I've been calling all over this island today with no results. Apparently, a day camp program for a 7 year old with hearing impairment and bipolar disorder doesn't exist here.
I put in a phone call to a local day care that also does day camp. I'm waiting on a call back from their care coordinator to find out if they're equipped to handle Tristan's special needs. I don't know if they'll be able to provide his medication if I do enroll him. I'm also waiting on a phone call from a resource here that is looking into programs for hearing impaired children. I'm crossing my fingers they can help.
I called Military One Source last night. I got hung up on after being on hold for ten minutes. I was so frustrated I wanted to cry. Anyway, I got an email from them this morning that announced they had been unable to find anything in the area. It contained a list of places I could call to ask about day camp. Honestly, I feel like I wasted time calling One Source. I could have gotten that list myself off the internet.
If we do find something that is willing to take Tristan, I worry about the cost. We're looking at a minimum of $1000. We'll have to dip into our savings account to pay for this. I was hoping there would be some resources to help us, but I'm not feeling too hopeful at this point.
C. doesn't want to pay out that small fortune for Tristan to go to summer camp. I think Tristan needs it, so if I can find anything, we're doing it.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Vog and A Visit from Grandparents
We had a much easier time for the last four days, but we broke that streak today. I was really feeling good about Tristan's mood.
As usual, we went to the play therapist on Friday. Tristan and I had a Mommy/Son session. We started with a foot massage (for him) and I told him all the good things he had done over the last week. Since we'd had a rough week, it took me a few minutes to come up with a lot of good things. I felt terrible about that because I know it must feel awful to only be scolded. I was reminded that when I do acknowledge Tristan for his good behavior, I need to make eye contact because of his hearing impairment.
We saw Tristan's psychiatrist yesterday and we discussed the difficulties of the last week. He was of the opinion that perhaps the vog (volcanic smoke/ash smog) or the pollen was causing allergies which exacerbated his symptoms. I guess that's feasible, considering it's almost exactly a year to the day that Tristan was admitted to the hospital.
The psychiatrist suggested giving him Benadryl when he exhibits allergy symptoms, but he hasn't had any noticeable symptoms.
Anyways, today was a rough day, with him tantruming all day. He was incredibly resistant to doing his homework. Everything was a trigger. We tried to get him to calm down, but he just screamed.
My mother-in-law is visiting and yesterday we did not get home until after 8 p.m. We didn't realize we would be out that late, so we didn't bring Tristan's evening medication. He fell asleep in the car on the way home and wouldn't be wakened no matter how hard we tried. So we ended up not giving him his medication last night and it may have effected his behavior today. We've seldom missed any doses and I can't ever recall missing his evening dose. All medication was given on time today, so we'll see if it makes any difference in his behavior.
This week and next will be super busy with my inlaws being in town. Hopefully, it's uneventful and peaceful for all involved and Tristan enjoys his time with his grandparents.
I'm looking into Reactive Attachment Disorder treatment and behavior modification plans at the suggestion of a friend to see if it might not help us. Trista doesn't have RAD, but the plans have helped other children.
As usual, we went to the play therapist on Friday. Tristan and I had a Mommy/Son session. We started with a foot massage (for him) and I told him all the good things he had done over the last week. Since we'd had a rough week, it took me a few minutes to come up with a lot of good things. I felt terrible about that because I know it must feel awful to only be scolded. I was reminded that when I do acknowledge Tristan for his good behavior, I need to make eye contact because of his hearing impairment.
We saw Tristan's psychiatrist yesterday and we discussed the difficulties of the last week. He was of the opinion that perhaps the vog (volcanic smoke/ash smog) or the pollen was causing allergies which exacerbated his symptoms. I guess that's feasible, considering it's almost exactly a year to the day that Tristan was admitted to the hospital.
The psychiatrist suggested giving him Benadryl when he exhibits allergy symptoms, but he hasn't had any noticeable symptoms.
Anyways, today was a rough day, with him tantruming all day. He was incredibly resistant to doing his homework. Everything was a trigger. We tried to get him to calm down, but he just screamed.
My mother-in-law is visiting and yesterday we did not get home until after 8 p.m. We didn't realize we would be out that late, so we didn't bring Tristan's evening medication. He fell asleep in the car on the way home and wouldn't be wakened no matter how hard we tried. So we ended up not giving him his medication last night and it may have effected his behavior today. We've seldom missed any doses and I can't ever recall missing his evening dose. All medication was given on time today, so we'll see if it makes any difference in his behavior.
This week and next will be super busy with my inlaws being in town. Hopefully, it's uneventful and peaceful for all involved and Tristan enjoys his time with his grandparents.
I'm looking into Reactive Attachment Disorder treatment and behavior modification plans at the suggestion of a friend to see if it might not help us. Trista doesn't have RAD, but the plans have helped other children.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Seeking A New Approach and Considering Summer Vacation
Okay, I think we might need a new approach.
Tristan tantrumed all day. Every word out of his mouth was argumentative and combative. It was exhausting.
