Larissa and Kyle started HBO treatments on January 21, 2000 at Michigan Neurologic and Wound Services under the medical direction of Dr. Joe Zajchowski and chamber operator Gary Zack. They run 7 days a week, 2 dives/day. Larissa received a total of 40 treatments from January 21-February 11, 2000. Kyle received 35 from January 21-February 12. Kyle had an ear infection and had to sit out 3 days so we didn't get a chance to finish. Kyle is 6 and has mild right hemiplegia, a simple/complex partial seizure disorder and an auditory processing deficit. Larissa is 2 and has mild left hemiplegia. Neither child has tubes in their ears. It was a lot of work getting them to pop their ears during compression and decompression and having to remember to get ours to pop at the same time. The hardest part is being away from home and your families for so long.
We will call the HBO sessions "dives" throughout most of this page. To avoid confusion I will explain what is meant by a "dive". There is no water involved. The pressurization of the chamber is measured in the same units that are used for diving. It takes 10-15 minutes to pressurize the chamber to depth which was 1.6-1.75 ATA. You then put the hoods on the children and they have O2 for 60 minutes. After 60 minutes at pressure with O2, they turn off the O2 and you take the hoods off. It then takes 10-15 minutes to decompress. We were in a two person multiplace chamber and were allowed to go in with the children. They also provided videos to keep the children entertained during the sessions.
Below you will find our HBO diary and the observations we made during treatments. We will add our therapists' and doctors' observations as we receive them. I have also added a page on the decision process I went through before doing HBO with my son. To read about this go to The Decision to Try HBO
January 21, 2000
Sherri, Larissa, Kyle and I started HBO today. The kids hated it. Kyle didn’t want to go back in the second time but we had a talk and he jumped in the chamber and was fine until we started pressurizing. Then he started crying and saying he wanted to get out. We only went to 14 feet the first dive, around 1.3-1.4 ATA, because the kids were having so much trouble. They started having trouble at 5 feet. We dove at 9 and 3:30. The second dive we dove to 19 feet and the kids were a little better and didn’t really start having a hard time until 11 feet. Kyle isn’t thrilled to be going again but I think he will get used to it. I hope anyway. Being in the chamber wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. To read about our second set of 40 treatments go to An HBO Experience Continues
January 22, 2000
The first dive went a lot better then yesterday and I was thinking we might be ok after that. The second dive was terrible. Kyle and Larissa both were having a terrible time. I had a harder time clearing my ears and Sherri had pain down her neck on both sides. We stopped at 9 feet to get everyone caught up and then kept going slowly. At 20 we put on the hoods and Gary took us to 24 feet very slowly. We will see how tomorrow goes. I am hoping we don’t have any problems and that the kids' ears are all right.
January 23, 2000
Our first dive started at 8:00. We asked Gary to go down slower since the kids had such a hard time with the last dive yesterday. We went down in 15 minutes instead of 10 and it really seemed to help the kids. Kyle didn’t cry at all though he did ask once to get out. Larissa only cried a little and they both settled right down and watched the movie and colored. We again put the hoods on at 20 feet. Both Sherri and I noticed that Kyle and Larissa’s affected hands were looser. Larissa seems to be using hers more and playing with it. Kyle and Larissa’s ears were both red this morning. The second dive started about 3:45. At 3 feet we had to stop because we were having a terrible time. My ears would not pop at all. Took about 10 minutes to get us all fixed so we could go again. I was the one having the most trouble. We brought balloons in this time to see if blowing them during pressurization would help the kids. I think they helped them but clogged me up. I couldn’t yawn either which wasn’t helping. I finally got cleared and we put the hoods on at 20 feet and then went down to 25 feet. This morning was the first dive we had made all the way to 25 feet. Coming up my ears were just pop, crackle, pop. It was terrible and they are still bothering me a little. I think Kyle actually got his really clear for the first time so maybe the balloon helped. The kid’s ears were both redder than they had been before the morning dive and we are supposed to start giving them Sudafed and Children’s Nasalcrom every 4 hours throughout the day.
