My daughter was past due for her three month vaccinations.  When I took her in, she got a shot in each leg, plus an oral polio.  They wanted to do another shot to “catch up” but I declined, agreeing to return in two weeks.

I had no idea at the time how huge that decision would turn out to be.

Within hours, my daughter changed.  I don’t know how else to describe it.  Her face was just… different.  She was crying different.  She was acting different.  Within twelve hours, she had a low grade temperature and an unexplainable rash.

I called my pediatrician and told her what was going on.  I told her she had just received her first round of vaccinations.  The doctor simply instructed me to  give her acetaminophen (Tylenol).  I already had, but I continued giving her a dose every four hours.

It didn’t help.

In fact, my daughter seemed increasingly distraught.  Within the next couple weeks, I must have called the pediatrician about half a dozen times.  She still had the fever.  She still had the rash.  She still acted funny.  The only change was that the rash would disappear and then show up again somewhere else.

“Something is wrong.” I insisted.  I kept mentioning the vaccinations, but the doctor always said it “couldn’t be that.”

So I did the only thing I knew what to do.  I Googled her symptoms.  I typed “child+fever+traveling rash+strange cry” and hit enter.

The first page was full of words like “immunization”, “reaction”, “emergency room”, “vaccinations”, and “adverse effects”.  I began to shake inside, sick with the knowledge that in doing what I believed was right, I may have done irreparable damage to my sweet baby girl.  She had all the signs of children experiencing more serious reactions to a vaccine.  What hit me like a punch to the gut was that she was having many of the signs of children who later slipped deeper into autism.

I called my pediatrician once again. When I told her what I suspected, I was met with silence.  She then repeated her mantra, “It couldn’t be that.”

“Why not?” I asked, completely dumbfounded.  “It all began the very day she had her shots.”

Silence.

“Have you changed your laundry detergent?”

So that’s where it was going.  Nowhere.  The doctor was faced with a child experiencing classic adverse reactions to a vaccine and all she could do was try to pin it on soap?  She refused to even discuss the possibility, refused to tell me why, and refused to report it.   Doctors are required by law to report adverse reactions, by the way.

And so began my journey into the world of no answers.  A place where emotions run high, opinions are deep, and deception is the name of the game.

I immediately began reading all I could on vaccinations.  I began, of course, with how to reverse adverse affects.  My daughter is completely normal now, thank God.  I don’t think she would be if she would have received that “just one more” shot that day or even weeks after.

The fact that parents vaccinate their children doesn’t bother me.  What concerns me is the idea many have that parents should not have a choice in the matter.  And what frustrates me is that those who administer vaccines do not make the information and education readily available for parents to be able to make that choice.

Oh, I’m not talking about the pretty colored sheets that they hand you when you go to get their shots.  Those are practically useless, and only lend credence to the claim that any information they do make available is extremely one sided.  And yes, the information is in large part one-sided.  I have no illusions that the medical field is looking out for my child’s best interest.

What about telling parents about things they could do to help prevent damage from vaccines?  Don’t confuse that with making the child more comfortable by administering Tylenol.  I’m referring to things like homeopathics and large quantities of Vitamin C.  (Oh, wait.  I forgot.  Those are just snake oil and voodoo.)

What about checking vaccine antibody levels (titers) instead of automatically giving booster shots that could very well be unnecessary?

What about warning parents that children who have siblings with diabetes may have an increased risk of adverse reaction to the MMR?

What about warning parents that children with digestive or gut issues may have an increased risk of an adverse vaccine reaction?  (It is my suspicion this is why my daughter experienced such a strong adverse reaction.  She had digestive issues and severe constipation since birth.  To which my pediatrician simply advised daily doses of corn syrup.  Yes, corn syrup.)

Why do they call them immunizations?

Why is it so difficult to find anyone who will administer just one or two desired vaccines?  Why is it so difficult to find a doctor who is willing to spread out the vaccines?  Why is the CDC schedule more revered than the responsibility to view each patient as an individual?

Why do they so often try to avoid giving a parent the Lot number for the vaccine?  Why isn’t this information given automatically, as part of administering the vaccine?

Why is the Hep B vaccine given to every newborn at birth, regardless of the baby’s risk of the disease?  Why is opting out of the vaccine so difficult even when it is clearly not necessary?  Why are parents who choose to do so treated like they are irresponsible?  Why does the waiver sheet in essence say the parents are admitting negligence?

And on and on and on.

There is so much more I could say, especially in light of recent “news”.  Another day, perhaps.

Tags: health, idiocy, vaccines

If you’re looking for balanced, informed information about vaccinations, Dr. Tenpenny is the best I know of. This is the first of four parts. Excellent information!

