-
Store Ads
-
Awards
-
Information
Apr
28
I’ve had a tough day.
It began with an email from Madeline’s teacher. I love this teacher. She has dealt with Madeline’s tics and ADHD with so much understanding and patience. She is big on behavior modification and Madeline has responded well. We email often to keep each other abreast of what is going on with Madeline. Her email today informed me that Madeline was having a rough day and complaining about her eyes bothering her. She had glasses prescribed a few months ago but they aggravated her tics, causing her to frequently move her ears and rub the glasses on her nose until the skin became red and sore. We traded her glasses in for contacts and she did well with them the first few weeks but now she’s complaining of her eyes hurting and I have noticed that her blinking tic has increased considerably over the last week. She is so hypersensitive.
I wasn’t surprised that she was having a bad day. I noticed a change in her behavior over the weekend. She was more impulsive than usual and her tics were greatly increased. I know that it’s time to consider medicating her. It’s been a year since we tried Strattera and that is the only drug we have tried. I have a friend whose son has similar issues as Madeline and is doing very well on Tenex and Focalin. She’s also is very happy with his neurologist so I have been mulling around the idea of taking Madeline to him. Her teacher’s email was confirmation that Madeline needs to be seen. Unfortunately the receptionist of the new doc was extremely rude and tells me that the next available appointment would be the end of October. This was after I was on hold for ten minutes.
“Are you kidding me?” was my response.
Then silence.
“Okay then. Thanks anyway” and I hung up.
I was shocked. My friend is shocked. Her son was seen within the week of her calling. Obviously I caught the receptionist from hell on the wrong day. Seriously, what pediatric neurologist can’t see a child for six months?
I called the neurologist that treats Madeline and they are getting her in tomorrow. Easy peezy, lemon squeezy and the receptionist was pleasant!
When I picked the kids up from school I could see that my usually happy child was not happy. She broke down as soon as we pulled away and my heart bled as I watched big, fat alligator tears roll down her beautiful face.
I hate that she is going through this.
I hate that I can’t “fix” it.
I hate that kids make fun of her.
All I could offer her was my shoulder to cry on and a doctor’s appointment. She is definitely her mother’s daughter. We are both very emotional and cry when under great stress but we are also strong and will seek answers and solutions. After our pity party Madeline asked if she could give her class a talk about her tics so they could understand her better.
That’s my girl.
She even started her research on her own tonight. I walked in on her watching this HBO piece on kids with Tourettes. We also have a neighbor kid that has Tourettes so I suggested she should talk to him.
We’ll get through this.
Now I must sleep.
I hope.
Comments protected by Lucia's Linky Love.
Comments
31 Responses to “Tic, tic, tic”
Leave a Reply
-
My Other Blog
-
I also blog at
-
Don't mess with me
Shop
Just don't steal
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.
Sending a cyber hug to you and your daughter. My heart hurts for her. My son sees a team of 9 doctors and it is SO frustrating when a receptionist is BAD.
*Sending you warm thoughts and prayers.
Michelle’s last blog post..Chinese Chicken..
Poor kid. I have to say though that I really admire her for wanting to talk to her class and educate them about her tics. That’s something that, as an adult, I don’t think I would have the courage to do. She’s very, very brave. Good for her!
And boo to lousy receptionists. I’ve encountered my fair share too. Is it a law that every doctor’s office has one?
Jen’s last blog post..Changes
I’ve seen that HBO special, or maybe just parts of it? Did Oprah do a show that highlighted it? Anyway….good for her and her take charge attitude about it!! I’m so proud of her! Bringing it out in the open and educating her friends/classmates gives them less ammunition, and hopefully will make them more empathetic. I’m sorry about the rude-ass receptionist. Maybe the next time your friend goes in, she could say something to the Doc. about what happened. grrrr. Big hug to you. You are a great advocate for your children, and they know that you are there for them and THAT is what matters.
abunslife’s last blog post..Oh the Drama!
I’m sorry you and Madeline are having a rough day, but it sounds like you are taking the right steps. And that little girl has a lot of courage!
Farrell’s last blog post..“I Had a Bad Day”
She sounds like an incredibly BRAVE little girl. You must be so proud.
