I think there are a few things going on: multiple nutritional deficiencies and vitamin d deficiency allowing an ongoing infection to take hold. any possible lyme disease exposure? mono, caused by epstein barr or cytomegalovirus explains just about everything, including the rash https://health.google.com/health/ref/Mononucleosis "Mono may begin slowly with fatigue, a general ill feeling, headache, and sore throat. The sore throat slowly gets worse. Your tonsils become swollen and develop a whitish-yellow covering. The lymph nodes in the neck are frequently swollen and painful." I'd have her doc test her D levels asap. Optimizing D can fix many things, quickly: http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AV3S7fNjwg33ZHp0bWN3cV8yMDRqcXA0d3BjMw&hl=en Given her level of physical activity, an adult multi is appropriate as is supplemental zinc. Information here: http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AV3S7fNjwg33ZHp0bWN3cV8xMjJqbTZzZm43OQ&hl=en zinc deficiency: intensive athletics uses up zinc at a rapid ratewhite spots, bands, lines on fingernails acne slow wound healing B vitamin deficiencies muscle weakness, dizziness, loss of balance, nausea, angular cheiliosis(sores in corners of mouth), shiny red lips, bright/dark red/magenta tongue, sore tongue, smooth tongue iron deficiency anemia shortness of breath; dizziness, especially when standing up; headache; coldness in your hands or feet; pale skin, gums, and nail beds; magnesium insufficiency nausea, fatigue, dizziness magnesium insufficiency goes hand in hand with potassium insufficiency It's actually hard to get sufficient potassium. the current RDI is 4,200 mg - athletes need more. http://www.fitsugar.com/What-Does-Your-RDI-Look-Like-Potassium-1560301 ETA: "x-rays of her knee (which was giving out), her hip (which hurts and pops) and her chest (since she coughs a lot.) " more support for zinc and vitamin d deficiencies. The correct D test is 25(OH)D. There is also a home test available (finger prick) from ZRT labs that is very accurate. A google search will bring it up. I had your daughters symptoms from about age 9 through 25 or so. And additional ones until about age 30. Being sick was a normal part of my life. For me, it really was just a host of nutritional deficiencies - that was the most problematic component - which then triggered some food intolerances and other issues. Hoping she feels better soon, Katherine

the placenta is on a timer essentially. It starts to be a less effective nutrient delivery system. The tipping point is a guessing game. If you get too close or go over, the chances of fetal distress in labor are very high. Higher 25(OH)D levels are associated with less preterm and less postdates births. Same form Ω3 EFA's (long chain...fish oil). IME, post dates past 41 weeks is essentially the expression of multiple nutritional issues - as are PIH, pre-eclampsia, HELLLP, preterm birth, PROM and several other complications. K

It really is more complicated with your situation. Be sure you're doing all you can with diet - produce at every meal palm sized portion of protein 4x per day 1000 IU vitamin D per 25 lbs body weight 1000 ish mg magnesium from supplements (divided doses) 3-4 servings dairy per day. blood pressure and starting labor at term (rather than early or late) are heavily controlled by nutritional factors (there are some other minor factors as well) but optimal levels of long chain Ω3 fatty acids (from fish), zinc, iron, calcium, magnesium, protein and vitamin D3 are the big players here. If you do one thing, do D3. If you do two things, do D3 and magnesium :) K

It's from my links below (all iherb.com....and no affiliation/financial kickbacks for me....I just like them) The MFM Take One is $9.51 for 60 days (see below) there are additional discounts at checkout depending on your total order (6 or 8% standard, 10% at $120, 14% at $240...something like that) so that brings it to about $4.50/month...less actually. https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AV3S7fNjwg33ZHp0bWN3cV8xMjJqbTZzZm43OQ&hl=en Natrol, My Favorite Multiple, Take One Multivitamin, 60 Tablets iherb: $9.51 (60 day supply) msrp: $18.49 (48% Off) • $4.50ish per month ($9ish for 60 days) from iherb.com • great broad spectrum high potency mult • contains Ferrochel, the best form of iron found in multis or iron supplements safest type best absorbed doesn't build up to dangerous levels - ever. • this particular Natrol is my preference not only because of the Ferrochel for the iron but also the optimal forms of the b vites and other minerals.