Tags: health, vaccines

From the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Pediatrics, put together by Michael F. Wagnitz, chemist.
View page

• 0.5 parts per billion (ppb) mercury = Kills human neuroblastoma cells (Parran et al., Toxicol Sci 2005; 86: 132-140).
• 2 ppb mercury = U.S. EPA limit for drinking water http://www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/index.html#mcls
• 20 ppb mercury = Neurite membrane structure destroyed (Leong et al., Neuroreport 2001; 12: 733-37).
• 200 ppb mercury = level in liquid the EPA classifies as hazardous waste. http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/mercury/regs.htm#hazwaste
• 25,000 ppb mercury = Concentration of mercury in the Hepatitis B vaccine, administered at birth in the U.S., from 1990-2001.
• 50,000 ppb Mercury = Concentration of mercury in multi-dose DTaP and Haemophilus B vaccine vials, administered 4 times each in the 1990’s to children at 2, 4, 6, 12 and 18 months of age. Current “preservative” level mercury in multi-dose flu (94% of supply), meningococcal and tetanus (7 and older) vaccines. This can be confirmed by simply analyzing the multi- dose vials.

Conflict of Interest:
Father of a child labeled as autistic

Originally published March 2008

Tags: idiocy, vaccines

Here are some (italicized) excerpts from the American Academy of Pediatrics clinical report titled “Responding to Parental Refusals of Immunization of Children”.  My comments are interspersed.  I’ll try to keep them short.

‘The AAP strongly endorses universal immunization. However, for universal childhood immunization programs to be successful, parents must comply with immunization recommendations. The problem of parental refusal of immunization for children is an important one for pediatricians. Parents may have many reasons for refusing immunization. Some parents may object to immunization on religious or philosophical grounds, some may object to what seems to be a painful assault on their child, and others may believe that the benefits of immunization do not justify the risks to their child. Many commonly held beliefs about the risks of immunization are not supported by available data, and they frequently originate from the unsupported claims of organizations that are critical of immunization. These antivaccine information sources not only propagate unproven claims regarding vaccines but also may undermine the physician-family relationship by challenging the parents’ trust of the medical profession.’

Let me first say that I cannot in good conscience call vaccinations by the misleading name of ‘immunizations’.  The AAP’s own literature reads, “Vaccines are very safe, but they are not risk free; nor are they 100% effective.” As the number of vaccinations increase in the suggested schedule, this is a huge understatement.

Despite repeated biased research and media coverage, no longer can the medical industry honestly claim that the ‘risks of immunizations are not supported by available date, and they frequently originate from the unsupported claims of organizations that are critical of [vaccinations].’ Just one example are the two class-action suits in the United States that are pending for damage caused to children because of vaccinations.
As stated above, it is “challenging the parents’ trust of the medical profession” that is usually so offensive to pediatricians’ forced to deal with an ‘uncooperative’ parent.  Gone are the days of earlier generations where parents listened to their doctors and believed them with blind faith, secure in the notion that ‘Doctor knows best’.  The rise of electronic communication (such as the internet you’re using now!) and the increased number of well-known parents (celebrities such as Jenny McCarthy) who are speaking out about the damage to their child caused by vaccinations are changing the landscape of the doctor/patient relationship.

But perhaps the biggest influence on the reason for this change is the fact that in order to claim trust, one must also claim responsibility.  Yet time and time again, when something goes wrong (autism, chronic illness, death) following a vaccination, the medical establishment, the pharmaceutical companies or the endorsing government WILL NOT assume responsibility. You can’t have it both ways.

‘Parents are free to make choices regarding medical care unless those choices place their child at substantial risk of serious harm.’

It really comes down to a definition of ‘substantial risk of serious harm’.  Whose will stand?

‘It would be up to the state agency to decide whether immunization would be required. Although this role of the state has been recognized as constitutionally valid in the United States, courts have closely examined such actions, showing reluctance to require medical treatment over the objection of parents “except where immediate action is necessary or where the potential for harm is rather serious.”’

Actually, this role of state is not constitutionally valid, regardless whether or not a judge rules against the parents.  The judges that are not following the Constitution should be held accountable, not followed as a misunderstood concept of ‘precedence’.

‘some children cannot be immunized because of underlying medical conditions. These individuals derive important benefit from herd immunity and may be harmed by contracting disease from those who remain unimmunized.’

‘A parent’s refusal to immunize his or her child also raises an important question of justice that has been described as the problem of “free riders.”  Parents who refuse immunization on behalf of their children are, in a sense, free riders who take advantage of the benefit created by the participation and assumption of immunization risk or burden by others while refusing to participate in the program themselves. The decision to refuse to immunize a child is made less risky because others have created an environment in which herd immunity will likely keep the unimmunized child safe. These individuals place family interest ahead of civic responsibility. Although such parents do reject what many would consider to be a moral duty, coercive measures to require immunization of a child over parental objections are justified only in cases in which others are placed at substantial risk of serious harm by the parental decision.’

Ah, the old argument of herd immunity.  Where do I begin?  I promised to keep my comments short!  Their definition of herd immunity is the protection assured when a large proportion of a population is vaccinated.  Yet its a topic disputed even among medical circles.

