Latest Update
January 31, 2008

Happy New Year!  Since our last update Mitchell is still stable but is not showing much improvement in his ability to move, speak, or walk.  We our using the LENS system that we spoke about in our last update and although we do see some change not enough to report on at this time.  Another situation presented itself in December our nutrionist Kim Shutte was sharing Mitchell’s story to a Doctor in Los Angeles.  He gave her a DVD to share with us stating that we should take Mitchell to see this expert Doctor in Washington, DC who specializes in TMD disorders and is on the board of the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain. From hearing about Mitchell’s symptoms this could still be a problem as to why he is not coming out of this. The symptoms after watching the DVD of other patient’s movement disorders seemed to be similar and very severe like Mitchell’s.

We were able to take Mitchell the week of January 14^th to see Dr. Stack, who was recovering from his own illness and came in just to see Mitchell. We are treating Mitchell for a TM joint problem as his most current MRI shows that both of his disc’s are displaced in an open and closed position along with a lateral displacement of the disc in the left TM joint. The treatment process requires the use of a mouth piece that will realign the disc within the TM joint. He currently has a lower appliance in his mouth which at the time has been causing a lot of discomfort and pain as the TM joint area begins to shift. We have to go back the week of February 18^th to get an upper appliance that we hope and pray will provide the additional relief and show us the signs of things turning back on.   Please be in prayer for us as Mitchell begins to realign his body to where it needs to be and that the next trip will provide the results that all of us have been waiting for. Dr. Stack feels confident that he will be able to help Mitchell. We will have to make at least one trip per month back to the Washington, DC area to get the follow up treatment that will be needed. 

Mitchell Update
September 01, 2007

Mitchell is the strongest, bravest boy we have ever met, his spirit to live and fight the unknown is amazing to us everyday.  There are days however, we see in his body and the look of grief in his face and eyes that he wants to give up.  But we won’t let him Brad and I are his biggest cheerleaders!!  Every second of our days are very consumed in caring for him.  Mitchell’s condition is still very serious he cannot walk, talk, and has difficulty trying to open his eyes. However, we know he is still in there as he understands us when we speak, he gets frustrated and hits his chair or the pillows so for that we are so grateful for the fight that he stills has in him. Through the help of our insurance we are going to look into home health care for him 1 or 2 days a week so we can take a breather.     

We have made some progress but not like we where hoping for.  We have purchased a standing frame for him for the house to get him up in a totally 90 degree standing position.  He can only tolerate about 15-20 minutes before he gives out as it does put pressure on his head.  He also cannot hold his head up so we are trying desperately to get the muscles in his back, neck and torso to strengthen so he can support himself better.    

We just recently returned from Salt Lake City, Utah seeing a Doctor who specializes in brain mapping.  It is basically a functional EEG to see how the brain is functioning and what parts are affected.  The therapy they have recommended for Mitchell is the LENS therapy, which stands for Low Energy Neurofeedback System.  How does the LENS work?  They believe that the LENS appears to positively impact slow brainwave activity.    They also believe that it works to break up the rigid, self-protective way the brain has of responding after physical or psychological stress or trauma.  There is evidence that during any kind of trauma (physical, infectious, toxic, or emotional) the brain protects itself from seizures and overloads by releasing neurochemicals that protect it from these dangers.  Unfortunately, this protective response also reduces the brain’s overall functional capacity.  Long after the trauma is over and the danger is past, the “protection” may still remain.  The person therefore, becomes stuck in various kinds of disabilities due to this reduced neurological flexibility.  The LENS appears to have an effect in helping to restore the brains natural flexibility.     So we are still very hopeful for Mitchell.  Dr. Ochs who developed the LENS heard of Mitchell’s case and is going to see and treat him while he is in San Diego for a conference.  He is willing to take Mitchell under his wing as a case study.  The hard thing about all this and for many who are trying to treat Mitchell is that he is still undiagnosed so there are no real guarantees of success.  So Brad and I are again faced with praying about this therapy and hoping there will be some kind of improvement or break through.  for Mitchell.  Please pray for us as Mitchell starts his treatments on September 3, 4, and 5^th.     

God Bless and Thank You for all your prayers and support!!  The Thorp Family

Mitchell Update
March 02, 2007

Mitchell’s progress is still stable; he is improving slowly and is gaining more weight.

Update On Mitchell
December 05, 2006

Wow! It is hard to believe December is here again. Mitchell’s progress is still slow and steady.  We had a series of blood panels taken last Monday along with some other tests and we are awaiting those results. Hopefully these testes will reveal to us what might be going on with Mitchell’s body and give us hope and direction.  Mitchell had been receiving Glutothione injections to protect the myelin sheath of the nerves and this seems to help. We stopped now for few weeks to give him a break and look to start up again this week.  Mitchell always hated needles much like his dad he would turn white as a ghost.   He has been responding well to the hyperbaric oxygen treatments so we are still trying to get in at least 2 per week, as it seems to help his head.

We are still looking and researching for Mitchell in hopes that one day another key to this puzzle will fit.  As of today our concerns still hold for Mitchell that he still suffers from some paralysis, he lost his ability to speak, and his vision is still disturbed from the dizziness, muscle weakness and atrophy, ataxia, and still some pressure in his head.  Our support team in Mitchell’s healing has been so great and helpful.

Thank you for keeping us in your prayers and thoughts mainly for Mitchell to not give up and feeling discouraged.  We bless you all this Holiday season with the best gift of love and health.

Love,    The Thorp Family