I don't often let myself "go there". But this morning, I broke down and wept for my baby. It all started when I read a letter from the National Autism Association President Wendy Fournier about her experience at the DAN! Conference in Cherry Hill, NJ. I've been to a DAN! conference and I know how emotionally exhausting they can be.
I don't think Wendy will mind me sharing her letter with you: http://www.pixiesplace.com/trainride/jenny.htm
As I read her letter, I allowed myself to, once again, allow the pain and hurt to surface from what I feel the government has done to my child. I am convinced he is vaccine damaged. And the government will not take responsibility. The vaccine manufacturers are protected from lawsuits. While the CDC will admit there may be a link between some mitochondrial disorders and vaccines, they fall short of allowing testing on the vaccines they shoot into innocent babies everyday. And more and more are being injured or dying from these very vaccines everyday.
I don't have to convince my mother-in-law that something can go awry with vaccines. She's convinced she had a reaction to the polio vaccine and by the grace of God, she was pulled from the grips of paralysis. But she still has physical problems. I, too, had something happen to me at about the age of 2. I'm told I stopped walking and would scream everytime I was stood on my feet. The doctors were baffled. Somehow, I learned to walk all over again. My parents kept no immunization records so I do not know what I received. Why didn't any of this click with me when it came time to vaccinate my own children?
Because I was brainwashed to think that good parents protect their children from everything, including mumps and german measles. No, good parents don't take the words of physicians as gospel and blindly shoot their children full of toxins. They investigate, they make decisions based on what's right for their own child, and if they choose to use a safe vaccine schedule, they do.
The government, the CDC, and the American Academy of Pediatrics are all guilty of harming 1 in 94 boys; 1 in 150 children and do nothing. In fact, they increase the vaccine schedule each and every year. My children will never receive another routine vaccination. Not the flu shot, not Gardisil, nothing. If they need a tetanus booster, we'll make that decision when the time comes based on the risks.
I cringe when I hear that one of Rachel's friends received the Gardisil vaccine. It hasn't been tested. They say it protects from 4 types of HPV Virus, though there are thousands that can cause cervical cancer. Girls who have received the vaccine have had horrible reactions or have died. Their parents believe they are doing the right thing but they are not.
They are just blindly following the herd off the cliff.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
HBOT is coming!
We will be leasing an HBOT unit Aug. 5 for a month. That means no more 3 hour round-trip drives to Columbus for HBOT! YAY! Also, more dives in a row with more potential for improvement.
With just the 3 dives we have under our belt, I feel Sam's more "with us", more connected. He jabbers all the time and is trying to repeat new words. His GI issues are getting better, as well. Don't know if it's the HBOT, but when that's all we've introduced, it's hard not to think so.
We got a new trampoline for Rachel for her sweet 16th birthday and put that up last night. He waited until this morning to give it a try and LOVED IT! Of course it has the mesh safety enclosure and padding. I think it's a lot of fun, too!
Sam went to the back-to-school pool party last Friday and had a lot of fun. Just 2 years ago, he wouldn't get in the water past his ankles, and if someone splashed him, he'd cry. This year he was passing the football with his friends (more like having his friends fetch the ball), laughing, all over the pool, interacting. It was great to watch. The only problem came when I went to get him a hotdog and the sun set. It got dark quickly and he sort of freaked out. By the time I got back to him, he was crying and the lifeguard was trying to talk him out. I felt badly but he got over it quickly. He really hates the dark. Luckily, it was loud and nobody could really hear him.
School started yesterday and so far, so good. But as his teacher says, we're in the honeymoon phase. We'll see how he's doing a month into it. His regular (new) teacher is at a TEACCH conference this week so his old teacher is filling in. Can't wait to see how the new teacher organizes the classroom, supports, and the schedule. She said she's very structured and that will be good for Sam.
Well, off to the salt mines. Got some DAS events to prep for. Ugh.
With just the 3 dives we have under our belt, I feel Sam's more "with us", more connected. He jabbers all the time and is trying to repeat new words. His GI issues are getting better, as well. Don't know if it's the HBOT, but when that's all we've introduced, it's hard not to think so.
We got a new trampoline for Rachel for her sweet 16th birthday and put that up last night. He waited until this morning to give it a try and LOVED IT! Of course it has the mesh safety enclosure and padding. I think it's a lot of fun, too!
Sam went to the back-to-school pool party last Friday and had a lot of fun. Just 2 years ago, he wouldn't get in the water past his ankles, and if someone splashed him, he'd cry. This year he was passing the football with his friends (more like having his friends fetch the ball), laughing, all over the pool, interacting. It was great to watch. The only problem came when I went to get him a hotdog and the sun set. It got dark quickly and he sort of freaked out. By the time I got back to him, he was crying and the lifeguard was trying to talk him out. I felt badly but he got over it quickly. He really hates the dark. Luckily, it was loud and nobody could really hear him.
School started yesterday and so far, so good. But as his teacher says, we're in the honeymoon phase. We'll see how he's doing a month into it. His regular (new) teacher is at a TEACCH conference this week so his old teacher is filling in. Can't wait to see how the new teacher organizes the classroom, supports, and the schedule. She said she's very structured and that will be good for Sam.