January 24, 2000
We were supposed to dive at 11:00 and 4:30 today but only got to do one dive at about 3. Kyle’s ears looked better today but Larissa’s were the same. We have them both and myself on decongestants, Kyle on Nasalcrom, around the clock. Hopefully we will get used to it and get so we can dive a little faster. Larissa entertained us with Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Zachius, and Jesus loves me. She likes blowing the balloon on the way up. The way down was easier again today. We stopped at 6 feet for a little bit because Kyle couldn’t get his ears to pop but then was fine.
January 25, 2000
Well 9 down only 31 to go!!!! This morning went fairly well. Kyle’s ears are doing much better. One is almost totally clear and the other is slightly red. Larissa had one ear better a little and the other the same. This afternoon Kyle was having trouble getting his ears to pop and so was I. We stopped at 6 feet for a minute. He is also getting to where he is bored in the chamber. Larissa took a nap and then was hard to wake up when we were coming up. We are still putting hoods on at 20 feet and going on down to 25. Kids hands still look looser and I think Kyle is walking better on his foot. We have not really had a chance to put his AFO on and he seems to be walking not so much on the inside of his foot—curling over on the side. Larissa is really starting to talk more clearly. Much easier to understand.
January 26, 2000
We had dives 10 and 11 today. The kid’s ears were about the same. Mine were fine and Sherri had one that was red—her left. Kyle colored a little both dives. We dove at 8 and 4:30 again. Larissa’s speech is still improving. Much clearer and words are fuller—saying mom or mommy instead of ma. Both the kid’s hands are still looser and Larissa is really using hers more. During the second dive Sherri really had trouble with her left ear and after the dive Leslie checked it and it had fluid so she might not get to dive in the morning. She didn’t take another Sudafed before this dive but took one when we got home so hopefully in the morning will be better. Sherri and I were both cold during this morning’s dive but the afternoon one was really warm. The second dive we had to stop at 9 feet for Sherri to try to get her ear clear. We seem to be tolerating it better just hope we keep it up. We don’t want to have to miss dives. Hopefully everyone’s ears are fine in the morning. My right one is feeling tight tonight and Kyle says his are clogged.
January 27, 2000
We had treatments 12 and 13 today. Sherri was really worried about her ear but she did fine. There was still a little fluid in it. Larissa and Kyle did pretty good. Both of their ears are still red. Kyle said his eye hurt and I had him blow his nose, which helped. The second treatment he said his tooth really hurt. I am hoping that a day off of treatment and pushing all the herbs, vitamins, etc will help him get past this cold that is trying to start. I am trying to keep him uncongested but thinking he must have gotten a little bit that way last night. Larissa seems to be very comfortable in the chamber now. She is getting up toward the end of treatments and looking out of the windows. My ears seem to be doing ok though they don’t feel quite normal. The chamber is really cold in the morning and really warm in the afternoon.
January 28, 2000
No treatments today. Kyle slept in until 10. He needed the rest and hopefully that will help him get over this cold.
January 29, 2000
What a difference a day off makes. My ears felt back to almost normal and Kyle’s weren’t red anymore. The dives today were much easier then they have been. Larissa’s ears looked about the same and Sherri’s looked a little better though she woke up feeling like she had fluid in the one. It is really cold in the chamber in the morning and hot in the afternoons. Kyle really complained today about being hot and uncomfortable. He was sweating. We went all the way down in 12 minutes today and did not really bother any of us. Kyle is getting to where I can’t get him to work on popping his ears. I think he is doing it fine but worries me that he won’t get them all popped out. Don’t want them to get red again. Hopefully it stays as easy as it was today for all of us. Sherri is really seeing Larissa use her hand more each day. Kyle’s still looks much more relaxed but haven’t really seen much more of a change. I am hoping between now and 30 we see a big improvement. Kyle’s appetite has really picked up. He is eating a bowl and a half of cereal for breakfast each morning. For lunch today he ate two pb&j sandwiches, grapes, 3 carrot sticks, and a big cookie that Scott shared with him.
January 30, 2000
Dives went pretty good today. Kids didn’t seem to have problems. Kyle was running a temperature of between 99 and 100. The only problem he had with the dives was his nose running during the second one and how warm it is during the second dive. I am hoping he is all better tomorrow. Sherri’s ear is still bothering her and Larissa’s are still red. Kyle’s are slightly red and mine were slightly red today. We are now done with 17. 13 days until we are home. Kyle is still eating really well. I won’t be surprised if we go to the ortho when we get back and he weighs over 40 pounds.
