| Gene's Timeline: |
| Week 37 (9/29/02): Sunday: Gene has had several very good days in a row. Today an interesting thing happened. Gene always has this thing about doors being closed. When he is on the computer in the office or playing in his room, the door is closed. When you enter, it is rather unpredictable as to how he reacts with your opening the door and coming in. Sometimes he will get very irrate and murmur something about "hitting" or run over and try to slam the door back in your face and push you out. Other times he might just ask politely to close the door after you. Since I know better, I usually knock first or open the door slowly and always close it after me. Well, Rebecca and Christopher are pretty notorious for opening the door and just walking away, leaving it open, so Gene feels he has to stop what he is doing, get up walk to the door and close it. Today, Rebecca opened the door walked in (leaving the door open) talked to me and then went back toward the door but just sat down near the door. I didn't notice how Gene was reacting to this, until she sat down without ever closing the door, so he got up and said very politely, "Let's close the door, okay?" and slowly closed it. Apparently, the door tagged Rebecca a bit as it closed (I would say just barely touched her, but she is our little drama queen), so she said "Ouch!" I waited to see what Gene would do. He said, "Rebecca, are you all right?" She said that she was and then they both walked out of the room together... (??) . Monday: I can't remember if this happened Sunday or Monday, but Rebecca really wanted to play with the Scooby Do playing cards Grandma Trudy gave her, so we started the play the game. Soon out of nowhere came Gene; he asked very politely if he could play too (Wow!) So he was in. Then Christopher came over and wanted to play too. We ended up playing numerous rounds and 6-7 full games -- they were all playing together so nicely and having a great time! Tuesday: Gene had a very good day at school, but per the school was upset getting off the bus and upset just before it was time to go to the bus. They couldn't make heads or tails out of why he acted that way, especially since he had had such a good day. As a note, there was a different bus driver (a man..who seemed nice enough..) All the way home, though, (after I asked him about the incident) Gene kept talking about how he got in trouble for throwing sand ("at Christopher") and that he should get a "scarey face" -- he felt like he had to write the scarey face on his daily report and write that he threw sand (the teacher didn't mention it) -- he seemed to feel very bad about it. Gene responds in a very exaggerated way to criticism, he gets really down on himself and wants to be punished. Criticisms have to be done in a very positive way for him and move away from it quickly (can't dwell on something he did wrong) - the stress puts him in a downward spiral. I am wondering if one of the noon aides got all over his case during recess or something. Wednesday: The same bus driver drove today, so I am hoping Gene will be fine. Gene had another good day, but it was spotty again...rough right at the beginning, rest fine. Thursday: Gene had a great day all the way through, did some nice drawing at BGC and didn't seem to perseverate on the door thing, asked me nicely if we could stop by the house before soccer and then practiced for the whole time we were at soccer (no running to the b.r.). He really liked the wind pants I got him. He wanted to wear them to practice and then even washed them himself so that he could wear them again tomorrow(!) I have alway enjoyed asking him to comment on Christopher or Rebecca (when they fall asleep) to see if he is paying attention to other people and then see how he responds. Today, both Rebecca and Christopher had fallen asleep in the car. I asked him first about Christopher, "He fell asleep." then about Rebecca, "She..Everyone's sleep!" It was cute because he threw his arms out, and used proper intonation, when he said it in an appropriate way. Friday: Gene had a hard time on the bus coming home today. He said he was switching seats. No social today; Russell is sick. Started Gene's 16th Round of ALA. Saturday: Gene did fine during the soccer marathon this morning - nothing spectacular, but by the time he had waited through Rebecca's game 1.5 hrs, he was tired and wasn't too interested in his game.. he had his first swim lesson of fall - Gene took him, but he said that he enjoyed it and remembered his new teacher's name, Gus. When we were all home, Gene called Christopher over after he had turned on the PS2 game that Christopher likes and said, "Christopher, do you want to play this?" (or something similar). Christopher said, OK, Gene" and they sat down together, playing, for a while and then Gene went in the kitcher to finish eating his snack and watched Christopher play. Christopher came up to me later and said that Gene was helping him play the game. I've seen the two of them playing together many times recently. Rebecca asked me today several questions about Gene's "medicines" - like she really wants to understand how the digestive enzymes work and which ones are which... she asked if we get all the metals out of Gene, will be like her and Christopher... :-) the $10,000 question, huh? Well, I just said that that is what we will hope for. She said that she noticed he didn't seem to kick or push so much anymore... :-) |