Well, off to the salt mines. Got some DAS events to prep for. Ugh.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Say aaaaaaahhhhh....
Another first! Sam got his teeth cleaned! No sedation, no tears (okay a couple), no freaking out! I give all kudos to Wright Smiles Pediatric Dentistry in Springboro for their patience and accomodations. Sam sat on the dentist's stool but the hygenist worked around him and his fears. They did a terrific job and his teeth have never looked better! The dentist even said she didn't see any signs of cavities.
I was just over the moon that he was able to do this. I thought we'd always be sedating him for cleanings. Guess I should learn to stop underestimating him!
I was just over the moon that he was able to do this. I thought we'd always be sedating him for cleanings. Guess I should learn to stop underestimating him!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Camp Silver Lake!
Well, both boys survived their first week at Camp Silver Lake! Sam was a first-time camper and Seth was a first-time volunteer. Sam loved the lake even though it was very cold! One of his therapists, Danielle, went to camp with Sam. She helped him through the rough patches. She said it was a lot of fun.
Seth enjoyed his time at camp so much, he can't wait to go back! He was well-liked by the kids and was awarded a $25 gas card by the camp director for his enthusiasm and kindness to the boys. In fact, he found Peter's bandana in his pocket today (Peter was one of his charges) and he put it on and tied it, and wore it around the house. I think he misses Peter.
I was certainly nervous all week with Seth driving the two of them to New Carlisle (45 minutes) and back, and what made it worse was Seth's inability to call me when he got there! Then he would turn his phone off, per camp rules, and I would be left wondering all day if they made it safely! Finally on Friday I was going on the "no news is good news" premise just to get through the day.
Rachel went with me for the family s'mores and songs on the last day of camp and she said she'd like to volunteer next year. So I may have all 3 kids attending Silver Lake next year! Woo-hoo!
Seth enjoyed his time at camp so much, he can't wait to go back! He was well-liked by the kids and was awarded a $25 gas card by the camp director for his enthusiasm and kindness to the boys. In fact, he found Peter's bandana in his pocket today (Peter was one of his charges) and he put it on and tied it, and wore it around the house. I think he misses Peter.
I was certainly nervous all week with Seth driving the two of them to New Carlisle (45 minutes) and back, and what made it worse was Seth's inability to call me when he got there! Then he would turn his phone off, per camp rules, and I would be left wondering all day if they made it safely! Finally on Friday I was going on the "no news is good news" premise just to get through the day.
Rachel went with me for the family s'mores and songs on the last day of camp and she said she'd like to volunteer next year. So I may have all 3 kids attending Silver Lake next year! Woo-hoo!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
HBOT update 6.18.08
Well, HBOT has been interesting. The first dive last week was difficult at first. He stepped into the "spaceship" with me, but then wasn't sure he wanted to be zipped in (neither was I!). I had to hold him screaming as she zipped us in and started the oxygen flow. Sam was extremely nervous and aggitated but settled down once the hissing quieted down and his movie started. The first dive was only 30 minutes long.
On the next dive, which was the next day, he climbed in okay and sat down but this unit had a very loud hiss and he was up in the front porthole telling Amy that it was too loud! He was climbing all over me to make contact with her. Once our ears pop, it's relatively boring. Sam watches his movie and eats skittles and I just lounge there with him laying on me. The last unit was also very warm inside and Amy said in the summer they get like that. I was getting very claustrophobic toward the end when I had nothing to drink, no air, and I was sweating. My ears hurt more than Sam's, I believe, and Angela said I could take Coricidin D for that. That dive and subsequent dives are 1 hour.
We don't have any dives scheduled this week because of camp but will be going again on Tuesday the 24th of June. I wish a unit was available for lease but was told there was nothing available until November! I might just lease a unit directly from the company, I don't know. The 1 1/2 hour drive one way is very difficult.
Haven't seen anything remarkable from Sam except maybe a slight increase in language. Instead of "sec-und" when he wants you to wait, he said "Wait a second." very clearly. And instead of "ho-home" he has been saying "home", with prompting. Could be speech therapy, could be HBOT. Two dives is really nothing to expect change from. Maybe the first 40.
I'll keep ya posted!
On the next dive, which was the next day, he climbed in okay and sat down but this unit had a very loud hiss and he was up in the front porthole telling Amy that it was too loud! He was climbing all over me to make contact with her. Once our ears pop, it's relatively boring. Sam watches his movie and eats skittles and I just lounge there with him laying on me. The last unit was also very warm inside and Amy said in the summer they get like that. I was getting very claustrophobic toward the end when I had nothing to drink, no air, and I was sweating. My ears hurt more than Sam's, I believe, and Angela said I could take Coricidin D for that. That dive and subsequent dives are 1 hour.
We don't have any dives scheduled this week because of camp but will be going again on Tuesday the 24th of June. I wish a unit was available for lease but was told there was nothing available until November! I might just lease a unit directly from the company, I don't know. The 1 1/2 hour drive one way is very difficult.
