You might recall we went to visit a school for kids with learning differences in Tennessee last summer? While we were waiting for Riley’s appointment, we were wandering the halls, looking around, and came across a wall dedicated to the periodic table. The kids had used something like styro-foam packing peanuts to build sculptures of the elements. Each one looked different yet they were all kind of the same. They were painted in different colors.
Riley, in her little blue sleeveless dress, made a B-line over to the wall, walked right up to one element in particular, and pointed to it. "Mommy...what’s that?"
I hadn’t even registered that it was the periodic table yet, but when I got to the sculpture she was asking about I almost fell on my butt. She was pointing to the chemical with the abbreviation, Hg.
Mercury.
This sculpture wasn’t her favorite( pink), it was green? What attracted her to that one out of the dozens up on the wall?
Children on the autistic spectrum often test lower for mercury in their blood than the general population. For a long time this was used as an excuse to dispel the link between vaccinations (with the mercury based preservative thimerisol) and autism.
What’s been discovered is that mercury doesn’t show up in the blood of autistic kids because it’s bound so tightly in their tissues. They aren’t actively excreting it like the rest of us, so it just stays in the body, building up with each exposure, wreaking havoc. Mercury is a potent neurotoxin. Once chelation therapy is underway, metals often start dumping out of these kids. Unfortunately it is a long process, taking up to 18 months.
Last February, we started Riley on chelation therapy. Every weekend, every three hours, round the clock, we apply the skunky smelling cream prescribed by her doctor. Lab tests (stool) have come back negative.
No mercury.
But lab tests are just a snapshot. They only tell if she’s pulling metals on the day of the test.
Should we be putting her through this?
Hang in there. It takes a long time.
She’s doing so well. Trust your instinct.
Friday we got our latest lab results in the mail.
Our girl is excreting mercury!
I knew she was.
Thinking back to that day in Tennessee I marvel at my beautiful daughter and her innate intelligence.
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15 comments:
Wow. You go. Takes bravery AND commitment, not to mention enormous tests of faith to do (and continue to do) what you've been doing for her. This news must be so encouraging. I hope she is getting healthier.
Hi there
I've been busy and haven't blogged you lately (that's my new verb, by the way). So today I caught up on your recent blogs. Great work. Love the bit about the periodic table. I may try the peanut butter muffins. We're not so big on pb here but you never know. My favourite part was the bit where you talk about being entertainment for your husband when you get things wrong, forget things etc. That's exactly the same for me and mine! I think his life would be so boring without my little foibles. I actually think it's part of our charm! Thanks for reading my blog. You're a gem.
Michelle,
These stories of your kids never cease to amaze me. That is just SO brilliant that Riley pointed to the mercury. You'll have to save these blog posts so Riley and Seth can read them when they're older.
I have goosebumps!
I am SO excited and thrilled!
I want to kiss her (and you).
(who knew you could be so happy about excretions of toxic metals?)
Michelle - read your blog last night but now I can't remember if I left a comment! Brain cells are fading fast!
What an amazing testimony to your intuition and perceptions when it comes to Riley and her needs. I don't think I've ever "met" a mom as in tune with her kids as you are. I believe that it's a special gift from the Creator and I'm so glad you're sharing it with others. Thanks!
Gotta love the power of intuition (yours and your brilliant little girl's). That being said, it is wonderful to get some outside "scientific" confirmation that the chelation is actually working. Have a truly wonderful day!
Thank God and all the angels, of which you are one, Michelle.
My experiences mothering two children with chronic illnesses tells me there's no knowledge base on earth, no degree, no education that can take the place of a loving mother's intuition and loving intentions.
Goooo, you! Goooo, Riley!
Remembering you both in my prayers.
j
Isn't that amazing? I know I see meaning in everything, but...
:)
YES!!!!
YES!!!!
When I was a kid, people didn't yet know how devastating mercury and other heavy metals can be. I recall kids breaking mercury thermometers and playing with the globules of mercury with their bare hands.
I have a pretty strong hunch that one day we'll all know beyond a shadow that heavy metals, such as lead and mercury, are behind a lot of today's health issues.
You're one heck of a gutsy mother. When I read your stories, I'm reminded a bit of the mother from the movie "Lorenzo's Oil."
You're doing it exactly right, in my humble opinion.
What did you expect? She is your wonderful, bright and souful daughter.....
That is f'ing amazing about Riley pointing out mercury. I have chills from relief and righteous anger, both, that she is excreting mercury!
so Cool you both are on it!
Keep up the good work!
wow!!!!
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