Guest guest Posted March 19, 2012 Report Share Posted March 19, 2012 , I am in tears of empathy with you as I read about what you have been through in the past few days. I truly hope that your son will be able to get the help he needs at . My prayers and thoughts are with you. ((Hugs)), > > Hi all, > > So sorry I couldn't post earlier. I tried a few times but for some reason it bounced back via webmail. > > Well.......I am back home now, just flew in this evening. My son is now at 's, and not a moment too soon! I'm glad I prepped myself mentally for a nightmare ordeal getting him there because it definitely was one. From beginning to end, every step of the way he was extremely difficult to deal with. > > The MD did an amazing job with the " intervention " on Tuesday morning, but I don't think anyone could have done a good enough job for my son not to completely flip out about going. Despite giving him Ativan and later on some Valium, neither one phased him in the least or helped with his major anxiety/stress. > > On top of everything else, on the way to the airport a crane toppled over on the main highway so we had to sit for an hour not moving and barely made our plan on time. Meanwhile, my son peed all over the back seat of my car so we had to pull off the highway and I had to run in the store and get a dishrag, soap and water to clean it because I was leaving the car in the parking garage for 3 days in very warm weather. > > Every step of the way, my son didn't want to get in our out of the car, then once he finally got out at the airport he sat down on the ground in the parking lot. If my STBX husband wasn't there, there's no way I could have handled it on my own. Even with the two of us it was almost impossible! > > When we got to the terminal, I grabbed a wheelchair and that was a lifesaver because an attendant pushed the wheelchair so my son wasn't going to try anything with someone else pushing. We get through security and I realize I left my cell phone in the car. I go running top speed to the parking lot and back, and after I come back I find out that while I was gone who do they pick out to pat down??? My son in the wheelchair!! Totally freaked him out and he was already so stressed to begin with! > > The next morning, we finally got him to 's then he wouldn't get out of the car. Eventually he did get out and the program Director came outside to talk with him and start the process. We were SO impressed with how he handled it! My son was sitting on the bench outside, so the directory immediately got down on one knee to be at eye level with him and started talking. I was blown away with how he was able to really connect with my son despite his terrible state. > > Eventually he signed the paperwork and was admitted.The process was pretty long, so he mostly sat in a chair outside in the hall or laid on one of the sofas while my husband and I met and talked with everyone. At one point I got up to go out in the hall and check on my son. He was sitting in a chair and I look down and his shorts are soaking wet, he had peed in the chair!! One one hand I was mortified, but on the other hand I was glad that it happened right as we were admitting him so they could see first-hand. As usual, he insisted it was water. > > He is miserable there now, but that's to be expected. He's having a terrible time with his tics, but that's to be expected as well from the stress of the whole thing. Even under the best of circumstances it's a huge adjustment for any teenager to be away from home, but especially under these circumstances. > > So far, we are VERY impressed with all the staff, the facility and the whole operation. They do not seem to leave any stone unturned there when it comes to getting every minute detail about the kids during admitting. I think in my son's case it will be a pretty long haul because despite the fact that he's wasted away to nothing, is peeing all over the place, and living the life of a complete recluse, he still insists that there is " nothing wrong with him, " and said the same to his psychiatrist and therapist. He is in such SEVERE denial in every respect that to get him to the point of recognizing and acknowledging he has issues will be no easy feat. Then, and only then, will he be able to begin the work with CBT, ERP, etc. to get to the point of eventually being able to return home. > > Coming home to a childless home this evening and walking by my son's empty room was so very difficult and heartbreaking. I have been living on high-alert 24/7 for such a long time now dealing with my son that my nervous system became accustomed to that and it's going to be really tough making such a big adjustment to almost an opposite extreme. I'm trying to take things one day at a time now, it's the only way to do this. I just hope and pray that my son's case is not too complex or too advanced at this point for 's to help him. > > I was thinking of you all while i was there and remembering all of your words of support and encouragement, and it truly helped me get through this awful ordeal. Thanks SO much again, from the bottom of my heart! > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 19, 2012 Report Share Posted March 19, 2012 Thanks so much, ! I truly appreciate