Post by HippieChild on Feb 10, 2005 9:33:49 GMT -5
Bree wrote:
Thank you Bree.
We saw Autumn's doctor yesterday afternoon and she helped put things in perspective a bit more. The good thing about this is it was discovered very early. Usually these things aren't noticable until much later in life, generally puberty or young adulthood, but because of her family history (it runs in my side of the family) we were able to observe something was wrong and catch it early. Even better, if we start her on medication now, chances are she won't need it all her life; she has severe anxiety and the prozac will help her overcome it and get over the hurdle so a few months down the line she can be taken off and hopefully her seretonin will produce itself naturally and she won't need meds in the future. She's luckier than I was; I have a deficiancy too that wasn't properly diagnosed and treated until I was 31; by then the damage was done so I'm on meds for the rest of my life. Autumn has the chance to have a normal, stable life. Also to her benefit is we dote on her; my upbringing was very volitile, as was my mothers, so when Jim and I decided to have kids we promised ourselves we'd break the cycle. As a result, we use alot of positive reinforcement. Everyday we hug our kids, tell them we love them, that they are wonderful, beautiful, smart etc. The doctor praised us, telling us we are wonderful parents, which made me feel alot better; normally kids with this deficiancy are prone to violent outbursts, but Autumn is very different. She's sweet, lovable and so charming everyone who meets her adores her. As they should. ;D
I cried when I first heard the diagnosis and blamed myself; I knew the risks when I decided to get pregnant but I wanted a baby so bad I was willing to take that chance. But now I realize Autumn is a precious gift and I'm so blessed to have her. She has a lot of issues with anxiety, not to mention a language and comprehension barrier, but in many ways she's smarter than most kids. She can already read a little and writes her own name. She can do simple arithmatic and is a very talented artist. Her pictures are amazing; she draws happy pictures of people smiling and playing and details them right down to the fingernails. A few days ago she and Kara made a snowman and she actually sculptured hair onto it! I was astounded. She's also very lovable and playful. She's the light of my life.
Okay, enough bragging. I'm feeling better today; no more tears. We intend to get a second opinion and have her scheduled for another evaluation through the LADDERS program in April. If they concur with the original diagnosis, then we have to make a decision about the meds. As it is, if it gives her a chance at a normal life, I'm leaning towards giving it to her. But for now she's in a special program at school with OC therapy and speech and language therapy and she has friends and loves her teacher. That's good enough for now.
Now, back to Courtney! Her daughter is pretty but clearly my kids are superior! I'd think that even if I wasn't their mother! ;D
I am so sorry about Autumn. She sounds like a sweetie, I hope she'll be alright and I hope you're doing okay xxx
Thank you Bree.
We saw Autumn's doctor yesterday afternoon and she helped put things in perspective a bit more. The good thing about this is it was discovered very early. Usually these things aren't noticable until much later in life, generally puberty or young adulthood, but because of her family history (it runs in my side of the family) we were able to observe something was wrong and catch it early. Even better, if we start her on medication now, chances are she won't need it all her life; she has severe anxiety and the prozac will help her overcome it and get over the hurdle so a few months down the line she can be taken off and hopefully her seretonin will produce itself naturally and she won't need meds in the future. She's luckier than I was; I have a deficiancy too that wasn't properly diagnosed and treated until I was 31; by then the damage was done so I'm on meds for the rest of my life. Autumn has the chance to have a normal, stable life. Also to her benefit is we dote on her; my upbringing was very volitile, as was my mothers, so when Jim and I decided to have kids we promised ourselves we'd break the cycle. As a result, we use alot of positive reinforcement. Everyday we hug our kids, tell them we love them, that they are wonderful, beautiful, smart etc. The doctor praised us, telling us we are wonderful parents, which made me feel alot better; normally kids with this deficiancy are prone to violent outbursts, but Autumn is very different. She's sweet, lovable and so charming everyone who meets her adores her. As they should. ;D
I cried when I first heard the diagnosis and blamed myself; I knew the risks when I decided to get pregnant but I wanted a baby so bad I was willing to take that chance. But now I realize Autumn is a precious gift and I'm so blessed to have her. She has a lot of issues with anxiety, not to mention a language and comprehension barrier, but in many ways she's smarter than most kids. She can already read a little and writes her own name. She can do simple arithmatic and is a very talented artist. Her pictures are amazing; she draws happy pictures of people smiling and playing and details them right down to the fingernails. A few days ago she and Kara made a snowman and she actually sculptured hair onto it! I was astounded. She's also very lovable and playful. She's the light of my life.
Okay, enough bragging. I'm feeling better today; no more tears. We intend to get a second opinion and have her scheduled for another evaluation through the LADDERS program in April. If they concur with the original diagnosis, then we have to make a decision about the meds. As it is, if it gives her a chance at a normal life, I'm leaning towards giving it to her. But for now she's in a special program at school with OC therapy and speech and language therapy and she has friends and loves her teacher. That's good enough for now.
Now, back to Courtney! Her daughter is pretty but clearly my kids are superior! I'd think that even if I wasn't their mother! ;D
