Well, for better or for worse, the decision has been made: both boys will be going to our local school next year.
The plan has been to place Coram in a mainstream class next year, with an aide. I was advocating for him to remain at his current school, so as to minimize change.
After all, we have a boy who has an extremely hard time with change, and we want to move him from his cozy class of six kids to a regular sized class AND ask him to move to an entirely different school at the same time?
But, I was not able to make this point. Or, not loudly and clearly enough. The administrator of Coram's current school was adamant – no cross boundary kids next year, there was no space. (Forget the fact that Coram was already a student at that site!)
I was geared up to appeal this decision all the way to the top. I figured I'd take it to my MLA if needed. I also figured I probably wouldn't need to do that. The case for Coram to stay at his current school is strong, and I think once I had presented it to the district they'd likely approve it.
First, though, I decided to get a better sense of the local school option. I was really impressed when speaking with the principal of our local school. He had some good, pro-active ideas for helping Coram find the right class in his school. I found myself asking 'why do I want to fight to force a principal to take my child, when I have this other principal who is pro-actively interested in helping Coram succeed?'
So, I decided to shift my focus. Instead of fighting to get Coram into the school he is currently in, I decided to work with the kids (both of whom are opposed to going to the local school) on accepting the idea that they will be going there next year.
Lucas had a huge cry, but has since seemed to be coming to terms with it. Coram had very little reaction, but the true test will be how he behaves when he goes there in September.
So, the decision is made. I am feeling good about having the kids at a school two blocks away. It will be nice to walk to school, and to be involved in our local community. I'm trying to tell the worry dragons in my head to go away. We'll see what September brings.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Saturday, May 05, 2007
Why I wish I had stopped pumping sooner...
When Lucas was born, we found out he had a cleft and I would be unable to nurse him. I was encouraged to pump for him, as breast milk is 'liquid gold'.
And so I did. I pumped full time for seven months. I stopped when I had found out I was pregnant, because I had so little energy I could barely get off of the couch.
In retrospect, I often wonder if I shouldn't have stopped sooner.
For me, pumping consumed my life. If I missed a pump, my milk supply would drop drastically, which caused me a lot of stress. So I had to pump every four house, like clockwork.
And even when Lucas started sleeping a 10 hour solid night, I had to be up every four hours pumping.
Of course, the pump needed to be cleaned after every use, and the bottles needed to be cleaned regularly. I became very anxious about the cleanliness of the tools, and I felt uncomfortable washing them in public washrooms. SO, I ended up needing to be either home or at my moms every four hours, so I could pump and properly clean the equipment.
This was one thing when I had a newborn who slept a lot and we didn't got far from home. It was an entirely different thing when Lucas became older and wanted to be out and about. Several moms groups were available to me, but it was impossible to get ready and out the door, get to the group, and get back and settled to pump again withing four hours.
And so I began to simply not leave the house.
I tried to explain to Steve how I felt. Imagine, I said, that every four hours, on the dot, you have to have a glass of water from the tap in our house. Not any other tap, the tap in our house. No matter where you want to be, or what you are doing, you MUST get back to that tap every four hours.
Imagine how tied you would feel to that tap, and to the house.
Now add fatigue and the pure amount of energy and planning it takes to get a bay out of the house, and ask yourself how often you would leave.
Of course, the longer I stayed home, the less able I felt to leave. In the end, it took a counsellor actually coming to my home to help me feel more confident to actually leave.
I wish someone had been there to tell me that being emotionally available to my child was more important than breast milk. I wish someone had given me the push I needed to set aside what had become chains, and give my child formula, so we could both experience life again.
Breast is best, it's true. I will never deny that. But I will affirm that having breast milk from a depressed, non responsive mother is NOT best. Sometimes, we need to make the choice to go to formula, for our own sake, and also for our baby's sake.
I'm sure there are breastfeeding advocates out there who would attack me for that statement. Some people want to insist that baby's need for breast milk supersedes all of mom's needs. Some will suggest mom is being 'selfish'. But I will defend my position.
I was not selfish. I was lost. My commitment to breastfeeding caused an isolation and depression that both myself and my son would have been better off without.
So, for all moms out there who are feeling guilt or sadness because of a decision not to breastfeed, this post is dedicated to you. Know that you are good mothers. Know that happy moms mean happier babies, and if you need to choose not to pump, not to breast feed, or to wean early, or to supplement, to make yourself happier, that is a GOOD choice. Many, many people will come after you (why strangers on the street fell they have a right to comment, I have no idea), but I will always be behind you.
And your baby will adore you, and that is what counts.
And so I did. I pumped full time for seven months. I stopped when I had found out I was pregnant, because I had so little energy I could barely get off of the couch.
In retrospect, I often wonder if I shouldn't have stopped sooner.
For me, pumping consumed my life. If I missed a pump, my milk supply would drop drastically, which caused me a lot of stress. So I had to pump every four house, like clockwork.
And even when Lucas started sleeping a 10 hour solid night, I had to be up every four hours pumping.
Of course, the pump needed to be cleaned after every use, and the bottles needed to be cleaned regularly. I became very anxious about the cleanliness of the tools, and I felt uncomfortable washing them in public washrooms. SO, I ended up needing to be either home or at my moms every four hours, so I could pump and properly clean the equipment.
This was one thing when I had a newborn who slept a lot and we didn't got far from home. It was an entirely different thing when Lucas became older and wanted to be out and about. Several moms groups were available to me, but it was impossible to get ready and out the door, get to the group, and get back and settled to pump again withing four hours.
And so I began to simply not leave the house.
I tried to explain to Steve how I felt. Imagine, I said, that every four hours, on the dot, you have to have a glass of water from the tap in our house. Not any other tap, the tap in our house. No matter where you want to be, or what you are doing, you MUST get back to that tap every four hours.
Imagine how tied you would feel to that tap, and to the house.
Now add fatigue and the pure amount of energy and planning it takes to get a bay out of the house, and ask yourself how often you would leave.
Of course, the longer I stayed home, the less able I felt to leave. In the end, it took a counsellor actually coming to my home to help me feel more confident to actually leave.
I wish someone had been there to tell me that being emotionally available to my child was more important than breast milk. I wish someone had given me the push I needed to set aside what had become chains, and give my child formula, so we could both experience life again.
Breast is best, it's true. I will never deny that. But I will affirm that having breast milk from a depressed, non responsive mother is NOT best. Sometimes, we need to make the choice to go to formula, for our own sake, and also for our baby's sake.
