges that are in season (and on sale!) here. We'll see how it goes on this next step of our eating adventure! :-)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Merry Christmastime!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Hill and The Gang</span>Hillary at Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980639408450755223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401014045856924347.post-84210616968435168222012-11-15T09:33:00.002-08:002013-04-16T00:18:43.623-07:00Two Unexpected Healings! <div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We are plugging right along with the dietary protocol as we wait for our appointment with Dr. Russell in Texas. However, in the meantime we have had two unexpected recoveries! First off, N's twin sister "L" has struggled with a nervous 'tick'
since infancy; one she could not control nor even feel as it was
happening. At first she only did it at home and we hoped she would grow out of it. Unfortunately it has gotten worse and more pronounced and then, last spring at her ballet recital, she actually stopped dancing and started ticking on stage. It was heartbreaking. She had been doing neurofeedback for over a year in hopes of helping her, but it didn't seem to be doing anything positive. Well, she informed me yesterday that she can now recognize when
it's about to happen <i>and</i> stop it! She also realized that she pretty
much had a constant stomach ache before, but she just accepted it as
normalcy. Now she's realized that it was defnitely not normal and can
pretty much pin it down to a dairy allergy! Hallelujah! I just want to cry every time I think about it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The other healing came in the form of my own body. For about 2 years I have been taking synthetic thyroid hormone for an underactive thyroid. The medicine is designed to fully kill off your thyroid and then act as a hormone replacement for the rest of your life. I started feeling numbness in my arms and legs along with dizziness and other symptoms. The bloodwork ruled out diabetes and MS ( thankfully!) but it showed my thyroid levels were now too low! We reduced my meds to the lowest possible level and it barely raised my thyroid levels. I did some more research and found many cases where people testified that eliminating wheat and gluten somehow healed their supposedly dead thyroid to start functioning again. I made the decision to go ahead and stop my medicine and dontcha know? My symptoms went away completely. I feel great and not at all fatigued or cloudy like I did when I was first diagnosed. I am scheduled to go back in two weeks to have my levels checked again, and I can't wait to see what they are! It makes sense since the medical community now considers thyroid problems to be auto-immune related! It's all coming full circle and it's all making so much sense! Praise God!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Side note: If you didn't see my earlier Facebook update, I have now added a tab at the top with a lsit of our current favorite foods as well as links to great recipes and resources. Be sure to check it out and comment or email me with additional items that I can include. I would love for this to be an interactive resource board! I may do a little facebook research, and if there aren't any good clean diet recipe sharing groups, I may just have to start one :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have a wonderful weekend ahead, and Happy Thanksgiving! My little cornucopia of blessing is overflowing these days, and I pray the same for you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Blessings,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hillary</span></div>
Hillary at Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980639408450755223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401014045856924347.post-16636998836449945042012-10-31T23:07:00.003-07:002013-04-16T00:19:51.026-07:00What a SPECT scan looks like!<span style="font-size: large;">Let me say for the record "I love Providence Med. Center!" I got the disc within just a few days of requesting it. They are so wonderful to work with long distance, and Brent said the Radiology staff was really great with N. Two thumbs up!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Okay, so here is a sample of what they scanned on my boy. What you're looking at in the first photo is just an indicator of which portion or 'slice' of the brain they are showing. The next photo is the scan that corresponds. I actually zoomed in and cropped it as two photos so we can really see a clear shot.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsDgqZQ6W6RYaD0HBspl5nhAdan_SfRq9UIswoxnuGCOi2oBBvP7k8arrw_q1hdiBqK4AvKg4JhoWKeHr8w41O1v6GEgBTU131LbDFjPtLAb7RsobAcefDntoLIIbXirtKwz8ou-wzvMaR/s1600/profusion.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsDgqZQ6W6RYaD0HBspl5nhAdan_SfRq9UIswoxnuGCOi2oBBvP7k8arrw_q1hdiBqK4AvKg4JhoWKeHr8w41O1v6GEgBTU131LbDFjPtLAb7RsobAcefDntoLIIbXirtKwz8ou-wzvMaR/s400/profusion.