Alternative Medicine

Close to a month ago, I took Demi to a local alternative health practitioner. A super nice lady. She explained everything about the machine she was using and answered all my questions. I had no misconceptions of what she might be able to do.

I went because I'm open to alternative methods of attaining health. I don't believe conventional medicine knows everything about the energy of life within each human being.

The testing revealed some interesting possibilities that might be going within Demi's various systems. Over the course of the testing, she "treated" Demi periodically with the machine, a process similar to "reverse biofeedback." Perhaps it sounds hokey, but, like I said, I'm open to the possibilities.

Among other things, the testing revealed insecticides contributing to her toxic load. It did not show specific heavy metal toxicity. It also revealed consistent stomach problems which can often contribute to imbalances in other organs. The insecticides and stomach issues showed up as part of every organ analysis, so I elected to start a homeopathic remedy for the insecticides and digestive enzymes for the stomach issues.

Interestingly, the test also hinted at possible blood sugar regulation issues, something she has never shown signs of. She has even had a normal fasting blood sugar analysis. The test indicated that the pancreas might be under stress.

That's interesting to me because kids with Kabuki sometimes have blood sugar issues, largely masked until a crisis arises. One child even had undiagnosed hypoglycemia which subsequently led to her death following a routine surgery.

Just recently, I learned that another Kabuki kid (18yo, I think) was recently diagnosed with Type I Diabetes, where the pancreas shuts down insulin production, possibly caused by a virus. Could this test be indicating the very beginning of a problem where I could head off the onset of diabetes? That's a stretch, but a possibility.

Although the treatment could have positively impacted Demi's learning abilities and attention span, I have to say that I have not seen that (even through my rose-colored glasses). But I still believe the supplements we're giving her are helping, although very slowly.

The treatment did seem to coincide with a sudden onset of fatigue, fever, and general illness. Prior to the test, Demi was already suffering from a cold. Following the treatment, she became exceptionally tired and missed two days of school - lots of congestion and fever. I took her to the Dr during that to make sure her ears weren't infected again.

Even though the machine's treatment did not seem to help Demi's main issues, it seemed to have some very interesting insight into Demi's holistic health. The health practitioner was very sincere and involved during the entire 2.5+hr appt. I value her advice on supplements

I'll be sure to post with any additional developments in this area.

Continuing Ear Saga

After a week, the infection and perforation seemed to be resolved. I scheduled appts with her audiologist and ENT just to be absolutely sure everything was ok -- these were a few weeks out so we'd know whether the eardrum had healed completely or not. Her hearing seemed significantly affected right after the perforation. Since this was her "good" ear, I hoped no permanent damage had been done.

Early December, Demi saw the audiologist who verified her hearing was "mostly" back to normal. She attributed the mild decrease to a small amount of fluid still in the car. Mid-December, we went to the ENT for a final check. The fluid was worse, but no infection. Because of the worsened fluid, her hearing was pretty bad in that ear.

We have to see someone else in the future to verify the fluid has resolved. I'm looking for a natural decongestant to avoid using prescription or OTC decongestants.

Beautiful Moment

I spend so much time trying to "fix" Demi (to HELP her!) that I often lose sight of what a beautiful child she is, regardless of her abilities.

The other night, DH and I were watching a movie. Dana was already in bed (voluntarily!). Demi was flitting around the house, talking to herself, usually replaying some sort of fictional dialog, usually related to some recent experience. She seemed totally oblivious to us as she roamed from the living room to the kitchen, dining room, and back to the living room, playing the continuous dialog.

DH muted the TV and we focused on Demi, just watching her. She didn't stop her dialog. She seemed aware that we were watching her, but it didn't bother her. I listened to her dialog and thought it was quite creative and cute. True, a "typical" 6yo would not behave that way, but watching her brought a smile to my face because she was just being Demi. Viewed without the "expectation" filter, she was just enjoying herself, relating an interesting story. Very cute.

She's kind, friendly, happy, funny, cooperative, trusting, without a trace of viciousness or guile or ill will towards anyone, including her sister (despite some occasional underhandedness on the part of her sister). A beautiful person, inside and out. I'm so blessed to be her mom.

Ear Update

Monday, after Demi's eardrum ruptured on Sunday, I took her in to the doctor. There was so much fluid in her ear canal that he couldn't even see the eardrum to verify any holes. Because of the amount of drainage, he assumed it had perforated and prescribed an oral antibiotic as well as a topical antibiotic for the ear canal (which was the primary source of pain after the perforation).
I accepted the oral antibiotics as a necessity, but I bumped up her probiotics to counter the damage to good intestinal bacteria. She was already battling yeast; I hated to give it an even strong foothold.

Ear Problems

Various things going on with Demi that I need to update. Following some nasal congestion in late October, Demi's "good" eardrum ruptured. Apparently infected, but the only warning I had was "My ear hurts" once on Thursday evening.
Friday afternoon, she declared she didn't feel good and wanted to go to bed, but no ear complaints.
Saturday morning, a slight trickle of amber fluid from her ear. I had put some drops in her ear on Thursday; I assumed perhaps they'd melted some wax and it was coming out. Lots more complaining Saturday; enough to prompt me to call the on-call doctor, who agreed we should wait and see.
By Sunday morning, amber fluid had matted her hair to the side of her head and crusted her cheek and neck. Not much doubt in my mind that it had ruptured. Poor baby!