Pea of Sweetness

Forbrain – Sound for Life Ltd Review

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Homeschooling special needs children often means there is more to our homeschool. I am often including different types of therapy in our homeschool day. Our youngest son, in particular, has significant speech challenges. We are often working on dictation. Recently we have been using Forbrain from Forbrain – Sound For Life Ltd to work on pronunciation.
Forbrain – Sound For Life Ltd Review
Forbrain is an award-winning device designed to improve speech, attention, auditory processing, and more. The headphone like device blocks out environmental noise, which helps you hear yourself more clearly. It uses a technique that is often used by many speech-language pathologists and speech therapists, but it can be used at home.
I find the technology to be really interesting. It uses bone conduction to enhance voice vibrations to the brain. This actually enhances long vowels and other sounds that are important to building language. This sound is delivered through bone conduction, not the ears or air conduction. I am really fascinated by this type of information. I like to know how things work!
Forbrain – Sound For Life Ltd Review

Forbrain Review

We have been using the Forbrain with all of our children, but I have been focusing on using it predominantly with our youngest due to his significant speech delay. It is recommended to use it for 15 minutes per day. Chaz is 6 years old, and he has challenges with key sounds like “l,” “th,” “ch.” It is recommended to use in this way for a session of 6-10 weeks. We haven’t been reviewing it for that long yet, but I have already noticed some improvement.
The biggest improvement I’ve noticed so far is how carefully he is speaking when he is wearing the Forbrain. Although he is not clearly pronouncing the sounds he has challenges with, I can tell he is more aware of the fact that that those sounds are missing. He is slowly working on speaking them correctly, and I’m confident with continued use as recommended he will, indeed, be able to speak all sounds clearly.
The Forbrain includes a charging cord, instruction and information manual, and nice case. The manual not only includes the information on the time recommended for sessions but also proper use as well. It stresses the importance of proper posture while using Forbrain. It’s a challenge to get a 6 year old to sit properly, but we did our best.
Forbrain Review
Forbrain can be used in multiple ways. For our older kids we actually use it while they are working on their poetry memorization. Not only does it help with their dictation, but it’s noted to help with memorization as well. They can also use it while reading out loud.
For a young child like Chaz who can’t yet read it was noted that they could read along with a parent. It recommended to basically have him read over me, but I found it was best for me to read first and then have him repeat what I read. This way he could really hear himself and focus on what he was saying. We have been using the same book repeatedly so he could keep practicing the same words and sounds, and also see how he progressing.
Overall, I think Forbrain is wonderful. It’s definitely something that is making a big difference in our home and homeschool. It is a huge blessing and has filled a void in an area that was challenging for our son.

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Forbrain – Sound For Life Ltd Review
 
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Helpful Autism Resources

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April is Autism Awareness Month (I’ve even seen it called “Autism Acceptance Month”), and each year I usually post my thoughts on Autism Awareness or experiences as a mother of a child on the Autism Spectrum. This year, though, I wanted to change it up a little to share a round-up of Autism resources. I know firsthand how lost we can sometimes feel, and we scour the internet for resources to support us on our journey. Sometimes we can really feel isolated and alone.
All of our journeys are different, but you’re not alone. I wanted to share resources for a broad spectrum because I know, for example, although we homeschool our special needs children, many people need access to resources in the public school system. Although our son is young, you may have an older child or are an adult on the Autism Spectrum. Wherever your are on your journey, I hope you find this list of resources helpful.
(I plan to continue to add to this list of resources as I discover more helpful resources because I know there are many more. If you know of any you have found particularly, please do share! Bookmark this post for easy reference.)

Autism Resources

Autism Resources

I plan to go through those that offer lists and choose the resources I find most helpful from them to save a step, but I wanted to get a list of resources in front of you so you can easily find the resources your family needs. I am always happy to connect and talk with and pray with/for you any time you just need to connect or support and encouragement. Days (or weeks or months) can be tough, but you’re not alone – we’re not alone.

What are Cervicogenic Headaches?

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I know I’ve posted quite a bit about my health issues. Unfortunately, it’s just part of my life. A BIG part of my life right now. Between chronic pain from Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue, it can get overwhelming, but the most debilitating of all has been chronic headaches. It wasn’t until recently I learned they are cervicogenic headahces.
What are cervicogenic headaches?
I have been battling my headaches for over 5 years now. Over the past couple of years they have just gotten unbearable. I went from having a couple days a month where the headaches were so intense I basically couldn’t function at all to having headaches at this level at least 5 days or more. What’s worse is my headaches never really go away. I always seem to have at least a headache of some intensity. The debilitating headaches started taking over my life.
What are Cervicogenic Headaches
The worst part is I went all these years without a clear answer. Doctors tried various medications from migraine preventatives to the migraine quick relief medications like Triptans (which I couldn’t take because of the side effects). Almost no medications helped. I would go to Urgent Care at least once every three months when I just absolutely couldn’t take it anymore, and the “headache cocktail,” which usually included Toradol was the only thing that helped. Even that became less effective over time.
Regardless, I still didn’t know why I was getting these headaches, and I’m a firm believer in treating the problems and not just the symptoms. Some doctors said they were tension headaches, some said migraines, and some said they were tension headaches that triggered migraines. It was so confusing.
Enough was enough. I need to function, and my level of functioning was way too low. So I knew we needed to get to the bottom of this. My husband still has consistent medical problems as a result of his chemotherapy, and our kids still have challenges with their special needs, but we were finally at a place where we could balance it all, and I could start really getting the answers I need.
Off to the neurologist I went, and it didn’t take long to discover I have pinched nerves in my neck. I admit I wasn’t too surprised because when I do have the headaches I almost always have pain in my neck and around the back of my skull. An MRI revealed I have a few bulging disks in my cervical spine that were causing some compression on my spinal cord and, yes, affecting my nerves. I am blessed there is no permanent damage to my nerves, but it obviously causes a lot of problems!

