See ya, 2011

So much has happened this year. There were many joyful times, but I can't say that I'm sad to see this year end. The going has been tough. But we've made it, and we are in a far better place now than we were in January. Helmet went on, helmet came off. Meds started and ended. Diet started, and will end in 2012 (more below). Whew.

We have had wonderful holiday celebrations with our families in Harrisonburg and Goshen. Micah loves his grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. He anticipated opening presents even more than last year. He reveled in all the Christmas music, and was able to sing along with parts of many carols. Once he heard "Let it snow", that became a favorite, and he would often sing it in the morning when he first looked out the window. Hoping, always hoping. This is a boy after my own heart. If this warm weather continues, we may need to move north! He enjoyed helping to decorate (and occasionally un-decorate) the Christmas "treat" (tree). No Christmas goodies for him this year, but then, he had no trouble maintaining his trim figure either!

So, food. In consultation with our doctor and dietitian, we have decided to try and take Micah off the ketogenic diet. He is doing well and not having any clinical seizures at this time, though he was, as of December 12, still having sub-clinical seizures. Not many, but some. We have increased a medicine to try and alleviate those last seizures. The diet change comes because our doctor no longer thinks the diet is beneficial to Micah. And believe me, if it isn't, I want to be DONE! It is hard enough to persevere when it was doing something. But when we heard our doctor equivocate about its effectiveness, the decision to stop was easy. We began the weaning process a little over two weeks ago, and it is proceeding at a considerably faster rate than we had originally been told it might be. For this I give thanks!

If all goes well and his seizures do not recur, his last date on the diet will be January 16. For several weeks after that he will not be allowed to have sugar or sweets, but other than that can begin eating regular food. He will have been on this diet for nearly a year at that point. David and I wonder what this will be like, to have a child who is able to eat normally. Be normally picky. Make choices about food. Have the occasional treat. Eat goldfish crackers. Eat bananas instead of just a tiny slice with his macadamia nuts. How will we handle not having the same kind of control? On the one hand it will be amazing not to have the responsibility of cooking separately for Micah, usually late at night when we'd rather be sleeping. But we have known exactly what he has eaten for every meal and every snack for a year. Will our keto-induced paranoia ease? Yes, but it will be an adjustment. As I grocery-shopped this week, I was wandering the aisles imagining all the things that we will once again be able to give to Micah.

More details about what is next on this journey will be forthcoming. But for now, we look forward with anticipation to 2012, knowing that we cannot go where God is not. Happy New Year, everyone!