Monday, December 6, 2010

The Change

Today I reasoned successfully with my son.  He got into the shower this morning even though he didn't want to.  This may not be a big deal to most of you but for me it's huge!   A month ago this would have devolved into an hour long screaming fight.  For the past four years we have  struggled with an extremely angry, easily frustrated, emotionally unstable, abusive child.    We have walked on eggshells and held our breath not having any idea what would set him off next.  We have lived everyday feeling like the worst parents on the planet.  We have spent more time and money that I care to remember in doctors offices trying to figure out what was wrong to no avail.

That all changed a few months ago when a client of Shawn's told him about how he was a different person because he had finally found the right doctor and was being treated for chronic Lyme disease.   This had always been in the back of my mind as a possible culprit because at 2 Michael had Lyme disease.  Unfortunately I listened to the doctors who told me that if he was treated then that couldn't be the cause of Michael's problems.  But after hearing about this man though and the difference in his life I decided that this was something I needed to pursue.  I didn't know where to begin so of course I turned to the internet.  It was there that I stumbled onto Lymenet.org and got a doctor recommendation for a Lyme disease specialist that would actually see a child.  (believe me this is no small feat, there are very few that will treat children)

Michael has been on antibiotic treatment for Lyme disease for 8 weeks now.  16 days ago the change happened, my own personal Christmas miracle, it all went away.  I now live with a completely different child.  He used to complain that his brain shook but 16 days ago that stopped, he is now agreeable, helpful, sweet, happy, loving, and apparently can be reasoned with.  He doesn't fight at every turn, and I haven't heard the words "you're stupid" or "I hate you" in 16 days.  We have never gone 16 days without a meltdown, we are now in uncharted territory and I am a nervous wreck that it will end at any second.  I wonder how long it will take before I can breathe that sigh of relief.  For now I am just taking it moment by moment and enjoying every second of life with my happy little boy.    


I am lucky enough to have been given a miracle and even though I am not overly religious I will thank God every day until I take my last breath for giving me my son back.  

Friday, December 3, 2010

Week 14 - A Fabulous Week!!

This has been a great week full of math tests (Megan got 93% and Michael got 100%!!), paragraphs written without complaint (for the first time in 14 weeks!),  finding out about the Minoans and how they mysteriously disappeared, and learning about the brain in science.    The most exciting thing we did though was dissect a sheep brain!

This is how we started.  Megan was crying and refused to look and Michael was grossed out!
After 20 mins of crying Mom broke down and cut the brain in half herself.
Michael was the first to come around and actually check it out.
Michael pointing out the brain stem and Megan contemplating checking it out.
Megan pointing out the Frontal Lobe but not to happy about it.
Finally both past the freak out and deciding this might actually be pretty cool.
Actually cutting!!!

Not wanting to be out done by his sister Michael decided to cut to.  :)