Yesterday, his bloodwork showed good things. We didn't actually hear his ketone levels because of the mix up I mentioned but his acidity levels were still in safe range and his blood glucose level was in a very good range for him. The doctor was happy with his progress although slow. She wants us to continue where we are with the diet without making any changes right now and watch to see how the levels creep up. Most kids would have the hospital stay and then, "Pop", they're in ketosis but it looks like Philip is going to ease in. Dr. Herren wasn't worried at all about that. She said just that it seems to be helping with the tremors is a good sign.
Even after two full days, I am already more comfortable with prep for the diet. I will soon have his main eggs and fruit breakfast memorized. We have decided to develop a menu for the three meals each day for seven days and just repeat that menu each week. That's enough variety for Philip and will help us in purchasing food and preparing meals. Today, for the first time, he is expressing frustration at eating the whipped cream. That's the staple of each meal and most snacks. I think he's crazy--it is so good! You think, Who wouldn't love to have sweetened whipped cream at each meal, but I guess Philip doesn't anymore. The other option is mayonnaise for some of his snacks, but I have been having trouble finding mayonnaise without sugar. I found a couple of brands but can't find them in store. We don't mind ordering them online but that takes a few days so today I decided to make my own. It was so easy! I used a recipe from a friend. It tastes good and I am not a huge mayonnaise fan. I think I might just stick with this option since it is so easy and I know exactly what is going in it. It probably is a little cheaper than paying purchase price plus shipping online.
We have some large flash cards that are more like a teacher resource, full color photos with the word printed at the bottom. We look at these regularly and practice identifying the objects. Both of my older kids love to do this. This morning, Philip did well at identifying a few objects but really well in pronouncing almost all of the words after I had said them. This is a good example of his general alertness. I am excited about this trend in the right direction and pray it continues.
His seizures are not gone. I have seen some of the more dominant "twitches" but I have not had the chance to sit down and watch him intently for a length of time to see if the smaller regular "twitches" have improved.
Here's an encouraging verse from "Day By Day" that the Lord always uses for me.
Every day, the Lord Himself is near me
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares He fain would bear, and cheer me,
He Whose Name is Counselor and Pow’r.
The protection of His child and treasure
Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
“As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,”
This the pledge to me He made.