your thoughts, prayers, and kindness! You and everyone here have been so incredibly helpful and supportive, I can not imagine how I would have gotten through this without you all! > , > > I am in tears of empathy with you as I read about what you have been through in the past few days. I truly hope that your son will be able to get the help he needs at . My prayers and thoughts are with you. ((Hugs)), > > > > > > Hi all, > > > > So sorry I couldn't post earlier. I tried a few times but for some reason it bounced back via webmail. > > > > Well.......I am back home now, just flew in this evening. My son is now at 's, and not a moment too soon! I'm glad I prepped myself mentally for a nightmare ordeal getting him there because it definitely was one. From beginning to end, every step of the way he was extremely difficult to deal with. > > > > The MD did an amazing job with the " intervention " on Tuesday morning, but I don't think anyone could have done a good enough job for my son not to completely flip out about going. Despite giving him Ativan and later on some Valium, neither one phased him in the least or helped with his major anxiety/stress. > > > > On top of everything else, on the way to the airport a crane toppled over on the main highway so we had to sit for an hour not moving and barely made our plan on time. Meanwhile, my son peed all over the back seat of my car so we had to pull off the highway and I had to run in the store and get a dishrag, soap and water to clean it because I was leaving the car in the parking garage for 3 days in very warm weather. > > > > Every step of the way, my son didn't want to get in our out of the car, then once he finally got out at the airport he sat down on the ground in the parking lot. If my STBX husband wasn't there, there's no way I could have handled it on my own. Even with the two of us it was almost impossible! > > > > When we got to the terminal, I grabbed a wheelchair and that was a lifesaver because an attendant pushed the wheelchair so my son wasn't going to try anything with someone else pushing. We get through security and I realize I left my cell phone in the car. I go running top speed to the parking lot and back, and after I come back I find out that while I was gone who do they pick out to pat down??? My son in the wheelchair!! Totally freaked him out and he was already so stressed to begin with! > > > > The next morning, we finally got him to 's then he wouldn't get out of the car. Eventually he did get out and the program Director came outside to talk with him and start the process. We were SO impressed with how he handled it! My son was sitting on the bench outside, so the directory immediately got down on one knee to be at eye level with him and started talking. I was blown away with how he was able to really connect with my son despite his terrible state. > > > > Eventually he signed the paperwork and was admitted.The process was pretty long, so he mostly sat in a chair outside in the hall or laid on one of the sofas while my husband and I met and talked with everyone. At one point I got up to go out in the hall and check on my son. He was sitting in a chair and I look down and his shorts are soaking wet, he had peed in the chair!! One one hand I was mortified, but on the other hand I was glad that it happened right as we were admitting him so they could see first-hand. As usual, he insisted it was water. > > > > He is miserable there now, but that's to be expected. He's having a terrible time with his tics, but that's to be expected as well from the stress of the whole thing. Even under the best of circumstances it's a huge adjustment for any teenager to be away from home, but especially under these circumstances. > > > > So far, we are VERY impressed with all the staff, the facility and the whole operation. They do not seem to leave any stone unturned there when it comes to getting every minute detail about the kids during admitting. I think in my son's case it will be a pretty long haul because despite the fact that he's wasted away to nothing, is peeing all over the place, and living the life of a complete recluse, he still insists that there is " nothing wrong with him, " and said the same to his psychiatrist and therapist. He is in such SEVERE denial in every respect that to get him to the point of recognizing and acknowledging he has issues will be no easy feat. Then, and only then, will he be able to begin the work with CBT, ERP, etc. to get to the point of eventually being able to return home. > > > > Coming home to a childless home this evening and walking by my son's empty room was so very difficult and heartbreaking. I have been living on high-alert 24/7 for such a long time now dealing with my son that my nervous system became accustomed to that and it's going to be really tough making such a big adjustment to almost an opposite extreme. I'm trying to take things one day at a time now, it's the only way to do this. I just hope and pray that my son's case is not too complex or too advanced at this point for 's to help him. > > > > I was thinking of you all while i was there and remembering all of your words of support and encouragement, and it truly helped me get through this awful ordeal. Thanks SO