| Gene's Timeline: |
| Gene's first 6 weeks (see link) |
| Gene's 7 - 12 weeks (see link) |
| Gene's 13 - 18 weeks (see link) |
| Gene's 19 - 24 weeks (see link) |
| Gene's 25 - 30 weeks (see link) |
| Week 43 (11/10/02): I was reading up on Gene's GSDL Heavy Metals Test and applying the Hair Analysis Counting Rules to it. At least in this test, it indicates several interesting things: that he no longer has a mineral transport problem, that mercury is not so much of a problem now (but lead still is so we are staying with the DMSA), and that there may actually be an adrenal problem. (See full write-up in Pfeiffer Metal Testing Section) Sunday: Gene really didn't do too badly today at church. He went through the church to the kid's room pretty well. He ran up to a girl (that happened to look like a classmate) and kindof swiped at her (but both she and her mother were looking down at the time - phew) He sat pretty nicely at the back of the church and then said that it was time to go outside (realizing his limitations?). Today was Gene's Soccer Awards Party. He went up by himself to get his awards and posed for pix. He even let me cut his hair with almost no resistance. I was noticing tonight that when Gene gets tired (not irritable-tired, but sleepy-tired), his voice is normalized and a lot of his mannerisms are much more normal which makes me think that a lot of his behaviors must be drawn from "hyperness." There is discussions about the value of lots of exercise for the kids, so I might try getting the kids to the park (or somewhere) every day while they are off-track. Monday: Today we did go to the park and Gene was pretty well-behaved. I continued with the chelation round through today since Gene is off-track. We also went swimming. There was a girl, probably about 12 y.o., that was swimming (very well) over near Gene in the deep end. Gene was obviously aware of her being there and was trying to imitate some of what she was doing. I think he was trying to impress her because I saw him do things, I've never even seen him attempt before! He was doing back somersaults in the water and swimming to the bottom. He would call out to me when he did something ("I'm swimming upside down!" or whatever) Later in the evening, I said to Gene, "Gene, there was another girl swimming at the pool today." and he said, "I know, I was swimming with her!" :-) Tuesday: We went swimming again today; the same girl was there as well as several adults swimming laps (! In the Kids/Family Pool !) One of the women asked me to keep Gene away from where she was swimming which ticked me a bit because the adults have their own pool where they are supposed to be doing their laps, etc. and freak out if a child is in "their" pool. But I did my best to keep all of them on the other half of the pool which turned out to be a small square in the most shallow part of the pool as more adults showed up. One man, Les, thanked me very much for "our consideration" and explained that the adult pool had been closed for cleaning, so I wasn't so mad then, especially since Gene actually did stay away and follow my direction (which I know did not please him at all!) - made me very happy! Wednesday: Rebecca had bball practice so we didn't swim. Thursday: We skipped BGClub since it was such a nice day - went swimming again - pretty much had the pool to ourselves until the end when Les showed up and Gene kept wanted to "swim with him" :-) Friday: We are going to start Gene's chelation round next week since we are doing a blood workup which requires a 4 day "fast" from vitamins and all meds. It is an Amino Acids test to check on his cysteine and sulfur. A supplement suggested for Gene by Pfeiffer has NAC which has sulfur and I want to make sure this won't cause a problem. We are also going to do another hair test since the Pfeiffer one had some wild numbers that are a bit suspect. I took the kids to UCSD for an Autism Research Project. Gene was a subject and Rebecca was a control. They were testing emotions of kids with various stimulii and had their fingers hooked up to a computer to do pulse readings. They both did well and were treated to a toy and McDonalds so that works!! Saturday: Gene did fine at swimming |
| Gene's 31 - 36 weeks (see link) |
| Week 44 (11/17/02): Sunday: I was really worried about Gene and church...he seemed okay on the way there, but kindof lost it getting out of the car. I finally calmed him down, but really didn't know what to expect. He went in and went staight to the br door to play with it and wouldn't sit down in the pews but did sit down in the back and did in fact sit (pretty quietly) through the whole mass. Monday: I am noticing that Gene being off all his supplements is not as bad as I thought it would be, but the main difference has been that he seems a lot more tired. He is taking more naps during the day. Tuesday: I took Gene in for his blood work. He had to fast from vitamins...for 4 days and then from food for 12 hrs. He did pretty good with the drawing of blood. The lab did not seem to be as prepared as last time..they got the kits mixed up and delayed everything, so Gene was kept waiting a lot longer than last time. It was kindof funny...I had brought a couple of special cookies for Gene as a reward. When it was over, I gave them to him and said that they were for doing a really good job. As he was eating them, he looked at me and said, "For THAT, I want a whole LOT of cookies!" (smile) Wednesday: I received a call from Gene's doc that the lab had botched up the kit for GSDL, so we are going to have to go through the blood draw again!! As well as the vitamin etc fast!! Since we haven't really even started back on his vitamin regimin, I will just keep him off everything until the new test kit shows up. I called the lab to give them a piece of my mind. Thursday: I cancelled BGC & my class because Gene was very upset after getting back from the store. Friday: Saturday: Gene did well at swimming |