First of all, when the idea of herd immunity was first developed it was based on natural, not artificial, immunity.  Second is the fact of epidemics occurring in 100% vaccinated populations.  Third, vaccine efficacy is no more than an educated guess.  Fourth, there is no rigorous, long-term, double-blind, placebo-based controlled trials related to the notion of herd immunity.

‘Compulsory immunization laws in the United States have been upheld repeatedly as a reasonable exercise of the state’s police power in the absence of an epidemic or even a single case.  They also have been found to be constitutional even for cases in which the laws conflict with the religious beliefs of individuals.’

Once again, the unconstitutional rulings of lone judges do not magically transform a unconstitutional law into a constitutional one.

‘Vaccines are very safe, but they are not risk free; nor are they 100% effective.  This poses a dilemma for many parents and should not be minimized. The pediatrician should share honestly what is and is not known about the risks and benefits of the vaccine in question, attempt to understand the parent’s concerns about immunization, and attempt to correct any misperceptions and misinformation.’

No, it poses a dilemma for many doctors and others in the medical establishment, not parents.   And the fact remains that most pediatricians are completely uneducated about the risks and benefits of the vaccine in question.  Parents can illustrate this easily by asking the pediatrician to read the vaccine’s package insert, or the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) own documents.

If the AAP demands parental trust and honest reporting of the risks and benefits of vaccinations, then pediatricians are responsible for telling parents that vaccines are stabilized with thimerosal, commonly known as mercury (yes, they still are using mercury), and other questionable ingredients such as tissue from aborted fetuses (babies).

‘Parents also may have concerns about administering multiple vaccines to a child in a single visit. In some cases, taking steps to reduce the pain of injection, such as those suggested in the Red Book, may be sufficient. In other cases, a parent may be willing to permit a schedule of immunization that does not require multiple injections at a single visit.’

Yes, but is the pediatrician willing to permit a schedule of vaccination that does not require multiple injections at a single visit?  This is rare, if not impossible.  Most will tell you they cannot obtain separate vaccinations (as in the case of the MMR), regardless of the truth.

‘Physicians should also explore the possibility that cost is a reason for refusing immunization. For a parent whose child does not have adequate preventive care insurance coverage, even the administrative costs and copayments associated with immunization can pose substantial barriers. In such cases, the physician should work with the family to help them obtain appropriate immunizations for the child.’

I have never heard of cost being a reason for refusing vaccinations.  Most state health departments provide vaccinations for free.  This is just another push towards the false assumption many hold that those who reject medical care do so because they lack enough funds or do not have health insurance, and not because they are conscientious, responsible, and aware parents, fully capable of making informed decisions.

‘For all cases in which parents refuse vaccine administration, pediatricians should take advantage of their ongoing relationship with the family and revisit the immunization discussion on each subsequent visit. As respect, communication, and information build over time in a professional relationship, parents may be willing to reconsider previous vaccine refusals.’

You’ve just heard if from the horse’s mouth, folks.  They will never give up.  Every time you visit the doctor’s office they are encouraged to revisit the topic of vaccinations.  Because the assumption is ultimately that you, the parent, are wrong.  The ‘respect, communication, and information build[ing] over time’ is referring to the pediatricians’ status and beliefs, not yours.

It comes as a surprise to many in the medical establishment to find that there are many parents who believe that they alone are responsible for the consequences of every decision pertaining to their child(ren), even if they are misled or misinformed.  Who accept that it is their fault if something were to happen as a result of their choice(s).  They are the opposite of blind-faith government-handout brats, fully willing and capable to wade through all the available information to make the best decisions they can, regardless of cultural norms and societal pressures.

Originally published on klaty.com 2008

Tags: idiocy, vaccines

For the pediatrician who is insisting you vaccinate your child, here is a form for them to sign.   I am printing one to carry in my purse, in the event of any emergency room visits.

(The last time we were there, we were pulled into a long, draw-out vaccination discussion in which additional doctors were called upon to help us see the error of our ways.  They also tried to charge us extra for the ’services’ of said additional doctors.  Erk.)

You can download a printable version from this site.

Physician’s Warranty of Vaccine Safety

I (Physician’s name, degree)_________________________, _____ am a physician licensed to practice medicine in the State of ________________ . My State license number is _______________ , and my DEA number is _______________. My medical specialty is ________________________
I have a thorough understanding of the risks and benefits of all the medications that I prescribe for or administer to my patients.  In the case of (Patient’s name) ___________________________ ,
age _________ , whom I have examined, I find that certain risk factors exist that justify the recommended vaccinations. The following is a list of said risk factors and the vaccinations that will protect against them:
Risk Factor                                                               Vaccination

______________________________________________ ________________________
______________________________________________ ________________________
______________________________________________ ________________________
______________________________________________ ________________________
______________________________________________ ________________________
______________________________________________ ________________________
______________________________________________ ________________________
______________________________________________ ________________________

I am aware that vaccines typically contain many of the following fillers:

•         aluminum hydroxide
•         aluminum phosphate
•         ammonium sulfate
•         amphotericin B
•         animal tissues: pig blood, horse blood, rabbit brain,
•         dog kidney, monkey kidney,
•         chick embryo, chicken egg, duck egg
•         calf (bovine) serum
•         betapropiolactone
•         fetal bovine serum
•         formaldehyde
•         formalin
•         gelatin
•         glycerol
•         human diploid cells (originating from human aborted fetal tissue)
•         hydrolized gelatin
•         mercury thimerosol (thimerosal, Merthiolate®)
•         monosodium glutamate (MSG)
•         neomycin
•         neomycin sulfate
•         phenol red indicator
•         phenoxyethanol (antifreeze)
•         potassium diphosphate
•         potassium monophosphate
•         polymyxin B
•         polysorbate 20
•         polysorbate 80
•         porcine (pig) pancreatic hydrolysate of casein
•         residual MRC5 proteins
•         sorbitol
•         tri(n)butylphosphate,
•         VERO cells, a continuous line of monkey kidney cells, and
•         washed sheep red blood

and, hereby, warrant that these ingredients are safe for injection into the body of my patient.  I have researched reports to the contrary, such as reports that mercury thimerosal causes severe neurological and immunological damage, and find that they are not credible.

I am aware that some vaccines have been found to have been contaminated with Simian Virus 40 (SV 40) and that SV 40 is causally linked by some researchers to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and mesotheliomas in humans as well as in experimental animals. I hereby warrant that the vaccines I employ in my practice do not contain SV 40 or any other live viruses. (Alternately, I hereby warrant that said SV-40 virus or other viruses pose no substantive risk to my patient.)

I hereby warrant that the vaccines I am recommending for the care of (Patient’s name) _______________ _______________________ do not contain any tissue from aborted human babies (also known as “fetuses”).

In order to protect my patient’s well being, I have taken the following steps to guarantee that the vaccines I will use will contain no damaging contaminants.

STEPS TAKEN: ____________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

I have personally investigated the reports made to the VAERS (Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System) and state that it is my professional opinion that the vaccines I am recommending are safe for administration to a child under the age of 5 years.

The bases for my opinion are itemized on Exhibit A , attached hereto, – “Physician’s Bases for Professional Opinion of Vaccine Safety.” (Please itemize each recommended vaccine separately along with the bases for arriving at the conclusion that the vaccine is safe for administration to a child under the age of 5 years.)

The professional journal articles I have relied upon in the issuance of this Physician’s Warranty of Vaccine Safety are itemized on Exhibit B , attached hereto, – “Scientific Articles in Support of Physician’s Warranty of Vaccine Safety.”

The professional journal articles that I have read which contain opinions adverse to my opinion are itemized on Exhibit C , attached hereto, – “Scientific Articles Contrary to Physician’s Opinion of Vaccine Safety.”

The reasons for my determining that the articles in Exhibit C were invalid are delineated in Attachment D , attached hereto, – “Physician’s Reasons for Determining the Invalidity of Adverse Scientific Opinions.”

Hepatitis B

I understand that 60% of patients who are vaccinated for Hepatitis B will lose detectable antibodies to Hepatitis B within 12 years.

I understand that in 1996 only 54 cases of Hepatitis B were reported to the CDC in the 0-1 year age group.

I understand that in the VAERS, there were 1,080 total reports of adverse reactions from Hepatitis B vaccine in 1996 in the 0-1 year age group, with 47 deaths reported.

I understand that 50% of patients who contract Hepatitis B develop no symptoms after exposure.

I understand that 30% will develop only flu-like symptoms and will have lifetime immunity.

I understand that 20% will develop the symptoms of the disease, but that 95% will fully recover and have lifetime immunity.

I understand that 5% of the patients who are exposed to Hepatitis B will become chronic carriers of the disease.

I understand that 75% of the chronic carriers will live with an asymptomatic infection and that only 25% of the chronic carriers will develop chronic liver disease or liver cancer, 10-30 years after the acute infection.

The following scientific studies have been performed to demonstrate the safety of the Hepatitis B vaccine in children under the age of 5 years.
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________

In addition to the recommended vaccinations as protections against the above cited risk factors, I have recommended other non-vaccine measures to protect the health of my patient and have enumerated said non-vaccine measures on Exhibit D , attached hereto, “Non-vaccine Measures to Protect Against Risk Factors.”

I am issuing this Physician’s Warranty of Vaccine Safety in my professional capacity as the attending physician to (Patient’s name) ________________________________. Regardless of the legal entity under which I normally practice medicine, I am issuing this statement in both my business and individual capacities and hereby waive any statutory, Common Law, Constitutional, UCC, international treaty, and any other legal immunities from liability lawsuits in the instant case.

I issue this document of my own free will after consultation with competent legal counsel whose name is _____________________________, an attorney admitted to the Bar in the State of __________________ .