much again, from the bottom of my heart! > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 2, 2012 Report Share Posted May 2, 2012 I am sooooo happy for you & your son's progress! I'm tearing up just reading the update and knowing how difficult your journey has been so far & to have him gaining weight, visiting him, & all that he is accomplishing! Things are still early for him & I believe you'll see bigger steps made as he begins to engage more in his treatment plan.We have to cherish every step in the right direction & remember where we have been. Good for you!!! G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 2, 2012 Report Share Posted May 2, 2012 I am sooooo happy for you & your son's progress! I'm tearing up just reading the update and knowing how difficult your journey has been so far & to have him gaining weight, visiting him, & all that he is accomplishing! Things are still early for him & I believe you'll see bigger steps made as he begins to engage more in his treatment plan.We have to cherish every step in the right direction & remember where we have been. Good for you!!! G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 2, 2012 Report Share Posted May 2, 2012 Dear , I am sooooo happy for you! Hopefully with continued treatment, his coping skills will stick once he leaves . My son's coping skills have kept his OCD away (at least for the time being). Congratulations on the great news. Best, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 2, 2012 Report Share Posted May 2, 2012 Thanks SO much, ! I am indeed very grateful for his progress and so happy to see things moving in the right direction. It was really touch and go for a while there with his weight situation, so to see him polishing off his meals was definitely a sight to see! D > > > I am sooooo happy for you & your son's progress! I'm tearing up just reading the update and knowing how difficult your journey has been so far & to have him gaining weight, visiting him, & all that he is accomplishing! Things are still early for him & I believe you'll see bigger steps made as he begins to engage more in his treatment plan.We have to cherish every step in the right direction & remember where we have been. Good for you!!! G > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 2, 2012 Report Share Posted May 2, 2012 Hooray, hooray, hooray!!! Wonderful news, so glad to hear the progress he is making! And happy he's relaxing with peers there, if there is anywhere he can " be himself " it should be there, and sounds like everyone is accepting of others there too, so yay! And eating so much better and the short trips out with you.... Have to say, 6 weeks goes by fast and that is great progress in 6 weeks! > > Hi all, > > Sorry it's been a while since I posted. I'm very pleased to report that my son is continuing to make good progress at 's. Thank God he is continuing to gain back some weight and is now up to 116. He still needs to gain another 10-15 lbs., but he's eating really well now and not having to drink Ensure anymore. > > We had our first visit with him this past weekend. It was the first time we'd seen him in 6 weeks, the longest we've ever been away from him. I was really nervous about how things would go, but it went Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 2, 2012 Report Share Posted May 2, 2012 Hooray, hooray, hooray!!! Wonderful news, so glad to hear the progress he is making! And happy he's relaxing with peers there, if there is anywhere he can " be himself " it should be there, and sounds like everyone is accepting of others there too, so yay! And eating so much better and the short trips out with you.... Have to say, 6 weeks goes by fast and that is great progress in 6 weeks! > > Hi all, > > Sorry it's been a while since I posted. I'm very pleased to report that my son is continuing to make good progress at 's. Thank God he is continuing to gain back some weight and is now up to 116. He still needs to gain another 10-15 lbs., but he's eating really well now and not having to drink Ensure anymore. > > We had our first visit with him this past weekend. It was the first time we'd seen him in 6 weeks, the longest we've ever been away from him. I was really nervous about how things would go, but it went Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 2, 2012 Report Share Posted May 2, 2012 I'm SO happy to read this!!! I can't wait to read each of your progress reports. This is so wonderful to hear because it means that your son is on the road to recovery and you can experience the relief you deserve from the top level stress you must have been feeling before he went to . Update from Hi all, Sorry it's been a while since I posted. I'm very pleased to report that my son is continuing to make good progress at 's. Thank God he is continuing to gain back some weight and is now up to 116. He still needs to gain another 10-15 lbs., but he's eating really well now and not having to drink Ensure anymore. We had our first visit with him this past weekend. It was the first time we'd seen him in 6 weeks, the longest we've ever been away from him. I was really nervous about how things would go, but it went really well. He did A LOT of stuff for our first visit. We made our visits