A New Doctor & A New Approach...

We are still in the learning stages, but in short, we were put in touch with a new Doctor. Unfortunately, she is in Michigan. Her approach to helping Elle will be a mix of eastern & western medicine. In about 3 weeks, we should have the results from some metabolic testing that she has ordered. The goal is to find out how Elle's body metabolizes what goes into in, what, if anything,she is deficient in and much more. The end result will hopefully allow us to learn what her body may need to increase brain power. What is getting in the way of her ability to focus and track? What will help her with communication and comprehension? And of course...can we gain better control over the seizures?

We will also have some labs drawn locally for b vitamins, MTHFR polymorphism, zinc, selenium and vitamin D.

Dr. Freeman has also suggested we start Elle on a complete gluten free ,dairy free diet. Here is what she had to say...

"She (Elle) can still get adequate vitamins and minerals from almond and rice milk, many children with food sensitivities to casein (milk) are also sensitive to soy. Removal helps to reduce intestinal dysbiosis, and inflammation that results in leaky gut. Intestinal health is also aided by the use of tumeric/curcurmin. This can be used as a supplement or in cooking. It does have a strong taste. Lee Silsby has a good product ENHANSA, that we could use from the capsule in her food. I suspect she would benefit from increased glutathione which we can provide in the form of a cream or supplement. All of this should become clear on the testing. Taurine is an amino acid, that while not classified as an essential amino acid, can under certain circumstances act like one. Several studies have shown Taurine to be deficient in children with seizures. It is ideally adsorbed sublingually, I would suggest starting at 2 drops 2 x per day, under her tongue of the product from American Biologics."

Well, that's it in a nutshell. Basically, the testing will confirm the above or enlighten us to other things. In the mean time, we wait. This is always the hardest part. Unfortunately, most blood & gene testing moves at a glacial pace.

Elle is now 17 months and continues to suprise us daily. She has become very good at using her sippy cup. She has begun to reach to the tray on her stroller for the snacks I strategically leave there. She will actually see something on the floor next to her and reach for it, pulling it to her mouth for further examination :-) Elle is constantly on the move. She rolls all over the living room. Her team of Therapist are still trying to learn if Elle rolls to learn her boundaries, because she is bored or because it is her current mode of transportation. She is doing great at getting both feet to her mouth. If all is quiet in the house and I call her name, she will stop what ever she is doing and flash a huge smile that says, without words, "I hear you mommy, I love you." Brings tears to my eyes just to write that, but I know it's what she's thinking. While on her tummy, she will pull her knees under as if she were going to crawl, but the front end is still flat on the ground. To me, this action tells me that the thought to coordinate this movement in there. We know Elle is physically strong enough to get up on all fours...her brain just doesn't know it yet...YET !!

There is not a day that goes by that my heart doesn't hurt for that little girl. i can stare at her all day...her little teeth, so straight and perfect, her bright eyes, long beautiful eyelashes I envy, a smile that fixes everything and little hands that when they touch you...it's indescribable.