The next phase

Through Mickey’s regression I learned how important the supplements are. I have stepped everything up a notch and haven gotten much more organized and diligent. The MB12 shots restore nerves in the mouth and nose area so during that week he stopped drinking a bottle. I think before the sucking of the bottle was comforting but now that he can feel more around the mouth somehting changed and he no longer wants a bottle.Great news, right? Well, yes normally however that is how I was hiding his supplements. So now I have to force him to takle a medicine dropper several times a day. I am working on a super smoothie and some homemade vitamins I hope to give him.. fingers crossed. My plan is to treat his yeast, put him on the caveman diet and start a mellower form of multivitamins that goes better with the MB12 shots. I am increasing his mineral supplements (calcium, magnesium, selenium and zinc – great detoxifiers) which all aide in the MB12 shots. After a week or two of bringing him back to baseline ( a biomedical term meaning a level and good even place before starting new treatments) I will retry the MB12 at the normal reccomended dosage. If I see any signs of regression I will pull him off and give up on Mb12. The next phase will be trying Valtrex which I will try on myself for 3 weeks first to make sure there are no side effects. I don’t want to put lal my eggs in one basket but I have alot of hope for Valtrex as it has helped alot of children recover. One thought is because the MMR vaccine is made with Chicken egg media which contains the herpes virus. ALot of kids on the spectrum test positive for herpes when both parents test negative (and no possible molestation has occured) so question… where is the Herpes virus coming from? I also have medicine to treat him for internal measles which many of these kids have. I am leanign towards these treatments because Mickey’s autism symptoms began right after the MMR vaccine. I still believe he has metal toxicity but the thought is first you heal the leaky gut (yeast, fungals and bacteria) then you move to fighting the internal viruses. Once the body is healed from the cause of the problems it begans to heal itself and naturally push out the heavy metals. If need be I have natural detoxifiers and we ave the option of Hyperbaric chamber and chelation but those are my last resorts. I am treating Mickey’s recovery as naturally and non-invasively as possible. (yeah, tell that to a kid on the caveman diet who take droppers full of supplements all day long.) I can honestly my child along with all the other biomedical ASD kids are the toughest and hardest working kids out there. His therapy schedule aloine is like having a full time job. Not to mention he comes home and has a pushy mom in his face all the time making him ask for eerything he wants and constantly saying “use your words.” I just hope as he grows he knows I am not “pushing” him per se as I am more “pulling” him through the window before it closes on us forever.