in short blocks of time as he tires easily, so we would go and take him out to lunch or to the mall, then bring him back and come back a few hours later to do something else. It was very stressful for him getting in the car and going places and he'd start out saying " I need to rest, it's too stressful, " but I would tell him let's just try and if it doesn't work out we'll come back. So each time he would agree to try and then we'd end up going. While we were out places, he would continually say how stressful it was and that his tics were giving him trouble, but he pushed through it nonetheless. Just this week he finally started attending group therapy and educational therapy. He's only able to go for a short time, but at least he's trying, which is great. Now granted, if left to his own devices he'd probably be hanging out in his room and in the day room and not doing much else, but he's definitely becoming more engaged with his peers and showing signs of progress. He's still having some bathroom issues and showers and hygiene is still a struggle, but his is complying and doing what he's asked to. With a few exceptions, he was pretty compliant on our visits and some of his old behaviors like wanting to stay sitting in the car for hours and turning out lights did not surface. While I'm of course thrilled with all of his progress, I also realize that he's at this is WITH a whole treatment team in place, 24/7 supervision, a regimented schedule and structure. If all of that were taken away I don't think he would be able to function very well. One of the biggest accomplishments is that for the first time since his Tourette's surfaced 2 years ago, he is now able to do his tics in front of peers. I can not tell you how HUGE that is for him!! Before going to 's, he was petrified of any peers ever seeing or hearing his tics. His tic now is pretty loud and very difficult to watch as he strains himself a lot physically, but he sat right there at the table in the dayroom and did his full blown tics without reservation. The kids are great, they just keep doing whatever they are doing and are clearly understanding of his situation. I'm going back to visit in about 3 weeks so it will be great to see him again and see how he is progressing. Glad to give some good news for once!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 2, 2012 Report Share Posted May 2, 2012 I'm SO happy to read this!!! I can't wait to read each of your progress reports. This is so wonderful to hear because it means that your son is on the road to recovery and you can experience the relief you deserve from the top level stress you must have been feeling before he went to . Update from Hi all, Sorry it's been a while since I posted. I'm very pleased to report that my son is continuing to make good progress at 's. Thank God he is continuing to gain back some weight and is now up to 116. He still needs to gain another 10-15 lbs., but he's eating really well now and not having to drink Ensure anymore. We had our first visit with him this past weekend. It was the first time we'd seen him in 6 weeks, the longest we've ever been away from him. I was really nervous about how things would go, but it went really well. He did A LOT of stuff for our first visit. We made our visits in short blocks of time as he tires easily, so we would go and take him out to lunch or to the mall, then bring him back and come back a few hours later to do something else. It was very stressful for him getting in the car and going places and he'd start out saying " I need to rest, it's too stressful, " but I would tell him let's just try and if it doesn't work out we'll come back. So each time he would agree to try and then we'd end up going. While we were out places, he would continually say how stressful it was and that his tics were giving him trouble, but he pushed through it nonetheless. Just this week he finally started attending group therapy and educational therapy. He's only able to go for a short time, but at least he's trying, which is great. Now granted, if left to his own devices he'd probably be hanging out in his room and in the day room and not doing much else, but he's definitely becoming more engaged with his peers and showing signs of progress. He's still having some bathroom issues and showers and hygiene is still a struggle, but his is complying and doing what he's asked to. With a few exceptions, he was pretty compliant on our visits and some of his old behaviors like wanting to stay sitting in the car for hours and turning out lights did not surface. While I'm of course thrilled with all of his progress, I also realize that he's at this is WITH a whole treatment team in place, 24/7 supervision, a regimented schedule and structure. If all of that were taken away I don't think he would be able to function very well. One of the biggest accomplishments is that for the first time since his Tourette's surfaced 2 years ago, he is now able to do his tics in front of peers. I can not tell you how HUGE that is for him!! Before going to 's, he was petrified of any peers ever seeing or hearing his tics. His tic now is pretty loud and very difficult to watch as he strains himself a lot physically, but he sat right there at the table in the dayroom and did his full blown tics without reservation. The kids are great, they just keep doing whatever they are doing and are clearly understanding of his situation. I'm going back to visit in about 3 weeks so it will be great to see him again and see how he is progressing. Glad to give some good news for once!