| Week 38 (10/6/02): Sunday: Gene did ok using the bathroom at church, but then wanted to sit on the floor in the back; I kept him semi-contained, but he didn't want to sing or shake hands today - not a better day at church. Today we went to see the VeggieTales movie at the theater. Well, I have to say that he did better than I would've expected at a theater -- I didn't have to take him out, so that's good. I would say he was good maybe 70% of the time, the rest of the time he was either giggly, wanting to stretch across several seats, lying on the ground, asking if it was over yet... so, yes, for a normal kid, it wasn't good, but relatively, it was better than I expected. Monday: I received a call from Gene's teacher today that he had a hard time on the bus again this morning. This really just drives me nuts...she said she can not make any connection between his difficulties; at school, he gets these rages out of nowhere -- big mood swings. He was a little out of sorts this morning, but he was fine when the bus came, got on fine (driver's name is Brad)...so I can't figure it out either. I can't get anything out of him myself. I asked him why he didn't go on the bus - he said he was having a hard time. I asked him many times, doesn't he like going on the bus...he would begin to say he doesn't like it and then each time he would correct himself and say, "Yes, I like it" I could not get any reason from him. These mood swings, as I have read, can be inadequate adrenal function or a lot of things. The suggestion is to try adrenal cortex extract and extra vitamin B-5. Maybe also some licorice or ginseng. Also try less stress. Although it is not uncommon for the day or so after a chelation round to be icky. If it is continuous other things might be going on. The most significant question is whether this is random (in which case there is other stuff to do) or reproducibly related to stress (in which case less stress and the above will help). I thought the Kava might be doing something since the bus thing started when I started the kava. I dropped the Kava tonight, started up the GSE / NoPhenol (have missed many nights of that - maybe yeast is happening again). I picked up some licorice root and B-50 Complex (1/2 tab) to try tonight. Gene fell asleep right after dinner. Tuesday: I gave Gene the B-50 and Licorice again this AM..and...Gene had a GREAT day. The busdriver said he had an "awesome" day! He got all stars and a big happy face! Hooray! Ok, I shouldn't get too excited...let's see if it lasts! I dropped the Kava/Elderberry today too. Wednesday: Gene had another good day today -- hooray! Thursday: Unfortunately this was an up and down day for Gene and althought he did well with a new aide at BGC, when I arrived to pick him up (Rebecca was running after him), he swiped at a girl nearby and connected. I think she was more stunned than hurt (she didn't cry, just very surprised). At least Gene apologized. Friday: Another up and down day. Ack! Started Gene's 17th Round of ALA & DMSA. Saturday: Gene was really "dopey"-like at his soccer game today. It was weird. We left early since he wasn't really into it and we needed to get to his swimming. He seemed to do well in the swimming, though; he has George this time around. Later in the day, Gene was very calm and doing very well. He shared well with the TV and computer. In fact, I was out of green apples so I asked him if he would like to try a red apple...and he did and ate the whole thing(!) Before he would only eat green apples. |
| Week 39 (10/13/02): Sunday: I stopped the chelation round early (1 day early) because I really don't want Gene going through the metal redistribution on Monday after he has had some bad days recently. Hopefully, his bad day will be today and we can get it out of the way. Gene did ok using the bathroom at church, and did sit very nicely and quietly for part of the service, but then out of the blue just couldn't sit still and wanted to go. He wanted to sit on the floor in the back, so I tried that for a bit, but then ended up taking him outside. He calmed down outside and was very relaxed and good sitting down next to the door, but no singing or shaking hands today - not a better day at church. Monday: Well, Gene had a great day at school...but still had a hard time on the bus both to and from school. I had given him a notebook to write in while on the bus (to keep him occupied) and he used it...he wrote 2 pages worth..but apparently still took time to get out of his seat and lay across the seats...He is on the bus for something like an hour; thinking that that may need to change. Tuesday: Gene got all stars at school and a big happy face. Wednesday: Gene got of the bus great when Gene greeted him. Thursday: Gene's IEP - the teachers' comments reflected more poor behaviors during the day than I expected - real unexpected mood swings. A behaviorist is watching but didn't have too much to suggest yet except that since we can't seem to predict the antecedent, we can only work on rewards for good behavior. Friday: Teacher wrote that the morning bus ride was rough, but good rest of day. He got all stars and his bus ride home was great! Saturday: Gene's soccer was better than last week. He made a goal - with a little bit of help from the referee :-) With all the rushing around, we forgot about Gene's swimming(!) |
| Week 40 (10/20/02): Sunday: Gene seemed like he was in a good mood going to church and we discussed not playing with the bathrooms, so I thought we were set, but as we got to the door, I mentioned about sitting in the seats and that set him off - he wanted to sit on the floor, not in the seats - agh - so he kicked at me as we were walking through the door, so I wasn't going mess around. After he sat nicely for all of 5 mins, he wanted to go sit outside, so I let him. He was good outside, but I think getting to church late doesn't help because things are tense and quiet so it is hard for him to step into that. Monday: Gene got all stars and a happy face today, but it was a little rough getting off the bus. I started Gene on the TMG in the evening. Tuesday: We were waiting for the bus in the A.M. but it wasn't until we were on the bus that we realized we left Gene's notebook in the house. Since the bus was late, there was no going back, so I had to give him a crummy pen and piece of paper from his folder and remarkably he accepted it and sat down nicely. His teacher said there were a few rough spots but overall a good day - he got all stars. Gene fell asleep before dinner, and I couldn't wake him so he missed dinner and his supps. Wednesday: Gene was irritable when he got up this morning; probably because of his missed dinner and supps. He ate his hamburger and took his supps and began to calm down. He got on the bus fine, had a great day and got off the bus great! We went to R's & C's soccer practices and when I said it was time to go, Gene stopped his game and was the 1st one ready to go and when it was time to leave C's practice (his last practice due to rhe time change), I hardly had to say anything and he stopped his playing and was on he way to the car! Thursday: Gene got happy faces and stars today again. I picked him up, but by the time we got to BGC, he was asleep, so we skipped. Friday: Gene's teacher forgot to write in his folder, but he got off the bus great today. This was the last day on-track. Gene does go to intercession for the next 2 wks though. Started DMSA/ALA Round 18 Saturday: I was at the DAN Conference all day, so I didn't get much of a chance to make any observations. This was Gene's last soccer game of the season. |
