My gut tells me a lot of things. I have a problem with this. Guts don't actually talk. Yet we have this indescribable feeling telling us where to go or what to do. Being the unfaithful cynic that I am, I tend to roll my eyes at my gut and refer strictly to the experts. This has been one of my biggest mistakes.
Lately I've been seeing the kids' therapist without the kids. I haven't wanted to pull them out of school and for one of my children going to the therapist is like torture. (Talking about icky feelings is not something he enjoys.) I go and talk about what's going on with the kids and how we should proceed with testing and managing their struggles. Last week the therapist called me out on ignoring my gut. She told me to stop being a sissy and start being a better advocate for my kids. I have an obligation to my children that doctors don't have. While doctors might be smart and educated, they aren't responsible for the overall well being of the child. That's my job. I should not outsource that job like I have been doing. We've got some big changes happening all because I decided to start listening to my gut.
Clark is on a break from ARVs. We've got to find out why he's having a regression in cognitive function. Is it a side effect of the meds? Is it HIV disrupting the white matter in his brain? Yesterday I called the doctor and told him it was time to take his off the ancient medications he's been on for years. We needed to try something different. I was ready to argue but I didn't have to. He agreed without reservation. The doctor admitted that he has no idea what's going on, but acknowledged that what I'm seeing is real. (The neuropsych eval confirmed everything I've suspected, and Clark has started noticing it too.) He's on board to try to figure out what's causing the issues Clark is facing. Finally. We're getting somewhere.
Freckles is going to be switching schools in January. I love the elementary school my kids go to. The teachers are fantastic. Clark and Hawkeye are thriving there. Freckles isn't doing bad, but he needs the extra ESL help. I told Rose what I was planning on doing and she screamed, "Yes! He's learning nothing at that school. He needs ESL." Rose has spoken, therefore I must be right in my thinking. I'm also going to be bringing other professionals on the team to help Freckles. He needs a male psychologist. He also needs a psychiatrist that can manage his medications. The way it's handled now is simply not working.
I feel good about all of this. While none of this is likely going to solve anything, at least it's an attempt at serving my children the best I can. What I've truly found amazing is that when you speak with confidence and resolve, the professionals actually listen to you. That feels good.
Lately I've been seeing the kids' therapist without the kids. I haven't wanted to pull them out of school and for one of my children going to the therapist is like torture. (Talking about icky feelings is not something he enjoys.) I go and talk about what's going on with the kids and how we should proceed with testing and managing their struggles. Last week the therapist called me out on ignoring my gut. She told me to stop being a sissy and start being a better advocate for my kids. I have an obligation to my children that doctors don't have. While doctors might be smart and educated, they aren't responsible for the overall well being of the child. That's my job. I should not outsource that job like I have been doing. We've got some big changes happening all because I decided to start listening to my gut.
Clark is on a break from ARVs. We've got to find out why he's having a regression in cognitive function. Is it a side effect of the meds? Is it HIV disrupting the white matter in his brain? Yesterday I called the doctor and told him it was time to take his off the ancient medications he's been on for years. We needed to try something different. I was ready to argue but I didn't have to. He agreed without reservation. The doctor admitted that he has no idea what's going on, but acknowledged that what I'm seeing is real. (The neuropsych eval confirmed everything I've suspected, and Clark has started noticing it too.) He's on board to try to figure out what's causing the issues Clark is facing. Finally. We're getting somewhere.
Freckles is going to be switching schools in January. I love the elementary school my kids go to. The teachers are fantastic. Clark and Hawkeye are thriving there. Freckles isn't doing bad, but he needs the extra ESL help. I told Rose what I was planning on doing and she screamed, "Yes! He's learning nothing at that school. He needs ESL." Rose has spoken, therefore I must be right in my thinking. I'm also going to be bringing other professionals on the team to help Freckles. He needs a male psychologist. He also needs a psychiatrist that can manage his medications. The way it's handled now is simply not working.
I feel good about all of this. While none of this is likely going to solve anything, at least it's an attempt at serving my children the best I can. What I've truly found amazing is that when you speak with confidence and resolve, the professionals actually listen to you. That feels good.
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