Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Some Pain & A Simple Reminder

After school today Z made a smoothie and then his Grandpa Terry picked him up and took him to a fly fishing event, where Zachary spent a lot of time walking (on concrete) and was offered a soda, which he took the risk of drinking. When he got home his pain was at a 5 then progressed to an 8, his dad gave him a bear hug which did help, the pain lasted for a couple of hours. He was given a Benadryl to help him relax and he finally fell asleep around midnight. We know that it doesn't seem as if Zachary is getting better but in reality he IS doing so much better then he did before we started going to Dr. Browns. His pain does not last near as long and the intensity is not near as high. He doesn't take the Benadryl near as often and he doesn't use the TENS at all anymore. He doesn't scuff his feet when he walks and his posture is much better he is also more aware of his sugar intake, well, most of the time anyway :). He does still suffer with pain as we would expect. It took him all these years to get to here and we are aware that the healing WILL take some time. I am going to keep up with his blog as best I can, because I want his story to be shared! Our son has suffered for not just months but for years with intense unbearable pain. And we have been to several doctors and had many tests done to figure out what has been causing all of his discomfort. We were very disappointed in the orthopedist who should have diagnosed Z with the misalignments in his neck and back. That doctor should have seen it especially with it being so noticeable in the X-rays.  Dr. Brown has done wonders in getting Z's pain down and teaching us how to help reduce Z's pain. Zachary is a much happier boy, and in our book that makes all the difference in the world. Again, the pain is something we deal with quiet often, especially in the summer months which are quickly approaching us. When Z is actively .... running, swimming and trying to be a normal 10 year old boy, that is when the pain returns with a vengeance. We continue to hope and pray that this summer will be different, that this summer Z will be able to have more and more days that are pain free.

Monday, March 26, 2012

The Pain is Getting More Difficult to Wart Off

Zachary woke up to a pain level of 7 this morning, and popping his back seems to be getting more and more difficult. He left for school with the same pain level even after Robert and I had a go of trying the "bear hug" on him. We have been backing off of the Benadryl quite a bit, but today? I just didn't have the heart to send him to school without something to dull the pain.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

The Heavy Load Returns

Zachary had a pain level of zero all through church today. When we got home his pain level got up to a 7. I popped his back, but still the pain persisted. It was a rough night for Z. Anything over a 4 is very uncomfortable and you can see how much pain he's enduring through the expressions on his face.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Learning About Nutrition

So? Went to the Nutrition class that Dr. Brown had, I took some notes and learned a lot of stuff.

Becoming a Good Shopper
  Take your time
  Don't go hungry
  Schedule shopping
  Come prepared have a list and use it
  Quality should always be your #1 priority
When you eat nutritiously it is less likely that you will have to use medications

Know Your Store
  Stay away from the center of the store

Label Reading Do's ....
  Minimal ingredients
  Natural ingredients
  Buy foods without labels
  If it has a label you better read it!

"If it's not from God, it's not for the Bod"

Valencia Peanut Butter ... has no sugar!! And their peanuts have less mold issues

Label Reading Don't ....
  Don't worry about fat grams, carb grams and calories. The sources of these things is not important. Your     body can more efficiently and effectively digest and absorb naturally occurring foods. DON'T worry about fat grams.

   *Don't buy items with these ingredients
      Monosodium
      Glutamate - also known as MSG
      Hydrolyzed anything
      Autolyzed anything
      Artificial sweeteners
      Hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated anything
      Refined flour
      Additives
      Coloring
      Preservatives
      Chemical names, etc.

Eggs! Find a Farmer!! Free Range (organic)

Jolly Yard Barn (Yoders)

Coconut raises your metabolism - coconut oil is the best to replace canola oil, vegetable oil, and butter

Almond butter and Raw honey can be used as a spread
Olive oil needs to be kept in a dark place

Good sources for food
Tropical Traditions, Garden of Life

Beware of questionable Marketing
  Natural
  Organic
  Made with
  Transfat free
  Fat free or low fat
  Enriched _____ with synthetics
  Natural Flavors
  Endorsements

SOY?!? STAY AWAY?

Most Toxic Ingredients
  Sodium Nitrate, Hydrogenated oils, Excitoxins, Food Dyes, Refined Flours, High fructose corn syrup, Sugar, Pesticides, Additives

The TOP 10 Toxic Foods
  Salad Dressing - make your own
  Candy - lick the habit
  Deli/Packaged Meat - clean sources
  White Bread - whole sprouted
  Sprayed Produce
  Margarine
  Diet Soda
  GMO Foods - genetically modified
  Commercial Dairy
  Seasoned Packaged Foods

Boars Meat is the best meat

Use vinegar or lemon juice to wash vegetables or counter tops
Raw cows milk or raw goats milk, almond milk or coconut milk are better for you
GO ORGANIC!!

Best = Fresh
Next Fresh = Frozen
Least Desirable = Canned
Buy Fresh and in Season!!

Now I'm just bummed cause it seems there's nothing that's good for you on the grocery store shelves. So? basically I've learned .... throw everything you have out except the fruits and vegetables and start fresh with?? Umm? I don't even know, cause everything has sugar, and chemicals and junk that just isn't good for the body in it. Scuffing foot!!

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Pain After Play

We went to the Science Center on Monday and Casey our 18 year old was Zachary's partner, to keep up with each other they played tag, silly boys! They had a really good time, but now Z has to endure the pain after the play. :( We missed Z's appointment with Dr. Brown on because we spent all day in Nashville. Tuesday when Z saw Dr. Brown he did an adjustment on Z's neck. Where he usually only gets 3 "shots" to the neck this time he got 7 or 8 "shots"(not sure how else to explain this adjustment, lol). He's pretty exhausted today and is resting. I sure hope this summer will be much better than the last one. I worry that with all the activities that Zachary does during the summer we're in for a pretty bumpy ride. Here's praying the Lord has compassion on our 10 year old boy so that he can play, run and swim like one. ; )

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Can I Just Say? Thank You!!

This past week has been amazing! Zachary still suffers with pain, I won't, in any way, lighten that fact. I will mention, however, the pain does not last 4 to 6 hours anymore and hasn't been up to a 10 on the pain scale in a while. His pain has gotten up to an 8 and lasts only a couple of hours at the most. He has the exercises and the bear hugs that DO help reduce the pain. Oh, how grateful we all are for all the prayers and advice. Thank you all for your support!! Our son is doing so ... well! We are so very pleased with his treatment with Dr. Brown and have HOPE again that he will heal.