Hello again everyone. I am finally writing the blog update for Ethan’s new treatment. Gavin is just having so much fun at McDonalds right now, so I’m taking the opportunity to write. We finished the intense part of Ethan’s yeast treatment a few months ago. However, we are treating him for the yeast again right now. He snuck and got some bread at Christmas time, so the opportune fungus seized the moment and set up camp in Ethan’s gut, again. Luckily, this time we spotted the signs of the squatter before it could build a more permanent home and invite his friends over. This will be an ongoing problem for Ethan for years to come. His next treatment could also assist in helping keep the yeast under control.
On to new efforts, we recently had a test done on Ethan called a porphyrin test. This test is for heavy metals. The test revealed an incredibly high level of lead and elevated amounts of mercury. Ethan’s doc believes that these metals are preventing Ethan’s body from completing several important processes. Most notably, the methylation cycle. The methylation cycle plays a crucial role in the body. It is involved in detoxification, immune function, maintaining DNA, energy production, mood balancing, and controlling inflammation. Unfortunately, the presence of metals can block certain biochemicals important to methylation such as methionine, homocysteine, and SAMe thus stopping the cycle from completing. Heavy metals can also contribute to Ethan’s yeast problem.
We had two options for treatment, natural chelation or medical chelation. The medical option poses more risk, cost, and comes with it’s own set of challenges. We have started naturally treating with supplements. Basically, we are supplementing what’s being blocked by the metals. We are hoping that once Ethan’s body gets theses chemicals, his methylation cycle will respond and began to start spinning on it’s own. If this happens, Ethan’s body will begin purging itself of these unwanted metals and other toxins. We will continue this treatment for another month or so, and then retest to see if his body is responding.
Ethan has been doing amazingly these past few months. He is on a steady incline, with the exception of a couple weeks due to the yeast. He is speaking better. He is more alert and in tune. The other day he responded to Mickey Mouse. Mickey asked if that was a red gooey fish, and Ethan correctly said no.
He is starting to be really social as he’s enjoying having people over to the house. Gavin’s birthday party was just great for him, and he got upset when grandma left just a few days ago. He is also responding more to us when we give him praise. He really is noticing our reactions when we are happy with him. He looks at out faces when he knows he’s done something good.
Knocking on wood here, we really have seemed to have a breakthrough in the potty training. Just a few weeks ago, we never seemed to make it to ABA without having an accident in the car. During ABA, Ethan would go through 8-12 pairs of shorts/undies. I packed his bag with 15 new outfits on Monday. Here it is Friday, and he’s only had 1 accident all week. Maybe, we will one day be able to pack just a regular back pack instead of a suit case. A couple weeks ago, I started a strategy that seemed to help with the problem in the car. Ethan loves music, so I decided to use the music as a reinforcer for staying dry. I loaded him in the car with no pants, just underwear. That way I could feel if he was wet. After every song, I asked him if he was wet. When he was dry, I gave him lots of praise, a high five, and more music. This worked from day 1. Since then, the rest of the day has just clicked. He hasn’t been having accidents anywhere near the pace he was. I’m not saying it was all me or anything, but it is awful coincidental ;) Finally, the last 18 months of potty training is seeing some progress. Please excuse me while I knock on some more wood and throw some salt over my shoulder.
Ethan’s got a new therapist now. Her name is Kristin, and so far we are very happy with her. They have been working together for a few weeks now, and Ethan seems to be responding well to her. We still have Ms Amanda several times a week, and Ethan usually works with another therapist, Alina a couple times a week. We are very pleased with the therapy team Ethan has right now. They are doing a great job, and Ethan works hard for them. Maybe one of them should stay at our house and get him to sleep passed 5am. Sounds like a good idea don’t ya think??
