Looking up. Hopefully.

So, Wednesday I took Hunter in to see the psychiatrist filling in for his doctor (while she's on leave). He was very satisfied with the neurologist that our pediatrician had referred us to (we have an appointment April 8th.) We decided to pull him off all of the lithium in one fell swoop, and start him on depakote. I was a bit nervous about the quick transition, but hopeful that since depakote is also an anti-seizure medication that it may help us. When I asked about what would happen if things became worse, he said he planned to hospitalize him. I have no problem with hospitalizing, however I have a major problem with the hospital he plans on putting him in. In fact, there is no way I would consent.

I talked to his pediatrician yesterday and filled them in on that appointment. The nurse said maybe the seizures weren't medical. Now, let me just tell you- there have been times when I have known my children have had issues that needed to be treated inpatient at the psych hospital. Or at least I thought so at the time. This, however, is not a psych issue. Of this I'm 120% positive. Hunter is not depressed, stressed, or off-kilter. In fact, he's been right cheerful and other than concerned, he's been an overall happy kid. He doesn't even remember or realize that about 75% of his seizures ever occurred. He only remembers having a headache, or feeling really tired (after). He doesn't even know he was unconscious. He really wants to go back to school. He thinks he is ready, and he likes school, and misses it. This is not a mental issue. Regardless, the pediatrician is going to be of no help, whatsoever. The psychiatrist said to put him on home study, so I called the school and started setting that up yesterday.

The good news (in fact, great news) is that the transition from the lithium to the depakote went smoothly. Not only did it go smoothly, he had NO seizures yesterday that I witnessed! I'm hoping that we will have that great of a day today. He actually slept Wednesday and Thursday nights (for the first time in ages) and was so much more alert and awake yesterday. I'm cautiously encouraged. Hunter is over the moon.

Yesterday wasn't the greatest day on all fronts, however- Aaron had an appointment with his orthopedist for his shoulder. There is apparently nothing torn (which is good, but bad because he is in such pain we were hoping for something that would be able to be repaired) just a remarkable thinning of the tendon. Once again, the hypermobility is an issue, she doesn't want to do surgery on the shoulder because she said he is too hypermobile, and that is the root issue and that wouldn't change with surgery. They took away his pain medication (ultram/mobic)and told him to use motrin/tylenol. UGH. He was barely existing as it was. He has an appointment with the rheumatologist to evaluate him next Friday and I hope they will do SOMETHING. He is so miserable. And a miserable dad makes for a miserable everyone else.

Dakota is feeling very left out these days, and acting out in unpleasant ways. He is being very mean and hateful to the rest of us, refusing to do homework and not doing work in school again. We have gone from A and B's to D's and F's over the last two weeks. He has physically attacked Tristan and is just overall being horrible. I've talked to him about positive versus negative attention, and will have to work on giving him some one on one time this weekend.

Tristan and I snuck away to speech yesterday since Daddy came home right after his orthopedic appointment. It was nice to have some quiet time and weird to only have one child! We are dead broke, but I scavenged up some free cone coupons for Dairy Queen and Mcdonalds, so we had a chocolate icecream cone on the way there and he had a vanilla cone on the way back. He was in heaven. No improvement in speech however, since we haven't had time to practice these last couple of weeks.

Giovanna has been hanging in as well as possible. Her schedule has been shot to hell with all the appointments in the last two weeks, as well as no alone time with mom since Hunter is here all day and no naps because we haven't been home. Potty training is non existant for the most part but she is faring well otherwise. She has been going through a Daddy's girl phase, but has finally figured out it's okay to love both Mommy and Daddy. This morning is her Head Start registration. I don't know much about the program here except it's home based. She really is wanting a classroom type setting but we have an appointment set up for a screening for the regular preschool in a week or two. They are supposed to work well together, so we will find out more about it this morning.

Aaron has his appointment with the retinal specialist this morning to see if surgery will be an option to shift the scar tissue from the damage of the open eye surgery, lazer surgeries, and histoplasmosis. I'm praying that this goes well, if not, it's going to be a long weekend. I'm afraid if this is bad news he may hit the depths of depression.

Life sure hasn't been fun lately. I miss being able to workout and my body is looking like I miss it too! I'm doing better about the stress eating but I have already done some damage. I just need a break from all this stress and worry and running. I'm hoping this weekend will go better. I pray that Hunter's seizures will be gone this weekend. We need a break.