What are Cervicogenic Headaches?

So what are cervicogenic headaches? The American Migraine Foundation refers to cervicogenic headaches this way:

Cervicogenic headache, in a way, is one of the most unusual headache disorders because the pain truly isn’t in the head. Cervicogenic headache is referred pain (pain perceived as occurring in a part of the body other than its true source) perceived in the head from a source in the neck. Cervicogenic headache is a secondary headache, which means that it is caused by another illness or physical issue. In the case of cervicogenic headache, the cause is a neck disorder or lesion.

Because cervicogenic headaches are caused by issues in the neck, they are often misdiagnosed. Hence why mine were misdiagnosed for so long. I even had doctors take X-Rays of my neck and not notice the problems. It wasn’t until I had an MRI that the problems became so clear. It also explains why all the remedies I was trying weren’t working. In addition to medicine I tried many natural remedies which offered some relief, but, of course, it couldn’t address the actual problem.
Yes, my cervicogenic headaches range in severity, but they can be absolutely debilitating. When trying to pinpoint triggers, I started avoiding common headaches triggers and eating natural, whole foods. I noticed, though, that activity definitely aggravated my headaches, which has really been discouraging. Now that we know what they are, though, we can start trying to just treat the symptoms and actually work on the problem at hand!

Treating Cervicogenic Headaches

Treatment for cervicogenic headaches are going to vary based on what is going on in the neck. In some cases surgery may be needed. In my case, we are starting with physical therapy. It’s been a rough start, but I’m confident it will continue to get better. There is already improvement in my posture overall. I see Pain Management in a few weeks, which is where I will most likely start with injections.
This post contains affiliate links. Regardless, I only share what I personally recommend.
In the meantime, I stick to the few remedies that really do help. They don’t take away the pain completely, and I was even in Urgent Care again the other day, but any help counts. My best friend is heat. Some people say ice helps, but ice always makes my pain worse. Here are a few things that help me:

  • Heat. I don’t know what I would do without heat! Some people say ice helps, but ice always makes my pain worse. I use a heating pad under my neck and microwave rice heat pack on my head. I’m looking into a moist heat pack as well.
  • Cervical Neck Traction. They use a fancy machine for me in Physical Therapy, but use an Inflatable Neck Pillow for some relief around home as well. It sure isn’t as good, but it helps, and it’s easy and convenient.
  • TENS Unit. I use a TENS Unit on the back of my neck. Even better is I use the TENS Unit under the heat!
  • Relaxing. Tension and stress definitely make my issues worse, so it’s important to relax as much as I can. I love using Aroma Siez for a nice, relaxing massage.

Please note, these are things that help me, personally. I am not a healthcare professional. I’m simply sharing my personal experience.
Getting a diagnosis (and relief) for cervicogenic headaches can most definitely be frustrating (and may take a long time). I definitely suggest being an advocate for yourself. If you don’t feel confident in your headache diagnosis and/or treatment, speak up. Ask for more answers. When it comes to cervicogenic headaches, I’ve definitely learned the answer is treating the problem and not just treating the symptoms.
 

A Huge Milestone for my Husband – 5 Years Cancer Free!

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Despite all the craziness this month, we had to take the time to celebrate a huge milestone. It’s officially been 5 years since my husband’s last cancer treatment. This is a big cancer survival milestone in itself, but we feel particularly blessed that he’s made it through so much!
Cancer Survival - Celebrating 5 Years
The past few weeks we’ve been at the James Cancer Hospital. My dad had cancer in his jaw three years ago and although they initially thought they wouldn’t have to replace it, they did eventually have to, and that time is now. The surgery went well, but he’s been having some trouble in recovery including a stroke. We are praying the rest of recovery will be much smoother!
We’ve been going back and forth to Columbus and spending some time down there. There is a major theme at the James Cancer Hospital that is so very true – no cancer is routine. For example, my husband had testicular cancer, which has a high survival rate. Many men just have the surgery followed by a surgery to remove lymph nodes (a very serious surgery), and they don’t require any additional treatment as long as the cancer didn’t metastasize.
Unfortunately, though, my husband doesn’t fit into that category. When he discovered he had a tumor, he went straight to Walter Reed to have the surgery. They said they caught it early, but he already had 3 tumors! Although we talk about cancer as the location of the cancer, it’s so much more than that. After further biopsy, it was discovered he had multiple forms of cancer including one that is very aggressive.
Despite having the RPLND Surgery it was discovered that less than a year later it had metastasized in an aortic lymph node and lungs. Although we don’t really talk about it, the survival rate was much lower than “routine” testicular cancer.

5 Year Cancer Survival

Needless to say, this was a huge milestone to celebrate! God has been so good to our family. It wasn’t easy for him or our family. In fact, it was extremely challenging. We stayed confident (and praying diligently) through these 5 years that he would be one of the 16%. It’s still a long road as he has many medical challenges due to the chemotherapy he had, but I am so very grateful and know I am extremely blessed to have him by my side!