The not-so Great Regression

Well, per DAN! docotors instructions we gave Mickey the MB12 shot every 3 days. We gave it to him twice before we realized he was regressing and then immediatley stopped. After the first shot he seemed to have better focus and vocabulary but by day two his behavior was out of control and he wasn’t sleeping at night. We gave him another shot and he just progressively got worse until we were back at the all day tantrums, speaking only in jibberish and just over all miserable. It was a nightmare. 3 months worth of work was gone and even worse my child was gone. It was so hard having him to an almost typical level and then going back to full on autism. So I called the DAN! doctor and they told me I would have to arrange and pay for a phone consulatation. I hung up th ephone in tears and hopped online to the parent message boards. The DAN! doctor who invented the shots is Dr. Neubrander and his brother, who works with him, frequents the message boards to help parents. I was able to ask him and he said the dosage we were given was way off. The concentration should have been 25ml and we were given 65ml and the dosage for his weight should have been 0.04ml and we were given double at 0.08ml. SO he had double the dose at triple the concentration! I was worried I would lose him for good but on the 6th day after the shot he was almost back to normal and by day 7 he was better than ever! Dr. Neubrander says it takes about 5 days for MB12 to leave the system. I went over to see Stan Kurtz yesterday and he was suprised by the incident. He says he likes my DAN! and she is usually great. I am still waiting to hear back from her to find out what happened and why she prescribed such a high dose. Stan Kurtz is on all kinds of boards for autism and adhd. He invented the MB12 nasal spray and cured himself of ADHD and IBS.  The nasal spray is prescription but you can order a similar product from NBNUS.com called methylmate and just ask for a complimentary nasal spray. Anyway, he is a member of the DAN! think tank and recovered his own son so I hold his advice in high esteem. We went in, he took one look at Minnie and said,” She’s in big trouble. She’s is in bad shape.” He wasn’t nearly as concerned with Mickey. He said when girls are on the spectrum there symptoms are usually twice as bad as the boys. In all honesty I wasn’t suprised. In fact I was relieved because it confirmed my own suspicions. In fact I just made an appointment to get her evaluated last week. I don’t think she is on the spectrum but I do think she has a speech delay and some severe biomedical problems. She has chronic diarhea which I wasn’t sure if it was because I still breast feed. She has pink rimmed eyes, dark circles, puffy cheeks and a distended belly (all signs of fungal and bacteria issues.. aka yeast) He looked at my tongue, hands and asked me some questions about yeast infections, bladder problems and energy levels. He is sure I have mercury toxicity. (which of coursee passes on to children) As a child I had a mouth full of silver fillings. At 15 the dentist replaced most of them with the white fillings however, he just chipped out the silver ones and didn’t use a dental dam or any method to prevent me from ingesting the mercury. Sadly, this is common for my generation. Anyway, he was concerned for me and the kids and recommended we do the Caveman diet for at least a month and than switch over to the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (still remaining GFCF, Soy free and Yeast Free) Instinctively, I know he is right. However, this is going to be so hard! The concept is to eat meat, vegetables and low sugar fruits the way humans have done for eons. It has only been in the last 10,000 years that humans have been eating grains and beans. Evolutionarily, it has not been long enough for the human body to adapt. Since humans have been eating preserved foods and the overabundance of carbs we have had an equally overabundant amount of health issues. We primarily eat carbs so now I have to convince my kids(and husband) to eat meat and veggies. I think every mother in america faces that struggle, but the only difference is I don’t have a choice. I am playing beat the clock to save my son and possibly my daughter. I asked Stan how I would know if it was working it said, it will be a week from hell, because the yeast and fungus will crave the carbs and sugar. They will go through withdrawls just like a crack addict (what we went through when they came off dairy) but after that week they will physically look different and their behavior will improve. {side note- my son is screaming for a cookie as I type this!} My next question was how do I get a kid who barely eats now to eat new foods.. aka meat and veggies. Stan explained when the fungus and yeast die off and no longer have food to survive, Mickeys appetite will come back because the yeast won’t be telling him what they crave. So, I admit I am reluctant but I have to try it because as hard as it is it might be the missing puzzle piece for my child. It all makes sense but the only way I will know is tor try 100%. There is a reason the Atkins diet works, humans can’t digest carbs and really aren’t supposed to have them. Now days the American diet is primarly carbs. So I am hoping my children will have a drastic improvement and I may even lose more weight (I have already dropped about 12 lbs since GFCF in 2 1/2 months) The aim of this is to improve the health of my family overall. When your own health suffers you tend to neglect to do what you need to in order to get better. However, when it hits your child, especially as young as mine, it changes your attitude drastically. We all know we should be eating organic vegetables and lean meats and no processed or junk food but do we do it? No. Well, maybe this generation of children (let me remind you 1 in 6 kids are on the spectrum and in my opinion the numbers are even higher now) are here to teach us to clean up our world, stop the poisons and toxins and reclaim our health, planet and humanity. It is just a thought that was born from my own experience. My son is teaching me the greatest lessons of my life through his illness. I hate that it has to be this way, but I will do what ever I need to do to learn the lessons, heal him and change our life and hopefully others as well.

MB12 shots

Mickey has been a bit fussy, not sleeping great, mouthing his hands like crazy and difficult to say the least. I found out I need to up his intake of calcium, magnesium, selenium and zinc while on the shots so I will try that today. However, I messaged the Dr. who created the shots and he told me the high doses of B6 in our multivitamin can causes irritiability and lack of focus so I might switch to another one to try. I don’t want to give up on the shots yet (he has only had two) and when I say shots it is the tiniest little needle and he barely feels a thing. It really is no bo big deal. I have seen some progress on the shots. Yesterday, Mickey came up to me at the table and said, ” I..want..to..watch..,Nemo!” All by himself!!!! Then I was sitting on the couch and he reached over and gave me a tight bear hug! (usually they are limp hugs) and he said, “Cute flower shirt!” I almost fell on the floor. I have never heard him use a phrase like that on his own with descriptive words! So I want to give the shots a chance and just need to play with his supplements. Every little progress is exciting!

Small Victories

I just have to post what happened today. I took Mickey to his Group Therapy Class and he was playing with a little truck. He was rolling it along a book shelf. (side-note:Many kids on the spectrum don’t play properly with toys.They roll them back and forth, they watch them, study them, carry them around, but don’t pretend or imagine things with the toys. ) We have really been working on imaginative play with Mickey lately but today was something new! He was rolling the car along and I said,” Where is the car going, to the store?” Usually he would just repeat, “store” however today he paused for a few seconds and said, “um, park!” To anyone else that would be no big deal but for a child with ASD this is HUGE! It shows that he isn’t just echoing my thoughts, but rather imagining and thinking on his own and was able to communicate it to me. Such a small thing just means so much.