Haven't seen anything remarkable from Sam except maybe a slight increase in language. Instead of "sec-und" when he wants you to wait, he said "Wait a second." very clearly. And instead of "ho-home" he has been saying "home", with prompting. Could be speech therapy, could be HBOT. Two dives is really nothing to expect change from. Maybe the first 40.
I'll keep ya posted!
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Apparently, nothing.
So what happens when a 10 year-old consumes a whole bottle of gummy CoQ10 and a whole bottle of gummy B-12 vitamins? Apparently, nothing.
When I discovered a red B-12 gummies on the floor of the kitchen, I was alerted to the fact that someone had apparently dropped it, en route to the living room, where Sam normally takes his supplements. When I found the second one, I was alarmed.
I looked for the bottle and didn't see it, so I took the two gummies to Sam and said "Where is the bottle?". He calmly said "Trash".
I immediately googled "B-12 overdose" and learned it's a water soluable vitamin and what overdose symptoms to look for. As close as we could surmise, it had been several hours since he had consumed them, with no adverse affects whatsoever. He had been to the playground. Had eaten dinner. And he was acting normally. Looked normal.
About a half an hour later, I realized the CoQ10 bottle was also missing. I tore through the trash and found both bottles, neatly recapped with their childproof caps, and discarded together. Empty.
Again, I rushed to the computer and googled "CoQ10 overdose". As far as I could tell, CoQ10 is an enzyme mainly used for heart conditions and there is no known overdose level. Watch for vomitting, diarrhea, etc. He was acting fine. Nothing so far.
Since the discovery, he has had potty time, taken a shower, played with his new electronic drum set, eaten a bowl of cereal, and is brushing teeth for bed. Nary one little sign that something is wrong.
I hesitate to call poison control or take him to the E.R. and I'll tell you why. When Seth was small, he took a swig from a bottle of ambesol. Following that, he had to have his stomach pumped and activated charcoal put in which made him vomit black tar all night long. Then, on another occasion, he drank Triaminic straight from the bottle. Poison control said he might be a little hyper from the sugar but otherwise fine. On a third occasion, he ate the moisture absorbing crystals from a suitcase while we were on a trip. It says right on the little bag DO NOT EAT. Poison control said they'd pass.
So I'm watching for signs of physical distress, pupil dialation, vomiting, or anything that might alert me that there's a problem. If there is, we are ready to hit the road. But I suspect those gummies are more sugar and gelatin than actual vitamins and enzymes. Of course I kept the bottles just in case. Not a chance I'm going to get any sleep tonight, though.
Thanks childproof caps for not doing your job. He was able to open both bottles??? Gimme a break!
When I discovered a red B-12 gummies on the floor of the kitchen, I was alerted to the fact that someone had apparently dropped it, en route to the living room, where Sam normally takes his supplements. When I found the second one, I was alarmed.
I looked for the bottle and didn't see it, so I took the two gummies to Sam and said "Where is the bottle?". He calmly said "Trash".
I immediately googled "B-12 overdose" and learned it's a water soluable vitamin and what overdose symptoms to look for. As close as we could surmise, it had been several hours since he had consumed them, with no adverse affects whatsoever. He had been to the playground. Had eaten dinner. And he was acting normally. Looked normal.
About a half an hour later, I realized the CoQ10 bottle was also missing. I tore through the trash and found both bottles, neatly recapped with their childproof caps, and discarded together. Empty.
Again, I rushed to the computer and googled "CoQ10 overdose". As far as I could tell, CoQ10 is an enzyme mainly used for heart conditions and there is no known overdose level. Watch for vomitting, diarrhea, etc. He was acting fine. Nothing so far.
Since the discovery, he has had potty time, taken a shower, played with his new electronic drum set, eaten a bowl of cereal, and is brushing teeth for bed. Nary one little sign that something is wrong.
I hesitate to call poison control or take him to the E.R. and I'll tell you why. When Seth was small, he took a swig from a bottle of ambesol. Following that, he had to have his stomach pumped and activated charcoal put in which made him vomit black tar all night long. Then, on another occasion, he drank Triaminic straight from the bottle. Poison control said he might be a little hyper from the sugar but otherwise fine. On a third occasion, he ate the moisture absorbing crystals from a suitcase while we were on a trip. It says right on the little bag DO NOT EAT. Poison control said they'd pass.
So I'm watching for signs of physical distress, pupil dialation, vomiting, or anything that might alert me that there's a problem. If there is, we are ready to hit the road. But I suspect those gummies are more sugar and gelatin than actual vitamins and enzymes. Of course I kept the bottles just in case. Not a chance I'm going to get any sleep tonight, though.
Thanks childproof caps for not doing your job. He was able to open both bottles??? Gimme a break!
Monday, June 9, 2008
Story on HBOT
Came across this http://www.ivanhoe.com/channels/p_printStory.cfm?storyid=18775 regarding HBOT. We start Sam's HBOT treatments tomorrow (Tuesday). I'm nervous about how to get him into his "spaceship" but am taking an arsenal of bribes. Hopefully it'll work. I'll keep ya posted.
Nancy
Nancy
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