Journal

Saturday, July 5, 2008 10:24 PM AEST

Sometimes I'd really really really like to be wrong....especially when it comes to my gut feelings and my children being sick. :(

Calen's surgery went well, he was first in for the afternoon - much to his chagrin! He walked off into Theatre arguing with the anaethetist that he did not want gas...*roll eyes*
Even though it was a short one, it still felt like it took ages!! I managed to have a coffee, lunch and feed Joel and read a magazine or 2 while J slept before he was back from recovery.
He was awake when he came in without any morphine hooked up! *Yay!* Of course he was his usual tired and short tempered self but not nearly as much as when he has that grumpy juice hooked up! ;-)
Joel and I arrived back at the Lodge around 8pm that night and fell into bed rather exhausted.
The surgeons round on the Friday gave him approval for discharge that day... but true to form Calen dug his heels in and wanted to stay a night more....

It therefore took the psychiatrist I asked for at his bedside, less than 15mins to tell me Calen shows many facets of High Functioning Aspergers disorder.
At the time, I didn't quite know what emotion to display - shock because I was right? Anger because it's been 13 years and no one has suspected it enough to tell me? Fear because it's another unknown path to tread? Relief to know there was a diagnosis? Frustration knowing it wasn't just a passing fad? Amongst others.........
He is getting the official diagnosis paperwork though - he can't function without support at school or home... and neither can we. :(
One bit of paper can help open doors there and we need it desperately to get him the assistance he needs to be at his best. And that bit of paper is on the cards this Thursday - you guessed it, back at the RCH!

Liam and Joel had Opthamology appointments on Wednesday this week. The good news is it seems Liam's eyes have stabilised and Joel is seeing perfectly so they are now on annual checks! *Yaaaaay!* I'm soooo stoked at that one!
But yet again, Joel's individuality came shining through when I had him in a rather ungraceful headlock with one arm holding his hands down as well while the Dr tried to prise his eyes open and check the refraction. Terri, our nurse walked past along the open corridor at the back of the consultancy rooms as we did this and Joel very determined said "ELP Pease!" when he heard her!
I think all 3 of us had a fit of the giggles before David, the Opthamologist looked over his glasses/light apparatus sideways in a rather quizzical way. Without missing a beat I told him to be grateful he wasn't our GP. Joel told her rather enthusiastically a couple of weeks ago to "Haaaay UP!". Yes, she was running slightly late but not the sort of reaction you expect from a 14mth old!
In her defence, she did reply to him that at least he showed little of his older brother's speech issues............:P

So we have Calen's appointment this Thursday...then the 2 younger boys have abdomen ultrasounds on July 16....for you guessed it, the start of annual checks. :S Not sure when Miss H is to be scheduled but I guess it won't be too far off.

Calen has his surgical review on July 24 and U/S and Xray and visit to Dr Tim again on Aug 20...

Somewhere in the middle we are still following through with Master L's development clinic at the local hospital AND his private speech therapy appointments.

No rest for the wicked they say? ;)

Well at least if I'm busy, I'm out of mischief huh? :D

Much much love and hugs!!
C
xxx

Hospital Information:

Patient Room: Home!!!!!!!!

Royal Childrens Hospital
Herston Road
Herston Qld 4029

Links: