Today was a bit awkward. This has become one of MAC's favorite phrases, along with "hurtful, and truthful". She has watched one too many Suite Life on Decks. I had my cell phone with me, I always do, I just don't always have it on my person. Apparently when I went to lunch the school nurse called my cell phone. When I got back I checked the phone but didn't see the usual "missed call" icon.
MAC was not feeling good. I got another call around 2 from the nurse. I was in the bathroom when this call came in. MAC had been sleeping in the office and still was not feeling good. We were being asked to come and get her. Since she had not been able to get in touch with me she had called Hubby who was now on his way.
She had a concert tonight, which after discussion with the nurse, we decided to go to. I was glad that we went. There were chorus' from both the Annapolis Middle Schools, all the Annapolis feeder schools and the Annapolis High School. It was amazing to me to hear all the elementary school chorus' as one big group. There was one little boy who I just had to laugh at. He was obviously having a wonderful time. He was not only singing but was also dancing and making expansive gestures which almost decapitated the little girl next to him. I thought to myself: I'm a parent to a child like that. MAC will always stand out in a crowd, sometimes because she actually stands by herself, sometimes because she wears only black (or something so bright its blinding), but sometimes for the simple fact that she is an original.
She listened well during the warm up session and was able to perform with no problems which included sitting, getting up, changing seats, and sitting down again. It was a very late night, we didn't get home until 9:30 so we'll see what happens tomorrow when I go to wake her up. I feel like waving a flag of triumph, "We made it through another day!"
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Way to go!
Tuesday was quite a day. MAC woke herself up and was dressed and ready to go before I had even moved out of bed. We made it to the bus and waited in companionable silence.
She made it to the school office in record time when called on the intercom system. She made it through our last appointment with the IOP psychologist and even made it through art therapy without any major incidents.
Yeah MAC!
She made it to the school office in record time when called on the intercom system. She made it through our last appointment with the IOP psychologist and even made it through art therapy without any major incidents.
Yeah MAC!
Monday, April 25, 2011
Spring Break
Ok, I know I kind of just disappeared for a week. Please forgive me. I have been falling asleep around 8:30 each night and last week was Spring Break for Anne Arundel County Schools. I decided to take a spring break too.
It was an interesting week. MAC was supposed to have 3 days of IOP. She had an issue with the art therapist on Monday and the decision was to skip Wednesday. She had a fun time on Friday with pizza day and of course watching as much tv as she wanted for a whole week.
She did not want to dye or hide and seek any eggs. She wanted the chocolate covered peeps that were in her Easter Basket but was loath to put on a dress for church. I remember the Easter's when she was excited to dye the eggs and when I could buy her fluffy, frilly pink dresses to wear! Those days are long gone.
She says she is not really looking forward to school tomorrow. There are at least 2 more days of IOP and tomorrow night is one of them. I am not looking forward to that.
We will persevere as always. There is no end in sight to having to see doctors and medication but I am hopeful. MAC brought home a report card and she worked hard to bring her Italian grade up, it was a C! She had a picture session that went well, I just got the proofs and I love them! She has cleaned up, watered and fed the ferret every day that she was on break. Yeah MAC!
It was an interesting week. MAC was supposed to have 3 days of IOP. She had an issue with the art therapist on Monday and the decision was to skip Wednesday. She had a fun time on Friday with pizza day and of course watching as much tv as she wanted for a whole week.
She did not want to dye or hide and seek any eggs. She wanted the chocolate covered peeps that were in her Easter Basket but was loath to put on a dress for church. I remember the Easter's when she was excited to dye the eggs and when I could buy her fluffy, frilly pink dresses to wear! Those days are long gone.
She says she is not really looking forward to school tomorrow. There are at least 2 more days of IOP and tomorrow night is one of them. I am not looking forward to that.
We will persevere as always. There is no end in sight to having to see doctors and medication but I am hopeful. MAC brought home a report card and she worked hard to bring her Italian grade up, it was a C! She had a picture session that went well, I just got the proofs and I love them! She has cleaned up, watered and fed the ferret every day that she was on break. Yeah MAC!
Friday, April 15, 2011
Getting Better
Thursday was a busy doctor day. The school and I have been working on an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) for MAC trying to find the best way for her to be successful in school. She has had several tests administered by the school psychiatrist and the Special Education Teacher. Hubby and I each had a questionnaire to fill out and then the school psychiatrist needed to interview us, that was the first meeting.
After the meeting MAC needed to go to MSA. She and I got there just in time for the second meeting with the MSA psychiatrist. He had a talk with her and then called Hubby and I back. He said that she seemed to feel better and that he thought no medication change was necessary. Next was a family meeting with the IOP talk therapist. She also said that it appeared MAC was doing better and that we would be lessening the number of days required in IOP for the next two weeks before going back to Individual therapy.
It is very exciting to think that we are moving forward. I only pray that it will continue like this!
After the meeting MAC needed to go to MSA. She and I got there just in time for the second meeting with the MSA psychiatrist. He had a talk with her and then called Hubby and I back. He said that she seemed to feel better and that he thought no medication change was necessary. Next was a family meeting with the IOP talk therapist. She also said that it appeared MAC was doing better and that we would be lessening the number of days required in IOP for the next two weeks before going back to Individual therapy.