my kids have seen birth videos their whole lives. So yes. But I wouldn't have it be a one time thing - too shocking and maybe scary. I'd have it be a routine deal. K

Let's assume we all agree that cesarean birth is lifesaving for some mothers and babies and that we are, without exception, very grateful that it exists and grateful that we have access to this lifesaving surgery if we need it. Surgery is riskier than a NVD. interesting example: I have a friend who was, 5 years ago, hit by a car when she was 9 months pregnant. As you can imagine, it was serious even though she was conscious. At the hospital, the decision was made to deliver the baby. At nationally renowned top-tier university hospital, her hcps were very clear that a vaginal delivery would be safer for her than subjecting her to the additional risks of surgery. It illustrates nicely the additional risk of surgical birth. cesarean birth is riskier for mothers - in terms of morbidity (injury/damage) and mortality (death): longer healing times, greater risk of infections, greater risk of hemorhage, greater risk of clots. cesarean birth is riskier for babies - both in morbidity and mortality cesarean birthed babies have higher rates of asthma and allergis cesarean birthed babies have higher rates of breathing difficulties (even controlling for fetal distress prior to delivery, term dates etc) here are some others: http://www.childbirth.org/section/risks.html

ABeCeDarian introduces too much material at once, doesn't offer sufficient practice, doesn't offer sufficient work on encoding (spelling), it's not multi-sensory. It's a very fast program. If youve tried another phonics programs - or multiple phonics programs, then ABeCeDarian won't work either. You're looking for direct instruction - overtly, obviously teaches the new skill. the child isn't given examples or lessons and expected to pick up the new skill or rule or to 'figure out' what you're trying to teach - it's directly taught. they aren't expected to be able to figure out new material based on what was previously taught: the will be 'directly' taught the new material incremental - introduces one thing at a time comprehensive - covers reading(decoding), writing(spelling and encoding), spelling (encoding using dictation), fluency (combination of accuracy and rate) and if necessary, comprehension. covers all 40 phonemes (most phonics programs don't....or if they do, lump many together and cover them too quickly) multisensory - uses tiles or cards or another method to get the child kinesthetically/tactilely involved while also working via the traditional visual and auditory components. systematic - one skill builds on the next in a logical, meaningful way intensive - works on each skill intensively before moving on - is structured in such a way that the instructor has options to stay at a level until the student is ready to move on *and* (this is more up to the instructor) is delivered with sufficient intensity (usually an hour per day 5 days a week for the dyslexic student) works on syllabication - a program that, once multisyllable words are introduced, continually works on breaking those words down either via a visual method (like Rewards Intermediate) or through rules (all of the O-G programs use rules....ie each syllable must have one vowel.....if the vowel ends the syllable, the vowel is long.....blends stay together...etc) I used and loved Wilson - but it doesn't spiral at all so I had to build a spiral type review in..Especially as it pertained to encoding/dictation. I'd personally prefer not to have to build *anything* in which is why I like Phonics Road;p (a little practice perhaps) - but everything else is plug and play. It is comprehensive like nothing else for the home user. here's an interesting program - the first 28 lessons are offered free online. I only watched a few seconds. It's claiming to be O-G but I didn't see a multi-sensory component (it may be in there though) http://weallcanread.com/ The following site has some fantastic introduction/training videos that are free. I found it really really helpful. It's a great program but have sufficient work in spelling on it's own: http://www.readinghorizons.com/tour/index.aspx :) K

Good point. I wasn't clear: I think Rosetta Stone is fine, I just prefer Mango and Tell Me More. Costco's knock off isn't really even a knock off....it's a totally different, worthless thing. At least my version from approx 2 years ago was. K

