Well, it’s been weeks since my last update, I’m ashamed to say.  However, it is the summer, and between our vacation and my children being home, well, desk time has been severely limited.

Today marks the 19th week since the boys’ first inoculation of 3 hook worms.  Thursday will be the 14th week since the 2nd (5 worms); Saturday will be 6 weeks since the 3rd (5 worms); and Sunday will be the 2nd since their latest inoculation of 3 worms.  They’re up to 16 almost mature worms apiece.  We’re aiming for a final total of about 20, which will happen some time in September.

I am now up to 9 almost mature worms.  NO side effects at all.  Obviously, for the ultra-sensitive, going very slowly is the way to go. 

An update on each of us:

Liam:  his foot eczema did reappear at the start of August.  I am using prescription strength cortisone cream, and even with that, it’s not great.  On the bright side, it’s way better than it was in past years.  Still, I was really upset to see its reappearance.  August is always the worst month, and this year was no exception.  Other than that, Liam is doing great.

Alex:  he’s been very cranky on and off for a few weeks now.  He’s not nearly as totally cheerful as he was.  On the other hand, cranky just means out-of-sorts. It does not mean screaming or tantrums.  He is still picking his fingers horribly, though, and I’m pretty upset about that.  Because August marks the time of year in which is usual fall regression starts, I am wondering if the increase in allergic markers from the worms, combined with environmental stimuli, is not responsible for the slight worsening in his mood.  He’s acting like the autistic version of a petulant teenager!  Maybe this is just “normal”?  For example, he’s purposely doing things to annoy me…

Kids.

His health continues to be generally excellent.  He looks great, is eating up a storm, has normal BMs (although a little more grainy and yellow of late, but not bad).  He has almost no gas anymore.  I have been feeding him whole wheat even, with no obvious problems.

Me:  I feel basically about the same.  Bad days (like today when everything hurts) and good days (when my pain is in control).  My IBS seems much better, although it’s certainly not gone.  I am taking 4000 mg of glutamine these days too, which I believe is helping with my digestion. 

My Dad:  staying with his 40 worms.  He is sticking with his 3/4 dose of asthma medication.  When he tried to reduce it more he started to get wheezy.  It’s probably still too soon to go down that much.  He says he’ll try again toward the end of the fall, when environmental allergens are less.

With school restarting soon, I will be able to update this with much more frequency.  Please check back often.