It is very exciting to think that we are moving forward. I only pray that it will continue like this!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Week 11
We are all sad to think that we only have 2 weeks left of Strengthening Families. This week was one of the best. It started with a word search and then because dinner was late we had several games of connect 4. MAC is killer at it and very rarely loses.
She has such a fun time it was hard to make her put everything up for dinner. Tonight was spaghetti and salad with fresh bread sticks. I just love the greek salads, the dressing is yummy and I got lots of peppercini's tonight.
The lesson was about punishment. Corporal punishment should only be used as an absolute last resort. There was a lot of group discussion and we were split about 50/50 about spanking and whether it is effective.
The final family program was a role reversal. The parent becomes the teenager and the child becomes the parent. They are given a scenario and have to make up a skit. For the first time ever MAC actually volunteered herself to do a skit. She chose Hubby to do the skit with her. They got the teen wanting their friends to be able to come over and spend the night. The parent doesn't want them to because they are planning on going to a flea market early the next morning. Hubby got MAC to change her mind. There was laughter all around the room as three other families did skits as well.
She has such a fun time it was hard to make her put everything up for dinner. Tonight was spaghetti and salad with fresh bread sticks. I just love the greek salads, the dressing is yummy and I got lots of peppercini's tonight.
The lesson was about punishment. Corporal punishment should only be used as an absolute last resort. There was a lot of group discussion and we were split about 50/50 about spanking and whether it is effective.
The final family program was a role reversal. The parent becomes the teenager and the child becomes the parent. They are given a scenario and have to make up a skit. For the first time ever MAC actually volunteered herself to do a skit. She chose Hubby to do the skit with her. They got the teen wanting their friends to be able to come over and spend the night. The parent doesn't want them to because they are planning on going to a flea market early the next morning. Hubby got MAC to change her mind. There was laughter all around the room as three other families did skits as well.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Disappointment
There was another call from the school today. It was right before the end of the day and I had just left the doctors office. Let's just say that the once in a lifetime trip to sing at the Italian embassy was nixed due to behavior issues.
She was very upset about missing the field trip today. She said she really felt hurt because she didn't feel as if she had done anything. She is having issues with the Italian class and teacher. Apparently the Italian class is being held more along the lines of a student led round table than a class. After finding out about this today both the principal, guidance counselor, and I feel that it is not the best way for her to learn. Being told by other students what to do is not a good thing for her. As the guidance counselor said today she doesn't have any trust in what the students are telling her and they have been "mean" to her so she doesn't want to listen to them either.
It was a rough evening for all of us. We don't really know what to do anymore. This was the second issue in two days and the second time that she has been sent home early. She says she doesn't want to go back to school ever again. Seeing her sobbing again and knowing that she feels as if everyone is against her breaks my heart. How do you help someone who half the time couldn't care less about academics and the other half says she is trying her hardest?
She was very upset about missing the field trip today. She said she really felt hurt because she didn't feel as if she had done anything. She is having issues with the Italian class and teacher. Apparently the Italian class is being held more along the lines of a student led round table than a class. After finding out about this today both the principal, guidance counselor, and I feel that it is not the best way for her to learn. Being told by other students what to do is not a good thing for her. As the guidance counselor said today she doesn't have any trust in what the students are telling her and they have been "mean" to her so she doesn't want to listen to them either.
It was a rough evening for all of us. We don't really know what to do anymore. This was the second issue in two days and the second time that she has been sent home early. She says she doesn't want to go back to school ever again. Seeing her sobbing again and knowing that she feels as if everyone is against her breaks my heart. How do you help someone who half the time couldn't care less about academics and the other half says she is trying her hardest?
Manic Monday
Ok, so who says God doesn't have a sense of humor? With blood pressure still sky high and another busy week ahead including a trip to the Italian Embassy, the wireless connection I have been using is no longer Internet capable for some reason and MAC has a physical outburst during group which gets her kicked out for the day.
As with everything else she says it wasn't really her fault. She felt picked on in art therapy and when the boy made fun of her name she just snapped. Of course Hubby was the one with her at MSA and when they called him back to pick her up he was less than happy. Apparently the one spanking MAC received 2 years ago made an impression and she is worried that she will get another one. The Dr. that released her into his care made a point to mention that she was worried and that almost made him snap.
I was looking forward to going with the chorus to the Italian Embassy Tuesday but I have got to say that I am just physically worn out and no matter how much sleep I seem to be getting it isn't enough. I am really looking forward to a weekend where we aren't running from place to place, my next free one is the middle of May!
As with everything else she says it wasn't really her fault. She felt picked on in art therapy and when the boy made fun of her name she just snapped. Of course Hubby was the one with her at MSA and when they called him back to pick her up he was less than happy. Apparently the one spanking MAC received 2 years ago made an impression and she is worried that she will get another one. The Dr. that released her into his care made a point to mention that she was worried and that almost made him snap.
I was looking forward to going with the chorus to the Italian Embassy Tuesday but I have got to say that I am just physically worn out and no matter how much sleep I seem to be getting it isn't enough. I am really looking forward to a weekend where we aren't running from place to place, my next free one is the middle of May!
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