Volcanoes and Stones

So Zach is still running a fever - got up to 103.6 this afternoon. I hate seeing him like this, his already
quiet self near catatonic with fever. No words for too long now. I keep on thinking that they (the Yale psychologist and the local developmental pediatrician) said this would only happen once.

But we still have to have some fun around here. The other day - prior to fevers et al, we made a volcano out of playdoh and did the ol' baking soda/vinegar lava trick. So this is not something that is in the books about appropriate play for kids on the spectrum, especially at a young age - but he loved it nonetheless. It was fun to watch him giggle everytime Sophia put the vinegar in the pink tower of playdoh in anticipation of the bubbles that would soon overflow.

I keep on thinking back to the GFCF diet and how Zach used to have volcanic erruptions himself, and how the doctor told me this was normal. Everyone who witnessed it knew it was pretty excessive even friends with kids who had reflux issues. And I was just reminded a few weeks ago of how frustrating this was - how at a cousin's wedding in the fog of embarrassment of Zach yacking right next to the bride and groom's table - as the bride and groom came running to see if they could help I muttered something like: "Just walk away, you don't want to see this." Not exactly nice of me to say to the bride on her most special day and I don't even recall doing it. I felt terrible that I could have been so rude. But after several months of watching this happen, it had me on such an edge, I am not surprised I was either.

So within a week the GFCF diet worked. He quit puking, gained eye contact, became more verbal, engaged with everyone much more. So why the regression? His diet hasn't changed. I am reading a bit about allergies/food sensitivites and would like to have him tested. From what I read, sometimes stronger sensitivities initially mask lesser ones which end up worsening after you pull the more offending foods. I called a doctor I had heard about on Thursday who would do the testing we needed, but unfortunately, she closed her practice on December 31st. Ohhh no.

Yesterday, a few friends called to check in and see if we could get together. God Bless them! These simple gestures help me to really pull out of the low points. I also realize that God intervenes using things like this. A friend invited us to a gym and movie night)Sophie's old favorite "Finding Nemo" at My Gym - the kids gym and activity place. Sophie had school cancelled on Wednesday and Friday (snow day an teacher's conference) and was really itching to get out of the house. We decided we would make plans to go and that would be some great one-on-one time for us.
Sophie had a blast! And I saw a few mothers I haven't seen in awhile. One in particular, got to talking with me. She began discussing her son's skin condition and how it cleared up once they took certain foods out of his diet. I asked her how she knew what the culprit was - and she said she had him tested. I went on to tell her that we had Zach on the GFCF diet. She looked right at me and asked if he as autistic - and I told her yes. Wow - she was pretty astute. She then gave me the name of the doctor she went to and told me she knew he treated other children on the spectrum. She even had his card with her - and I looked at the address - it's 1 mile down the road from our house!

For those of you who don't believe in a supreme being like I do - I know you are thinking this is all coincidence. I am a pretty logical, analytical being, and tend to feel that way about things too. But I can tell you, that in my heart, this serendipity does not feel like mere coincidence, but another stone we are supposed to step on in our path to wherever we are supposed to be going. It may not unlock the mystery, but I am supposed to investigate it anyway, and I will. No stone will go unturned.