Delicious Smoothie for Little Noggin's

Success?!  (We hope).  Dr. Morgan provided us with a little recipe jam packed with some awesome "brain fats"!
6 oz Coconut Milk
2 oz water
1 scoop NutraCare
2 tbs Coconut Oil
1/2 avocado
1/4 cup Blueberries
1/4 cup sliced almonds

It was a new taste for him so Logan was a little unsure.  The recipe is very thick so we needed to thin it down a bit with additional water.  After a few "taste sips", Logan began to accept more and more.  I think we've found something that can really help!
Additionally, Logan's appetite has increased this week.  He's been mouthing (and even swallowing) a number of foods.  He loved his grilled steak and mashed potatoes last night!  I hope we've turned a corner!

The Dietary Plan

Amidst all of the professionals and tests Logan has done, not many have discussed the need for Logan's Parents to step up or modify his diet. Some have recommended eliminating certain foods from his and Mom's diet. Dr. Montes has prescribed a high-end, hypoallergenic formula for Logan at $193.00 a can called "Elecare". Our insurance will cover much of this cost, but guess what the first ingredient is in this formula...Corn Syrup Solids!! What?!! High Fructose Corn Syrup is toxic and has been linked to over consumption related obesity, certain types of cancers and even has measurable amounts of mercury depending on the process used to create it. I could be very wrong here but why do I want to feed my brain-starved son a food product that is comprised of 45% corn syrup solids? This can't be good....

We've decided to try another diet instead of the Elecare. Dr. Morgan has recommended a product by Metagenic called "Ultracare for Kids". Ultracare is also a hypoallergenic medical food. Compared side by side, the EleCare contains more amino-acids, something Logan needs. But there are none of the "nasties" in the Ultracare. The price is considerable less (only $37 a can) and we will be mixing in other whole foods to supply the fats and amino acids Logan needs.

God has also created a few plants that have some amazing properties to sooth and health acid reflux. Slippery Elm and Aloe Vera have been proven to be effective in this area. So, in addition to the Ultracare, we'll be adding these two medicinal plants to Logan's diet. Now, the only question I have is, "How do you get a child who won't eat or drink anything to suck down a few ounces of slimy aloe vera and slippery elm tea...?" : )

Tummy Bug Testing

As Logan's mom indicated below, we had a wonderful visit with Dr. Joel Morgan yesterday. He gave us a lot of information and answers. We still have a lot of unanswered questions and some major anxieties about our Little Logan but we feel like we are moving in the right direction.
Dr. Morgan really feels that Logan's "failure to thrive" is all related to his inability to eat and utilize the little food he does get down. We have a few additional tests we will now go through to look for more answers. Dr. Montes' assessment of Logan's GI tract indicated inflammation in the cells of his colon (see Another Piece of the Puzzle below). Dr. Montes suggested we obtain a skin prick test to try to isolate the allergens affecting Logan. However, the blood tests we have already run and this newly recommended skin test look at IgE allergic reactions. These types of reactions are caused by Immunoglobulin E (hence the name) antibodies. Since the blood tests were negative, the skin test (also testing for IgE reactions) most likely not add any additional information.
Sometimes, food allergies and sensitivities are demonstrated through a delayed or secondary immune response by the Immunoglobulin G antibody. The traditional blood and skin tests only look at IgE reaction. So, our next step is to submit an IgG blood test and have it looked at for any reactions.
Another question we want to solve is, "How is Logan's GI tract functioning?" The tests performed by Dr. Montes looked at the gross anatomy of his tract, looking for any major defects or disease processes. Thankfully, those tests revealed nothing more serious than some reflux and inflammation. Now we turn to look to see if there is anything inhibiting him from absorbing or digesting key nutrients and fats.
We are submitting three tests on Logan's stool. The first is a microbiology analysis that will identify the types and quantity of his tummy bugs and look for any fungal presence. An imbalance or absence of key bacteria will throw off Logan's ability to utilize certain foods. We will also be looking for two inflammation markers, "calprotectin" and "lactoferrin". Calprotectin is a calcium and zinc binding protein and has bacteriostatic properties. Lactoferrin has antimicrobial properties and raised levels of these two proteins will help us in determining the extent and cause of inflammation in Logan's bowel.

New Hope

Yesterday, Oct. 5th, we took Logan to see Dr. Morgan, a pediatric Naturopath. We were very pleased with what we were told. After spending about an hour and a half with Dr. Morgan, we walked away with a better knowledge of what everything meant. Now, knowing that Doctors are not God and still don't know everything, we will still wait and see what happens with the new treatment regiment. BUT, Dr. Morgan has been pretty dead on all along. We learned that the elevation of the carnitines and other areas in his blood could be typical of his inability to eat and utilize his food, and even his lack of white matter, which is mostly composed of fatty acid, could be related to his inability to eat normally. See, if his body is not getting or being able to process the fats, his body will scavenge what it needs from wherever he can get it, his brain in this scenario. If you aren't getting what you need nutritionally, your blood will show it. Imagine that? :-) Anyway, I will not attempt to explain everything that he did, just simply state that we will be feeding him more nutrition, more fatty acids, and giving him herbs that will coat and help heal the esophogus as well as diminish the inflamation in his intestine. He also wants more specific allergy testing, this particular test being able to tell us the reactivity level of the allergen, and some stool testing. Logan's Dad and I walked away feeling a lot lighter, even in the pocketbook, and understanding a lot more. I am ever greatful for the Spirit that testifies of truth wherever it lies. We are hopeful, I think I can speak for Logan's Dad, but he will for sure be speaking for himself, soon, that we are going to find a way to manage and get past this. The Lord is so merciful. We would be amiss if we didn't acknowledge His hand in our lives through great friends and people. We are so greatful!