So often as parents we wonder what to do? I mean its not like their is a book of raising children, and even if their was it sure would not be tailored to every child.
We noticed with Hunner as the weeks of school went on that his overall behavior started to get worse. He was having such a hard time focusing in class and his attention span seemed to being shrinking shorter and shorter with each passing moment. He went from having all good days to a fast all bad. So again the question came up. WHAT DO WE DO?
I sat up an appointment to meet with his teacher and hoping to get a better grasp on what is going on. And too my surprise it was worse than it even seemed on paper. He was not necessarily disrupting the class but more so himself. Things that ranged from taking of his shoes to obsessively pulling at his eyes, cheeks and mouth. Again I ask....What do we do?
Mrs.Jones, Hunner's teacher, made the suggestion that we consider the process of evaluation for an add/adhd medication, my heart sank...."I don't want my child medicated" but i knew in my heart that in order for his true potential to shine, he would need some help. Now to make an appointment with his pcp, file all the necessary paperwork and start yet one more journey, not one I was happy to travel...
Exactly one week to the date I had an appointment with Hunner's pcp, and based on the paperwork that both Mrs. Jones and I had completed we came to an agreement that medication was probably the only solution. We were given all the pro's and con's of medications that were available, and based on Hunner and all of his diagnosis we opted for Focalin XR 5mg. We were advised by his doctor to wait for the weekend so that we could observe Hunner for any possible side effects, and the wait proved my nerves too much.
Saturday...Today is the day...The day I have dreaded for almost a week. I wake Hunner up and make him a good little breakfast so that he has plenty on his tummy to start his meds. At 10:30am on the dot I gave him his medication, and my anxiety hit the roof. Would he be ok? Will I know if something is wrong? But reminding myself that I cannot drive my child crazy with the questions, I sit back and watch. By 1pm I could see a huge difference...HUGE...My son was calm, happy, and able to sit and watch t.v. by far not anything I nor my family was used too, but it was a pleasant change to say the least.
Monday comes and Hunner wakes up, eats breakfast, and takes his little blue pill. Off to school he goes. The day passes by without a call, email...nothing, a worried mother can and will take this 1 of 2 ways either he is doing wonderful and life is grand, or the teacher is busy and has not had a chance to call yet...Which will it be? Hunner did AMAZING. He returned home and was able to tell us all about his day, from what he ate for breakfast, lunch and even who he played with at recess. Succession was ours again at last..
We are still taking life day by day and we know that this is not the only hurtle we will have to cross, or mountain we will have to climb. We just know that we are blessed beyond recognition and are ready to embrace whatever life decides to dish out.
From our family to yours. God bless :)