I am..

As I spend another late night researching online, I came across this poem written by Pam, Stan Kurtz’s sister-in-law. I just really related to it and now will refer to it during those times I lose sight of our goal or when I feel defeated.
I am.

I am the little engine that did. When on my journey in life, my tracks led
me to a mountain – a diagnosis of Autism – I looked at it with defeat -
thinking there was no way I could climb over it. I then pondered the
obstacle before me, and I then said to myself over and over, “I think I can,
I think I can…,” then I slowly started climbing the mountain saying to
myself over and over, “I know I can, I know I can,….” and then I made it
over that ominous diagnosis and continued my journey. I am the little engine
that did.

I am more devoted than Noah’s wife. I sometimes feel overwhelmed in my
“houseboat” — 365 days and 365 nights a year, constantly working with and
teaching my child. But when the storms of isolation and monotony become most
unbearable, I do not jump ship. Instead I wait for the rainbow that is
promised to come.

I am Xena. Real life warrior goddess of Autism. With my steel plated armor I
can battle anyone who gets in the way of progress for my child. I can
overcome the stares and ignorance of those without a disability in their
lives – and educate them as to why my child is the way he is, and why he
does the things he does. With my sword of persistence, I can battle the
schools to have them properly educate my child. Yes, I am Xena – and I am
prepared for any battle that might come my way……

I am beautiful. I have hairy legs because I get no time alone in the
bathroom, and bags under my eyes from staying up all night with my child.
The only exercise I get is the sprint from my house to my car – to take my
child to therapy. Dressed up to me is, well – just that I had a moment to
get dressed! They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder – and so
even on the days when I don’t feel very beautiful – I will know that I
am…….. because God is my beholder.

I am the Bionic Woman. With my bionic vision – I can see through the
disability my child has, and see the beauty in his soul, the intelligence in
his eyes — when others can’t. I have bionic hearing – I can look at my
child when he smiles at me, and hear his voice say, “I Love You Mommy,” —
even though he can’t talk. Yes, I am thankful to be Bionic.

I am Mary. A not so well known mother of a Special Needs child who was
brought here to touch the souls of those around him, in a way that will
forever change them. And it started with me. By teaching me things I would
never have known, by bringing me friendships I never would have had, and by
opening my eyes as to what really matters in life. Things like the Joy of
just living in the moment, the Peace of knowing that God is in control,
never losing Hope, and knowing an unconditional Love that words cannot
express. Yes, I too am blessed by a special child, just like Mary.

I am Superwoman. I am able to leap over tall loads of laundry in a single
bound, and run faster than a speeding bullet, to rescue my child from
danger. Oh yes, without a doubt, I am Superwoman.

I am Moses. I was chosen to be the mother of a Special Needs Child. I may at
times question whether I am the right “man” for the job —but God will give
me the Faith I need to lead my child to be the best he can be. And like
Moses, God will give me the small Miracles here and there, needed to
accomplish my mission.

I am Stretch Armstrong – a mom that can be stretched beyond belief – and
still somehow return to normal. I can stretch limited funds to cover every
treatment and therapy that insurance won’t. I can stretch my patience as I
bounce from doctor to doctor in a quest to treat my child. I can stretch
what time I have, and share it with my husband, my children, my church, and
still have some leftover to help my friends. Yes, my name is Stretch. And I
have the stretch-marks to prove it!

I am Rosa Parks. I refuse to move or waiver in what I believe is right for
my child –simply because my view is the minority, not the majority. I
refuse to believe “What can one mother do?” But instead, I will write, call,
and rally to the government if I have to, and do whatever it takes to
prevent discrimination against my child and ensure that he gets the services
he needs.

I am Hercules. The Greek god known for strength and courage. The heavy loads
I must carry would make others crumble to the ground. The weight of Sorrow,
Fear at uncertainty of the future, Injustice at having no answers, and the
Tears of despair, would alone possibly be too much, — even for Hercules.
But then the Joy, Laughter, Smiles, and Pride, – at my child’s
accomplishments, – balance the load to make it easy to bear.

I am touched by an Angel. An Angel who lives in a world of his own. And it’s
true. He lives in a world of innocence and purity. A world without hatred or
deceit. A world where everyone is beautiful and where no-one is ugly. A
world where there is always enough time. A world where he goes to bed with
no worries of tomorrow and wakes up with no regrets of the past. Yes, I most
certainly am touched by an Angel, and in some ways, his world is better….