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Okay, now how to find the profusions: The green part is where the radioactive tracer did not flow. The large green area across the middle is his eye socket/ sinus area. However, the green parts in the middle of his brain above the eyes are the profusions. In some shots it looks like one big blob of inactivity, but in some of the others, you can see the definition that shows it as two separate profusions. Now the radiologist actually says in his summary, "Brain SPECT study is within normal limits. No convincing perfusion abnormality identified." This confused me because it was obvious to see the perfusions, and he identifies them in the main body of his report. But then I remembered that he is assessing it with the normal goal of looking for actual brain<i> injury</i> or seizure activity, not just inflammation. I was informed that we are some of the first ones to seek this test from Providence in Anchorage for Autism in spite of it becoming more routine down south. And as I mentioned in my last post, it makes sense that N's are "subtle profusions" because he is a verbal, engaged, high functioning case. I wish we could have done this sooner in the protocal since we are already seeing so much improvement and activity in those lobes after just 2 months. I am sure the profusions would have been larger and more defined, but at least this gives us somewhat of a baseline to compare with later down the road!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hopefully this will help for you to understand a little more about what we are dealing with in NIDS cases. I am excited for the day that his scan shows nothing but pink and orange in that upper portion! :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oh! And in a fairly unrelated note; N has been complaining about his headaches again the past few weeks. We thought it was only related to his neurofeedback sessions since that is when he first complained about them, but now he has told me that it's pretty non-stop. We thought that it might be related to seasonal allergies or air quality, but after addressing those, he's still dealing with it. Well, tonight as I was flipping through Dr. Goldberg's book, "The Autism Myth" I saw a passage that referred to one of his case studies having headaches during the period of recovery when she was making rapid gains. That would certainly make sense in N's case since they started about the time we started the NIDS protocol, and he feels it in the area of his profusions. I'm going to question some of the other parents in the NIDS yahoo group about whether or not their children experienced this, but it definitely seems plausible and logical!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Havea a great rest-of-week, and thank you again for your support and encouragement. We appreciate you!</span><br />
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Blessings,<br />
HillaryHillary at Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980639408450755223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401014045856924347.post-89997876895897258052012-10-25T14:50:00.000-07:002012-12-10T15:35:25.793-08:00The results are in! BINGO!!<span style="font-size: large;">Even though the disc of the digital images is being snail-mailed to me, the radiologist faxed his report to our pediatrician. I have my copy in front of me and it says <b>"There appear to be subtle areas of relatively decreased radiotracer uptake in the right parietal and left temporal lobes on coronal reconstructions." </b>Yes! This is what we were looking for! The subtle perfusions in the front lobes are totally textbook NIDS.
Since he is high-functioning, it makes sense that the perfusions are
subtle. This totally confirms to Brent and I that we are on the right
track in working to recover our boy. HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh, and I should add that the rest of his cerebrum and cerebellum looked fine. Praise God! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now we wait until we have our appointment with Dr. Russell in TX. It sounds like he will review all of the tests we've already run, and then run the rest that our pediatrician did not. That's okay, I'll just keep happy dancin' while I wait :) Thank you for all of your prayers and encouragement! We are going to beat this thing, and I have a feeling we're going to help educate a lot of people out there as we continue on our journey. Yes and Amen!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Blessings,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Hill and the Gang</span>Hillary at Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980639408450755223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401014045856924347.post-4785621387569058932012-10-22T09:38:00.004-07:002012-12-10T15:35:36.972-08:00And They're Off!<span style="font-size: large;">My 'boys' are en-route to Anchorage right now for N to have his SPECT scan! They will have it done at Providence tomorrow. Brent re-thought his idea of multiple taxi rides and shuttles, and opted for a rental car after all. lol So please pray that N's scan goes well and that my guys are safe on their Anchorage adventure!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Blessings,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Hillary</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">P.S. I've had several people ask me about menu and diet ideas. I'm going to try to start working on a tab w/ a list of favorites and links. Hopefully I'll get it up in the next few days since we're not schooling while the guys are gone. However, I do have a sick baby, so we'll see...</span>Hillary at Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980639408450755223noreply@blogger.com0