Freya was already doing quite well, for a baby with her disorder, before she began these shots. But I have seen a few things in the last week that has inspired me to believe more in their effectiveness. Freya just feels sturdier, more solid. She can sit for 20 minutes at a time now without falling over. She is even putting weight on her feet and beginning to learn how to stand. We've had some issues with increased heart rate that I have learned not to be too alarmed about. Her therapists are all impressed with her and the big victory was today, seeing her mark on the growth chart and not below it.
For most of my adult life I have believed whole heartedly in more traditional, natural ways of healing involving diet, herbal medicines, acupuncture and things like meditation and visualization. Of course none of my recent experiences have changed how I feel about those methods of healing. But I've often discounted or argued against Western Medicine. To be honest, I still have many of the same feelings about that also. But I have learned to have a new found respect for some aspects of Western Medicine. In all fairness, Freya may not have even survived her birth without it. And though we are potentially looking at a life time of struggles with her disorder, I cannot imagine never having met this wonderful being or looking forward to watching her grow and become the person she is. So, in a rare moment of gratitude for an institution I think needs a lot of revising, thank you Western Medicine, for my daughters life and your ability to help her thrive.