| Week 41 (10/27/02): The kids are off track now, but both Rebecca and Gene should be in intercession this week. Gene is 1/2 day so no school lunches. Interesting comment from DAN Conf expo - Immuno said that they get lots of reactions to citrus and said to watch if he is reacting to citrus. Well, only place he gets citrus is in school lunches... I was reading back over the logs and noticed that the best times Gene was having seemed to be around the time of the CSE's. Things happened to get worse after discontinuing them. Coincidence?? I think we will try them again as an experiment. Sunday: We just are not having a lot of luck with the church situation. Big Gene forced him to go in, but I ended really working with him for maybe 15 mins, most of the time he was being pretty wild. I finally took him out because I figured he was just being too disruptive. He sat very nicely and quietly outside with me the rest of the time. I am thinking of taking him to the church during the weekdays when no one is there and work with him (and all of them). Monday: Since Gene didn't have school, I continued the chelation through today. Nothing special except that there was a time when Christopher and Gene were watching a video together nicely. Tuesday: Gene started his intercession today, new bus and bus driver, so with any change of course I am always nervous. When I picked him up, his teacher said that he had a great day! He was quietly putting his backpack together and walked out nicely with me. I took him to Erlinda's to nap during my class. Again I was nervous because Erlinda moved and another change. He went in nicely, went straight to the playroom and began playing quietly and nicely while the kids finished their lunch. He was there 1.5 hrs and when I picked him up he was still in the playroom playing quietly and nicely with toys (don't know if he napped) -- seems like he was very good the whole time!! We gave our first try at midweek church (no mass). Fixed the squeaky door and unfortunately the regular door was locked so we had to go in through the main entrance. Didn't go great, but we are going to keep working on it. Wednesday: Gene got off the bus great again today! We tried church again -- started off worse...we almost left within the first 5 mins... Gene didn't want to sit next to me, kept moving seat to seat and then laid down on the ground. Christopher was doing so well (and Gene wasn't being distructive) so we stayed for a while. Gene laid on the floor quietly writing in his book for quite a while and then got up and sat in the pews nicely and quietly for quite a while. Unfortunately we needed to get going by then, so, although Gene hadn't been sitting with me, he did get one Skittles for sitting quietly. We'll keep working on it. I spent a lot of time going over Gene's old logs -- when he was doing well and when he started having bad days at STAR. I had originally believed it started with chelation, but that wasn't correct. The correlation I found was almost perfectly in line with the use of the CSE's. He started having good days immediately and started having bad days shortly after stopping it. I ordered some to try again, just to see. Thursday: I picked up Gene even though we didn't go to Erlinda's - Christopher was asthmatic, so we stayed home. Gene had a runny nose so I added in some Benedryl and Elderberry extract. Friday: I began the chelation round but missed an evening dose, so stopped it. Saturday: |
| Week 42 (11/3/02): Rebecca is off track now, but Gene is in intercession one more week. Gene is 1/2 day so no school lunches. The CSE's that I ordered came in, so I started Gene on them again this week. Got the script and kits for the Immuno Labs testing and partially for GSDL. Waiting on the box from GSDL Sunday: We didn't go to church since we had gone all week. Monday: Gene has been getting on and off the bus great every day. Tuesday: I picked up Gene's CSE's and began 3 x day. Gene did well at Erlinda's again. When I picked up Gene, I asked about how he was doing since he was doing so well on bus, teacher said pretty much the same. Wednesday: Gene was not ready for the bus and just got off to a really bad start; was really upset about it. Gene got off the bus great though! He did well at church, just doesn't want to sit with any of us(!) Thursday: I picked up Gene and he had had a good morning up until the last 20 mins or so. He was good again at Erlinda's - read and napped. Gene was doing his normal pushing thing at BGC (Andre talked to him & he seemed to do fine the rest of the time); he was drawing nicely when I picked him up. He was very calm and sociable during the evening. Friday: Well, we had a similar course of events brewing this AM - like Wed - it was raining and Gene did NOT want to go out in the rain, even though the bus was sitting waiting...it wasn't until I told him the bus was going to leave that he made a run for it...but the bus left before he made it down the driveway. I had already assumed we would miss the bus because there was no way we would have another experience like Wed, so I didn't push him. We had a nice drive to school; he went in nicely, got a puzzle and started working on it while waiting for the other kids. Gene had a good morning until the end again. Started Round 19 of DMSA & ALA Saturday: Gene swam today, but since it was raining, there was no soccer. He was in a good mood this morning. |