January 31, 2000
First dive went ok. We had to stop at 12 feet because Kyle was complaining of pain under his right eye. We didn’t have any trouble after I got him to blow his nose. . Kyle was fine the rest of the morning and ate lunch about 12:30. Scott gave him another cookie. About 1:30 while we were doing his homework Kyle started complaining that his stomach hurt and that he felt like he needed to burp and couldn’t. I went and got his some Sprite and then he said his throat hurt, then his left eye and then his left ear. I put a warm washcloth on it and he finally went to sleep for a little while. When he woke up it was still really hurting and he was crying. Went to the center and Frank looked at his ear and it was red. Sherri and Larissa dove with Lucy and Rachael. We don’t want Sherri to miss in case Larissa gets sick and has to miss at some point. I took Kyle to the ER and they gave him an antibiotic and some Tylenol with codeine. His temp was 89.9. Tonight is was 102.6 after being on fever reducing meds every two hours. We will have to miss our dives tomorrow and maybe the next day. We have to wait until the pain subsides and the redness dissipates. Sherri will be diving with Lucy again tomorrow.
February 3, 2000
We went in and Kyle's ear looked much better and he was acting better so we went ahead with the treatment and he did great. He was complaining about his ears bothering him a little this evening though. I hope they look ok in the morning. The kids watched Pocahontas, Kyle colored, and Larissa read books and sang. We are scheduled to do Cranial Sacral on Wednesday after our first treatment. Kyle, Larissa and I are all going to try it. Larissa seemed happy to have us back in the chamber and didn’t cry as much as she had been while we weren’t diving with her. She is really talking up a storm. She said "stop" tonight and said "I wanna use it" this morning. She also said "napkin" tonight.
February 4, 2000
We made it through 2 more treatments so we are now at 21 and Sherri and Larissa are at 27. Larissa is really using her hand a lot more. Drinking from her cup, she holds it with both hands. Kyle played with his barrel full of monkeys both times. We strung them all –using his right hand and then he put them all back in the barrel with his right hand. It seems easier for him to release objects then it was before. Kyle had slight fluid in his left ear and his right ear was red—T1. He was fine. Kyle also did the letter wrap-ups today so he got a lot of fine motor work in while in the chamber.
February 5, 2000
Completed dives 22 and 23 today. Sherri and Larissa did 28 and 29. Larissa is doing a ton better now that Kyle is back diving with her. She really missed us. She is using her hand a lot more and Kyle is able to release things out of his affected hand more easily and also able to supinate his wrist/forearm more easily. We are leaving next Saturday after one dive in the morning. Kyle is still doing good with the dives. He has fluid in both ears and the left was draining a little but he hasn’t complained of pain at all since we started back on Thurs. The kids are both liking doing the monkeys and the wrap-ups in the chamber.
February 6, 2000
Treatments 24 and 25 today. Kyle’s ears were totally clear in the afternoon. The gum is doing the trick. He has not complained of any pain in his ears, or sinuses since starting back on Thurs. Him and Larissa love to play with the Barrel Full of Monkeys while they are in the chamber. Larissa is still saying more and more things. In a month it will be interesting to see her and see how much she has gained in the time away. Larissa said yes, wish, and slow today. Kyle has been very restless in the chamber the last couple of dives. Only get one treatment tomorrow. Kyle’s appetite is finally back after decreasing while he was sick.
February 7, 2000
Went for our one treatment today. Both of the kid’s ears were clear. Larissa won’t stop saying “stop”. It is her new favorite word. Sherri also said today that Larissa’s spasticity is greatly reduced. Sherri has compared the reduction in spasticity from HBO to the reduction they get when they do Botox in her arm. Larissa was do for more Botox this month so Sherri is excited that they won't have to get it done. The kids both did fine during compression and decompression but Kyle has been terribly antsy during treatments. Getting bored I think.
