I do understand that China has a horrible record of environmental pollution and that there is little or no regulatory system there. I also know that China is where developing countries ship our discarded electronic devices, batteries, and other corrosive materials that we do not want in our landfills.
SO....we have our little Kai. We know that it is possible that his delays are the result of something neurotoxic (such as manganese, cadmium, or another metal), but have come to the realization that finding out and treating something of the sort would be very invasive, if not potentially fatal (I'm talking about Chelation therapy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chelation_therapy).
So....What do we do with this partial information? Take it for what it is..... a theory. AND we help Kai by getting him the best treatment for his multifaceted needs. (Endocrine problems are another issue....again, potentially the result of environmental neurotoxins) I am again thankful that we have medical insurance and medicaid for our little guy.
Knowing this
7 comments:
I read an article recently that the FDA were banning chelation? or had found it to be unsafe. I can't remember where it was though. It was about 6 weeks ago. I am not sure if you are considering this or not because where you say 'is not potentially fatal' I am thinking might be a typo and should read 'if not potentially fatal'? People have died from it. Ultimately the decision is yours and it is a rotten piece of info to have because it means you have to make a decision. Jen
Thanks Jen...yes, it IS a typo. IS should be IF. Big difference there! No, we're not considering chelation. It was put out there as a suggestion, but the risks way outweigh the gains.
I never knew some countries used China as a dumping ground! I supposed the USA is one of them?
I think we need to do whatever we can, within reason, to help our kids be and feel the best they can. Little Bird's tests have never come back high for heavy metals, but if they did, I'd consider chelation. I've heard of so many people having good results. It IS scary, though. You'd have to be very careful and follow the advice and care of a doc who has done it a million times before.
I hate hard decisions!!!
Not only the emotional side of things, but the cleft itself can be a result of environmental toxins. I know we both cleft affected kids...don't you ever just wonder what caused it? Ty is from Jiangsu, one of the most heavily populated provinces. It makes you think, doesn't it? I find that I am more environmentally conscious as well.
Chris, I always take an extra interest when you write about this, because so many of our Luohe have really struggled. I tend to blame a lot of it on poor care, but ever since you told me last May about your findings with heavy metal exposure, it has made me wonder. Trust your instincts - I know you will make the best decision for Kai.
@ Ginny...yes, unfortunately China is one of those places who has agreed to have us all send our biohazard refuse. USA included.
@ Dani, I'd love to hear more about folks who have done Chelation and how it has helped their kids. Folks here at Children's Hospital are wary of recommending it...and we've sort of ruled it out. I'm always open to hearing about possibilities though.
@ Jolene, I have thought about the cleft thing, as well as the many other birth defects that place kiddos on the "SN adoption" lists. China has so many of them. I wonder all the time about China's environmental issues having an effect (even more since the doc mentioned it)
@ Midge, yes...poor care definitely. I never thought of the neonatal issue (pre-birth exposure) until it was brought up specifically. Sigh...sometimes I wish I had not been given this info!
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