Saturday, April 13, 2013

Update on the iPad Challenge . . .

We have sold 3 pieces already!!!!  THANK YOU!!!!  I am really excited about this - Isaiah doesn't even know about it (I didn't want to tell him about the iPad until he actually earned it, he just thinks he's doing a fundraiser).  Just so you know, this is legitimate.

There is a very compassionate lady, here in FL, who has a son with Autism.  She started a jewelry (and other things) company to raise awareness and funds for people with Autism (funds go toward research, Surfers for Autism, and therapy).  If you want to know more about The Puzzling Piece and a bit of the owner's story, here is an article about her and the company: http://www.wpbf.com/Mother-of-autistic-child-starts-Puzzling-Piece-charity/-/8789538/9834438/-/8vfwsx/-/index.html#.UWh57nFGCoI.facebook.

I can hardly wait to see Isaiah's face when he receives this iPad - he will love it!  Please, share this with your friends and family - the more help we get, the more he will sell & earn toward his iPad.  He has to sell at least 60 pieces to get an iPad.  Each item on the iPad Challenge tab counts as 1 point toward an iPad - so, literally, he has to sell 60 items.  Anything over that goes toward an iTunes gift card for apps (so the more he sells, the better - there are great apps out there for people with ASD, some are free, some are cheap, but the really helpful ones are a bit pricey).

Here is an updated flyer for you:


So, please visit The Puzzling Piece at http://www.thepuzzlingpiece.com/products_ic.html and order one of the above items.  Make sure you enter my name (Kelly Sandy - the account is under my name, since I am the adult) in the Challenger's Name box (below the item you selected).

Thank you, again, for your help!

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Help Isaiah Earn an iPad!

That's right, earn. :0)   iPads have been wonderful for people with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) - there are tons of apps to help individuals with Autism that are available on the Apple market (more than on the Android market).  Even Isaiah's online school offers apps for the iPad.  I have really wanted to get him one, but they are way out of my price range . . . now, there is a way that he can earn one (and continue to earn points toward an iTunes card to purchase apps). :0)

Here's how you can help . . .



Visit The Puzzling Piece and view the items under the "iPad Challenge Pieces" tab.

Once you select an item, look for the "Challengers Name" box and enter my name or Isaiah's name (if you need to know, just send me a message).  :0)

Place your order and that's it!

Every item you purchase helps Isaiah earn another point toward his iPad as well as further research and help families afford therapies for their loved ones with Autism.  We have to sell 60 items to earn an iPad, so, please feel free to share this with your family and friends (just make sure they know my name or Isaiah's name).  :0)

Thank you, in advance, for your help (and thank you to those who have already placed an order)!

Monday, April 1, 2013

Light it Up Blue for Autism Awareness

We're lighting it up blue today for World Autism Awareness Day (April 2)!  Of course, we'll be lighting it up blue for the whole month of April (April is Autism Awareness Month) . . . :0)








Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Flustered . . .




That is about the only word I can think of to describe the last appointment Isaiah had at Miami Children's Hospital.  Flustered.

On December 21st, Isaiah had an appointment with Neurology, where much was discussed and labs were decided upon.  So, labs were drawn and we went home.  I expected not to get an explanation for all of Isaiah's unexplained symptoms at that appointment until labs were back.  The labs were mostly genetic work-ups along with organic labs - most were labs that would take about 6 weeks to get back.  Well, December 26th, we got a call saying that some of the labs were back and they were elevated and that we were being transferred from Neurology to Neurogenetics.  No explanation was given, just that we needed to be seen by Neurogenetics in the Brain Institute. I wondered what all of this was about, but I tried not to worry - I was hopeful that we may get an answer as to what may be affecting Isaiah.

This brings me to now . . . February 27th.  Going into this appointment, I have to admit, I was a bit anxious.  I prayed A LOT.  I wasn't worried about God bringing us through this, I was worried about hearing the results of the labs.  Just hearing the words and a diagnosis that may or may not have a cure or treatments.  Words that may or may not bring understanding to the puzzle of my little boy.

Well, we were called back and began going through a detailed history with a nurse practitioner, who was very thorough and polite.  After the history was taken (which, by the way, took about 30 minutes - it was that detailed), she quickly glanced at the labs and said that everything was fine.  Wait, what?!?  Not that I wasn't happy, but what about the elevated labs that sent us to them in the first place?  Oh, wait, she looked over them.  :0}  So, it turns out Isaiah's pyruvic acid and his lactic acid are elevated.  What does that mean? That's partially what left me flustered.

