Treatments Started

Tommy has started regular hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatments at the Long Beach Hyperberic Center. While we wanted to rent a chamber it just was not feasible. Fortunately we have the a place right here in Long Beach. The first round will consist of 40 treatments in which he will do 1 hour at a time 5 days a week. We will be noting and measuring any changes in behavior, eye contact, speech, socialization and any other changes we notice. Please keep Tommy in your prayers and check back to see his progress.

Taking a Dive With Tommy and Mama

This last Thursday, Tommy went into a hyperbaric chamber for the first time. His doctor wanted to have him try it the first time in the office under her supervision to make sure that he could tolerate the pressure and monitor the “dive.” He did really well!

He called it a rocket. He had no problem climbing inside, but he was pretty adamant that he did not want to go into space. After they zipped us inside, he kept looking out the little window to make sure he could still see the carpet. (I got in the tank with him so that I could give the doctor feedback on how he was feeling.)

We were in the tank for an hour and 30 minutes. It took us 30 minutes to get up to the right pressure because they had to do it slow. We tried to go up at a quicker pace, but Tommy was complaining about his ears, so they had to drop us back down and take the pressure up a little at a time.

It is a lot like climbing in altitude, because you feel pressure in your ears and you have to keep swallowing so that they “pop.” I was told to give Tommy sips of water every 5 – 10 seconds during the “dive,” and then again as we came out of the dive. Because it took us sooo long to dive and then come out, that meant he drank quite a bit! Which turned out not to be such a good thing…

BBQ Photos

I have uploaded pictures from the barbecue. Check them out!

Turn Out For Tommy Fundraiser

Our friends knew that we wanted to try Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy but that the cost was prohibitive. Some of them got together and decided to help us by holding a fundraiser for Tommy. Carol, Cathy, Sherry, called Kari and I one day down to It’s a Grind and they had a plan to raise money. Through their tremendous generosity, time and effort as of February 11, they raised $3,209.00.

We had a barbeque on February 9th for those who bought tickets, a raffle with some great prizes and just a plain old good time with friends and family. Steve cooked all day and Elliot helped with everything, as usual! There were about 100 people who came. I will be posting pictures shortly. Also, keep checking this blog as it chronicles Tommy’s progress with this new therapy and other news.

Very Special Thanks too:

Steve & Carol Charles
Ken & Sherry Watson
James & Cathy LaBarba
Marie Karich
Pete & Teresa Short
Bill McMullen
Mike Goldsworthy
Stacia Mancini
Elliot & Jan Brann
Felix & Kathy Rosario
Mickey & Karen Byers
All the kids who sold raffle tickets

…and the many others who helped and contributed.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Our goal is to help Tommy receive medical treatment that has helped a lot of kids with Autism greatly improve. Some children have recovered and lost their Autism diagnosis after receiving Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.


Many children with Autism who have had Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy treatments have had these results –

•Heals stomach and brain inflammation (two that may be separate issues or experienced simultaneously)

•Deals with gut parasites, yeast or bacteria

•Increases language (pragmatics)

•Increases social skills

•Improves overall health

•Improves antioxidant status through upregulation of antioxidant enzymes

•Helps heal “leaky gut” that is common in Autism

•Strengthens the immune system

•Enhances the body’s natural detoxification mechanisms

•Improves oxygenation and blood flow to the brain

It can take between 40 and 80 treatments to see results. Treatment is expensive. It costs about $100-$300 per treatment. Unfortunately, this is not a standard care option for Autism so reimbursement from Health Insurance companies is not available.

What does Turn Out Mean?

Helping a young boy who struggles with Autism.