A Good Week!
January 21, 2008 | Updates
Samuel has been doing really well the last week. We went to Orem to attend a viewing of my uncle last Sunday. It was an unexpected death, so it was a difficult time for everyone. But it was a nice viewing and I hear that the funeral was very nice also. They are a wonderful family.
On the way home from the viewing, though, Samuel gave us a little uplifting moment. He was watching Ice Age on the DVD player in the Suburban and the part where the tribe of minuature sloths start dancing around (if you’re familiar with the movie) came on. And guess what? He start laughing out loud! A real genuine belly laugh! We don’t very often get those around here, but lately, we’ve been getting them more often and more easily. But this was the best one I’ve heard from him in probably a year. It was great.
Since then, he’s been really happy and even though he may not laugh, he is on the verge of it so very often and I LOVE it! He’s also seemed a bit more aware of things. I don’t really know how to explain it. He’s just even more fun to be with than usual. And, he’s finally back to trying to learn to crawl. After his surgery to have the g-tube put in, he figured out that rolling on his stomach really hurt, so he stopped doing it. Now that he has the button in, he’s realized that it doesn’t hurt to be on his stomach, so he is spending a lot of time there again. And with minimal assistance, he is getting up on his hands and knees in a crawling position. It’s still VERY wobbly and hard for him to hold. But he is trying again, and that is great to see.
I read some great articles this weekend as I cleaned out the 275 emails in my inbox (ugh)! One of them you can view here - http://www.jpands.
Anyway, this article just helped me to realize that the home chambers I’ve been looking into will help Samuel. I was afraid that because they could not reach as deep a pressure as the clinic chambers and because they do not support 100% oxygen, that they would not make a difference for Samuel. But it appears they will. So, I’m very interested in getting one for our home.
One more quick thing. There was a news broadcast about a little boy who received a stem cell transfusion of his own cord blood cells at Duke University recently and saw great results from it. He was 2 when he had the transfusion and was not speaking at all. Five days later, he said his first word. He has also started crawling, speaking more words and walking since then. I knew that these transfusions were possible at Duke, but I also know that you can only use cord blood from the actual person receiving the transfusion. And we don’t have Samuel’s cord blood. We have Nathan’s, but I already checked, and they won’t use it for Samuel. I am completely sold on the stem cell idea. I’m just not completely sold on the China thing. So, until I am, I’m looking for other avenues.
Last of all, I spoke to a mother this week who swears by Dr. Tennant like I do HBOT. She is the second mother I’ve met like this. I don’t know if you remember, but I attended a seminar by Dr. Tennant last April and through him began doing the homemade diet for Samuel. We also purchased a biomodulation from him. Anyway, my next project then, is to see if we can get Samuel to Texas for a week to see Dr. Tennant and have him evaluate Samuel personally. So, between a trip to Dr. Tennant in Texas, a trip to Canada for ABR in April, working on getting our own HBOT chamber and looking into stem cell treatments, we actually have the beginnings of a new plan. If anyone out there has any frequent flyer miles they don’t know what to do with, let me know! And like I keep saying, we’ve got some fundraising to do. If you have ideas or want to help out, you know how to reach me.
Thanks again, everyone! Let’s hope for another good week.
Love,
The Jewkes
P.S. I’m leaving you with a picture of Samuel sleeping. I LOVE to watch him sleep because in his sleep, he is more “normal”. He just looks like nothing is wrong with him. He breathes like you and I. He stretches like you and I. He gets in funky positions just like we do. He even makes the little sucking motion with his tongue that babies do when they’re falling asleep. And I love watching him wake up for the same reasons. He yawns, stretches and then smiles at me just like any other of a million children in this world. It’s just a moment of normal and I guess until you don’t have it, you just don’t realize how blessed you are TO have it. So, here’s a little peak at why I LOVE to watch him sleep!
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January 21st, 2008 at 1:57 am, Sue Searles Says:
What wonderful news about Samuel’s laughing. I look forward to the day that we hear Luke laugh again, he has once or twice sounded like he was going to but didn’t really break out into laughing.
I too love to watch Luke sleep, he also looks so normal while he’s sleeping. I hope you are able to raise the money needed for the therapies that you are wanting to do. I too wanted to take Luke to Dallas, but it just hasn’t happened yet.
Love in Christ,
Sue
January 21st, 2008 at 6:49 am, Caradie & Corbin Says:
Just yesterday Corb seen that same spot in Ice Age & he also gave a huge belly laugh. Isn’t Sid cute? Corb had never really seen the movie, he don’t like watching movies, only shows like Blue’s Clues & Dora.
I love holding Corb when he’s sleeping because then he isn’t wiggling & fighting, then I get my cuddles in.
Have any more videos of Samuel???
Caradie
January 21st, 2008 at 12:50 pm, Tammy and Parker Says:
Laughter…..it is such a sweet and wonderful thing.
I’m so excited to hear about your plans for Samuel. I’d also like to talk to you some about the diet you have him on.
Keep up the great work….and give Samuel a hug from Parker and I.
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:45 pm, Darlene Says:
Sam, Your a sweet and precious little boy~ sweet dreams little one.