__________________________________ (Name of Attending Physician)

__________________________________ L.S. (Signature of Attending Physician)
Signed on this _______ day of ______________ A.D. ________

Witness: ___________________________________ Date: ________________________

Notary Public: ______________________________  Date: ________________________

Tags: vaccines

“At DD’s gym class today a toddler (I’d say 18 mos or so) had a seizure. He had been acting strange all morning, the mom said, and she decided to leave early. She was putting his shoes on when he had the seizure. They called the ambulance and she told us he got 4 vaccines yesterday!!!!! He was almost completely non responsive after the seizure. I am so sad about it. Once they’d gone the moms just talked about vaccines the rest of the time.
When I told a mom what had happened and about the vaccines yesterday she said “Let’s hope they’re not related!” Of course we’d all like to hope that, but the probability is that they are!

This is no judgment on anyone who vaccinates, doesn’t vaccinate, etc. I just hate feeling like you are da**ed if you do and da**ed if you don’t when it comes to vaccinations. We should have access to safe, clean vaccines for children and be allowed to make the choice whether to get them or not.

After much mental deliberation, I got DDs first vaccine when she was 3 months. I cried when they did it, she didn’t cry. At 4 months, with much encouragement from the doctor, I said they could go ahead and do the 3 that were due at that time. When we were at home later that day, she was acting extremely strange, and crying uncontrollably like shrieking. I touched her leg to see if it was hurting where she got the shots, but that didn’t seem to provoke any more of a response. Then she was crying so hard she was not breathing and blue in the face. I called 911 and went to the emergency room with her. She was fine about an hour later, and seems fine now at 2.5 yrs old but I haven’t given her another vaccine since then.

I can’t say what the reality is of what happened, who will ever know. But things like what happened today shake me up so much, and I just hope that he is okay and that we’re moving towards a world that’s safer for our kids in the end.”

—————————–

“I know how you feel. The same thing happened to my son. He had seizures
after his vaccination. They told me it was a coincidence and then the second
round they did, it happened again. Both times I was in the ER and both time
his regular pedi refused to see me saying it was normal.

I left that doctors office and for now I am not doing anything as per my
current physicians request as they say that he obviously had a reaction.

The doctors who gave him the vaccines and also saw him with the seizures
refused to file an adverse reaction report and I had to have the ER and
another doctor do it.

Some children react badly, some do not. It is so hard for the children and
families of those who do.”

—————————

“Is there a reason that they feel the need to do so many at a time?  My oldest are almost up to date, but in the almost 4 years between #2 and #3 I learned a lot.  I felt bullied into #3’s first 4 shots at 2 months.  I went home crying at the way I was treated at the office and we haven’t had any more.  I just don’t understand what the thought is in sticking a tiny person with all of that stuff at 1 time!  Is all about copays and insurance?
Just curious.  Please let us know if you hear how he is doing.”

—————————–

Tags: vaccines

Siblings… how many do you have?

I have two sisters.  One is four years older than me and lives here in Michigan about an hour away. The other one is two years younger and lives in Wisconsin.  Both are married, with families.

Robb has one younger sister. Her and her husband live nearby.

How long have you been into ‘natural’ living and was there something specific that spurred that change?  Were your parents into natural living?

Neither one of us were raised within a natural health or diet lifestyle.  We started to change our eating habits and lifestyle about six years ago.  There were several things that spurred that change, and they all happened at around the same time.

1. I had always given my children vaccinations, so my oldest had all of their shots plus boosters.  Then my third child had a mild, but scary, reaction to her first set.  I had been late in taking her so they did a couple extra to ‘catch up’.  She developed a traveling rash, fever, a strange high-pitched cry and just seemed ‘different’.  Strange acting.  My pediatrician assured me everything was fine and that it was in no way connected to the vaccinations.  I started Googling her symptoms and long story short - We never gave another one of our children a vaccination.  Through researching that, I came across a lot of things that piqued my interest and spurred further reading about natural health.
2. We moved into a home on 5 acres.  That meant plenty of room for gardens and animals, so we began to look into growing and raising our own food.
3. We had the opportunity to obtain raw milk.  We were surprised to learn that many believed it to be dangerous and unhealthy, so we began to research it.  Not only did we continue drinking it, but we began to try to find ways to support farmers who provided it.  (We eventually got two of our own dairy goats that we hand-milked daily.)

My family members in particular have changed into a more natural lifestyle.  My mother, who I thank for introducing me to the medicinal use of essential oils, even owns a natural health and wellness center, Migun BodySense.  My younger sister and I share a love of cloth diapering, babywearing, and food habits from the Weston A Price Foundation.

You mentioned last week that you don’t give Tylenol to your children. I found the alternatives you gave interesting and will definitely be looking into them. I assume you don’t give them Motrin, etc too? My question is, why? Is it harmful in some way?

There is always some risk involved in giving your child any medication or pain/fever reliever.  That is stated clearly on the package.  Most problems are caused by overdosing, but some children are just more sensitive and prone to problems like liver damage.

Fevers should not be viewed with fear.  The fact is, fevers are not necessarily a bad thing.  They are the body’s natural way to fight infection or sickness.  Most fevers are harmless, although uncomfortable.