I'm sure there are breastfeeding advocates out there who would attack me for that statement. Some people want to insist that baby's need for breast milk supersedes all of mom's needs. Some will suggest mom is being 'selfish'. But I will defend my position.
I was not selfish. I was lost. My commitment to breastfeeding caused an isolation and depression that both myself and my son would have been better off without.
So, for all moms out there who are feeling guilt or sadness because of a decision not to breastfeed, this post is dedicated to you. Know that you are good mothers. Know that happy moms mean happier babies, and if you need to choose not to pump, not to breast feed, or to wean early, or to supplement, to make yourself happier, that is a GOOD choice. Many, many people will come after you (why strangers on the street fell they have a right to comment, I have no idea), but I will always be behind you.
And your baby will adore you, and that is what counts.
Friday, April 27, 2007
The Canucks Ate My Night
As many of you know, I don't like watching sports on television. I find it boring, and generally a waste of time.
But MAN did I ever enjoy watching tonights game between the Vancouver Canucks and the Anaheim Mighty Ducks!
And I especially liked that we WON. Boo ya.
The game went into overtime, which meant it ended jut before 11 PM. We had told Lucas he could stay up to watch the game, so it was a late bedtime for him. Fortunately, Coram passed out on the couch during the game. He would have been particularity nightmarish in the morning if he had been up until 11PM.
Which brings me to one of the parenting conundrums we face: how to create the illusion of 'equal treatment' for two kids with distinctly different set of needs and abilities.
Lucas can handle a late night, no problem. Especially on a weekend, since he will jsut sleep later tomorrow. Coram, on the other hand, cannot. He won't sleep late, his little body just won't let him. Plus, his need for routing demands that he gets up and has breakfast and completes his morning tasks the same way and time each day. He also would not allow himself a nap if he needed it during the day tomorrow. And when Coram is tired, all the coping skills he has been working so hard on go out the window.
When life is a daily struggle to interpret new situations, novel commands, and varying expectations, your energy level is crucial. Since Coram cannot learn from context, and cannot assimilate changing environments as fast as typical people, every day, every new situation, is a struggle. In school, he has been learning how to ask fo help, and how to redirect his frustration when it all just gets to be too much for him. He has been making truly amazing strides.
But add a few hours less sleep into the mix, and the day is a nightmare. Add to it, you can't get him to go to bed early, because that is out of synch with his routine.
So, when Lucas asks to stay up late, I say yes. After all, there's no school tomorrow, the Canucks are playing, and it's something he can handle.
But how could I say not to Coram? Plainly put, I couldn't. The option was to say no to both, which would have been unfair for Lucas, or say yes to both, potentially creating a horrible day tomorrow for Steve while I am at work.
The good news is, Coram's body stuck to it's routine and he fell asleep on the couch. He will remember that he got the same privilege as his brother, and that is what matters.
And the other good news is, the Canucks won. Boo ya.
But MAN did I ever enjoy watching tonights game between the Vancouver Canucks and the Anaheim Mighty Ducks!
And I especially liked that we WON. Boo ya.
The game went into overtime, which meant it ended jut before 11 PM. We had told Lucas he could stay up to watch the game, so it was a late bedtime for him. Fortunately, Coram passed out on the couch during the game. He would have been particularity nightmarish in the morning if he had been up until 11PM.
Which brings me to one of the parenting conundrums we face: how to create the illusion of 'equal treatment' for two kids with distinctly different set of needs and abilities.
Lucas can handle a late night, no problem. Especially on a weekend, since he will jsut sleep later tomorrow. Coram, on the other hand, cannot. He won't sleep late, his little body just won't let him. Plus, his need for routing demands that he gets up and has breakfast and completes his morning tasks the same way and time each day. He also would not allow himself a nap if he needed it during the day tomorrow. And when Coram is tired, all the coping skills he has been working so hard on go out the window.
When life is a daily struggle to interpret new situations, novel commands, and varying expectations, your energy level is crucial. Since Coram cannot learn from context, and cannot assimilate changing environments as fast as typical people, every day, every new situation, is a struggle. In school, he has been learning how to ask fo help, and how to redirect his frustration when it all just gets to be too much for him. He has been making truly amazing strides.
But add a few hours less sleep into the mix, and the day is a nightmare. Add to it, you can't get him to go to bed early, because that is out of synch with his routine.
So, when Lucas asks to stay up late, I say yes. After all, there's no school tomorrow, the Canucks are playing, and it's something he can handle.
But how could I say not to Coram? Plainly put, I couldn't. The option was to say no to both, which would have been unfair for Lucas, or say yes to both, potentially creating a horrible day tomorrow for Steve while I am at work.
The good news is, Coram's body stuck to it's routine and he fell asleep on the couch. He will remember that he got the same privilege as his brother, and that is what matters.
And the other good news is, the Canucks won. Boo ya.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Space
While recovering from surgery, Lucas spent a week at Grandma's house in Squamish. He loved it, and is already asking to go back for another week. He got to sleep in a cool room under the stairs, just like Harry Potter. And he got to watch the Space Channel.
Since he got back, Lucas has been asking me at least three times per week when we can get the Space Channel. He occasionally watches it at his grandpas after school. But at home, we only have basic cable.
I find myself oddly proud that my son is a Sci Fi TV geek, just like me. Of course, he came by it honestly. I used to rock him to sleep in front of Star Trek when he was a baby.
I just wish I could add Space to my television channels without having to take the whole bundle of extra channels along with it.
As it stands, going from 'basic cable' to 'classic cable' would pretty much doubly our monthly cable bill. Not to mention add a whole bunch of channels we are not really interested in. I could certainly do without 'The Score' (except when the Canucks are in the playoffs, of course – go Canucks!)
On the other hand, I think we could all benefit from a little bit of the History Channel, or A & E, every now and then.
I sense that I am caving on the issue...help ... meeeee.....my life is about to be absorbed by more television........
Since he got back, Lucas has been asking me at least three times per week when we can get the Space Channel. He occasionally watches it at his grandpas after school. But at home, we only have basic cable.
I find myself oddly proud that my son is a Sci Fi TV geek, just like me. Of course, he came by it honestly. I used to rock him to sleep in front of Star Trek when he was a baby.
I just wish I could add Space to my television channels without having to take the whole bundle of extra channels along with it.
As it stands, going from 'basic cable' to 'classic cable' would pretty much doubly our monthly cable bill. Not to mention add a whole bunch of channels we are not really interested in. I could certainly do without 'The Score' (except when the Canucks are in the playoffs, of course – go Canucks!)
On the other hand, I think we could all benefit from a little bit of the History Channel, or A & E, every now and then.