I feel your pain. I wonder what it’s like not to watch your child struggle to get through every day. I wouldn’t know.
I know what it’s like to lie in bed tossing and turning, trying desperately to find a way to make things easier.
It sucks.
But someday…someday our kids are going to do something great. I hold onto that hope on the bad days.
Blog Antagonist’s last blog post..A Date With Destiny
Madeline sounds like one smart cookie…like her mama. Hang in there, girls!
Zookeeper’s last blog post..Today (So Far)
Poor girl. I feel so badly that kids are so mean. I wish parents would teach their kids compassion.
Mrs. Schmitty’s last blog post..In Touch With Their Feminine Sides
Here’s hoping better days are ahead for both of you - what a strong little girl though?!
Annie’s last blog post..Hormone Junkie
It makes my heart ache reading this. I wish kids, or people for that matter, wouldn’t be so cruel. Seems that it’s a symptom of not being educated. Hopefully once Madeline gives her talk on why she is the way she is, they will be a little bit more understanding and the teasing will lighten up. I just hope it sticks with them since the school year is almost up. Big ((HUGS)) to you both.
I hate receptionists with obvious poles shoved up their butts.
If you’re calling a child neurologist, there is a certain amount of parental stress just having to make the call alone. I’d love to call them for you and give her a what-for.
Madeline seens to have a great head on her shoulders. Hopefully, the kids will get a better grip on what she’s going through. My heart goes way out to you two. Hugs!!
Candid’s last blog post..10 Little Polar Bears
Poor Kid. My nephew has Tourettes and it is a struggle.
As far as the doctor’s appointment. My son needed to see a neurologist and the wait was 3 months. He was experiencing severe headaches. I couldn’t believe it but there just isn’t enough good specialists for children.
maggie’s last blog post..Good Name
It says I already said this but I don’t think it is working right. sorry if this is a dup
Poor Kid. My nephew has Tourettes and it is a struggle.
As far as the doctor’s appointment. My son needed to see a neurologist and the wait was 3 months. He was experiencing severe headaches. I couldn’t believe it but there just isn’t enough good specialists for children.
Maggie’s last blog post..Good Name
I am sorry you guys are having a hard go. I think you two are real troopers, and I am regularly impressed with the way you handle these situations. I always learn something I can to handle difficult situations in my own life from reading you.
So good luck at the doctor, and thank you for sharing such an amazing journey.
Scylla’s last blog post..Haunted
The first thing out of my head is that I’ll loan my boys over to make hamburger meat out of those cruel kids giving her a hard time. The second thing is I’m in awesome admiration of how she wants to take the bull by the horns and educate her class.
You are such an observant and dedicated mother. Madeline obviously benefits. Hats off to both of you.
Dana’s last blog post..Lawn Man
Oh I just want to reach out and hug her (and you too). I absolutely LOVE that she wanted to give her class a talk. You know a lot of discrimination comes from fear and ideally the talk will change that.
What an amazing little girl and of course as her mom you get tremendous credit for bringing up such a together little girl!
Worker Mommy’s last blog post..I’m lucky the FBI didn’t show up at my door
I’m so sorry. But what a kid you have! I love that she wants to talk to the class about Tourette’s. That’s awesome!
Prayers and hugs for you both.
Jenster’s last blog post..My Week In Arkansas, Part One
It took us 6 months to see the pediatric neurologist, too. She was worth it when we got there. In the meantime, my son (blind, Asperger’s, mild tics) sees a pediatric psychiatrist, his regular doctor, and a counselor. That’s outside the opthalmologist we’ve seen since birth.
Hugs to both of you, and sincere wishes of good luck.
Daisy’s last blog post..That’s My Bag
I hope you get this comment….
I keep trying to leave one on your last several posts, and it’s not working for me ;-(
Anyway, I think it’s admirable and very brave of your daughter to want to educate her classmates about her Tourette’s. Maybe with a little knowledge, the kids will be more understanding.
OH Baby…((((((Slacker Mommy))))))
I want to go STRANGLE that receptionist? END OF OCTOBER???
That’s inexcusable. It just is. I worked in the medical profession for 10 years and that’s not okay.
And as for your little one with the big, huge, fierce spirit??