Fever relievers may help a child sleep or help ease the aches that come with some sicknesses, but does absolutely nothing to combat the sickness they are dealing with, and in fact gives a false sense of wellness during the few hours the fever is ‘hidden’.  You just may be taking away the only thing that is keeping your child from becoming worse!  A parent should seek to know why the child is feverish, not simply attempt to cover up the fever.

In my personal experience, I stopped using both Tylenol, Motrin, or any store brand fever/pain reliever quite a few years ago.  When my first child was around 18 months old, he had a mild fever for a week.  Nothing else seemed to be wrong, and I assumed it was teething.  When it continued and seemed to get worse, I called the pediatrician.  (That was back when I actually had a pediatrician and trusted them 100%)  He advised Tylenol and Motrin to be dosed interchangeably so that medication would always be in my son’s system and the fever wouldn’t be allowed to return.

I did that for a few days and then called again to make an appointment as whenever I stopped the medication, my son’s fever would immediately return.  The doctor briefly examined him and told me continue what I was doing.  I questioned that, since I had already been giving him Tylenol for over 2 weeks by then.  He assured me there was no harm.  I did so with much doubt.

Another week went by and my son’s strange fever continued.  I made another appointment.  This time when I was told nothing was wrong with him, I asked the doctor, in tears, to do a urine test to rule anything out.  I just knew something was really wrong!  I was told that was silly, and basically patted on the head and sent out the door.

Within that week, every hour or so my son would suddenly scream for several minutes and then be fine.  It was terrifying.  We took him into ER that day.  While being examined he was playing and laughing, and the nurse was basically telling us that there was nothing wrong.  And then he did the screaming thing in front of her, and she understood what our concern was all about.

I don’t remember all the particulars then, but they ordered a catheter to get urine.  I was told to leave the room.  After being ignored and disrespected so many times I finally had enough gumption to refuse.  I replied that no one was touching my son unless I was present.  So I stayed and watched two nurses try for several minutes to insert a tube into my little son’s penis.  It was heartbreaking.  They simply could not do it, and realized there was a blockage of some sort.

Ended up he had a Urinary Tract Infection that had progressed to the point that it was blocked.  It still makes me so angry knowing that if the doctor had done a simple urine test weeks before, when I requested one, it would have been immediately diagnosed and treated.  Instead, the doctor had treated me like and idiot and told me to dose him with pain/fever reliever which only covered up the fact that something was seriously wrong.

My son was fine after antibiotic treatment.  I shudder to think about the liver and other organ damage that could have cost him his very life.

So, yeah.  I’m just a little testy when it comes to certain topics.

My favorite ones are the kinds with red dye in them.  Because we all know how great dye is for children.  Especially a sick one.

If you do choose to use pain/fever relievers please be informed about the risks.  Never give more than the correct dose and never give longer than recommended.  Even if your doctor says its okay.  Because he could be an idiot.

This was getting quite long…  If I didn’t answer your question today, it’ll be on next week’s post.

Email me with your questions, or leave it in the comments!

Tags: health, medicine, questions, raw milk, vaccines

“I hope that these personal stories will help all of us understand that we seldom if ever get the whole story from experts.  If I could get every American who reads a government report to think first, “Now I wonder what these guys manipulated on this report, or what they neglected to put in it?” before agreeing with or to anything that comes down from on high, this will be a victorious day for righteousness indeed.  One more time: I am not a conspiracy advocate.  But I do believe that most experts come from the same school of thought, the same worldview, and therefore approach every problem from the same perspective.  That gives consistent answers, and answers that for the most part are wrong.”

~ Joel Salatin, speaking about his frustration with the farming and food industries, as he attended conferences and spoke with government officials, environmentalists, agronomists, government grant researchers and scientists, and agriculture economists. From his book “Everything I Want to Do Is Illegal; War Stories from the Local Food Front”.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is a perfect example of the idea in the above paragraph. In an effort to prevent SIDS, the experts recommend that a baby only sleep alone in their crib, and only on their back.  The parent never hears the vast benefits of bonding, ease of night nursing, and the physical comfort for your infant that only comes with sleeping with your baby.  The parent also never hears about the toxins that are contained in most crib mattresses, or the carcinogen chemicals they are soaked in for the “safety” of being flame retardant.  The risk of smoking near baby is rarely mentioned, and the probable role of vaccinations in SIDS numbers is never mentioned.

In our area, the Ruth Mott Foundation pays for large billboards that picture a smiling baby in a crib, with the words “All alone in a crib of their own” scrawled over the top.  Good people with good intentions, spending lots of money spreading skewed opinion.

Just sticking with the health paradigm, there is a whole list of things that require out-of-the-box thinking.  I used to believe most of them!

