The little thing on top of the elephant is Bad Kitty. I think he is having a great time visiting India for the first time. Look at the beautiful elephant he gets to ride. ; )
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Napkin Notes-- Bad Kitty 3/30
My husband is off to India for the week. This Napkin Note is a mash-up of that and TsukiMoon's favorite character at the moment: Nick Bruel's Bad Kitty.
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Drug Study-- First Week
On Friday our son, TsukiMoon, had his first full week of meds, check in. He started ruminating on it on Wednesday. He was worried about the blood draw. Asking questions like, "how long will it take? How much blood will they take?"
Check in with the liaison then off to the blood draw in another building. Then back we go to the behavior sciences building for the EKG and blood pressure check. Then its time to meet with the lead Doctor of the study. He asked many questions, all with TsukiMoon in the room. It made us uncomfortable.
He was particularly interested in our son's behavior (of course). We don't like to tell people about TsukiMoon's bad behavior in front of him because it is important to always stay positive in front of him. Normally we would say things like; he is improving, he is challenged by but working on ______, and the like. To talk about tantrums in his pressence was tough. Especially becasue we had many incidents of what we call "circular-thinking." TsukiMoon has a tendancy to have ridged thinking. He acts like a dog-with-a-bone. He won't let go even when you ask him to give it a break because his parents can't take anymore. I have begged him to let go of something because I can't take any more.
He was particularly interested in our son's behavior (of course). We don't like to tell people about TsukiMoon's bad behavior in front of him because it is important to always stay positive in front of him. Normally we would say things like; he is improving, he is challenged by but working on ______, and the like. To talk about tantrums in his pressence was tough. Especially becasue we had many incidents of what we call "circular-thinking." TsukiMoon has a tendancy to have ridged thinking. He acts like a dog-with-a-bone. He won't let go even when you ask him to give it a break because his parents can't take anymore. I have begged him to let go of something because I can't take any more.
Over all the first week on the drug sucked, which makes us think we got a placebo. In a moment of break-down I said to my husband that getting a kid with ASD is a raw deal. Mr. TsukiMoon who is always positive, was also broken down. To my surprise he said, "yes it is." At which point we started making jokes, because gallows humor is sometimes the thing left to help out.
"How did you become an alcoholic?" I said, as if asked by someone else.
"How did you become an alcoholic?" I said, as if asked by someone else.
"Well we have a kid with ASD," I answered my question. Mr. TsukiMoon chuckled.
I followed it up with "how did you gain 50 pounds?" Again as if asked by a someone else.
"Well, I became best friends with the folks at the cake bakery." Which brought a guffaw from my husband.
That was on Friday. This weekend Mr. TsukiMoon kept saying he was tired. Now it might still be a residual from shingles he got 4 weeks ago, but I told him that it might be depression-- that a change in energy level is a symptom. He is on a plane to India as a write this, earning the money needed to cover all of TsukiMoon's therapies.
If this medicine helps it would be nice to take some of the pressure off families. Sometimes it can all get to be a little much.
That was on Friday. This weekend Mr. TsukiMoon kept saying he was tired. Now it might still be a residual from shingles he got 4 weeks ago, but I told him that it might be depression-- that a change in energy level is a symptom. He is on a plane to India as a write this, earning the money needed to cover all of TsukiMoon's therapies.
If this medicine helps it would be nice to take some of the pressure off families. Sometimes it can all get to be a little much.
At the end of the session with the lead doctor we were then asked to double the doseage in both the morning and evening. Maybe this will have a better effect. Maybe this week will be better then the last.
Monday, March 30, 2015
Drug Study-- Observations 3/30
Mr. TsukiMoon whispered to me, "has he ever said 'hi,' before?"
"No, I don't think so," I answered. "And he told him about his haircut. He's never done that."
"Maybe the higher doseage is working." Mr. TsukiMoon said.
"Maybe," I confirmed.
Intially I was on the fence about whether I would wanted to medicate TsukiMoon. If he has someone inside of him that is relaxed an happy and symptoms like; anxiety or getting stuck in circular thinking can be taken away, why would be put him through that state of being?
Before me moved to our present location, which has 270 days of sunshine, we live 3 of the top 5 greyist cities in the United States. When we got here 10 years ago it felt like a fog had lifted. Up until that point I had been fighting low to moderate depression my whole adult life (after leaveing college, a place with 284 days of sunshine). I relized that lack of sun was detramental to me. To that point I assumed that that's who I was, someone with depression. Now I see it as part of me but not me. That's how I now see TsukiMoon symptoms-- they are not him, just a part of him. It would be nice if there was sunshine pouring down on him.
Intially I was on the fence about whether I would wanted to medicate TsukiMoon. If he has someone inside of him that is relaxed an happy and symptoms like; anxiety or getting stuck in circular thinking can be taken away, why would be put him through that state of being?
Before me moved to our present location, which has 270 days of sunshine, we live 3 of the top 5 greyist cities in the United States. When we got here 10 years ago it felt like a fog had lifted. Up until that point I had been fighting low to moderate depression my whole adult life (after leaveing college, a place with 284 days of sunshine). I relized that lack of sun was detramental to me. To that point I assumed that that's who I was, someone with depression. Now I see it as part of me but not me. That's how I now see TsukiMoon symptoms-- they are not him, just a part of him. It would be nice if there was sunshine pouring down on him.
Friday, March 27, 2015
Napkin Notes-- Bravest Warriors 3/27
Today's inspiration came from the series our son, TsukiMoon, is most interested in at the moment.
Napkin Notes-- Garfield 3/26
For years now, Garfield has been a source for giggles and laughter. Our son returns again and again to these books.
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Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Napkin Notes-- Dad's Napkin 3/25
My husband made today's napkin. We all thought it would be fun to try something new.
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