There is no mechanism by which castor oil could cause fetal distress. What is true: 1)castor oil doesn't absorb through the intestines at all 2)castor oils action is soley via 'irritation' of the intestines....the resulting irritation causes contractions 3)castor oil is more likely to to be used by women who are post dates 4)babies who are post dates are more likely experience fetal distress for a variety of reasons 5)some babies who are post dates are post dates because cord issues and positional issues are effectively preventing descent - in those issues, descent would be harmful to the fetus by pinching the cord between the fetal skull or other bone and mom's pelvis. 6)stimulating contractions (via castor oil, pitocin, ROM) can all result in fetal distress *contractions* cause the baby distress. It's not the castor oil. The castor oil is simply simply the 'red herring'. RRL tea will not - will not in any way stimulate contractions. RRL tea provides some trace minerals that can support what will happen naturally but it will not cause or encourage contractions. Women can take RRL tea at any time during pregnancy and not risk contractions. Best, Katherine

ABeCeDarian is appropriate for neurotypical kids learning to read or kids with only the most mild of reading disabilities. If a good solid phonics program used appropriately and frequently hasn't worked, then AbeCeDarian wouldn't be agood direction. And I actually do love the program - a lot. Katherine

LOL - me neither. I don't like being too hot, to cold. Don't like getting sand under my fingernails blah blah blah. I'm nicer indoors :D It's taken 6,000 IU D daily for six mos to get my D levels into the 60's. Consider testing and/or upping your D intake. 1000 IU per 25 lbs body weight isn't too much for indoor peeps like us....and it *really* could help with energy and mood stability. Yup. Interestingly, my littlest one (8.5 and a whopping 43 lbs) is now able to eat dairy and gluten without triggering her previously horrible eczema. Hmmmmm. ;/ My stomach didn't like SAMe but since my brain did, I kept going;p I was wiling to push through only because I knew it wasn't causing stomach damage like say, motrin would - eventually, it became tolerable. I also had problems with tryptophan for awhile if I didn't take it with enough juice..... Sounds like you're doing so much 'right'. Wishing for you some relief right around the corner. krispin.com is also very helpful/informative. Best to you, Katherine

I'm so bad about organizing saved evidence - though things are looking up since reading _Getting Organized in the Google Era_ - a lifechanger, that one. Anyway, I'm sure you can find it in pubmed... Best, Katherine

It's awful. Just awful. To rosetta stone, I prefer Mango Languages and Tell Me More by Auralog both are free at many library systems. K

The link you gave indicated that HB is 2 to 2 1/2 depending on manufacture. That seems fairly straight forward. The author of the blog post just tried to make it seem more complicated - perhaps for the sake of interest. IME, that's accurate. An HB pencil, depending on mfg, is equivalent to a US 2-2.5 and will be fine for standardized testing purposes. K

ooops wrong place. too many windows open. :) K

the scientific evidence overwhelmingly indicates that overwhelmingly indicates that entering puberty overweight = overweight as an adult. K