Vaccines are good and necessary
prescription prenatal vitamins are good
hospitals are safe and clean
“Back to sleep” to prevent SIDS
All disposable diapers are safe
Formula is safe, and even equal to breast milk
My babies need well-baby checkups provided by a pediatrician
My babies need lots of trendy, uncomfortable outfits
Ultrasounds, even multiple ones, pose no risk
Health insurance is necessary
A child with a fever needs Tylenol
A child with a cold or ear infection needs antibiotics
My children need fluoride
My toddlers need sturdy walking shoes for proper development
Aspartame and Splenda are healthy alternatives to sugar
Packaged foods are wonderful time savers
Irradiated food is great because it lasts longer and is prettier
Chicken is just chicken

Any of the above statements have huge corporations behind them, who create endless numbers of foundations and institutions, and it all sounds really legitimate and important.  In reality, they are made up of average people like you and me, except that they all approach an issue the same way and therefore only come to a certain set of conclusions.  Meanwhile, there is a whole host of causes and resolutions they never even consider.

Now, these foundations and institutions use their basic set of conclusions to fund research to prove their set of conclusions.  Then, they churn out scientific studies to back up the set of conclusions they began with.  These studies are regurgitated as press releases by journalists, unwittingly bearing as ultimate truth the corporation’s set of conclusions they want you to believe.  And then, we in the general public believe a certain set of conclusions without question, form our own smaller organizations, and lobby for standards, rules and even governmental intervention to safeguard these set of conclusions.  And the corporations sit back and rake in the profits while we demand more because we have a “right” to them.

Last month I spent some time reading up on Newborn Screenings.  (See my previous post)  This was spurred by news of the family in Nebraska who had their five-week-old infant taken by police at gunpoint, because the parents did not take him; a healthy, home-birthed infant; in for blood tests.  I read about how more and more states are mandating these Newborn Screenings, adding even more screenings, and signing into law forced treatment if any screenings appear to be positive.  Imagine my surprise and utter disgust when I traced the hubbub back to… PARENTS!  Yes, parents.

You see, most of the organizations screaming for more legislation regarding Newborn Screenings were started because parents had an infant born with a life threatening disease or condition.  They were convinced by the experts; doctors, health officials, and lawyers; that Newborn Screenings could have somehow helped.  Never mind the fact that most, if not all, of these infants had already undergone Newborn Screenings at the time of their birth.  I can only attempt to understand the deep grief these parents must have felt as they tried to sort out “why?” What angers me is the way the so-called experts used the parents’ pain as an opportunity to push their agenda.

These grieving parents are used as puppets to facilitate an already out of control establishment in the field of medicine.  They’ve turned their sorrow into a battle cry for the highest available number of Newborn Screenings (37 as of today, I believe) to be performed in all States, for screenings to be mandatory in all States with absolutely no parental exemptions allowed, and forced re-testing and treatment performed regardless of the parent’s wishes.  It’s no secret that a minor who is checked into a hospital is no longer under parental care, but the property of the medical doctors.  In essence, these parents, who lost their children so terribly, are fighting, albeit unwittingly, to take ours away as well.

The real irony in this is the fact that there are hundreds more organizations started by parents who had a child die or become physically impaired due to vaccines.  Their battle cry is different though, in the simple truth that they are not pushing any forced medical test or treatment, but simply demanding honest education of the risks to be available to all parents, and the right to choose if, or to what extent, they want to vaccinate or not.  They are largely ignored.  Why?  There is no profit behind their message.  There is nothing for the health establishment, pharmaceutical companies or governmental officials to gain if vaccines were removed as a “normal” childhood experience.  Imagine if vaccines had nothing to do with government school attendance, day care admissions, government welfare benefits, routine births, or well-baby checkups.  It would be quite a different world, indeed.

It really hit home how skewed the entire medical institution is a couple weeks ago.  Robb and I were enjoying a quiet date-night dinner at a nice restaurant. Seated at the table next to us was a small group of people.  Within minutes of sitting down, Robb nodded his head towards them and told me they were drug pushers.  And he was absolutely right.  We listened to them discuss what local drug store (Rite Aid or Walgreen’s?) they would hit next.  What really irked was the fact that one of the gentlemen was a doctor. They not only paid for his expensive meal and drinks, but then showered him with prepaid money cards.  You can be certain they also restocked his office’s free samples supply with whatever drugs their particular company manufactured.  And this is okay in America?  Do we not even notice or care anymore when we go to our doctor and everything in their office, from calendars to ink pens, are drug advertisements?

My point is this.  Most people readily admit we are a nation of poor health.  But depending on one’s school of thought, we’ll approach the problem differently.  Medical doctors generally come from the same school of thought.  Drug manufacturers and those working at pharmaceutical companies come from the same school of thought.  Government health and food officials come from the same school of thought.  So, they will “approach every problem from the same perspective.  That gives consistent answers, and answers that for the most part are wrong.”

They will give us irradiated food, genetically modified food, chemically treated food, synthetic vitamins, more drugs, more laboratory tests, more medical treatments and interventions, and more invasive surgeries.  Someone has to pay for it all so they’ll talk about free health care and higher taxes.  Someone has to enforce and regulate, so they’ll give us more governmental programs and legislation.

