Thursday, September 27, 2012

The power of the color Blue!

Normally Michael's doctor's appointments consist of the doctor and I talking rather loudly over M's screams and protests. Maybe he/she will get to look in one ear, more or less watch his eyes follow a light and see him walk/run around the room as he tries to find a way out of it. We've had people come to the door to make sure all is okay as they try and do the pulse ox, blood pressure and ear thermometer because he screams so violently. This is also why we have not had an EEG done in over 2 years.

But not yesterday! He had a room with a BLUE curtain. He loves that color. When he has something blue nearby he usually calms right down and loves on the object. There were a couple protests but no crying or screaming. He loved the pulse ox! We've been practicing with stickers on him so I think he associated it with those. He gave me a hug while they took his temperature so he didn't even have time to protest. He thought the blood pressure cuff was funny, even laughing while it tightened. He couldn't hold still long enough for it to get a good reading though. But he was never disgruntle during it. It did take a little effort to get him to hold still for them to examine his ears but not much. When we needed to move away from the curtain they let him lay on the BLUE exam table without the paper on it. He HATES that paper! He opened his mouth so they could look in but wouldn't keep it open long enough to get a great look at his tonsils. He walked around the room with the doctor, as opposed to bolting for the door.

Overall, a great visit!

The doctor and I were able to talk at normal volume for once, as well! We discussed finally getting M into Speech, OT and PT. For years we've heard that M wouldn't do well because he would be "uncooperative". To most, that seemed crazy. But, without a referral we couldn't get in. We finally have them! But now we are facing a dilemma. M receives 2 hours of speech a month (crazy low time, I know) at his school. Because of this, our insurance company could deny us. We would obviously want the insurance covered therapies because he could get 2-3 hours A WEEK of therapy but we'll have a possible battle on our hands and have to drop his school assistance.

But, since we are the always-look-to-the-bright-side type of family, we're just thrilled to have the referrals in. If it takes us a couple months to get them approved and then another 6-12 months of sitting on a waitlist...then PCS'ing and sitting on ANOTHER waitlist... That's okay! Because we'll get in!
My 43 inch, 39 lbs 4 year old :)

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Happy Birthday Michael!

Michael turned FOUR this week! Wow! His first birthday he ate cake but we had to time the day around seizures and he was so groggy I'm not sure he was really a part of it. His second birthday he tried some cupcakes but could have cared less about them and his Daddy was deployed so it just wasn't as fun. His third birthday he wouldn't touch cake or cookies and really just wanted to go play. This year he did great! Cake and cupcakes were both inhaled :) I think his favorite present was actually a previous gift from his Auntie Jenn. He has finally discovered how to build well with the duplo blocks. They have been holding his interest this weekend which is great since it's such a relaxing activity and he has a nasty cold.

Michael's birthday bash at SPED where he ate 5 cupcakes
His piece of cake at home
 On top of his birthday and our usual craziness of school and extracurriculars, we have been trying to settle into an exercise routine. Matt and I both want to lose weight and have been taking evening walks every night. Elizabeth is old enough to stay at home during the hour we're gone but Michael has to tag along. Since we go after dinner, near bedtime, he seems to find it relaxing.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

We're back!

We had to take a break from blogging for the summer. It was becoming impossible to do updates regularly during the summer. Elizabeth has been back in school since the beginning of August and Michael started on the 20th. Now that things are getting back into a routine and I'm getting some free time in the morning and early bedtimes for the kids I'm hoping to get back into blogging.

There have been so many changes in the last couple months! Michael's speech is improving. He has added a couple more words to his vocabulary, though it still takes effort to form the word. He is starting to sign a couple words as well. Through ABA he now points to an object he wants instead of reaching or staring and crying at it. He also has more patience when asked to wait or sit.

At the beginning of August Michael had a neurology appointment. The doctors still will not order an EEG because he won't sit nicely through one. We were hoping to get one because he has been seizure free for 2 1/2 years but maybe next time. We did start a new trial of meds. His neuro put him on Celexa. It's an anti depressant but also used to treat OCD. Given Michael's need to order things, stack similar objects, getting stuck running the same routes, they thought it might be OCD. He has been working up to the full dose of Celexa for 5 weeks and just started it on Saturday. We've already seen changes and hope it is the meds. He is no longer picky about food, eating it or touching it. He also plays at the playground without running in routes. He is all over the place! It is great...and now a little nerve racking. He used to just run in the same circle, so I knew where he was at all times and didn't have to worry about him suddenly jumping out the ladder opening or trying to go down the rock wall ledge. Now we have to follow him a little closer...until he learns not to plummet to the ground :)

We received news about a month ago as well that Matt will be going to recruiting school this coming spring. We'll be moving next June/July. We're excited and nervous. It will mean we have to find a new doctor, therapist and school for Michael. I'm trying not to dwell on that part right now. It could be a very exciting PCS and we might end up some place that has even more amazing services for him. Right now though, we just need to focus on this current school year, ABA and Michael's new meds.

I'm sure there are more changes that I have failed to mention. (There have been so many!) I'll try and do better keeping the updates coming.