I am a true “Survivor” – the mom of a child, who has faced, is facing, and
will face, –some of the most difficult challenges life has to offer. I am
ready for the challenge and have God given endurance to last until the end,
– along with a sense of humor to cope with all the twists, turns, and
surprises along the way. Oh yes, I am a TRUE “Survivor” – and I don’t need
to win a million dollars to prove it!!!

I am a mom of a special needs child, all the above, and so much more. Some
days I will want to be none of the above – and just be a typical mom with a
typical child, doing typical things. On those days I will know it’s okay to
be angry, and to cry, and to lean on my family, friends, and church, for
support. Because after all, —the most important thing I am….. is human.

Update:

Oh what a crazy week it has been! Well we went to the DAN! doc. She said based on Mickey’s symptoms and medical history his Autism is an open and shut case that it was caused by the vaccines. Now let me say not all cases of autism are caused by vaccines but in many cases it is a trigger. Even the very first shot the day of their birth for Hepatitis B (only transmitted by sexual contact, intraveneous drugs or an infected mother… so why does a newborn need it if the mother is Hep B negative??????) can weaken and damage the developing  immune system to the point where it can not properly eliminate environmental toxins and thus the path of autism begans. In our cases I believe it started with the very first vaccine but we didn’t see the effects until the MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) at 12 months. Mickey was sick when he recieved that vaccine and shortly after we noticed his obsession with cars and his lining things up. The MMR vaccine is notorious in the autism world and Dr. Andrew Wakefield has proven that the children he tested with autism all had the same strain of measles or mumps from the vaccine in their instesinal and cellular walls. We believe this is what is going on with Mickey. The DAN! doctor spared us the vicious costs of lab work and instead wrote the tests our pediatrician could do and told us to beg and plead to get the pedatrician to do it so our insurance (the dreaded HMO) would do it. So, on Tuesday we waited an hour at the pediatrician and I nervously went over and over my plea internally while Mickey played next to me in the waiting room. I watched as Mickey focused on a wiry toy with beads not noticing the other children playing next to him. I watched as he studied each bead going round and round the twisted wires and my heart sank just a little bit. A little girl around Mickey’s age was dancing and shouting “Daddy, look at me!” and talking a mile a minute. It is times like these that I forget how far we have come and my heart just can’t help but feel with envy. Then I looked around at all the newborn babies waiting for their well check appointments and the infatuated parents googling at their babies, unknowingly about to poison there beloved babies. To people who have vaccinated their children and have not had any problems (although I think that is debateable with behavioral, social and a variety of developmental issues) they will never understand the trauma vaccines can cause when it is your child. Now that I have done the research on vaccines I am horrified to know what is in them. Sure, when the autism community spoke up about Mercury they pulled that out but neglected to mention they replaced it with aluminum! Not only that when I was a child I recieved 10 vaccines by the time I was 5, Mickey received 32 by the time he was 18 months. These are not the same vaccines from yesteryear. Merck already has 200 new vaccines up for approval. Ok, back to my story. So we finally get into the pediatrician and I start off by saying my son was just evaluated with Autism and we are follwing the Defeat Autism Now! protocol, are you familiar with that? When she said no, I about fell off the chair! With the big media tour with Jenny McCarthy and the shere numbers of kids on the specturm alone I thought the pediatricians may not agree with the methods but surely would be aware…nope. However, she was open, asked questions and generally cared about my son. I told her about our amazing progress and she not ownly believed me but seemed excited. I left her with an informational brochure on healing autism. She was unfamiliar with most of the tests I was asking for so she said she would look up what  labs they could do and call me later. (That was alot of work!) She called me to say they could do most of them and the ones they didn’t have she would write a prescription so I could order them through a different lab (buit I still have to pay for those ones.) I was just so grateful and relieved to have a doctor who actually listens and has an open mind towards other types of medicine! Yeah! So, I am taking Mickey tommorow for his first set of labs. He will have to go between 3-5 times so they don’t take too much blood at once (since it is alot!) He is being tested for everything! They will be able to tell if he has any of the viruses from the vaccines active inside, any heavy metals, food allergies, deficiencies, etc. I still have to do a few important tests that I will have to pay out of pocket, so I am selling my beloved Phil and Ted’s Stroller and more of the kdis toys and clothes. I swear if it isn’t nailed down, I am selling it!   Well, other than that we have had a horrible case of the flu, by far the worst we have ever had. Also, Mickey started his MB12 shots. We have noticed some effects both good and bad so we are just waiting for it to normalize so we can better gage it. We should know by 2 weeks in. That’s it for now.