First I'll offer up commercial formula information Second recipes for raw cow milk formula and goat milk formula. Please do not add cow *or goat* milk as a supplement without appropriate nutritional modifications. Third - other tidbits....starting solids to offer the most nutritional support etc etc Consider feeding, if possible, the supplement at breast in a lact-aid (rather than SNS) to support • breastmilk supply • proper development of jaw, tongue, palate, oral musculature • breastfeeding skills.... a baby who feeds at the breast gets better at breastfeeding Commercial Formulas in order of preference Organic Earths Best uses lactose as the sweetener which is the sugar present in breastmilk. Lactose is the fuel baby's brain requires. It is superior to all other sugars in terms of *feeding a baby*. Baby's Own Organic While the label indicates 'toddler only', it actually *is* made to the same formulary that guides the mfg of all infant formula. When the company was a small startup, the process of FDA approval was too expensive. Calling this infant formula a 'toddler formula' was a way to get the first organic formula to the market without excess expense. Contains 65% Organic Brown Rice Syrup & 35% Naturally Occurring They don't have ARA and DHA, but imo that's not a bad thing. Those EFA's can come through breastmilk and be added to supplements if needed *using fish oil* http://www.naturesone.com/documents/chart.pdf http://www.naturesone.com/dairy.php If it's necessary to use a regular commercial formula due to cost/availability, I'd use 1)whichever one is mostly whey protein (goodstart for sure and maybe one of the other majors has introduced one - not sure on that) 2)after whey (being the most important) choose whichever one uses lactose 3)dont' buy into the ridiculousness of 'less fussy/less gas' formulas that are lower in lactose/lactose free. It simply isn't true. Nestle Goodstart - any of them- The whey protein in goodstart is easier to digest. Isomil or Similac I'd go with whichever is sweetened with lactose - other than that they are fairly similar. I would avoid Organic Similac: it is the only formula sweetened with sugar and there's some concern that this isn't a good idea as it gives a sweeter taste than other formulas. homemade infant formula time contraints might get in the way but if it's manageable, this would be my first choice. http://www.beinghealthynaturally.com/childrenbabyhealth/healthyinfantformula.php HOMEMADE FORMULA RECIPES Milk-Based Formula Makes 36 ounces Our milk-based formula takes account of the fact that human milk is richer in whey, lactose, vitamin C, niacin, and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids compared to cow's milk but leaner in casein (milk protein). The addition of gelatin to cow's milk formula will make it more digestible for the infant. Use only truly expeller-expressed oils in the formula recipes, otherwise they may lack vitamin E. The ideal milk for baby, if he cannot be breastfed, is clean, whole raw milk from old-fashioned cows, certified free of disease, that feed on green pasture. For sources of good-quality milk, see www.realmilk.com or contact a local chapter of the Weston A. Price Foundation. If the only choice available to you is commercial milk, choose whole milk, preferably organic and unhomogenized, and culture it with a piima or kefir culture to restore enzymes (available from G.E.M. Cultures 707-964-2922). 2 cups whole milk, preferably unprocessed milk from pasture-fed cows 1/4 cup homemade liquid whey (See recipe for whey, below) 4 tablespoons lactose* 1 teaspoon bifidobacterium infantis** 2 or more tablespoons good quality cream (not ultrapasteurized), more if you are using milk from Holstein cows 1 teaspoon regular dose cod liver oil or 1/2 teaspoon high-vitamin cod liver oil* 1 teaspoon expeller-expressed sunflower oil* 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil* 2 teaspoons coconut oil* 2 teaspoons Frontier brand nutritional yeast flakes* 2 teaspoons gelatin* 1 7/8 cups filtered water 1/4 teaspoon acerola powder* *Available from Radiant Life 888-593-8333 **Available from Natren 800-992-3323 or Radiant Life 888-593-8333 Add gelatin to water and heat gently until gelatin is dissolved. Place all ingredients in a very clean glass or stainless steel container and mix well. To serve, pour 6 to 8 ounces into a very clean glass bottle*, attach nipple and set in a pan of simmering water. Heat until warm but not hot to the touch, shake bottle well and feed baby. (Never, never heat formula in a microwave oven!) Note: If you are using the Lact-Aid, mix all ingredients well in a blender." http://www.beinghealthynaturally.com/childrenbabyhealth/healthyinfantformula2.php http://www.beinghealthynaturally.com/childrenbabyhealth/healthyinfantformula3.php http://www.beinghealthynaturally.com/childrenbabyhealth/healthyinfantformula4.php Adding supplemental solids at 4-6 months to support optimal nutrition for the supplemented baby http://www.hpakids.org/holistic-health/articles/64/1/Feeding-Babies <<A wise supplement for all babies—whether breast fed or bottle fed—is an egg yolk per day, beginning at four months. Egg yolk supplies cholesterol needed for mental development as well as important sulphur-containing amino acids. Egg yolks from pasture-fed hens or hens raised on flax meal, fish meal or insects are also rich in the omega-3 long-chain fatty acids found in mother's milk but which may be lacking in cow's milk. These fatty acids are essential for the development of the brain. Parents who institute the practice of feeding egg yolk to baby will be rewarded with children who speak and take directions at an early age. The white, which contains difficult-to-digest proteins, should not be given before the age of one year. Small amounts of grated, raw organic liver may be added occasionally to the egg yolk after six months. .....snip...... An unfortunate practice in industrial societies is the feeding of cereal grains to infants. ......snip..........Some preindustrial societies give a gruel of cereal grains, soaked 24 hours, to babies one year or older. Soaking in an acidic medium neutralizes phytates and begins the breakdown of carbohydrates, thus allowing children to obtain optimum nourishment from grains. It also provides lactic acid to the intestinal tract to facilitate mineral uptake. At the age of about ten months, meats, fruits and vegetables may be introduced, one at a time so that any adverse reactions may be observed. ...........snip.............. Above all, do not deprive your baby of animal fats—he needs them for optimum physical growth and mental development. Mother's milk contains over 50% of its calories as fat, much of it saturated fat, and children need these kinds of fats throughout their growing years. >>