Whew.  This is only on the health and wellness subject.  I have been made more and more aware that so much of what I do is a direct result of my presuppositions and established point of view.  Taking a step back is difficult, but possible.  Jumping off the merry-go-round we find ourselves on is even tougher, but again, entirely possible.   Think about the countless spheres of your life and how you allow your worldview to color your approach and therefore your conclusions.

Marriage is one of things that can be a completely different scenario, simply as a result of one’s perspective.  Married couples can be unfulfilled. They may feel frustrated at the other spouse because of each one’s misperceptions of roles and expectations.  There can be a deep sense of aloneness even when in the same room together.  There can be resentment due to the automatic responses to these feelings.  But when common worldviews regarding marriage are put to rest and instead biblical truth is upheld, hearts are changed, beliefs are challenged then altered, and proper roles and functions are embraced.  Sweetness and thankful acceptance can be known.  We truly can be a small (imperfect) picture of Christ and the church, and know of a love that transcends anything we imagined.

Religious beliefs are another sphere that immediately comes to mind.  Those who have known us a number of years have seen us change.  Most would say we’ve grown, but there are certainly those who think we’ve gone off the deep end!  Regardless, it is amazing what God can bring to light so suddenly, when for years you’ve viewed something in an entirely different way.  Just a few things (in a host of many!) are salvation, a triune God, and Scripture interpretation.  What I mean by “Scripture interpretation” is what we believe a verse or set of verses means, and why.   One example is the first time I read John 1 with the realization that “the Word was God” and “the Word became flesh” meant Jesus as the Word (the Son and second part of the Godhead) was God and came into the world as a man.  I know, I know.  You’re thinking, what else would it mean?!

I was raised to believe, and distinctly remember it being taught, that those verses were referring to the ministers of that fellowship and that it (the ministry) was  “the same as from the beginning” referring to 1 John as well.  They were the Word, the “mouthpieces of God” and “Shepherds of the One, True flock”.

No, we’d say.  You’re confusing those verses.  They are talking about Jesus.  Jesus is the Way.

Yes, they reply.  He is the way, and we walk in that way.

No, He is the Way.  Not a fellowship or group of people.

Yes, that’s right.  He is the way and he showed the way we are to walk in.

No, He didn’t show us a “way”, He IS the Way!

Yes, I said he is the way. That is right.  And he showed us a pattern to follow, the truth.  We must walk in the Truth.

No, you must walk IN Truth, not “in the Truth!”

Yes, he is the way and showed us the way…

…ad infinitum.  There is such great frustration with the circular reasoning, that at times it is difficult for me to say it is not intended deception, but instead to simply borrow Salatin’s wording and say “But I do believe that most [in that fellowship] come from the same school of thought, the same worldview, and therefore approach every [notion] from the same perspective.  That gives consistent answers, and answers that for the most part are wrong.”

I don’t pretend for one second to think I alone approach everything completely unbiased and unprejudiced.  And that is exactly the point.  I have been wrong so many times in the past that I admit freely my natural tendency to blindly “see” things a certain way. It is only through much study, prayer and conversation that I can come to any sort of confidence in a conclusion.  And, even then, I know the importance of remaining open to further knowledge or direction that would cause more growth and change.

So, the thought on my mind is not “why are they questioning me?’ but “why do I believe what I believe?”

Post originally published December 2007

Tags: health, idiocy, marriage, medicine, presuppositions, religion, vaccines, worldview

First published in June of 2008.

The great and grand CDC (Center for Disease Control) recommends yet another vaccine.  This time it is for the elderly.  Zostavax is Merck’s shingles vaccine.

You know what’s funny?  From what I’ve read, most people are simply upset by the high cost of the vaccine.

I think they’re missing a bigger issue.

For years (since around 2002) parents who are not convinced of the efficacy and need for vaccines questioned the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine for their children.  One big concern was that vaccinating children against chickenpox would increase the number of adults developing shingles.

See, if children are allowed to experience chickenpox, adults are therefore exposed to the virus, which acts as a natural booster against developing shingles.

But if most children are vaccinated against chickenpox, adults who had chickenpox are no longer protected against shingles.

So now we have a vaccine that is in essence trying to treat the problem caused by vaccines.

Doh!

Most moms who avoid vaccines have what we call Chickenpox Parties.  We want our children to be exposed naturally to the virus, so when a child comes down with chickenpox, we call other moms who call other moms who call more moms.  Then we get together so our children can play together and hopefully get sick.

Because then they are healthier.

And so is the community, as a whole.

Other concerns about the shingles vaccine:
It contains a “live” virus that can easily overwhelm
It has only been tested on whites.  Yes, folks, once again they’ve neglected to study the vaccine’s effects on blacks, Hispanics and Asians…. But that’s nothing new.
High cost of the vaccine, as stated earlier.
Further spreading of scary stories about chickenpox deaths. Which are usually complications developing from the aggressive medical treatment.

Tags: health, vaccines