Here's a brief endocrine update for those not in the know: the endocrine unit called with the results of Jack's blood work. Apparently, they were testing his growth hormone levels throughout the night because these hormones raise blood sugar. Since he's a little dude with low muscle tone, they hypothesize that maybe there's a connection there. Of the three samples they took in the hospital, all were low.
BUT...in children, growth hormone levels fluctuate throughout the day. So, they just might not have caught a peak. We're heading back to Children's in the next week or so to do a controlled test where they will give him an arginine/insulin cocktail via IV and purposely lower his sugar levels to collect more blood samples. Hey, not the best way to spend the morning, but answers are always welcome.
In other news: Jack ran out of his special formula vitamin (high in the Bs), Super Nu Thera, while in the hospital. Ever since we stopped dosing him, he started getting interested in his toys again and noticing people and sights around him. We even heard a couple words and phrases like "swinging," "turn on," and "all done". Our occupational therapist at Sensory Link told me that sometimes kids get acclimated to these supplements, and the progress you see initially slows. Just stopping the vitamin changed Jack's brain chemistry enough to see some startling changes that I hope will continue! We don't plan on giving him anything else until we see Dr. Faber at the Children's Institute. Sure, we're on a year-long waiting list to see him, but we don't want to mess with his brain further without having a doctor to consult.
A couple days ago, we went to Squaw Run park and playground, and a little 2 year old named Henry, sporting a humongous fro, wanted to befriend Jack in the worst way. He hugged Jack, held his hand around the playground and mimicked everything Jack did. If Jack looked at a stick, Henry picked up a stick and stared at it. When Jack threw the stick on the ground, Henry put his stick next to Jack's. I have to say, Jack was wary but extremely curious about Henry and even tried to climb a ladder after Henry climbed a few rungs. Seeing these little exchanges makes us so excited for Jack to start school on August 29th. He's going to a great school for children with autism that's affiliated with The Watson Institute. He'll be in a room with three other children with autism and 8 typical peers. They will craft the curriculum around what motivates the children with autism in the room. It's going to be wonderful for everyone. Mama gets a break, Jack gets friends and a great learning opportunity, and we gain a place within a family community!
ZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzz.
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