When were you due? When you say induced......pitocin? cervadil? broke your water? Fwiw, there is no connection between the D&C and the current situation. Castor oil, while icky, will likely be very effective - it may not start labor on the first try, but it will help your cervix out significantly. Be sure you're getting optimal amounts of vitamin d, calcium, magnesium and zinc. All have significant actions on muscle - especially D. in multips, it's common to have a baby that's 'high and floating' *until labor starts*. whereas in primips, it's really really helpful to have a baby that's engage to help that cervix get started. K

cilla was my maiden name. we pronounced it sil-uh but in Italy it's pronounced somewhere between chee-lah and chell-uh kat= first three letters of my first name, Katherine

And fwiw, if you're going with a totally canned program, go with Phonics Road over Barton. Barton is much much more expensive overall, doesn't do spelling even as well as Wilson and doesn't cover other grammar components and roots like PR Get Phonics Road!!! :) K

They are both part to whole - all O-G is. however, PR is more spiral-y and AAS is mastery....though of course the overall goal with either is mastery and 'overlearning'. I'd get Phonics Road hands down. It's expensive but ready to go. I'd absolutely NOT do Recipe for Reading - it's just the framework - you're still inventing your own OG program in terms of the day to day. Wilson is also great and not as expensive but I love PR. It's comprehensive, open and go and really covers it all unlike any other OG based program for the home user. Don't hesitate. Its that good. K

No. But I kind of get it. My MIL died of lung cancer 12/2003. She was dh's step mom. We were very very close with her - especially me. And very close with her daughters, her brother and her SIL and their kids It's been incredibly hard for me to keep up with her relatives. Seeing them makes me miss her. More than I do just daily. And it hurts so much. If it were just me, I'd probably just let the relationships go:( But dh keeps us in contact which of course is much healthier. It hurts though. Even after nearly 7 years, I still cry about it almost every day.

Body odor prior to puberty often indicates zinc deficiency. High zinc foods are oysters, some other seafoods, red meat, organ meat...... and as you can imagine, zinc deficiency is common. Based on her activity level, height and growth, an adult multi might be appropriate. The multi I like is very inexpensive and listed in this doc: https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AV3S7fNjwg33ZHp0bWN3cV8xMjJqbTZzZm43OQ&hl=en Also cosider though, that percentiles on weight charts have gone up as *our* weights have gone up. 30% obesity? That affects what is considered the 50th %ile - significantly. I'd work on getting her a palm sized portion of animal protein 3x per day (because she's so active and growing in height so rapidly). 3 glasses of milk per day (calcium, phosphorus and protein are the most signicant factors in growth, then let her fill in the rest as desired keeping an eye on sufficient produce etc... :) k

Sending hugs to you and hoping soon that this is over so that you and your son can move on. Best, Katherine

The math games set from right start math. *wow*. after four years, I can still say this is one of the best investments around. It has a few fun activities for *really* getting the 5+(1 through 9) facts, the x+x=10 facts and the facts where you're starting with the number, then figuring what+5= that number (beginning of subtraction). My dd is dyslexic and seriously struggled with learning math facts. This was incredibly effective and matches up with the kind of thinking taught in singapore math. Later for multiplication - which was a struggle as well - we ended up using _Memorize in Minutes: The Times Tables_ K