Sunday, July 20, 2014

Running on Empty

Hello everyone!! I know I have been so bad about blogging this year, and for that, I apologize. A lot has been going on that needed my attention. It still does. It never ends.

I finished my sophomore year of college. Barely passing my statistics class, but I passed, and that is what counts. Next semester will be even busier with two different practicums at two different schools. One of them will be at Nick's school-so that should be interesting.

Michael turned 15 this year! I cannot believe it. I know I say that every year, and every year it is true. Since we moved into our house last year, he has been asking for a dog. It was awesome. The evening before his birthday, we told him we were going out to celebrate then because on  his birthday I had an evening class that I could not miss. We took him to the animal shelter and picked out a dog. We ended up not getting the one we had actually inquired about, but another dog. We brought Juno home on May 1st, which is Michael's birthday. I don't think I have seen a happier kid!

Less than a week after bringing Juno home, we had to take her to the vet. She had complete her treatment for kennel cough at the shelter, at least we were told she had. But she was getting worse with each passing day. By the time we took her to the vet, she was not eating or drinking and having bad fits of coughing. It turned out to be pneumonia! She stayed at the vets overnight and got IV fluids and antibiotics. She came home again the next day and over the next three weeks she finished her medications, began to eat and drink, and was once again playing. Happy to say that now she is in perfect health!

My mom came to visit us for a week at the end of May. It was awesome to have her here to talk to, shop with, and just help around the house. I never ask for it, but she always ends up lending a hand.

Nick continues to have rage issues and tics. The tics seem to effect his behavior. The more aggression we see, the more tics. His self injury was also on the rise again just a couple weeks ago. His school did not know what to do, and this is an autism school people. For the first time in two years, we were called down to observe him. His neurologist thinks this is strictly a mental health issue, everyone at his school thinks it is more of a neurologist issue, with possible mental health issues. They are strongly suggesting we get another opinion from a place like Kennedy Krieger, or somewhere else that deals with autism AND neuro issues at the same time. They tell us this is not all to be blamed on just autism. His school is trying one last method to try and sort out his problems, and it seems to be helping-although it has only been a few days.

This weekend has been the worst one in a long time. His sleeping is all out of whack. For the last two days he has only taken naps. The longest stretch of sleep he has done has been from 9pm-midnight. He may take two hour naps throughout the day, but the rest of the time seems to be filled with lots of aggression. We are exhausted. He is regressing again behaviorally. I just feel like we are losing this battle.