“Madeline asked if she could give her class a talk about her tics so they could understand her better.”
She’s a total badass.
And know that I’m sending you my best…my very best.
Kevin Charnas’s last blog post..When Panic Attacks (Part Dos)
Oh man, she is awesome!!!!
What a smart and brave girl. I wish I could hear what she has to say to her classmates….That would be amazing.
And you, you are the best mom out there…You are both very lucky to have each other.
~JJ! (Janet)’s last blog post..“Arriba, Arriba, Andele! Andele!”
Oh, I hope summer vacation is long and wonderful for your girl!
Dawn’s last blog post..From the Archives - Alex Day 9
I stumbled upon your site while researching blogger issues with my custom domain name. The title appealed to me as I am a fellow slacker mom. Imagine my thorough surprise by your post as my son also has Tourette (along with being an Aspie). The HBO DVD is worth every penny and a must for showing to classmates and teachers. You can get a copy through the Tourette Syndrome Association for $10 if you’re a member. The special features on the DVD are as good as the documentary itself. When I get my blog issues resolved, stop by!
califmom’s last blog post..Riddle Me This
So sorry to hear she’s been having a tough time. I hope the appt goes well. There’s a bunch of adhd drugs out there so hopefully she’ll find something that works.
A friend’s two sons have Tourette’s. Every year her oldest talks to his class about it. Then he hands out a little bookmark or pencil to the kids in the class. His mom says it has helped quite a bit. Sounds like he was being made fun of too. So it sounds like she’s on track and is taking a very proactive, positive step! Am so proud of her. And her mama!
Just wanted to say Happy Mother’s Day!
Damselfly’s last blog post..Take my picture, please!
You tell that brave girl of yours to hold her head high. She’ll get through this rough patch - with you by her side, of course - and she’ll survive just fine. You will, too, Mom, so hang tight. Thinking of you!
Ruth Dynamite’s last blog post..As I Was Saying…
My blog reading has been limited these days so haven’t checked in over here in a bit but glad I stopped by…
Hang in there with your daughter. It’s good she has a good teacher–that is so important. With all 3 of my guys and me having Tourettes, we’ve done our fair share of all of this. I did go in with my middle son one year when his tics were very bad and “matter of factly” talked to his class–they were great!! I think the more it’s “no big deal” and the more knowledge we can give, the better for everyone.
My guys had a lot of success with Tenex (and my youngest was on Lexapro for the OCD symptoms)—none are on any now (as teens). I’m not a huge advocate of meds, yet if really needed, I think it’s worse not to give. Struggling through the tough times, especially if it affects self-esteem or friends, is worse. It may only be for a short time–that’s what’s tough with TS, you don’t know how it will play out as get older.
As a sidenote–as an adult I finally began taking Concerta. Wow! I never knew what being able to think of only 1 thing at a time was like! But the crazy thing–I only take it now when absolutely need it because the ADHD is what fuels my energy and passion!! My oldest is very obsessive–it’s what fuels his successful business at age 18! Hang in there—and don’t hesitate to email any time!!
I can’t say that I know what you or she is going through, but i know it must be rough as hell. It hurts my heart when my own child is upset, so I know how that must make you feel. I hope that things start to get better. For her sake especially. Kids can’t be such pieces of crap, I mean.. that sounds harsh I know, but they can be. It’s terrible that childrean make fun of her for something she can’t control. It makes me so angry.
I have watched that HBO program on kids with tourettes. It’s good for her because she can see how it affects other people’s lives and how the other kids cope with school, friends, and life in general.
Angela’s last blog post..Broken Tv!!
She’s a trooper that one!Keep us informed about the doctor’s appointment!
Tiff@three peas’s last blog post..A Work in Progress
Just checking up on you to see how things are going in your household. I hope to read something from you soon. (((HUGS)))
I’ve been on Strattera for about a year now and am starting to feel that it doesn’t work any longer for the ADD part of my brain. It’s def. a big help with depression and compulsive behaviors. (This I found out after trying to lower it). But the focus part just pooped all of the sudden.
Perhaps she needs to stay on the Strattera and add a small dose of something else?
I’ll be thinking of you both!
Lotta’s last blog post..Remembering the 80’s
[…] Tic, tic, tic […]