I almost forgot to mention Demi's good report from Summer School last week. Last Thursday was Demi's last day of Summer School. Actually, instead of regular summer school, she was getting two hours, twice weekly, of speech and OT work in a very small group.
She had a total of 6 goals going into the summer: 3 speech and 3 OT, 4 of which are specific skills that she's been working on for a very long time (1 yr+) and 2 of which are "continuing goals" (improving articulation). She accomplished the 4 goals that she'd been working on for so long and has made progress on the other 2. Yea for Demi!
Some of the goals were pretty basic - cut on a line and trace shapes independently. I think increased focus has helped her attend to these tasks better to actually show that she can do them. A few months ago, she just didn't stay interested in the task long enough to complete it; now she's better at working toward completion.
I think the increased focus contributed to her success on her receptive speech test as well. Most, if not all, of that increased focus has come in the last five months since she's been on NCD.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Trying NCD on Serious Health Issue
Last Thursday, I found out that my aunt has just been diagnosed with lung [serious health issue]. While checking for issues related to pneumonia, they unexpectedly discovered a golf-ball-sized tumor in one of her lungs. The other lung seemed to have residual pneumonia infection.
Once I found out, I immediately packaged up two bottles of NCD to send to her. We estimated she'd have about two weeks before her next scan to determine the conventional course of action. I told her to take 15 drops, 4x/day. I also sent 5 pages of [serious health issue] testimonials for her to read.
She received the package this past Monday and expressed concern that the NCD might make the residual pneumonia symptoms worse and that she might not be able to drink as much water as she needed (because she was already on diuretics for a heart condition and was only able to drink a certain amount of water). I explained that the NCD might help clear up the pneumonia and that if symptoms got worse, she could always lighten up her NCD dose. She started taking it that day.
I talked to her again today (Thursday). She's feeling fine. She believes her pneumonia is totally cleared up (she was on antibiotics for that). Although she retained a bit too much water yesterday, it was normalized today and she feels fine, just a bit tired.
She has noticed a slight pain in her back right where the tumor is. She's wondering if she may have pulled something while doing laundry yesterday (the first activity she's done since returning from the hospital) or if it could be something to do with the tumor. She thought perhaps it was the NCD eating away at the tumor. I told her to keep up those positive thoughts that it was the NCD eating away at the tumor. (Positive thoughts are always good, as are prayers!)
Although we thought she'd have at least two weeks on NCD before another scan, she'll actually have less than a week. She's having another PET scan on Monday, so I'm hoping that's enough time to make a difference. I've read at least one testimonial that said a ping-pong ball tumor shrank to a marble in two weeks, but what about just one week? We'll all have the answer soon.
Once I found out, I immediately packaged up two bottles of NCD to send to her. We estimated she'd have about two weeks before her next scan to determine the conventional course of action. I told her to take 15 drops, 4x/day. I also sent 5 pages of [serious health issue] testimonials for her to read.
She received the package this past Monday and expressed concern that the NCD might make the residual pneumonia symptoms worse and that she might not be able to drink as much water as she needed (because she was already on diuretics for a heart condition and was only able to drink a certain amount of water). I explained that the NCD might help clear up the pneumonia and that if symptoms got worse, she could always lighten up her NCD dose. She started taking it that day.
I talked to her again today (Thursday). She's feeling fine. She believes her pneumonia is totally cleared up (she was on antibiotics for that). Although she retained a bit too much water yesterday, it was normalized today and she feels fine, just a bit tired.
She has noticed a slight pain in her back right where the tumor is. She's wondering if she may have pulled something while doing laundry yesterday (the first activity she's done since returning from the hospital) or if it could be something to do with the tumor. She thought perhaps it was the NCD eating away at the tumor. I told her to keep up those positive thoughts that it was the NCD eating away at the tumor. (Positive thoughts are always good, as are prayers!)