February 8, 2000
Two more treatments down. The kids played with the Barrel of Monkeys this morning and Kyle colored this afternoon. Not seeing anymore drastic improvements with the kids. Just slow steady progress with reduction of spasticity and Larissa’s speech. We watched a video we taped of the kids back a couple of weeks ago and I think Larissa’s gait has also improved. She doesn’t seem to stomp her left foot as much when she walks. Kyle and Larissa just really seem to like each other. It is so sweet how close they seem. We go for cranial sacral treatments tomorrow and will see how that helps the kids. I am interested to see it.
February 9, 2000
Well Kyle and I finished on 30 today. Finally into that range. Only 5 more dives until we leave. Today was Scott and Bradley’s last dives. We will really miss them. Kyle colored a lot and he is still being very antsie in the chamber. It has been unbearably hot in the chamber in the afternoon the last couple of days. Both Kyle and Larissa’s ears are fine. No redness or fluid. Kyle finished his antibiotic today so hopefully his ears will stay that way. The gum seems to be helping. We went and did cranial sacral today after our first treatment. It is different but it really does do something. It feels and looks like they use your pressure points—hold their hands on or over them. I felt tingling in my head and warmth in spots. Kyle fell asleep as soon as she touched him. She said he needs lots of sacrum work and so does Larissa. She said Kyle’s sacrum feels like it wants to tilt to the left as does most of his body.
February 10, 2000
We are now at 32 and 38. One more full day of treatments. Kyle colored both times in the chamber today and asked me to massage his foot.
February 11, 2000
Well we got 2 more dives done. After the first dive the PA was going to bump Kyle for the afternoon session because he had pus behind his right ear. I told her I didn’t think that was necessary. Well PA decided to go ahead and let Kyle dive as long as I knew it was against her wishes and not hold her responsible. We dove and are going to do one more in the morning. Larissa has a red eye though and may not be well enough to dive in the morning. She is getting a cold. Kyle has not had any problems at all since he came back after starting the antibiotics. No complaining of sinuses or ears hurting. Gary got some Earplane earplugs and going to see if I can try them with Kyle in the morning.
February 12, 2000
Larissa was up most of the night coughing and wrestling around. Sherri was up most the night with a headache. They didn’t dive with us. Gary had Kaylee there so I dove both of the kids by myself.
We are all scheduled to go back and start treatments on March 20. It helps a lot to have a family go with you so you have someone to share the whole experience with. It was scary for me the very first dive not knowing what to expect. When they start pressurizing the chamber it takes you by surprise in a way the very first time. You do get used to it. We will be using the Earplanes earplugs during our next sessions and hopefully will get through them all without any trouble. If Kyle needs something to help with his ears we will get an otolam procedure done.
We want to thank Dr. Joe, Gary and all the staff at Michigan Neurologic for making our first HBO experience a good one.
2/23/00
Kyle had a visit with his pediatric orthopedist today. Kyle had grown 3/4" since November 1999. The ortho felt that Kyle's spasticity should have increased with this growth spurt but it had not. In fact it has decreased. At our last appointment the ortho wanted to do botox in 6-12 months. Now he is saying if we keep seeing improvements with the HBO that Kyle won't have to have botox. He wants us to also start Manual therapy. He feels if we do HBO and the Manual therapy that we may be able to avoid botox altogether and possibly even surgery. This was great news because this is our main goal---NO SURGERIES!!!!! Besides Kyle's spasticity being less, he is also swinging his affected leg through with a more normal gait pattern. He was swinging it around more then through before HBO. We are excited to be going back for treatments starting on March 20th. We will add a new page of information while we are there.
3/01/00--Kyle had therapeutic horseback riding for the first time since November. He rode the broader horse with no problems. Last time he complained of his thighs hurting after riding her back in October. His affected foot looked much better in the stirrup. He didn't have his leg so "hooked" to the horse. His affected leg seemed more natural in the stirrup. He also can now get his affected arm straight up by his ear very easily. Before HBO it was always hard for him to get his arm up by his ear. It would stay bent at the elbow. Now it is straight up in the air.
3/02/00--Sherri says that Larissa's arm is still looser and that she is using it much more. Her walking has improved and she is still gaining new words.
AN HBO EXPERIENCE CONTINUES
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Copyright 2000 by April Hernandez. Please do not take any of the information or pictures from this page. This page was last updated 3/04/00.