Meaningful Munchies

It's been a while since my last update, but there is a reason for that. I was waiting to see how Jeremiah's new medication worked before I posted.

Now I know that some of you may be questioning why on earth we would put Jeremiah back on medication when he was finally weaned off everything else. But remember, Jerry stopped his epilepsy medication on his own back on January 1st. Since he has never gone more than two months off his epilepsy medicine before having a hospital-admitting "doozy" of a seizure, it was definitely a concern. While we were in the hospital this last time, I convinced Jerry that it would be best for him to restart his seizure medicine so that he wouldn't have to go back into the hospital for a third time in a year. Thankfully, he agreed.

I called Dr. Foradada and we discussed his options. We decided to try a more natural approach, one recently legalized in the state of Florida...and I'll be the first to admit that I voted YES on November 8th, this past election and in the 2012 one as well. I am talking about medical marijuana.

I realize not everyone will agree with our choice to use this medication for Jeremiah, and for various reasons, but the fact remains that it is just that...OUR choice. Being an essential oil user and distributor, I believe whole-heartedly in the benefits associated with using God-created plants for medicinal purposes. Marijuana was a plant when Adam and Eve roamed the Garden of Eden and they didn't Google a Walgreen's or CVS when they were sick. The plants were there to eat, make poultices from, cook with, and heal. Sorry big pharma. It was sinful man who found a way to use the plant with warped intentions and for ungodly purposes.

Anyway, initially we had a very chatty and giggly little man for a few hours after taking it. That seems to have calmed down after a few weeks on the medication now. The other benefits? Because yes, in our life with Jerry, chatty and giggly is definitely a benefit when you consider where we've come from. 

• His meltdowns are fewer, farther in between, short-lived, and way less toxic.
• He is interested in kid things again. I mean really interested. He's not just a zombie content to stare at his iPad for hours on end. He wants to build things, craft, play games, go outside and ride his bike. He is currently really into dinosaurs.
• He has had no seizures.
• He is asking the ABA's in school assigned to him to give him space so he can do his work independently! And he is! He is not only doing it by himself for the most part, he is not getting overly upset when he doesn't know an answer or what to do and completing ALL of his work! His teacher is thrilled!
• He is much more alert and attentive to what is going on around him.
• He is showing empathy towards others, remorse for his bad behavior, and talking about how he "feels," instead of acting out because of his emotions.
• HE IS EATING MORE!!!!!!!!!!

​Did you catch that last point? He is eating more! It's called the munchies and boy is he ever! In a typical school day he is eating shrimp and mushrooms (or some other actual meal), an orange, grapes, a Lara Bar, cheddar cheese sticks, almonds, paleo crackers, and applesauce! And his lunchbag is coming home virtually empty! Praise God!

We actually had his feeding therapy evaluation today at All Children's and the therapist, after having reviewed his history and then witnessing his current eating habits, placed us on a "call as needed" basis. He doesn't need to continue the feeding therapy!

He was still only 69 pounds today, but it's hard to pack on the pounds when you are eating as healthy as he is now. And he still has the feeding tube and is on his nightly formula regimen, will be getting the button one to replace his current G-tube, and likely will have it for quite a few months yet. He's not out of the woods as they say. But he is finally doing better, making constant improvements, and moving more steps forward than backwards. Thank you Jesus!

Our goal is to keep pressing on, for me to get creative and find new recipes using the foods on his approved diet, and to begin teaching Jerry how to prepare some of his own meals. He is fifteen afterall and will need to learn how to cook for himself someday.

New day, fresh starts, new plans, light at the end of this tunnel. Very, very thankful. Please keep praying!