I sense that I am caving on the issue...help ... meeeee.....my life is about to be absorbed by more television........
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Good Bye, Oral Surgeon !
We went to see Lucas' oral surgeon on Thursday for a follow up on the bone graft. The surgeon was very happy with how everything is healing. He said he can tell Lucas has been doing a really good job keeping his mouth clean, and that he has no worries.
The oral surgeon doesn't need to keep seeing us, apparently. We just go back to our regular appointments with the orthodontist. We have one booked for May, so I guess we get a couple of weeks free of orthodontic work. Yeeeeee haw!
We are finishing up the psycho educational evaluation at Children's. They wanted to save the social part of the evaluation until after surgery, because his pre-surgery anxieties would have skewed the results. So, we have been back twice, and on Monday I have an appointment with just me, and then we have to do a feedback session.
I'm not sure what would be worse: if they tell me there is something really wrong, or if they tell me there is nothing wrong (because then it would all seem like my fault for mis-parenting). So, I'm a bit on the edge of my seat about the whole thing.
The oral surgeon doesn't need to keep seeing us, apparently. We just go back to our regular appointments with the orthodontist. We have one booked for May, so I guess we get a couple of weeks free of orthodontic work. Yeeeeee haw!
We are finishing up the psycho educational evaluation at Children's. They wanted to save the social part of the evaluation until after surgery, because his pre-surgery anxieties would have skewed the results. So, we have been back twice, and on Monday I have an appointment with just me, and then we have to do a feedback session.
I'm not sure what would be worse: if they tell me there is something really wrong, or if they tell me there is nothing wrong (because then it would all seem like my fault for mis-parenting). So, I'm a bit on the edge of my seat about the whole thing.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Chocolate
You know what I love about chocolate?
It makes me happy after a crummy day
Contribute to my list at: www.ReasonsToLove.com/chocolateUpdate
Here's the update on our special needs car...
I called the dealership this morning. They were pretty convinced it was an issue with the battery not being connected and so the shut off trigger in the door wasn't working. They figured if I had the jump starter cables hooked up when I put the key in the door, it would shut off the engine.
So, feeling frustrated that I had jumper cables and a car last night and didn't have them today, I embarked on my search for jumper cables and a willing participant.
When, at 6PM, no such willing participant with cables was available, I decided to bite the bullet and call BCAA. I joined, and paid the extra $50 for 'join on arrival' (ouch). So, another driver came out, and we went thought eh steps the dealership outlined.
To no avail.
The driver said those directions were for a factory installed alarm, and he could tell from the system, that it was an after-market alarm. He said the only way to disarm it was to find the button. The one we looked for for half an hour last night.
This driver had the advantage of daylight, and not being ob a busy street, so he could take a more relaxed look. He did find the button, in the stupidest place possible. I guess I shouldn't say where, but needless to say, it was a useless place. The BCAA driver told me the button is supposed to be for easy access to turn the thing of – and, well, this button is in about the hardest place to find.
So the driver tried pushing the button, with the key in the ignition, turning,, it, and so on....and it did not work. He said the button was just not working, and he didn't know why. He offered to tow the car to a shop, and went on his merry way.
I called the dealership again. This time, I told them I expected a rental car since this was their fault. The fellow I talked to said, 'yeah, I don't think that will happen. I'll ask my boss, but I know him pretty well and I know what he'll say.' He said that because it wasn't a safety issue, they couldn't' rent me a car. Uhm..HELLO??? Safety issue or not the car is UNDRIVABLE.
So, not wanting to face another day of lost work, and another day with Lucas home because I couldn't drive him, I searched the Internet again. I had searched last night, but all the answers referred to the valet button, which we hadn't found, so I didn't pay much attention. Now, I could understand the directions, and I knew where the button was.
It turns out the BCAA driver was right, it was a question of timing. The key needs to go in the ignition within 30 seconds of the door being opening, and the the button has to be pushed within 5 seconds of the key being turned on.
What a rish that was, trying to get it all done so fast with the button being in an impossible location. It took me two tries, but I am happy to report IT WORKED.
My car runs again. I am elated. I want to go drive to Mexico just to enjoy the freedom. Though I think Safeway might be as far as I'll go.
I called the dealership this morning. They were pretty convinced it was an issue with the battery not being connected and so the shut off trigger in the door wasn't working. They figured if I had the jump starter cables hooked up when I put the key in the door, it would shut off the engine.
So, feeling frustrated that I had jumper cables and a car last night and didn't have them today, I embarked on my search for jumper cables and a willing participant.
When, at 6PM, no such willing participant with cables was available, I decided to bite the bullet and call BCAA. I joined, and paid the extra $50 for 'join on arrival' (ouch). So, another driver came out, and we went thought eh steps the dealership outlined.
To no avail.
The driver said those directions were for a factory installed alarm, and he could tell from the system, that it was an after-market alarm. He said the only way to disarm it was to find the button. The one we looked for for half an hour last night.
This driver had the advantage of daylight, and not being ob a busy street, so he could take a more relaxed look. He did find the button, in the stupidest place possible. I guess I shouldn't say where, but needless to say, it was a useless place. The BCAA driver told me the button is supposed to be for easy access to turn the thing of – and, well, this button is in about the hardest place to find.
So the driver tried pushing the button, with the key in the ignition, turning,, it, and so on....and it did not work. He said the button was just not working, and he didn't know why. He offered to tow the car to a shop, and went on his merry way.
I called the dealership again. This time, I told them I expected a rental car since this was their fault. The fellow I talked to said, 'yeah, I don't think that will happen. I'll ask my boss, but I know him pretty well and I know what he'll say.' He said that because it wasn't a safety issue, they couldn't' rent me a car. Uhm..HELLO??? Safety issue or not the car is UNDRIVABLE.
So, not wanting to face another day of lost work, and another day with Lucas home because I couldn't drive him, I searched the Internet again. I had searched last night, but all the answers referred to the valet button, which we hadn't found, so I didn't pay much attention. Now, I could understand the directions, and I knew where the button was.
It turns out the BCAA driver was right, it was a question of timing. The key needs to go in the ignition within 30 seconds of the door being opening, and the the button has to be pushed within 5 seconds of the key being turned on.
What a rish that was, trying to get it all done so fast with the button being in an impossible location. It took me two tries, but I am happy to report IT WORKED.
My car runs again. I am elated. I want to go drive to Mexico just to enjoy the freedom. Though I think Safeway might be as far as I'll go.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Our Special Needs Car
I had a really nice night out with the girls from work. Karen, my boss, wanted to treat us all because we have been working so hard. It was relaxed, we had wine, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
When we left, I realized I had left my headlights on for the entire time. Ugh. Typical of me to complicate things for myself.