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 2, 2012 Report Share Posted May 2, 2012 , This is GREAT news! I'm so happy for you, and especially for your son. I thought about you over the weekend, knowing you were there in Oconomowoc. I'm glad it was a good first visit. The fact that he was able to go on off-site excursions with you is a HUGE step! Thanks for keeping us all posted -- LOL, I'm sure he'd be horified to know how many of us moms are out here following along and rooting for him with you! Lee in CA Update from Hi all, Sorry it's been a while since I posted. I'm very pleased to report that my son is continuing to make good progress at 's. Thank God he is continuing to gain back some weight and is now up to 116. He still needs to gain another 10-15 lbs., but he's eating really well now and not having to drink Ensure anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 3, 2012 Report Share Posted May 3, 2012 Thanks so much, Lee! It is so nice there in Oconomowoc, and it's a great atmosphere in the facility itself. I jokingly told my son's treatment team that I'm ready to move in there!! > > , > This is GREAT news! I'm so happy for you, and especially for your son. I thought about you over the weekend, knowing you were there in Oconomowoc. I'm glad it was a good first visit. The fact that he was able to go on off-site excursions with you is a HUGE step! Thanks for keeping us all posted -- LOL, I'm sure he'd be horified to know how many of us moms are out here following along and rooting for him with you! > Lee in CA > > Update from > > Hi all, > > Sorry it's been a while since I posted. I'm very pleased to report that my son is continuing to make good progress at 's. Thank God he is continuing to gain back some weight and is now up to 116. He still needs to gain another 10-15 lbs., but he's eating really well now and not having to drink Ensure anymore. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 3, 2012 Report Share Posted May 3, 2012 YEAH! Things are moving in the right direction! > > I'm SO happy to read this!!! I can't wait to read each of your progress reports. This is so wonderful to hear because it means that your son is on the road to recovery and you can experience the relief you deserve from the top level stress you must have been feeling before he went to . > > > Update from > > > > > > Hi all, > > Sorry it's been a while since I posted. I'm very pleased to report that my son is continuing to make good progress at 's. Thank God he is continuing to gain back some weight and is now up to 116. He still needs to gain another 10-15 lbs., but he's eating really well now and not having to drink Ensure anymore. > > We had our first visit with him this past weekend. It was the first time we'd seen him in 6 weeks, the longest we've ever been away from him. I was really nervous about how things would go, but it went really well. He did A LOT of stuff for our first visit. We made our visits in short blocks of time as he tires easily, so we would go and take him out to lunch or to the mall, then bring him back and come back a few hours later to do something else. > > It was very stressful for him getting in the car and going places and he'd start out saying " I need to rest, it's too stressful, " but I would tell him let's just try and if it doesn't work out we'll come back. So each time he would agree to try and then we'd end up going. While we were out places, he would continually say how stressful it was and that his tics were giving him trouble, but he pushed through it nonetheless. > > Just this week he finally started attending group therapy and educational therapy. He's only able to go for a short time, but at least he's trying, which is great. Now granted, if left to his own devices he'd probably be hanging out in his room and in the day room and not doing much else, but he's definitely becoming more engaged with his peers and showing signs of progress. > > He's still having some bathroom issues and showers and hygiene is still a struggle, but his is complying and doing what he's asked to. With a few exceptions, he was pretty compliant on our visits and some of his old behaviors like wanting to stay sitting in the car for hours and turning out lights did not surface. > > While I'm of course thrilled with all of his progress, I also realize that he's at this is WITH a whole treatment team in place, 24/7 supervision, a regimented schedule and structure. If all of that were taken away I don't think he would be able to function very well. > > One of the biggest accomplishments is that for the first time since his Tourette's surfaced 2 years ago, he is now able to do his tics in front of peers. I can not tell you how HUGE that is for him!! Before going to 's, he was petrified of any peers ever seeing or hearing his tics. His tic now is pretty loud and very difficult to watch as he strains himself a lot physically, but he sat right there