Thursday, January 28, 2010

MB-12

I realized I haven't posted a Rowan update in a long time, so here it is:

We've started his in-home ABA therapy. I think we actually started this over a month ago but I am not sure I've written about it yet. Things have been absolutely crazy since moving back to Oswego.  I don't feel settled AT ALL yet, but am determined to do what's best for Rowan amidst the unsettled-ness. So, he has 2 therapists right now that come 8 hours/week. Totally not enough hours. We are supposed to be giving him a minimum of 25 hours/week but people, it is so expensive! If only we could make money grow on that big maple in the back yard. And the state refuses to pay for a single bit of it. Maddening. Dont get me started!
So his therapy is going well. He loves his therapists, Mary and Emily. And they love him too. He doesn't give them the easiest time, but they're patient and determined. I am so thankful for them.  Right now he is working on gross motor imitation, things like "clap your hands" or "tap the table", etc. Also, he's working on asking for things, pointing, simple t hings like that. It pains me to know that he's working on things that most 2 year olds can already do without needing any help. But alas, this is life right now. Can't focus on the pain right?!
We've started doing MB-12 shots, hence the title of this post. MB-12 is a vitamin that many kids with autism are deficient in. Here's a little synopsis for those interested:
"B12 (cobalamin) is a vitamin “family” with five unique family members that each do different things: a) cyanocobalamin; b) hydroxycobalamin; c) adenosylcobalamin; d) glutathionylcobalamin; e) methylcobalamin. Out of the B12 family, only Methyl-B12 has the ability to activate the methionine/homocysteine biochemical pathway directly. It is this pathway that is responsible for the body’s entire sulfur-based detoxification system. It is this pathway that is responsible for the formation of S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), the universal methyl donor. It is this pathway that is responsible for the formation of homocysteine, the “crossroads” molecule that is responsible either to reform methionine and SAMe or create cysteine, taurine, and glutathione. Glutathione is the body’s primary intracellular antioxidant and is responsible for many detoxification reactions, most notably those that involve the binding and removal of mercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic, nickel, tin, antimony, and many other lesser-known heavy metals that also bind to glutathione’s sulfur group."
Anyway, we are seeing one major negative side-effect: disrupted sleep. he's waking up as early as 4:30 and not going back to bed. There is no way i'm getting up at 4:30, so he just plays in his room until i get him up. I am really hoping this side effect goes away in the next month, 2 at the most because he's a grouch!! Most people say it does diminish. I'll keep you posted.
On other news, Asher and Bella are doing amazingly. They love life, you can tell. Asher is happy as a clam and pretty hilarious. One of these days I'll post a video. And Bella Rose is such a joy, but oh my, a climber. I can't keep her off of the dining room table!  I'm praying she doesn't get hurt. Yikes!
As for my pregnancy, I'm doing ok. I'm a freaking emotional mess though. Can't seem to control it. I'd like to say I have mood swings, but its not even that. I'm perpetually grouchy and I hate it. Pray for me! Other than that, the pregnancy seems to be going fine. :-)

2 comments:

Lora said...

thanks for the update, jenn. praying for you, my friend
love you!
lora

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Truly yours
Steave Markson