I went in to talk to the waiter, and he had jumper cables and said he would pull his car around. I was very thankful.
But see, now, this is where it gets weird.
Keeping in mind we just bought this car second hand in January, imagine my surprise when I went to open the hood and a car alarm starts going off. I am looking around, wondering who's car alarm is going nuts, since our car isn't alarmed.
That's when I noticed the flashing headlights, and realize it WAS my car that had the alarm, and for some reason it was going off.
So – apparently unbeknownst to us, and probably the dealership we bought it from, this car had an alarm. I had no way to turn it off.
When the waiter tried to jump start the car, nothing happened. The alarm had disabled the engine.
I was pretty frustrated, but thought the day was saved when my co-worker used her BCAA card and called for help. She said she was a passenger in my car, which meant it was covered (note to self – get BCAA!!). So, a really nice guy in a big shinny BCAA truck came out to help....
And couldn't figure it out. He told us that there is usually an over ride switch for alarms. He was hunched down in the car going over it inch by inch with a flashlight, but he couldn't find any over ride. So, since there was no way to turn the (incredibly loud) alarm off, and no way to start the car since the alarm had disabled the engine, we had to tow the car home.
As I rode home, in the cab of the tow truck, the driver from BCAA was trying to figure out why the alarm was triggered in the first place. And the only conclusion he could some up with was – there was no good reason for it.
Which is why I have decided that we have a special needs car.
I'm gonna put my big mean voice on the morning and call the dealership, because as of now, I can't drive my car. Which means, no kids to school tomorrow, and no keeping the two morning appointments I have. Ugh.
When we left, I realized I had left my headlights on for the entire time. Ugh. Typical of me to complicate things for myself.
I went in to talk to the waiter, and he had jumper cables and said he would pull his car around. I was very thankful.
But see, now, this is where it gets weird.
Keeping in mind we just bought this car second hand in January, imagine my surprise when I went to open the hood and a car alarm starts going off. I am looking around, wondering who's car alarm is going nuts, since our car isn't alarmed.
That's when I noticed the flashing headlights, and realize it WAS my car that had the alarm, and for some reason it was going off.
So – apparently unbeknownst to us, and probably the dealership we bought it from, this car had an alarm. I had no way to turn it off.
When the waiter tried to jump start the car, nothing happened. The alarm had disabled the engine.
I was pretty frustrated, but thought the day was saved when my co-worker used her BCAA card and called for help. She said she was a passenger in my car, which meant it was covered (note to self – get BCAA!!). So, a really nice guy in a big shinny BCAA truck came out to help....
And couldn't figure it out. He told us that there is usually an over ride switch for alarms. He was hunched down in the car going over it inch by inch with a flashlight, but he couldn't find any over ride. So, since there was no way to turn the (incredibly loud) alarm off, and no way to start the car since the alarm had disabled the engine, we had to tow the car home.
As I rode home, in the cab of the tow truck, the driver from BCAA was trying to figure out why the alarm was triggered in the first place. And the only conclusion he could some up with was – there was no good reason for it.
Which is why I have decided that we have a special needs car.
I'm gonna put my big mean voice on the morning and call the dealership, because as of now, I can't drive my car. Which means, no kids to school tomorrow, and no keeping the two morning appointments I have. Ugh.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Much Better, Thank You!
I am thrilled to report that Lucas seems to be 100 % back to normal. And – he is affectionate and loving and oh so sweet! We are all so happy and relieved to just be back to normal life. Clearly, the anxiety of this surgery has been affecting us for a long, long time.
I am in the process of sourcing the best schools for the kids for next fall. Coram has progressed beyond the other kids in his current class, and really needs to be moved to a place where he can copy more appropriate behaviour. In my opinion, the idea place for him would be a mainstream class at the school he is currently attending. However, the administrator there is not agreeing with me. He feels that Coram should be in a mainstream class with an aid at our local school.
His reasoning is this: our local school is labelled an 'inner city school', and as such, has more resources allocated there than other schools in the city. They have a full time youth and family worker on staff, which most schools in the city do not have. They also often get faster responses to their requests for further aide or evaluations for children.
Because the Autism funding will not be enough to fund a full time aide, the administrator at Corams school feels that the gaps left after funding runs out will be better filled at our local school.
I am not convinced. I really believe that the least change we can effect in Coram's life, the more successful he will be. Asking him to move to a large, mainstream class, AND a whole new school at the same time is simply asking too much.
I am in talks with the current administrator at Coram's school. Fingers crossed we can work this out to Coram's advantage.
Lucas also need to change schools, as he is currently attending an Annex, which only goes to grade three so he will be finished this year. We are also moving him from French into English. I would really like for both boys to be in the same school. I feel a bit stretched needing to attend functions at two different schools all the time. Plus, I think they could be good resources for each other when times get rough on the playground. So, depending on where Coram ends up, that's where I hope Lucas can go to.
I am in the process of sourcing the best schools for the kids for next fall. Coram has progressed beyond the other kids in his current class, and really needs to be moved to a place where he can copy more appropriate behaviour. In my opinion, the idea place for him would be a mainstream class at the school he is currently attending. However, the administrator there is not agreeing with me. He feels that Coram should be in a mainstream class with an aid at our local school.
His reasoning is this: our local school is labelled an 'inner city school', and as such, has more resources allocated there than other schools in the city. They have a full time youth and family worker on staff, which most schools in the city do not have. They also often get faster responses to their requests for further aide or evaluations for children.
Because the Autism funding will not be enough to fund a full time aide, the administrator at Corams school feels that the gaps left after funding runs out will be better filled at our local school.
I am not convinced. I really believe that the least change we can effect in Coram's life, the more successful he will be. Asking him to move to a large, mainstream class, AND a whole new school at the same time is simply asking too much.
I am in talks with the current administrator at Coram's school. Fingers crossed we can work this out to Coram's advantage.
Lucas also need to change schools, as he is currently attending an Annex, which only goes to grade three so he will be finished this year. We are also moving him from French into English. I would really like for both boys to be in the same school. I feel a bit stretched needing to attend functions at two different schools all the time. Plus, I think they could be good resources for each other when times get rough on the playground. So, depending on where Coram ends up, that's where I hope Lucas can go to.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Normalcy, I think
Lucas went back to school yesterday – and it was brilliant.
I took him in, and explained to his teacher about his oral hygiene routine, and his need to not climb things, play ball games that could lead to being bonked in the head, and suchlike.
Then I left.
And went on with my day!