He came home and seemed okay. As soon as I told him it was time for homework, he immediately flung himself on the floor and from that point, the day went downhill. I put him in his room, where he flung things at the door and kicked and screamed. Then he calmed down and asked to come out. This happened about three or four times before I finally insisted that he take a nap.
He napped for about an hour and I really thought he would wake up in a much better mood. He didn't.
He screamed and thrashed around. He didn't even really have a reason to rage. He was in his room screaming "Shut up!" over and over again. I have no idea who he was screaming at since everyone else was downstairs. I'm going to mention it to Dr. M the next time we go.
Summer is a mere few weeks away and I have no idea how I'm going to keep my sanity. We'll be moving in a few months, so pressing the issue with the school district (which does NOT provide services in spite of the fact that he exhibits symptoms at school,) is probably not worth. I'm going to look into some programs and see if I can't find anything remotely affordable.
Tristan tantrumed all day. Every word out of his mouth was argumentative and combative. It was exhausting.
He came home and seemed okay. As soon as I told him it was time for homework, he immediately flung himself on the floor and from that point, the day went downhill. I put him in his room, where he flung things at the door and kicked and screamed. Then he calmed down and asked to come out. This happened about three or four times before I finally insisted that he take a nap.
He napped for about an hour and I really thought he would wake up in a much better mood. He didn't.
He screamed and thrashed around. He didn't even really have a reason to rage. He was in his room screaming "Shut up!" over and over again. I have no idea who he was screaming at since everyone else was downstairs. I'm going to mention it to Dr. M the next time we go.
Summer is a mere few weeks away and I have no idea how I'm going to keep my sanity. We'll be moving in a few months, so pressing the issue with the school district (which does NOT provide services in spite of the fact that he exhibits symptoms at school,) is probably not worth. I'm going to look into some programs and see if I can't find anything remotely affordable.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Mother's Day
I love Mother's Day. I don't love it because of breakfast in bed or jewelry, because I don't get those things. In fact, since Chris has to work tomorrow, I won't even get a break.
This is why I love Mother's Day:
Who needs a vase of real, expensive flowers when you get one of these? I keep all of the kids Mother's Day drawings and probably always will.
For all of you out there that mother, whether it be children, animals or plants, Happy Mother's Day.
This is why I love Mother's Day:
For all of you out there that mother, whether it be children, animals or plants, Happy Mother's Day.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
The Hearing Aid Was Found!
Tristan's hearing aid has been found! I can't tell you how relieved I am to be able to type that out.
After the fiasco with the stash in the car, I tore apart Tristan's room. He had things stashed all over the place. I cleaned his toy box out. I hit his closet where I found dirty laundry and a huge stash of soiled pull ups.
Tristan still wets the bed. We don't make a big deal out of it since he's on medication that really knocks him out at night. We put him in Good Nites to make him as comfortable as we can while he's sleeping. It also cuts down on laundry and reduces damage to his bed. We've tried to just let him go to bed without the Good Nites, but he sleeps soundly til the morning regardless. Being wet just doesn't wake him up.
Anyways, I pulled everything away from the wall and went through every square inch of his room. I finally found the hearing aid stashed behind his toy box. I was so relieved to find it. We checked it out to make sure it was still working, and it was just fine.
I made him clean out all those disgusting Good Nites and explained for the umpteenth time how gross it was and that I wasn't mad that he wet the bed, he just needed to take care of it. I really wonder what's going on with this hoarding-like behavior.
After the fiasco with the stash in the car, I tore apart Tristan's room. He had things stashed all over the place. I cleaned his toy box out. I hit his closet where I found dirty laundry and a huge stash of soiled pull ups.
Tristan still wets the bed. We don't make a big deal out of it since he's on medication that really knocks him out at night. We put him in Good Nites to make him as comfortable as we can while he's sleeping. It also cuts down on laundry and reduces damage to his bed. We've tried to just let him go to bed without the Good Nites, but he sleeps soundly til the morning regardless. Being wet just doesn't wake him up.
Anyways, I pulled everything away from the wall and went through every square inch of his room. I finally found the hearing aid stashed behind his toy box. I was so relieved to find it. We checked it out to make sure it was still working, and it was just fine.
I made him clean out all those disgusting Good Nites and explained for the umpteenth time how gross it was and that I wasn't mad that he wet the bed, he just needed to take care of it. I really wonder what's going on with this hoarding-like behavior.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Foot Massage and a Hidden Cache
The past two or three days have been relatively uneventful tantrum-wise, thankfully.
We saw Dr. M on Thursday and I expressed my desire to leave Tristan's medication alone for the time being. I told him also that if we decided that the medication does not work, then instead of adding anything, I'd like to try something new. Dr. M completely agreed with me and was supportive of my plan.
We saw the play therapist, C., on Friday, as usual. She wanted us to have a mother/son session, and since my husband was there to watch the girls, I agreed.
She started us off by having me give Tristan a foot massage. He seemed to enjoy it but wouldn't look me in the eye while I was rubbing his feet. After the foot massage, she wanted me to cradle him and just hold him. He was having none of that. I guess he wasn't into being treated like a baby. I know I personally feel very vulnerable in the prone position like that.