| Week 45 (11/24/02): I am still really amazed that Gene is doing as well as he is without his supplements. Due to the mess up at the lab, we are waiting for a new test kit so we can redo the test. Unfortunately, looks like the kit will be coming Wed., making it impossible to test until next week due to the holiday *&(^%! This is Gene's last week off-track so now I will need to take him out of school to do it and we have wasted all this time of him being off supps! Sunday: Gene did very well at church today. It took him a while to finally decide to leave the car and go in, but he went straight to where we usually sit (instead of playing with the doors or anything else) and sat with me. 90% of the time he spoke, he did in a whisper. He did get up just before communion time and went to the bathroom but he went there quietly went in, and came right back nicely. Some people had crowded into our spot so he decided to sit out the last 5 minutes outside which he did nicely too. I was vacuuming (which Gene usually really hates because of the noise) - I thought he wouldn't hear it because he was in his room playing music, but sure enough within a few minutes, he came in and said, "You're vacuuming." I said,"Yes, is it bothering you?" He said, "It's loud, but it's okay." Wow! He used to freak out when I would turn on the vacuum. Monday: We went to the bank today. I had to remind Gene ahead of time that we weren't going to use the bank's bathroom (they don't like "customers" to use their bathroom). He said that he would just do puzzles or read books. He did that very nicely and I finished very quickly. That was the good news, but the bad news was that after letting the kids play with the games / books...for a while and I said it was time to go if we wanted to go to Ralphs and get our treat for being good; no on wanted to go, so when I had to force the issue, Gene was not happy about it and began to act up. When we got to the car, we went straight home - no treat which got Gene very upset and was kicking the car, etc. When we got home, he didn't want to go in and was still kicking the car so I had to drag him in kicking and biting. After spending some time in his room, he came down and said, " I am being good now." I said, "No kicking?" "No" "No hitting?" "No" "No biting?" "No" "No pinching?" "No" "Are those things good or bad?" "Those are bad." So I gave him a small treat for not using the bathroom at the bank and calming himself down. Tuesday: Today Rebecca got up early, earlier than Gene (he is used to have his "alone" time with me while the others sleep), so he came up to me and said, "She is having her choice." "Rebecca, she is watching Animal Planet!" So I told him to go ahead and let her finish her choice and then he could have his choice...okay wait for the explosion...He said, "I'll kick her" "No, ...Gene, we need to take turns." He sat down with his head in his hands...I thought he was going to cry, so I tried to make him laugh -- he starting laughing and laughing and he was fine. Another time Rebecca was sitting where he usually does, so he came to me and told me what was wrong. I said, "Do you want her to move?" "Yes" "Then ask her nicely" "Rebecca, will you move please?" So she moved and he said, "Thank you" No kicking, no hitting -- phew!!! Since we can't test until next week, I am going to go ahead and give Gene some of his supps again today and tomorrow. Wednesday: Thursday: Thanksgiving at Mom's. Brought mini-tramp to help with the jumping. Friday: Saturday: No swimming |
| Week 46 (12/1/02): I guess the last of the tests went well because I didn't hear anything by the end of the week. Didn't start back on the supps because Gene was doing so well without them. Erin will be over the next 2-3 weeks. This week was kindof mixed - good first part of week - harder on the latter Sunday: This was not a great day all the way around...Gene did not do as well as I would have liked at church - we sat outside a good amount of the time. Monday: First day back to school -- Gene did very well -- little problem at lunch, but overall :-) Tuesday: Gene did well with the blood draw then I took him to school. Another good (oops "great") day at school Wednesday: Gene was not in a good mood so I decided to take him to school myself -- he was great until school started and it was a very bad day. But one consolation was that he was great on the bus home... Thursday: Another miserable day at school. I picked him up but decided not to do the BGC due to the hard day and that Erin was over. Friday: Gene did not want to go on the bus today so I drove him. He had a hard AM but was OK the rest of the day and had a great time on the bus home. Saturday: Gene did very well at swimming...he was doing back somersaults, pushing off and gliding under water. Well behaved at home. |
| Week 48 (12/15/02): Not much to say - still waiting on test results...had a good day on the last day of school. |
| Gene's 37 - 42 weeks (see link) |
| Week 47 (12/8/02): The test results are all back but Gene's doc is out of town until 12/23...ack, but Gene is still off everything Sunday: Bday Party - the party went well - Gene followed guests out and said goodbye and thanked them for coming(!!) Monday: Gene seemed to be good at home, but had a very hard day at school Tuesday: Good morning, but difficult afternoon Wednesday: Started off rough, but had great day from 9:30am on. Thursday: Good day - and good at BGC Friday: Picked Gene up a bit early due to swollen eye - seemed to be a good day Saturday: Good day. |