A few weeks ago we took Cade to a DAN Doctor (Defeat Autism Now!) in Asheville, NC. There we completed a series of tests to determine exactly what we were dealing with as far as actual medical concerns. Long story short...it was found that Cade has toxic levels of both mercury and arsenic, as well as other organotoxins (which are assumed to be pesticide poisons). He also has excessive yeast in his system, and bloodwork showed a potential gluten sensisitivity.
So after picking ourselves up from the floor we set out to determine the where, why, and what do we do about it. There is much involved, but basically it is found that children with Autism Spectrum Disorders typically are not able to get rid of toxins in their bodies like those of us who are neuro-typical. So any toxins that enter Cade's body is retained, makes its way through the bloodstream, and then proceeds to affect the brain and organ systems. Information from the doctor and my extensive research following these results found that arsensic has been being used in chickens to attempt to prevent a disease from infecting them. Ok, so...ARSENIC IN CHICKEN?!?! Apparently this has been happening for years...and wow -- the FDA has recalled this medication only over the last few months due to health concerns, but for the children like Cade that have been consuming this substance over the years the damage is already done. We have removed all non-organic chicken from Cade's diet in hopes that we can keep any more arsenic from entering his body. As far as Mercury...it can be found as a pollutant from power companies, as a preservative in vaccinations, in fish like tuna, and I'm sure many other places that I haven't disovered yet.
SO.....in order to try to remove these dangerous toxins from Cade's body we are doing what is called chelation therapy - also called Intestional Metal Detox. This simply involves Cade taking a powder orally 5 days a week. We are hopeful that we will see changes in the next several weeks for the positive. We have also started him on a medication to help stop the excessive yeast that his body is producing. And I am happy to report that he is officially on a gluten-free/casein-free diet! And although he does miss some of his favorites (specifically cheese...I just CANNOT find a substitute that doesn't taste disgusting!!), he is doing so well, even asking "Does that have wheat in it? Because wheat makes me sick!" I am so proud of how well he is handling the changes...it was something I was dreading because I was so worried about him!
We are on the road to recovery, friends...I can feel it in my heart!! I know that we still have so far to go, and that there are many challenges that we have not even begun to tackle. But we are on the right track to making my little boy better. And I hope in the process I can help educate other parents and the public...we should all be outraged about the fact that we have poisonious substances going into our food. Our kids are sick and it is our job to take a stand and do something about it...but that's another soapbox for another time.
Last night as I was lying with Kai we were talking about Thanksgiving. Kai said, "Tomorrow is Thank you giving?" His funny and sweet innocence cracked me up...all he knows is it means Daddy is off for the whole day and that he will get good food!
So Happy Thank you giving everyone!! I am so thankful for all of you....for all of the love and support we have received from you this year and always! I am thankful for my two little boys and the constant surprises (ok, both good and bad!) that they bring. I am thankful for my husband who is such a wonderful daddy to them. And I am thankful that, no matter how difficult it has all been, God has given us the chance to lift Him up through a little boy named Cade...for it is through this little boy's miracles that we will truly see the glory of God.
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