Reading the writing on the wall

[kimballot]

My son has been experiencing an exacerbation of symptoms that started in November with H1N1. In mid March he was diagnosed with a sinus infection and was on biaxin. That seemed to help a bit, but once the biaxin ended, he had uncontrollable neck tics - to the point of pain. During the entire time- from November until April- his executive functions were shot. He has been unable to do even simple math. I am sure the 7th grade teachers are wondering why he is even in the classroom he is in. He could not remember anything the teachers said and I spent hours everyday after school trying to wedge the material he was supposed to have learned in school into his brain. His daily assignment book was an absolute disaster and was so difficult to read that the teachers had to write over his writing and we even have him checking in with the assistant principal every day after school for a back pack check so that he brings home the work he needs and has all of his assignments written down in a way that I can understand when he gets home. He was miserable and so was I. He called himself a "freak" - and called me worse.

 

On April 6 we thought he might have strep throat - his sister did - but no- my son was negative (again). On April 8 he hit an all time low with opposition and name calling and swearing at me... and I was seriously dejected. The next day he had an ENT appointment and our wonderful ENT PA said his sinus infection was still raging and she asked if it would be OK to put him on ominicef and prednisone. I happily agreed. We started the meds on Saturday April 10 , and on Tuesday night the fog cleared and he sat and did his homework without fighting or prompting. He did well the rest of the week.

 

Last week we saw Dr. B and he started him back on 17 more days of prednisone and on augmentin. Today, my son came home from school and I asked to see his assignment book. There - neatly written - in small, evenly spaced letters were his assignments for the week. Not perfect writing... not the writing of a 7th grader... but legible. I can read every letter. There is nothing that the teachers wrote over.

 

I am so happy but am also feeling worried about the rug being pulled out from under us again. But for tonight I will go to bed and think about those letters.

[thereishope]

It's those accomplishments (no matter how small they may seem to some people) that give you that driving force to forge on and get your child better. One time, a stranger asked my son "How are you". He said "Good". I just thought about that for days. I was so happy. That was such an accomplishment. Not even him saying good,but the fact that he responded anything at all.

[peglem]

Your joy over the improvements came through LOUD and clear! So good to hear...and what great insight you have gained! That stunning, overnight improvement w/ treatment is undeniable, and I think, more telling than sudden onset of symptoms.

 

I am so happy but am also feeling worried about the rug being pulled out from under us again. But for tonight I will go to bed and think about those letters.

Yes, don't worry about that rug right now, its time to enjoy and celebrate while you can!

 

What does your son say about the difference? He must feel greatly relieved?

[earnestfamily7]

That is great news! I keep telling myself how important the babysteps are... and the writing improvement is a big one in my book - with my son. On my end though we are seeing his assignement book getting messier again! Uggh

 

Relish the high points of recovery they are what keep us going Thanks for sharing - I needed a lift!

[MomWithOCDSon]

Terrific news! Relish it, celebrate it, praise DS and make sure HE'S aware of the turn he's taken (my DS continued to beat himself up for a while even as he was gaining ground because things still weren't "perfect"). Hopefully, this time, with a good ENT and Dr. B. in your corner, that rug has a non-slip pad beneath it!

 

I was just yesterday showing DH the difference in our DS's math notebook between January and this past week; despite some other setback's, DS's math skills and especially small motor (writing) skills have continued to improve. Honestly, the handwriting doesn't even look like the same kid's, let alone the same kid just 4 months apart! I wish I'd thought to bring that notebook with us to our psych appointment last week: one more irrefutable piece of evidence, more convincing, probably, than my own journaling. The handwriting speaks for itself! DH was floored himself, as he hasn't been keeping as close a watch on it as I have.

 

Maybe we should frame some of it: "Before" and "After"!

[bgbarnes]

Terrific news! Relish it, celebrate it, praise DS and make sure HE'S aware of the turn he's taken (my DS continued to beat himself up for a while even as he was gaining ground because things still weren't "perfect"). Hopefully, this time, with a good ENT and Dr. B. in your corner, that rug has a non-slip pad beneath it!

 

I was just yesterday showing DH the difference in our DS's math notebook between January and this past week; despite some other setback's, DS's math skills and especially small motor (writing) skills have continued to improve. Honestly, the handwriting doesn't even look like the same kid's, let alone the same kid just 4 months apart! I wish I'd thought to bring that notebook with us to our psych appointment last week: one more irrefutable piece of evidence, more convincing, probably, than my own journaling. The handwriting speaks for itself! DH was floored himself, as he hasn't been keeping as close a watch on it as I have.

 

Maybe we should frame some of it: "Before" and "After"!

Congratulations! Those moments are HUGE!!

I know today my son did his homework without one single ounce of resistance- It is amazing that he is the same kid that was fighting everything (Defiant seems to mild of a word to describe him ) and saying such HORRIBLE things to me and everyone else just a month ago that finally got us the PANDAS diagnosis and on this forum. I enver understood how it could flare and eventually go away.....now I do! He has been so sweet, loving and functional after 30 days of antibiotic! I am still so new at this and I am realistic that the ugly PANDA monster will rear it's ugly head again- but I KNOW WHAT TO DO!! And I have this place to ask questions and guide me! Congrats again on your success- I love hearing those stories!

Brandy