Trick or Treat

I feel like my life is in a non-ending horror movie. Just when you least expect it, BOO something bad comes knocking on your door. You would think by this point, that I would no longer be surprised.

Yesterday, we were told we were having a team meeting, and in my stomach there was a knot saying that it wasn't going to be good. Sadly, I was right! We were taken off the phones to be told that as of January, we will be laid off from TG. Now, while I knew this was coming, I 1) did not expect it to be so soon and 2) felt confident convergys would just transfer me to another project as they had led us to believe. But as always, nothing goes according to plan in my life. Convergys made it clear there is no guarantee they will keep any of us, no matter seniority or any other factor.

As for unemployment, I called them this morning. As it was explained to me, I have two options. Either I get laid off b4 Nov 30th, and I can get an extension from my past unemployment case. Or, I have to work till Jan to make enough to qualify for a new case. Personally, I would love to get back on unemployment, as I have a grant to go back to school FT. Being a single mom and working FT, does not really allow me to go to school FT on top of it all.

I know God has always provided in the past, and I anticipate Him providing now. My flesh wants to worry and fret, and of course, be upset that this has happened to me twice in less than a year. I would appreciate prayers for my family, peace for my heart, and that God will direct our paths from here.

recent pics

School

I can't believe I'm about to have a kindergartner! It just not even seem possible. J will be starting a charter school next Tuesday. I think I have pretty much everything he needs. He has to wear a uniform, so I had to go buy a whole new wardrobe for him. Can't say as I was thrilled about that one, but what do you do? j had his check up after the surgery, and they doc said his ear looks great. He goes back in 6wks to take another look at things. Praying for the best!
As for Asher, I'm still hoping to get him into PREP which is Portage's free preschool program. That would begin in October, assuming he gets accepted. He's such a smart little thing! The things he says sometimes amazes me.
Me, I'm doing pretty good. Still wishing I was back to being a SAHM maybe taking a few classes to get a degree, but what do you do? The bills don't stop coming in, so not working isn't an option right now. I did finally get Asher's first disability check, so I was able to get 4 brand new tires put on my van which was MUCH needed! Just taking it day by day :)

5th surgery

Well, today J had his 5th surgery. 5yrs old w/5 surgeries under his belt. Doesn't seem right. Today he had the hole in his ear drum patched that was left from his last set of tubes. It took a little longer than expected bc the doctor wasn't happy w/it the first time around, but supposedly it's perfect now. They took a piece of cartilage from the inside flap of his ear, shaved it down, and put it over the hole to patch it up. Out of all the surgeries, I'd say he did the best on this one. Had some bleeding afterwards that I was a little worried about, but seems to be ok now. Really really really hoping this is his last surgery (for his ears at least).

Right before surgery...

Right after surgery...

Waking him up and taking out the IV...


OH...and my new hair color

meds

Well, after a lot of thought and exhausting every other possibility we could think of, we decided to put Asher on medication. It's been decided by his neuropysch that Asher not only has the sensory integration but also has a slight mood disorder along w/ADHD. And both the neuropsych and psychiatrist agree that while normally they don't prescribe this young, in Asher's case, meds were needed.
The first drug we tried was called clonidine. It's a med that used to be used regularly on ADHD children, and is used on adults to lower blood pressure. The thought was that it would slow him down a bit so maybe he'd have a better control of himself. We put him on the absolute lowest of dose, and it was not a good result. It was like he was stoned. He was not responsive at all. And when he did finally come off it, he was 10 times worse than on a normal day. So, we stopped that immediately!
The next drug we tried was focalin. This is also given to ADHD children, and again, it is to help him be more in control of himself and to be able keep a train of thought. The side effects for this are that it can make the mood disorder to be more pronounced and can cause loss of appetite. Asher has been on this drug for a little over a week now, and I must say he's making improvements! It does effect his appetite, so we have to make sure he eats good enough. And at times, it does seem to bring out an anxious/aggressive side of him. But, the majority of the time, it results in good days. Asher seems to be calmer. He can carry on a conversation and not lose focus or bounce from place to place. Today after being woke up to go to his appt and seeing that brother got to stay home and watch tv, instead of that ruining his entire day as it did just a month ago, he bounced back and had a very pleasant morning! His psych was just amazed at home happy he seemed, and how well he was able to converse w/her. We all knew that he was a smart little person, but when he can think straight, he just blows your mind w/what comes out of him.
We're still keeping him in the OT to help him learn self regulation and get a better control over the sensory integration disorder. And his psychiatrist thinks that maybe as he matures, his needs for meds might decrease. But for now, I'm just happy to see some improvements in behavior, but most of all, it was good for my heart to see him smile and be happy.