Michael Update

Michael had his cyst removed.  For a while, he had this little lump that we were told could be this big long word.  It was removed about a week ago and we are on our way to his chin healing.  After the surgery was complete, the doctor said that it wasn't what he thought it was, but that it was either a cyst or a lymph node (i didn't know that you had lymph nodes in your chin).  We go for a follow up in about a week and a half and will find out the biopsy of the cyst.

In a week and a half we are also taking Michael for his developmental evaluation.  I have been really concerned about his lack of meeting certain milestones or his lack of communicating.  According to his preschool teachers, he is progressing, but not as fast as they would like to see.  He has been in a a 5 hour preschool program for a year now and is still not really able to talk to us about his day.  Luckily his teacher sends home a little check off on the things that happen during the day so that I can ask him about it.  With lots of prodding he is able to maybe at least acknowledge that he has down certain things at school.  Unlike his younger brother (by 10 1/2 months), Michael can not really communicate about his day even with simple cuing.  I have noticed though, that he is improving over that last couple of weeks.  Before, when you asked him who his teacher was, he would say teacher, now he can say her name and then just this morning, I asked him who was in his class and he actually named the kids without a lot of prodding.  He still likes to play alone and doesn't really even play along side other kids.  His imaginary play is starting, but is still pretty limited.

The one area that he actually excels in is music.  He loves music and can sing many songs.  He was able to sing songs before he could really say a whole lot.  I love listening and watching him sing.  His whole face lights up and you really now that he loves music.

One thing that I do think has helped is his diet.  He has shown to be sensitive to  gluten and dairy.  ever since we have removed these or at least lessened them greatly in his diet, he has been improving.  He is more aware and more vocal.  He sleeps better and doesn't seem to have the skin issue that he was having, especially when he was eating and drinking dairy.

I am looking forward to his developmental evaluation.  Part of me says that he doesn't need it, but another part of me says don't be stupid.  He is four years old and he should be communicating more than he is and he should be playing more with others or at least along side others rather than always wanting to play by himself.  He does well with his brother and sister, but really needs to start playing with other kids.

One other major area that he has greatly improved in is in his behavior.  His impulsivity is much improved.  Before, if you reprimanded him, he would throw something.  Usually this was regarding asking him to put soothing down.  Instead of putting it down, he would throw it and sometimes it was something very fragile.  I do think that you need to talk to him in a certain way, but he is so much better.

I can't wait to either find out that there is no real issue and we don't need to worry, or find out that there is an issue and then we work on helping him with whatever issue he has.  I really just need to know where to go with him and know if I am worrying needlessly or if my instincts were right and I need to do more!

Amy

Diets

No not the kind to lose weight, though from what I hear a lot of people eat this way to lose weight.  Last summer I had a blood test for food allergies and this summer, my oldest has the same test.  Unfortunately, we both showed sensitivities to dairy and gluten.  I wasn't surprised about the dairy for either of us, and often wondered if gluten could be an issue.  Now it is time for both of us to go completely dairy and gluten free.

I think that this is going to be a really difficult thing for both of us.  Obviously, since I had the blood test over a year ago and haven't gone completely gluten or dairy free yet, I am going to have a really hard time. The good part for Michael is that I will be the one figuring out what I am going to be making for meals and snacks.  He won't have a choice like I do.  I have to make the right choice for me and him.

I have been reading some blogs that are gluten free focused and dairy free focused.  I am hoping that I will feel some relief from my foggy brain that I sometimes get.  When we talked to the dietician about Michael's  test results, we mentioned that at one point we were concerned about him being on the Autism spectrum.  My husband is no longer concerned, and even though I didn't pick up on things earlier, I am now the one that continues to have concerns that there may be more than just a speech delay.  The dietician mentioned that we may see some changes neurologically once Michael gets the gluten out of his system.  I am hoping that we see some changes since I have heard that diet can play a huge role in people's behaviors.

The other issue with diet is, my mom found out that she is a gene carrier for breast cancer.  I am more than likely going to get tested for the gene, but I also want to change my diet to help keep myself healthy even if I don't have the gene.

I am hoping to find some good bread recipes since that is going to be the hardest for me to give up as well as for Michael to give up.  What I have been finding lately is that I need to let go of what I expect things to taste like.  I can't expect that gluten free and dairy free foods, unless they are naturally gluten and dairy free, to taste the same as the regular foods will taste.

If anyone has any good recipes, cookbooks, blogs, or any info at all, please leave a comment.  If you have any suggestions on how best to tackle this, please leave a comment.  I will be researching and reading blogs often!

Wish me luck!
Amy