We played with the doll house for the remainder of the session. Tristan made up a very elaborate story about our family running up the hill away from a terrible storm. In the story, Tristan flew himself, Daisy (our dog), his middle sister, S., and his goldfish in a helicopter up the hill. My husband, myself and the baby, W., rode in a police car (which was supposed to be a regular car in the story,) up the hill. He had to fix the car and the house in the story. C. pronounced that Tristan is working on "fixing things" internally.
This morning, Tristan woke up on the wrong side of the bed. He argued almost constantly and about everything until finally, I told him I wasn't taking him to his baseball game in such a mood. I told him that he needed to stop arguing and back-talking and I would reconsider. He started screaming and thrashing around, no matter how much I tried talking to him and explaining what he needed to do to be allowed to go. That was a complete failure. He ended up throwing an enormous tantrum. He went to his room for a while to calm down and came down in a better mood.
In related news, we discovered he's been hiding things in the car. His school folders have been missing. I couldn't figure out where they were since they'd disappeared somewhere between our house and school. I noticed a wrapper sticking out from in front of his seat in the back of our SUV. Upon further investigation, I found all the missing homework, folders and all kinds of food and snack wrappers. I was livid.
Not only had he hidden the homework, all that food in the car attracted bugs and other disgusting things to our car. I try so hard to keep our SUV clean, since, let's face it, roaches thrive in Hawaii. Just about everyone has them, whether they are aware of them or not. We've had the Honda for two and a half years and had no bug problems until now. Our neighbor told us they need to bomb their cars at least a couple times a year and everyone in Hawaii has that problem. I'm not convinced, but it did make me feel better.
We bombed the car last night per our neighbor's advice and showed Tristan the evidence this morning. I wanted him to understand why we don't have food in the car. He was horrified (even though the problem really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.)
On second thought, since he has those bug hallucinations maybe I shouldn't have shown him that...
Still no sign of the hearing aid. I think on Monday, I'm throwing in the towel and calling the audiologist. We may have to eat the $2000, but Tristan not being able to hear is driving me (and him) nuts. He admits he hid it, but says he forgot where he put it.
We saw Dr. M on Thursday and I expressed my desire to leave Tristan's medication alone for the time being. I told him also that if we decided that the medication does not work, then instead of adding anything, I'd like to try something new. Dr. M completely agreed with me and was supportive of my plan.
We saw the play therapist, C., on Friday, as usual. She wanted us to have a mother/son session, and since my husband was there to watch the girls, I agreed.
She started us off by having me give Tristan a foot massage. He seemed to enjoy it but wouldn't look me in the eye while I was rubbing his feet. After the foot massage, she wanted me to cradle him and just hold him. He was having none of that. I guess he wasn't into being treated like a baby. I know I personally feel very vulnerable in the prone position like that.
We played with the doll house for the remainder of the session. Tristan made up a very elaborate story about our family running up the hill away from a terrible storm. In the story, Tristan flew himself, Daisy (our dog), his middle sister, S., and his goldfish in a helicopter up the hill. My husband, myself and the baby, W., rode in a police car (which was supposed to be a regular car in the story,) up the hill. He had to fix the car and the house in the story. C. pronounced that Tristan is working on "fixing things" internally.
This morning, Tristan woke up on the wrong side of the bed. He argued almost constantly and about everything until finally, I told him I wasn't taking him to his baseball game in such a mood. I told him that he needed to stop arguing and back-talking and I would reconsider. He started screaming and thrashing around, no matter how much I tried talking to him and explaining what he needed to do to be allowed to go. That was a complete failure. He ended up throwing an enormous tantrum. He went to his room for a while to calm down and came down in a better mood.
In related news, we discovered he's been hiding things in the car. His school folders have been missing. I couldn't figure out where they were since they'd disappeared somewhere between our house and school. I noticed a wrapper sticking out from in front of his seat in the back of our SUV. Upon further investigation, I found all the missing homework, folders and all kinds of food and snack wrappers. I was livid.
Not only had he hidden the homework, all that food in the car attracted bugs and other disgusting things to our car. I try so hard to keep our SUV clean, since, let's face it, roaches thrive in Hawaii. Just about everyone has them, whether they are aware of them or not. We've had the Honda for two and a half years and had no bug problems until now. Our neighbor told us they need to bomb their cars at least a couple times a year and everyone in Hawaii has that problem. I'm not convinced, but it did make me feel better.
We bombed the car last night per our neighbor's advice and showed Tristan the evidence this morning. I wanted him to understand why we don't have food in the car. He was horrified (even though the problem really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.)
On second thought, since he has those bug hallucinations maybe I shouldn't have shown him that...
Still no sign of the hearing aid. I think on Monday, I'm throwing in the towel and calling the audiologist. We may have to eat the $2000, but Tristan not being able to hear is driving me (and him) nuts. He admits he hid it, but says he forgot where he put it.
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