"Of all the animals, the BOY is the most unmanageable!" ~ Plato

4.02.2006

Poor kid can't get a break!

Poor Jake has really been through the wringer and it looks like he's not done yet! He's had yet ANOTHER med change. The last med he was on lasted only about 2-3 weeks. We noticed after the first week that he was increasingly violent and depressed. He had days where he'd be in tears for the greater part of the day! I just really wish I could shoulder this burden for him. I feel so helpless at times. SO, he's switched meds again and is doing well so far. BUT, he's not doing well enough to be able to stay at his current school. After a meeting with a county worker, we came to the conclusion that Jake needs to be in a Day Treatment Facility. This for me is sad and hopeful at the same time. I am sad because I had such high hopes that his new classroom would be such a great change for him. I'm hopeful because I think that the DTF will provide all the services that he obviously needs. It's been a very difficult year for Jake. Never before has his rages been this frequent and intense. It's taken it's toll on the whole family. To make matters worse ( I know, how could it get any worse?) he seems to be suffering from increased asthmatic symptoms. He's been coughing so much even though he's resumed his breathing meds. He has seasonal asthma but I've never seen it this bad. He's coughing so much that he's been throwing up....daily! No fever, just nauseous and pukey. I think this is all a part of a bigger household problem. We just moved him in to Jon's room downstairs. Jon's room was an add on and it seems the construction was done quite poorly. When we have a big rain, there is a dampness that happens in Jon's room. This comes with a lovely smell. I know, it's a boy's room, they smell anyhow but this is far worse. I think that what we've got is a pretty bad mold/mildew/fungus problem going. I'm guessing this is what's been aggravating Jake's asthma into the vomiting stage! SO, needless to say, Jared is steam cleaning the carpet in hopes of filtering out some of the stench and making the room more liveable for Jake. Luckily, Jared has a friend who works for a water damage company and we'll have Tony come out and check our walls for mold. This will be far less destructive than Jared ripping sheetrock out to check. Right now I feel like some force of nature is trying to bury me and my family but I have faith that all will turn out ok. We'd appreciate any prayers....we could use them right about now!

1 comment:

Norm said...

Hey guys, sorry to hear about all that is going on with Jake. We will definitely be praying for you guys, that sounds like a lot to take but those boys are blessed to have such great parents!

~ Norm & Debra