After that, she proceeded to try and find Isaiah's reflexes . . . :0)  Notice, I said, "try".  If you have followed my blog for a while, you might recall previous trips to the neurologist where we found out that Isaiah's reflexes were pretty much non-existent. She tried for quite some time, saying that if they were to be found, she would find them.  Isaiah entertained her by smirking and kicking exaggeratedly a few seconds after she tapped his knee.  She didn't notice and proclaimed, "There it is, I knew I could find it!"  I didn't have the heart to tell her that after all that tapping, he had done it on purpose - didn't want to burst her bubble.  :0)  Anyway, she continued to try and find other reflexes and then just finally gave up to go and get the doctor.

When she came back, she chatted with us a little while we waited for the doctor.  A few minutes later, two doctors came in and introduced themselves.  The nurse practitioner went over all of the history with them and two other doctors entered and introduced themselves - this time, one was the doctor we had made the appointment with - the head of the Brain Institute (so, we went from an appointment with the head of Neurology to the head of the Brain Institute).  :0} So, that makes one head of the department, one resident, two med students, and a nurse practitioner with the three of us (my mom went with me - I am not a fan of Miami) crammed in that tiny room trying to figure out the mystery that is Isaiah.

They quickly went to work, checking Isaiah's reflexes, trying to tickle his feet and check test out his neuropathy, asking him questions (always interesting because he doesn't always give an appropriate response), :0) and just examining his physical characteristics.  They chatted quietly amongst themselves, pausing only to ask us questions every once in a while and to tell us that we should probably see a cardiologist for the heart concerns.  They discussed labs already done, tests already completed, symptoms, and family history, then decided on testing.  What I could gather from the conversations were that more labs needed to be done and that they wanted another EEG.  Then, they turned to us and said that they wanted to admit him for 72 hours sometime soon (initially this Monday, but I convinced them that later is better, sooo March 18th) so that they could do a video EEG - a in-depth EEG to look for seizures and other abnormal brain activity.  The admission will also allow them to do labs that they wouldn't be able to do otherwise.  I heard terms like "mitochondrial" and B12 and all sorts of other foreign terms.

That was it.  That was the appointment.  Three and a half hours later and they never turned to us and say, "we'd like to do testing for this or that."  Only discussion amongst themselves and "we're doing this, see you soon," and out the door they went.  The nurse practitioner stayed behind to take us to scheduling and that was it.

I left more confused and with more questions than before I went in there.  What in the world just happened? What's going on with my child?  If you don't know what it is, what do you suspect it may be?  Why all the testing and what is it for?  Are they just to rule out things or are they to prove an idea?  I guess I will have to wait and prepare ourselves for this 72 hour admission beginning on March 18th (which is no small feat with my active child).  :0}

I don't mean to sound so negative about the appointment - I know they are trying to answer the same questions that I have. It was just that chaotic and confusing. Let me rephrase that: I think the head of the department was trying to teach the others and it appeared to be chaotic & confusing to us. :0)

After Miami, St. Petersburg is a breath of fresh air. The next day, Isaiah had a routine appointment with the AIR Clinic (yes, we traveled across the state - two appointments in two days . . . in separate cities, at separate hospitals).  Isaiah's doctor is trying to change up his meds to make sure he doesn't get used to anything and to make sure that the meds are still working for him.  When I mentioned all of the info. we gleaned from the Miami appointment to his allergist, she agreed that testing for a mitochondrial disease makes sense and that he fits the description.  She gave as much encouragement as she could and said that MCH was the best place for Isaiah to be for neurology/neurogenetics - they are world-renowned and one of the top pediatric neurology specialists in the country (she had already done some homework on this before our arrival).

All in all, we're left without answers right now.  I'm not 100% okay with that, but I know that the answer is coming . . . it may not be a comfortable place for us, but everything is going to be okay.  God never guaranteed our comfort, he guaranteed He would be there and that He would provide comfort, peace, hope, joy, guidance - the list goes on.  I have no doubt that in this season or chapter in our life, whatever you want to call it, I know that God will guide us through this.  I know that God has a plan for Isaiah and for this . . . whatever it is.  My uneasiness isn't in my faith in Him - I know He has answers and solutions.  I know He won't leave us to walk this path alone.  This is new for us, but He has already been there - I am so thankful that He holds us in His hands.