"I think the HBOT is working," my darling hubby said today. Those words made my heart SING!!!!!! LuLu is signed up for 10 sessions is a hyperbaric oxygen chamber (actually it's a mild hyperbaric chamber). It is a soft-sided chamber that holds only 2 people and only pressurizes to 1.3 ATA. It takes the ambient air (as opposed to pure oxygen) and forces it into the chamber in such a way as to make the chamber about 92-95% oxygen. Regular air is around 21% oxygen, depending on how polluted the air is where you live. Increasing the oxygen in the air allows your body to increase the oxygen that enters the blood stream. This, in turn, forces more oxygen into your body's tissues. Tissues that are damaged heal more quickly. Neurons grow. If any organs (like the brain) are holding on to toxins, they can be released. In LuLu's case we hope both for neuronal growth and toxin release.

We won't know about the toxins until we do the blood work in a few weeks, but we are noticing changes. I am always wondering if I'm subject to the placebo effect -- you know, the wishful thinking that a treatment is "working" because I so badly want her to be better. LuLu is subject to this as well -- telling me that the chamber is making her feel better -- making me wonder whether it really is or whether she really just wishes it so.

But my hubby was the ultimate test. He spent the day with her today and commented how clear-headed she was. "You could carry on a normal conversation with her about normal 9-year-old stuff." I've also noticed her ability to more clearly sing lyrics to a song and to comprehend what the song is about. She still rages and has meltdowns (darn it!). But the meltdowns seem to lack intensity at times. And there are times when we tell her no and expect the meltdown -- but don't get it. And she's apologetic after her meltdowns - but doesn't "relive" the meltdowns in an obsessive way.

Hubby got in the chamber with her today for the second time -- my cold has really caused the pressurized chamber to play a number on my ears and sinuses. It is not a good idea to go in the chamber when you have a head cold (and LuLu is showing signs of the same cold, so that may slow down the treatments). But hubby is seeing his own benefits -- sleeping better, having more energy.

Antioxidants are in order if you pursue HBOT. The therapy center and our DAN! doc have both suggested a variety. LuLu and I both have been taking Co-Q-10 enzyme, Vitamins C & E and grape seed extract. If our bodies are ridding themselves of any toxins, we definitely need to protect our heart, liver and other organs of free radicals floating through our blood streams!

Our doc tells us that initial research is showing that 40 sessions is the standard number needed to get full benefit, if a child responds to this treatment. We're at number 8 -- so we have a ways to go for sure. But for now...we're encouraged...and encouraged is a feeling we haven't had around here for a while!