Friday, February 19, 2010

Where to start...

This new, rigid schedule has me spinning...

We still see some improvement, although some days are better than others. I'm back to my ridiculous counting habits trying to spot trends in improvement and decline. Nothing to bank on yet...I see great hours that leave me excited and filled with optimism, only to see the tally marks fill the page the next hour.

Still, even with these horrific hours, the grand total for the day consistently stays under 150 (worst day so far 149 -the day he was extremely acidodic...the best 61). On average he will have around 80-90. Not great. But better.

There are questions regarding, well, just about everything. From the food ingredients to his lotion. What is keto-friendly what is not? I had no idea that something as simple as chapstick or toothpaste could throw him out of ketosis or cause increased seizure activity.

So because of this, every issue seems to be magnified...like his irregularity (fun times). Even more so when no one seems to be available to answer these questions for me. Who would have thought that upon getting released from the hospital (before a holiday weekend nonetheless), that his epi would be going on vacation or that the doctor over the diet would be out sick for an entire week! Of course, the dietician can only tell me what's safe for the diet -not what to give him or how much.

I'm pretty much bound to the house (and practically the kitchen) at least until this lifestyle becomes a bit more familiar. There are ALWAYS dishes in the sink since every meal requires nearly a cabinet full of cups and bowls for measuring, cooking, serving, etc. But, all of this I will gladly do as long as it seems to be helping. Seizure freedom is the goal...but even relief is welcomed right now.

It's exhausting. But, not nearly as exhausting as seeing forceful drops and falls every 10 minutes -which is where we were. He was clustering or dropping literally every time I turned around. That was much more stressful than checking for ketones, weighing food, cooking, and adding up fluids.

Even though my having to keep such a watchful eye for seizures and all the new added responsibilities seems to be more than I can handle at times (if you only knew the state of my laundry pile up!), seeing him go two hours without a seizure is more than worth it.

4 comments:

Sophie's Story by Elaine said...

Call me if you need anything. Sophie was on the diet for 6 months and we went to Johns Hopkins to do it. So I know A LOT about the diet. What ratio is he on? What is his total calorie intake for the day? I have the software to calculate meal plans. Some of Sophie's favorites were...

Breakfast: Scramble eggs, butter, cream, cheese, a grape.

Lunch: Chicken salad, cream, grean beans.

Dinner: Chicken breast, butter, cream, carrots.

Jonathan said...

I know how overwhelming it already is to add to everything...

buuuut...

I really really think you should ask your EI service coordinator about the respite services in your State. It could be that you could have an extra set of hands around to help you out. Maybe even prepare meals for you?

Maybe your insurance would even cover a CNA for a few hours a week?

...danielle

Colby said...

Holli...

I admire you SO much...AND the other parents who have tried or are on the diet...I was actually secretly relieved when both neurologists that have treated Colby felt that it wasn't for him, but can work well for others.

I don't know how you are doing this with having to sit and watch all day every day....That is about all I can do at this point...Watching and tallying...I don't think I could handle the added work and stress of all the food preps...

Hang in there and do your best to take care of youself, too...

And I know your other readers can give you lots of good tips...

(Wouldn't Keto Mobile Meals be GREAT???)

Cyndi

Colby said...

Holli...

I admire you SO much...AND the other parents who have tried or are on the diet...I was actually secretly relieved when both neurologists that have treated Colby felt that it wasn't for him, but can work well for others.

I don't know how you are doing this with having to sit and watch all day every day....That is about all I can do at this point...Watching and tallying...I don't think I could handle the added work and stress of all the food preps...

Hang in there and do your best to take care of youself, too...

And I know your other readers can give you lots of good tips...

(Wouldn't Keto Mobile Meals be GREAT???)

Cyndi