Beautiful.
Lucas had a great day. When I picked him up, he was on the sunny lawn of the school, hanging out with some friends. He was in good spirits, and had had a great day.
Normalcy seems to have returned to our lives, and I am so thankful.
I took him in, and explained to his teacher about his oral hygiene routine, and his need to not climb things, play ball games that could lead to being bonked in the head, and suchlike.
Then I left.
And went on with my day!
Beautiful.
Lucas had a great day. When I picked him up, he was on the sunny lawn of the school, hanging out with some friends. He was in good spirits, and had had a great day.
Normalcy seems to have returned to our lives, and I am so thankful.
Monday, April 09, 2007
Lots Of Treats
Easter seems to be getting more and more eventful every year.
On Saturday, hubby and the kids went to a scavenger hunt in a local business area. They went into stores and got cookies and other treats.
Sunday, of course, the Easter bunny came. He was pretty smart this year, and didn't bring much chocolate, opting for cool toys instead. Then, we went up to my moms in Squamish, and had our family Easter Egg Hunt. For that, we try to avoid lots of chocolate eggs, and instead we fill plastic eggs with small Easter toys.
The kids also got chocolate bunnies from Grandpa Ron. Oh, and Steve brought chocolate home from work on Thursday.
Add two birthday cakes for me into the mix. My birthday is tomorrow (the 10 th) but we did the weekend celebrations this week.
I think we need to go train for a marathon this week.
On Saturday, hubby and the kids went to a scavenger hunt in a local business area. They went into stores and got cookies and other treats.
Sunday, of course, the Easter bunny came. He was pretty smart this year, and didn't bring much chocolate, opting for cool toys instead. Then, we went up to my moms in Squamish, and had our family Easter Egg Hunt. For that, we try to avoid lots of chocolate eggs, and instead we fill plastic eggs with small Easter toys.
The kids also got chocolate bunnies from Grandpa Ron. Oh, and Steve brought chocolate home from work on Thursday.
Add two birthday cakes for me into the mix. My birthday is tomorrow (the 10 th) but we did the weekend celebrations this week.
I think we need to go train for a marathon this week.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
The Quiet
Ah. Today is a beautiful quiet day. Lucas is up at Grandma's, and Coram is at school. How nice.
Of course, there's hours of housework to catch up on, but I'll just turn a blind eye to that for now.
Last night, Coram had a realy difficult time with his brother not being here. Even though he knew ahead of time what was happening, he still coudln't get used to it. First, there was the change in routine, second, there was the knowledge that his brother was missing school and getting to do all sorts of fun things with Grandma. And here he was expected to go on with life as usual? Just too much for his little brain to wrap around.
We gave him lots of attention – tickels, cuddles, playing video games with him.... but still bedtime got pushed back by his refusals to co-operate. He refused to eat, refused to brush his teeth, refused to get changed for bed, refused to pay down.... and so on. We just walked his body through the motions when he wouldn't co-operate. We find that is more effective than making a stink about his behaviour.
This morning was better, so I am hopeful the rest of the week will be OK.
Of course, there's hours of housework to catch up on, but I'll just turn a blind eye to that for now.
Last night, Coram had a realy difficult time with his brother not being here. Even though he knew ahead of time what was happening, he still coudln't get used to it. First, there was the change in routine, second, there was the knowledge that his brother was missing school and getting to do all sorts of fun things with Grandma. And here he was expected to go on with life as usual? Just too much for his little brain to wrap around.
We gave him lots of attention – tickels, cuddles, playing video games with him.... but still bedtime got pushed back by his refusals to co-operate. He refused to eat, refused to brush his teeth, refused to get changed for bed, refused to pay down.... and so on. We just walked his body through the motions when he wouldn't co-operate. We find that is more effective than making a stink about his behaviour.
This morning was better, so I am hopeful the rest of the week will be OK.
Monday, April 02, 2007
Wowsers!
I truly am amazed at how well Lucas is doing. His bruising is almost completely gone, the swelling is down, and he is pretty much his old self.
The concern now is keeping this kid with ADHD from doing much physicial stuff – because we don't want to risk a fall. The other day, he was trying to convince me that he could climb the playground at the park.
'It's not really climbing, it's just going up from one level to another!'
Too funny.
We have worked our way through our stack of activities. He loves all of them, but I just don't have enough – nor the funds to get more. Today he goes to Grandmas for a few days, so it will be a nice change for both of us.
The concern now is keeping this kid with ADHD from doing much physicial stuff – because we don't want to risk a fall. The other day, he was trying to convince me that he could climb the playground at the park.
'It's not really climbing, it's just going up from one level to another!'
Too funny.
We have worked our way through our stack of activities. He loves all of them, but I just don't have enough – nor the funds to get more. Today he goes to Grandmas for a few days, so it will be a nice change for both of us.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Lucas's Awesome Night!
So cool !
Lucas just got home from a Canucks game! He got to sit in BOX SEATS! And he got a t-shirt that said ‘Nazzy’s Suite’ on his shirt – for Marcus Naslund. He is going to gain some serious status among his hockey-fan friends for that shirt.
He got to go courtesy of The vancouver Canucks and Zajac Ranch. Zajac Ranch is where he went for Cleft Camp for the last two summers.
It’s cool when he can get to do something special and fun, that we would never be able to otherwise provide for him.
I know that a cleft lip and palate is not a life-threatening, but it is life long. Lucas often comments that people don’t like him because of his lip – and whether or not it’s true, it’s clear that he is very conscious of looking different. He also has high anxiety levels and far too much familiarity with the medical facilities in town. This past year he has had appointments sometimes as often as four times per week.
It’s such a nice break in it all when he can just be on top of the world, celebrating and enjoying life without having to worry for a short time. He’s not thinking about being different, he’s not thinking about any upcoming appointment or procedure, he is just flying high on the exhilaration of the night’s events.
Thank you to The Canucks and Zajac ranch!!
Lucas just got home from a Canucks game! He got to sit in BOX SEATS! And he got a t-shirt that said ‘Nazzy’s Suite’ on his shirt – for Marcus Naslund. He is going to gain some serious status among his hockey-fan friends for that shirt.
He got to go courtesy of The vancouver Canucks and Zajac Ranch. Zajac Ranch is where he went for Cleft Camp for the last two summers.
It’s cool when he can get to do something special and fun, that we would never be able to otherwise provide for him.
I know that a cleft lip and palate is not a life-threatening, but it is life long. Lucas often comments that people don’t like him because of his lip – and whether or not it’s true, it’s clear that he is very conscious of looking different. He also has high anxiety levels and far too much familiarity with the medical facilities in town. This past year he has had appointments sometimes as often as four times per week.