at the table in the dayroom and did his full blown tics without reservation. The kids are great, they just keep doing whatever they are doing and are clearly understanding of his situation. > > I'm going back to visit in about 3 weeks so it will be great to see him again and see how he is progressing. Glad to give some good news for once!! > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 6, 2012 Report Share Posted June 6, 2012 Hi all, So sorry I haven't posted in a while. Juggling WAY too many things at once and finding it difficult to come up for air! The good news is that my son is continuing to show improvement and make progress at 's. He's come such a long way since he was admitted almost 3 months ago. They truly are miracle workers there! He still has a ways to go and one of the things that has been a challenge is that a big part of his OCD is keeping his OCD a secret. In other words, he's told his doctor that if he divulges much of what is driving his OCD then he'll have bad luck, so he has to keep a lot of his OCD a secret! He is starting to give little bits and pieces here and there, but he's definitely a complex kid! His tics have gone way down, thank God, and it's seeming now that his tics are more of a " ritual " than they are just neurological. I think the combination of the meds and the therapy and becoming acclimated to his surroundings, peers and treatment team, have all contributed to lessening his tics. I visited him this past weekend and his tics were really minimal. He was able to stay out with me for 8 hours 2 days in a row, which was HUGE! Granted, it was a struggle and he kept fixating on having to go back to do his tics, but with my encouragement and not enabling him he was able to push through. Next visit will be the end of this month for my son's 16th birthday! Oh, and get this.....he actually told his doctor yesterday that he's very concerned about coming home because home is where this all began and he realizes that it would be extremely difficult for him to function without the support of his treatment team and his peers. He then told his doctor that he's very interested in going to therapeutic boarding school. I cannot tell you how blown away I am at how insightful and honest he is about his concerns! We're still not totally out of the woods with the Blue Cross situation and today was the review, so I'm praying that they did not request another peer to peer and that we won't have to deal with another denial at this juncture! Last, but not least, I was SO thrilled to be a part of coordinating a performance at 's by former American Idol contestant, Dave Pittman this past Friday. Dave has Tourette's and does a lot of work with TSA. I met him at the TSA conference a few months ago and then found out he was planning to visit Wisconsin so I was able to help arrange for him to make a stop at 's to perform. He and his manager are the nicest guys ever and nearly 100 residents and staff from different programs at 's attended Dave's performance. http://www.rogershospital.org/news/american-idol’s-dave-pittman-thanks-rogers-“a\ mazing”-work After the performance, I tagged along on a tour of 's, which was awesome. It really is an amazing place and if it wasn't so darn freezing there in the winters, I'd seriously consider moving there to get a job at 's! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 7, 2012 Report Share Posted June 7, 2012 That is so awesome about his progress and also with you setting up the performance. I don't think I could do that without being extremely anxious but when it is our kids, I think we all find we have hidden talents and passion. And, it is not so bad in the winter in WI, especially on that side of the state. Just Feb/March can get long, if you have SAD but otherwise, the clear blue sky against the white show is pretty. Anyway, great news on your end and hope things keep looking up. My prayers about the insurance issue. > > Hi all, > > So sorry I haven't posted in a while. Juggling WAY too many things at once and finding it difficult to come up for air! The good news is that my son is continuing to show improvement and make progress at 's. He's come such a long way since he was admitted almost 3 months ago. They truly are miracle workers there! > > He still has a ways to go and one of the things that has been a challenge is that a big part of his OCD is keeping his OCD a secret. In other words, he's told his doctor that if he divulges much of what is driving his OCD then he'll have bad luck, so he has to keep a lot of his OCD a secret! He is starting to give little bits and pieces here and there, but he's definitely a complex kid! > > His tics have gone way down, thank God, and it's seeming now that his tics are more of a " ritual " than they are just neurological. I think the combination of the meds and the therapy and becoming acclimated to his surroundings, peers and treatment team, have all contributed to lessening his tics. I visited him this past weekend and his tics were really minimal. He was able to stay out with me for 8 hours 2 days in a row, which was HUGE! Granted, it was a struggle and he kept fixating on having to go back to do his tics, but with my encouragement and not enabling him he was able to