Although we thought she'd have at least two weeks on NCD before another scan, she'll actually have less than a week. She's having another PET scan on Monday, so I'm hoping that's enough time to make a difference. I've read at least one testimonial that said a ping-pong ball tumor shrank to a marble in two weeks, but what about just one week? We'll all have the answer soon.
More From Demi Every Day
Another quick update on Demi:
Recently, I took Demi and Dana up to Virginia to stay with their grandparents for a week. We all went to the grocery store to get a few things. Once there, we split up - my father (Pappy) said he would go get the hamburgers, hotdogs, and buns. My stepmother (Grammy) would get other stuff. The girls and I tagged along with Grammy, since she hasn't yet recovered completely from a recent foot surgery.
A few minutes later, while we were picking out various vegetables, Dana asked, "Where's Pappy?"
Demi immediately answered, "He went to get hamburger." She knew exactly what was going on. A few months ago, I wouldn't have expected her to reply at all, let alone know where he was.
I just talked to Grammy today and she reports Demi talking much more than she's ever seen her.
Recently, I took Demi and Dana up to Virginia to stay with their grandparents for a week. We all went to the grocery store to get a few things. Once there, we split up - my father (Pappy) said he would go get the hamburgers, hotdogs, and buns. My stepmother (Grammy) would get other stuff. The girls and I tagged along with Grammy, since she hasn't yet recovered completely from a recent foot surgery.
A few minutes later, while we were picking out various vegetables, Dana asked, "Where's Pappy?"
Demi immediately answered, "He went to get hamburger." She knew exactly what was going on. A few months ago, I wouldn't have expected her to reply at all, let alone know where he was.
I just talked to Grammy today and she reports Demi talking much more than she's ever seen her.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Gains Continuing
A quick update on Demi. Her memory seems to be increasing.
When reading a story at bedtime this evening, one we'd read many times before, I paused at certain points and asked questions. Demi answered almost all of the questions, while Dana (younger by 16 months, but fairly advanced for her age) got only the easiest of them. I was very surprised by what Demi recalled and how appropriately she responded. Often, she responded with the right answer in her own words, not from memorizing the words of the story. Sometimes she regurgitated a long sentence from the story. Either way, I know she's retaining, which means learning!
When reading a story at bedtime this evening, one we'd read many times before, I paused at certain points and asked questions. Demi answered almost all of the questions, while Dana (younger by 16 months, but fairly advanced for her age) got only the easiest of them. I was very surprised by what Demi recalled and how appropriately she responded. Often, she responded with the right answer in her own words, not from memorizing the words of the story. Sometimes she regurgitated a long sentence from the story. Either way, I know she's retaining, which means learning!
Friday, July 07, 2006
18 month Jump in Receptive Language!
Demi just had her annual speech evaluation yesterday. Her scores showed an 18 month improvement in receptive language! At least half of that improvement has been in the last 4 months since she started NCD. Her expressive score improved by 12 months in a year, so at least there's no gap-widening. She still has major articulation issues.
I also have to mention the new study that's being conducted on NCD and Autism. They are doing a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study to determine whether or not NCD helps kids with autism.
There's a Yahoo discussion group - AutismNCD - where mothers discuss the ins and outs of giving NCD to your child, watching for minor negative reactions, and adjusting the dosage specifically for your child. The gradual dosing protocol allows parents to maximize gains while eliminating regression which might be seen with other treatments.
If you're thinking about trying NCD for your child or just want to know more about how it's affecting children, just join the group and read what other parents are saying. It's free and very educational.
I also have to mention the new study that's being conducted on NCD and Autism. They are doing a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study to determine whether or not NCD helps kids with autism.
There's a Yahoo discussion group - AutismNCD - where mothers discuss the ins and outs of giving NCD to your child, watching for minor negative reactions, and adjusting the dosage specifically for your child. The gradual dosing protocol allows parents to maximize gains while eliminating regression which might be seen with other treatments.
If you're thinking about trying NCD for your child or just want to know more about how it's affecting children, just join the group and read what other parents are saying. It's free and very educational.
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