It’s such a nice break in it all when he can just be on top of the world, celebrating and enjoying life without having to worry for a short time. He’s not thinking about being different, he’s not thinking about any upcoming appointment or procedure, he is just flying high on the exhilaration of the night’s events.
Thank you to The Canucks and Zajac ranch!!
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
The Bus Is Here!
I guess I didn’t need to worry about Coram getting on the bus this morning,.
It was actually really refreshing – I might even call it a ‘normal’ morning.
We were busily getting everyone ready, packing lunches, getting clothes out for Lucas, and so on. Coram was all ready and waiting by the door. Usually I wait with him, but I hadn’t completed what I was doing.
Suddenly Coram pipes up, ‘The bus is here! Bye!’ He puts on his backpack and runs out the door.
He didn’t even look back!
That was truly amazing.
It was actually really refreshing – I might even call it a ‘normal’ morning.
We were busily getting everyone ready, packing lunches, getting clothes out for Lucas, and so on. Coram was all ready and waiting by the door. Usually I wait with him, but I hadn’t completed what I was doing.
Suddenly Coram pipes up, ‘The bus is here! Bye!’ He puts on his backpack and runs out the door.
He didn’t even look back!
That was truly amazing.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Retreat-ed
This weekend I was lucky enough to be able to go on a retreat. It was a scrapbooking retreat, but it was really small. There were 5 of us, all women who know each other well. The retreat was in a cabin in Whistler, which was beautiful.
It dumped snow on us, which made our cabin seem even more remote and surreal.
It was very refreshing and relaxing to just get away from it all.
Of course, the kids had two extra days of from school – one for the Remembrance Day holiday, and then a professional day. So I came back refreshed and am exhausted already. But it’s all-good. I’m really glad I got to go.
I also got some great work done on our wedding album. It’s been over two years, and it really was more than time to get cracking on it.
The boys did relatively well. They had some free tickets to an advance screening of ‘Happy Feet’. They enjoyed it, but not so much the bus ride there and back, since I had the car. Coram had a big meltdown on the bus, and a passenger gave Steve a hard time about it. But he put her in her place and she sort of apologized. Gotta’ love people for their opinions.
It will be interesting to see how the boys do tomorrow, going back to school after such a big break. Fingers crossed it’s not a problem.
It dumped snow on us, which made our cabin seem even more remote and surreal.
It was very refreshing and relaxing to just get away from it all.
Of course, the kids had two extra days of from school – one for the Remembrance Day holiday, and then a professional day. So I came back refreshed and am exhausted already. But it’s all-good. I’m really glad I got to go.
I also got some great work done on our wedding album. It’s been over two years, and it really was more than time to get cracking on it.
The boys did relatively well. They had some free tickets to an advance screening of ‘Happy Feet’. They enjoyed it, but not so much the bus ride there and back, since I had the car. Coram had a big meltdown on the bus, and a passenger gave Steve a hard time about it. But he put her in her place and she sort of apologized. Gotta’ love people for their opinions.
It will be interesting to see how the boys do tomorrow, going back to school after such a big break. Fingers crossed it’s not a problem.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Good Cat, Bad Cat
Ugh.
We have mice.
We also have cats.
The cats have been killing the mice.
We are happy about that.
We have been coming home at the end of the day to a mouse carcass, or waking up in the morning to a mouse carcass. They are presented like little trophies on the kitchen floor.
But today, they decided to kill one while I was home.
What a horrible thing to witness.
I don’t think I have ever heard a mouse squeak before. But I just overheard a mouse squeaking for its life as the cats toyed with it, slowly killing it. They batted it around; they chased it under boxes, and they tossed it in the air. All the while only giving it small bites so as not to kill it.
Now, I know this is the nature of things. I know this is how cats hunt. I know that I ultimately want my cats to kill the mice.
But my stomach is in knots. I never, ever EVER want to witness that again.
We have mice.
We also have cats.
The cats have been killing the mice.
We are happy about that.
We have been coming home at the end of the day to a mouse carcass, or waking up in the morning to a mouse carcass. They are presented like little trophies on the kitchen floor.
But today, they decided to kill one while I was home.
What a horrible thing to witness.
I don’t think I have ever heard a mouse squeak before. But I just overheard a mouse squeaking for its life as the cats toyed with it, slowly killing it. They batted it around; they chased it under boxes, and they tossed it in the air. All the while only giving it small bites so as not to kill it.
Now, I know this is the nature of things. I know this is how cats hunt. I know that I ultimately want my cats to kill the mice.
But my stomach is in knots. I never, ever EVER want to witness that again.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Long Update
So much has happened it’s been hard to update.
We have had visits to Lucas’s entire cleft team, as well as our psychiatrist and the councillor Lucas sees. I had an appointment every single day the week before Halloween … either for myself or one or both boys. Halloween itself was fun but very busy. More on that later.
Here is a rundown of Lucas:
Orhtodontist: We got a prescription for Ativan, and made one more appointment to try to put the expander in Lucas’s mouth. He refused to take the Ativan. I tried to hold it under his tongue by force (bad mom, I know, but I was desperate) but he spit it at me. We were not successful getting him to even sit in the orthodontist chair for the expander. We had to follow through on our deal, and take away his game boy. We have decided to try to go back to the removable expander, and Lucas can get his game boy back if he co operates with that. I am hopeful, since he has had removable expanders before, and knows what to expect, so is likely to co-operate.
Speech Pathologist: Lucas’s speech has improved since the last time the speech therapist saw him. He still has nasal air emission on his /s/ sounds, but no longer has any on his plosives, which are the /t/ /d/ /b/ /p/ sounds. She was pleased with the change, but wants him to have some speech therapy to help him remember to send his air out his nose for his /s/ sounds. He can physically do it, but he needs to be re-trained. In her words : ‘Imagine if I told you the way you had been doing a /p/ all your life was wrong…it would take you a lot of practice to learn the right way.’ The reality is that the school board, who is supposed to be providing him speech therapy, doesn’t have the resources to provide it to him, since he is very intelligible. They can only help the kids who are desperate for speech therapy, which Lucas isn’t. We will have to go privately. The speech therapist is going to help us with an application to Variety for funding in the spring. We just missed the fall cut off date for applications. It’s nice that she will help with the application – it takes some weight off of my back.
Ear, Nose and Throat: Lucas has one tube out and one tube in. The pressure in the ear with the tube out is normal, indicating that there is no build up of fluid. There is also no hearing loss at this time. So we don’t have to rush in to replace the tube. That’s a relief.
