Please Pray

Though I usually share about the joyful and fun events in our life through this blog, today I need to share some bad news and ask you to pray for our family.

Over the last eight months, I've been doing research on how different health issues affect learning and cognitive development. Because each of our children had different issues of concern, I joined a number of online biomedical discussion groups for parents of children with ADD/ADHD, autism, sensory integration dysfunction, learning disabilities, etc. Many of the discussions centered around kids testing positive for heavy metal toxicity. An alarm went off in my head when I read about mercury poisoning because we clearly fell into three categories:

1) Vaccinations: All three kids had the entire program of vaccinations recommended by their pediatrician from infanthood. Most of the vaccinations given until recently contained the preservative thimerosol, which is 50% mercury. Many of these mercury-laced vaccines (including flu shots) are still on the shelves at doctor's offices.

2) Dental Amalgams: I had a mouthful of dental amalgams while pregnant with each child, a source of mercury which can transfer in utero to the baby.

3) Fish: We've always eaten fish regularly. Some of our favorites like tuna (fresh and canned), sea bass, mackerel, etc. are high on the mercury scale.

We decided to have Elizabeth tested with the reasoning that if she tested toxic, the boys might too. She was chosen for the hair test as she has the longest hair (it turns out this doesn't matter as you use recent growth--one inch closest to scalp).

We just got back alarming test results--they show that she has toxic levels of mercury and uranium. We believe she got the mercury from the sources I listed above; we’re not sure where the uranium came from. The boys were also tested today, and we should find out the results sometime next week.

Meanwhile, we've started the process of finding a reputable doctor to help us with chelation (the process to rid the body of toxins). Thankfully, we've already received several recommendations. However, insurance coverage is an issue with specialists and the thought of the possible costs of chelating three kids is a bit overwhelming.

I share this info for two reasons. First, I want to pass on this information in the event it might help another child. Heavy metal toxicity is more common than people realize and can show up in autism, asthma, allergies, compromised immune systems, learning disabilities, etc. There have been major cover-ups by pharmaceutical companies and the FDA about the vaccine issue, but many people (including doctors) are now beginning to uncover the truth. Our Governor just passed legislation banning thimerosol-containing vaccines from our state, but it won’t take effect until 2006.

I wish I had paid more attention to the vaccine issue when my kids were younger; I mistakenly thought others were being alarmists without cause. Now I know differently; there is definitely a link. If you'd like more information on the vaccine issue, please check out the National Vaccine Information website for the latest info. If anyone is interested, I also have other resources to share.

Second, please pray. Through all of this, we praise God. He is so good. We thank Him for allowing us to catch this early. We trust in His goodness and faithfulness to see us through this trial. He is the Author and Finisher of our faith.

Tonight, before she went to sleep, Elizabeth prayed, "Dear Lord, thank you for me. Thank you for my mama. I love you, Lord! You are the best Lord in the whole world! In Jesus' name, amen."

Amen, Sweetie.

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear..." Psalm 46:1b-2a