push through. > > Next visit will be the end of this month for my son's 16th birthday! Oh, and get this.....he actually told his doctor yesterday that he's very concerned about coming home because home is where this all began and he realizes that it would be extremely difficult for him to function without the support of his treatment team and his peers. He then told his doctor that he's very interested in going to therapeutic boarding school. I cannot tell you how blown away I am at how insightful and honest he is about his concerns! > > We're still not totally out of the woods with the Blue Cross situation and today was the review, so I'm praying that they did not request another peer to peer and that we won't have to deal with another denial at this juncture! > > Last, but not least, I was SO thrilled to be a part of coordinating a performance at 's by former American Idol contestant, Dave Pittman this past Friday. Dave has Tourette's and does a lot of work with TSA. I met him at the TSA conference a few months ago and then found out he was planning to visit Wisconsin so I was able to help arrange for him to make a stop at 's to perform. He and his manager are the nicest guys ever and nearly 100 residents and staff from different programs at 's attended Dave's performance. http://www.rogershospital.org/news/american-idol's-dave-pittman-thanks-rogers- " a\ mazing " -work > > After the performance, I tagged along on a tour of 's, which was awesome. It really is an amazing place and if it wasn't so darn freezing there in the winters, I'd seriously consider moving there to get a job at 's! > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 7, 2012 Report Share Posted June 7, 2012 That is so awesome about his progress and also with you setting up the performance. I don't think I could do that without being extremely anxious but when it is our kids, I think we all find we have hidden talents and passion. And, it is not so bad in the winter in WI, especially on that side of the state. Just Feb/March can get long, if you have SAD but otherwise, the clear blue sky against the white show is pretty. Anyway, great news on your end and hope things keep looking up. My prayers about the insurance issue. > > Hi all, > > So sorry I haven't posted in a while. Juggling WAY too many things at once and finding it difficult to come up for air! The good news is that my son is continuing to show improvement and make progress at 's. He's come such a long way since he was admitted almost 3 months ago. They truly are miracle workers there! > > He still has a ways to go and one of the things that has been a challenge is that a big part of his OCD is keeping his OCD a secret. In other words, he's told his doctor that if he divulges much of what is driving his OCD then he'll have bad luck, so he has to keep a lot of his OCD a secret! He is starting to give little bits and pieces here and there, but he's definitely a complex kid! > > His tics have gone way down, thank God, and it's seeming now that his tics are more of a " ritual " than they are just neurological. I think the combination of the meds and the therapy and becoming acclimated to his surroundings, peers and treatment team, have all contributed to lessening his tics. I visited him this past weekend and his tics were really minimal. He was able to stay out with me for 8 hours 2 days in a row, which was HUGE! Granted, it was a struggle and he kept fixating on having to go back to do his tics, but with my encouragement and not enabling him he was able to push through. > > Next visit will be the end of this month for my son's 16th birthday! Oh, and get this.....he actually told his doctor yesterday that he's very concerned about coming home because home is where this all began and he realizes that it would be extremely difficult for him to function without the support of his treatment team and his peers. He then told his doctor that he's very interested in going to therapeutic boarding school. I cannot tell you how blown away I am at how insightful and honest he is about his concerns! > > We're still not totally out of the woods with the Blue Cross situation and today was the review, so I'm praying that they did not request another peer to peer and that we won't have to deal with another denial at this juncture! > > Last, but not least, I was SO thrilled to be a part of coordinating a performance at 's by former American Idol contestant, Dave Pittman this past Friday. Dave has Tourette's and does a lot of work with TSA. I met him at the TSA conference a few months ago and then found out he was planning to visit Wisconsin so I was able to help arrange for him to make a stop at 's to perform. He and his manager are the nicest guys ever and nearly 100 residents and staff from different programs at 's attended Dave's performance. http://www.rogershospital.org/news/american-idol's-dave-pittman-thanks-rogers- " a\ mazing " -work > > After the performance, I tagged along on a tour of 's, which was awesome. It really is an amazing place and if it wasn't so darn freezing there in the winters, I'd seriously consider moving there to get a job at 's! > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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