Plastic Surgeon: The plastic surgeon has put it out there for Lucas to consider having some work done on the tip of his nose. We all agree that since it is not a functional issue, it is up to Lucas if he wants to proceed. The surgeon said he is sure he can help the nose look better, and that it would be a day surgery. Lucas seemed a bit interested, but declined to decide. I am not at all concerned about his nose, so its up to him.
Psychiatrist: We are trying to move Lucas from Dexedrine to Stratterra. I am looking forward to not having the side effects of the Dexedrine: namely, the sleep issues and the lack of appetite. So far, we have added the Stratterra but not backed off the Dexedrine. The psychiatrist said that if we are going to give him meds, it makes a lot more sense to give him the best meds available. I tend to agree. It’s always hard to make a med change, but I think this one is necessary.
Here is the rundown on Coram:
Coram has been doing extremely well. He has not missed a day on the buss or at school for three weeks at least. There was one day last week where he was saying he wasn’t going to go, and grumping about the house all morning, but when the bus came, he ran out and hopped on. It was real progress for him. His home notes all indicate that he is focused, more positive, and completed more work. I am feeling a bit less tied to the phone, as it hasn’t rung to tell me of an emergency for some time now.
Here is the rundown on Halloween:
Wow, did Halloween ever become a huge event. We went to the train park up at moms, and went on the ‘Hobgoblin Express’ train. They had a scary haunted train car that only Grandma went through, and another one all decorated for kids. They also had a mini train that went around the train park, and the route was all decorate with pumpkins and lighted decorations. It was nice because it wasn’t at all crowded like things in the city. The next night, we went on the ‘Ghost Train’, which is the local Halloween train. This one was extremely busy. I had to go at 3 and stand in line for an hour to get tickets, and by then the earliest train was 7:30. We went with grandma and Jama, Sky Keith and Aiden, Uncle Tai and my cousin Jordan. It was a good time. Lucas was really funny – he said there was going to be a giant frog, and we all laughed at him. But he was right! I have no idea how he knew that.
In the middle of all of that, Steve’s boss gave us tickets to the Canucks Super Skills show. This is the first time we have seen the Canucks live, and it was a lot of fun. They compete against each other at skills like speed skating and slapshots.
On Halloween night, we went to moms to trick or treat. It’s a bit of a drive, but the kids like going there because they like to trick or treat with Jama, and they like the neighbourhood. It was super cold though. Coram had a really hard time with it. He had a meltdown because he didn’t want to put a jacket over his costume, but he didn’t want to be cold. It was hard for him – he was completely immobilized by being upset. The really good part is that he was able to recover. He came inside, had a big cry, then calmed down and went out. In the past, he would have been upset about how much time he missed, and not gone at all. So in all, it was a success.
And that’s the uber-long update. The days are whipping by as we proceed towards Christmas. Lucas has been invited to go to a real Canucks game with the organization that ran his cleft camp. He is pretty excited about that. I think it’s cool he’s getting some special treatment to distract him from the misery of appointments, orthodontics, and surgeries.
We have had visits to Lucas’s entire cleft team, as well as our psychiatrist and the councillor Lucas sees. I had an appointment every single day the week before Halloween … either for myself or one or both boys. Halloween itself was fun but very busy. More on that later.
Here is a rundown of Lucas:
Orhtodontist: We got a prescription for Ativan, and made one more appointment to try to put the expander in Lucas’s mouth. He refused to take the Ativan. I tried to hold it under his tongue by force (bad mom, I know, but I was desperate) but he spit it at me. We were not successful getting him to even sit in the orthodontist chair for the expander. We had to follow through on our deal, and take away his game boy. We have decided to try to go back to the removable expander, and Lucas can get his game boy back if he co operates with that. I am hopeful, since he has had removable expanders before, and knows what to expect, so is likely to co-operate.
Speech Pathologist: Lucas’s speech has improved since the last time the speech therapist saw him. He still has nasal air emission on his /s/ sounds, but no longer has any on his plosives, which are the /t/ /d/ /b/ /p/ sounds. She was pleased with the change, but wants him to have some speech therapy to help him remember to send his air out his nose for his /s/ sounds. He can physically do it, but he needs to be re-trained. In her words : ‘Imagine if I told you the way you had been doing a /p/ all your life was wrong…it would take you a lot of practice to learn the right way.’ The reality is that the school board, who is supposed to be providing him speech therapy, doesn’t have the resources to provide it to him, since he is very intelligible. They can only help the kids who are desperate for speech therapy, which Lucas isn’t. We will have to go privately. The speech therapist is going to help us with an application to Variety for funding in the spring. We just missed the fall cut off date for applications. It’s nice that she will help with the application – it takes some weight off of my back.
Ear, Nose and Throat: Lucas has one tube out and one tube in. The pressure in the ear with the tube out is normal, indicating that there is no build up of fluid. There is also no hearing loss at this time. So we don’t have to rush in to replace the tube. That’s a relief.
Plastic Surgeon: The plastic surgeon has put it out there for Lucas to consider having some work done on the tip of his nose. We all agree that since it is not a functional issue, it is up to Lucas if he wants to proceed. The surgeon said he is sure he can help the nose look better, and that it would be a day surgery. Lucas seemed a bit interested, but declined to decide. I am not at all concerned about his nose, so its up to him.
Psychiatrist: We are trying to move Lucas from Dexedrine to Stratterra. I am looking forward to not having the side effects of the Dexedrine: namely, the sleep issues and the lack of appetite. So far, we have added the Stratterra but not backed off the Dexedrine. The psychiatrist said that if we are going to give him meds, it makes a lot more sense to give him the best meds available. I tend to agree. It’s always hard to make a med change, but I think this one is necessary.
Here is the rundown on Coram:
Coram has been doing extremely well. He has not missed a day on the buss or at school for three weeks at least. There was one day last week where he was saying he wasn’t going to go, and grumping about the house all morning, but when the bus came, he ran out and hopped on. It was real progress for him. His home notes all indicate that he is focused, more positive, and completed more work. I am feeling a bit less tied to the phone, as it hasn’t rung to tell me of an emergency for some time now.
Here is the rundown on Halloween:
Wow, did Halloween ever become a huge event. We went to the train park up at moms, and went on the ‘Hobgoblin Express’ train. They had a scary haunted train car that only Grandma went through, and another one all decorated for kids. They also had a mini train that went around the train park, and the route was all decorate with pumpkins and lighted decorations. It was nice because it wasn’t at all crowded like things in the city. The next night, we went on the ‘Ghost Train’, which is the local Halloween train. This one was extremely busy. I had to go at 3 and stand in line for an hour to get tickets, and by then the earliest train was 7:30. We went with grandma and Jama, Sky Keith and Aiden, Uncle Tai and my cousin Jordan. It was a good time. Lucas was really funny – he said there was going to be a giant frog, and we all laughed at him. But he was right! I have no idea how he knew that.
