Like A Canary In A Coal Mine

Ben trying to look serious while
eating an ice cream sandwich.

Today we went for a follow up visit for Ben to our Naturopath doctor.  Except this time instead of meeting with Dr. Larrow (who I love and will remain my doctor), we got to meet Dr. Morgan, new to the practice, who specializes in children - especially children with spectrum disorders and ADD/ADHD.  Because Ben's behavior has been so great these past few months (aside from the occasional Stage 2 binge, or stupid yellow cheese incidents) our main issue to work on now is the remaining "brain fog", focus and attention issues. 

I have tried for the past month not to get my hopes up that Dr. Morgan would have answers to all my questions. 

But the instant we sat down in his office, after I saw how well he treated Ben, I could tell instantly that he was the right doctor for my son.  First of all, he already knew all about the Feingold Diet, and had even prescribed it for his patients in the past.  There was no need for me to educate him on this food program.  Second, I was able to talk freely to him about the food triggers we've identified for Ben, what I was thinking of eliminating next, and the results we have been seeing. 

Usually, when I start to tell a new audience about our diet, food triggers, the fact that Ben can't eat strawberries or he turns back into the exorcist - I always speak freely but internally I brace myself.  Because usually people think I'm a freak, or that I'm blaming food for bad parenting, or that I'm depriving my poor kid of strawberries, or that I'm simply nutso.  But Dr. Morgan got it.  He understood.  Not only that but he's been there - he also has a son with issues. 

And as soon as I realized that we could speak on the same level, I stopped, and I thanked him.  Until now my only resource has been the internet, the Feingold online forum, the Feingold Facebook page - people across the country, but nobody in the flesh and blood.  Not only is he a real person, but he is someone who actually knows way more about this stuff than I do, and can actually be a resource!  Realizing this was very overwhelming for me, such a relief, and it was all I could do to sit there and thank him and not cry. 

Dr. Morgan explained some of the science to me, about why kids like Ben can't seem to tolerate even natural foods without having severe behavioral or physical symptoms.  My goodness, there is science behind it!  A rational explanation!  Music to my ears.  He also told me a story about how miners used to take a canary into the coal mine with them - and when the canary died, they knew the air was bad and they needed to move to safer areas.   Dr. Morgan said our children are the canary in the coal mine with regard to our food now days.  Their bodies are not as developed so they show symptoms much earlier than our adult bodies would. 

The best part of our visit today - we have a plan!  And not some plan that I concocted from a few hours of internet research (although I have to say I haven't done so bad this past year using this method).  Ben will take probiotics to help heal his tummy, another supplement I can't even pronounce to do something I can't even understand (but he gave me some take home reading to try and learn about it), and a stronger dose of fish oil for the important omegas. After four weeks we will meet again and tweak our doses and our plan if need be.

I'm not going to lie, having all these supplements for Ben takes a leap of faith.  Knowing that Dr. Morgan is as passionate as I am on this issue, knows way more about it than I do, and has his own child with similar experiences - it all makes me trust that this is the right journey for us to be on.  God puts people on your path when you need them, and I'm pretty sure that is why Dr. Morgan came to us when he did. 

I am so excited (but still trying not to get my hopes up) that Ben's "brain fog" may someday be nothing but a fuzzy memory.

For more on Dr. Morgan and Revolutions Natural Medical Center please click here.