In the middle of all of that, Steve’s boss gave us tickets to the Canucks Super Skills show. This is the first time we have seen the Canucks live, and it was a lot of fun. They compete against each other at skills like speed skating and slapshots.
On Halloween night, we went to moms to trick or treat. It’s a bit of a drive, but the kids like going there because they like to trick or treat with Jama, and they like the neighbourhood. It was super cold though. Coram had a really hard time with it. He had a meltdown because he didn’t want to put a jacket over his costume, but he didn’t want to be cold. It was hard for him – he was completely immobilized by being upset. The really good part is that he was able to recover. He came inside, had a big cry, then calmed down and went out. In the past, he would have been upset about how much time he missed, and not gone at all. So in all, it was a success.
And that’s the uber-long update. The days are whipping by as we proceed towards Christmas. Lucas has been invited to go to a real Canucks game with the organization that ran his cleft camp. He is pretty excited about that. I think it’s cool he’s getting some special treatment to distract him from the misery of appointments, orthodontics, and surgeries.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Words from God?
Lucas got a little spun out this afternoon. He was doing this thing where he would say,’ Coram is chasing me’ and then run away. Of course, Coram would chase him then. Lucas would go off screaming that he wanted to be left alone.
I don’t think so. If you really wanted to be left alone, you wouldn’t be egging your brother on.
So we spent some time trying to calm him, and ended up separating him. I was holing Lucas, and we were having a visit, and Coram came toward us. Lucas up and kicked him.
We sent Lucas to his room for his usually 8 minutes.
Now, Steve brought home a show from work, and was telling Coram about it. The show is ‘Over The Hedge’. Lucas heard this, and begged to come out. We won’t let him come out until his minutes are up.
So he says…get this…
‘God wants you to let me out of my room!’
I don’t think so. If you really wanted to be left alone, you wouldn’t be egging your brother on.
So we spent some time trying to calm him, and ended up separating him. I was holing Lucas, and we were having a visit, and Coram came toward us. Lucas up and kicked him.
We sent Lucas to his room for his usually 8 minutes.
Now, Steve brought home a show from work, and was telling Coram about it. The show is ‘Over The Hedge’. Lucas heard this, and begged to come out. We won’t let him come out until his minutes are up.
So he says…get this…
‘God wants you to let me out of my room!’
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Cast Off
Today we finally got Coram’s cast off!
That was six long weeks I tell ya. Though the waiting room seemed to take even longer.
We waited in the waiting room to be called and sent to the x-ray room. Then we waited in the x-ray waiting room. Then they called us to take us to a different x-ray room (to speed things up apparently) and we waited in that other waiting room. Then we got our x-ray and went back to the first waiting room.
When we were finally called, we were brought into a small private office where we waited another twenty minutes. We saw a resident who said everything looked great, but said we would have to wait to see the doctor.
In all it was two hours we spent there, with about 6 minutes speaking to the actual doctor.
The doctor skipped us to see a small boy who came in after us. I know he came in after us, because his mom kept complaining about how long the wait was, that their appointment was for 2:30, etc. It really bothers me that they skipped us to see them because of a complaining mother. The child wasn’t even complaining, or being noisy, or anything. He just played quietly while his mother ranted ‘I can’t sit here another half an hour!’
I mean, sure he was young, but Coram was having a MUCH harder time with the wait. When we did see the doctor, she was so obviously over-worked that I didn’t feel like I could say anything, though I really wanted to. She made an assumption based on age that my son could wait, which he couldn’t. He was dangerously close to losing it, and I was worried he might not comply when it because time to take the cast off.
However, the idea of having the cast off his hand was more exciting to Coram than worrisome, and he did comply. He sat watching detachedly while they sawed off his cast. There was gross dark yellow dead skin everywhere, but Coram was more fascinated than anything. I took him to rinse his arm off, and as soon as the water ran on him he said, ‘I need a new cast on!’ That boy doesn’t like change at ALL.
He is looking forward to going swimming on Friday with Boys and girls Club, though. In the car on the way home he pointed out that the timing is good because he won’t have to wear a plastic bag to the pool. So it didn’t take him long to get used to not having the cast on.
Me, I am just relieved I don’t have to look out for the weapon on the end of his arm anymore. That thing was fibreglass, and an accidental bonk or scratch with it would really hurt.
That was six long weeks I tell ya. Though the waiting room seemed to take even longer.
We waited in the waiting room to be called and sent to the x-ray room. Then we waited in the x-ray waiting room. Then they called us to take us to a different x-ray room (to speed things up apparently) and we waited in that other waiting room. Then we got our x-ray and went back to the first waiting room.
When we were finally called, we were brought into a small private office where we waited another twenty minutes. We saw a resident who said everything looked great, but said we would have to wait to see the doctor.
In all it was two hours we spent there, with about 6 minutes speaking to the actual doctor.
The doctor skipped us to see a small boy who came in after us. I know he came in after us, because his mom kept complaining about how long the wait was, that their appointment was for 2:30, etc. It really bothers me that they skipped us to see them because of a complaining mother. The child wasn’t even complaining, or being noisy, or anything. He just played quietly while his mother ranted ‘I can’t sit here another half an hour!’
I mean, sure he was young, but Coram was having a MUCH harder time with the wait. When we did see the doctor, she was so obviously over-worked that I didn’t feel like I could say anything, though I really wanted to. She made an assumption based on age that my son could wait, which he couldn’t. He was dangerously close to losing it, and I was worried he might not comply when it because time to take the cast off.
However, the idea of having the cast off his hand was more exciting to Coram than worrisome, and he did comply. He sat watching detachedly while they sawed off his cast. There was gross dark yellow dead skin everywhere, but Coram was more fascinated than anything. I took him to rinse his arm off, and as soon as the water ran on him he said, ‘I need a new cast on!’ That boy doesn’t like change at ALL.
He is looking forward to going swimming on Friday with Boys and girls Club, though. In the car on the way home he pointed out that the timing is good because he won’t have to wear a plastic bag to the pool. So it didn’t take him long to get used to not having the cast on.
Me, I am just relieved I don’t have to look out for the weapon on the end of his arm anymore. That thing was fibreglass, and an accidental bonk or scratch with it would really hurt.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
