Health Check... continued

Continuing where my last post left off, my trip to Missouri was good (Rachael is now officially a high school graduate). It was very short, but any longer and I may not have thought it was as good. I think I really surprised myself at how much I missed the kids after such a short time. After all, I'd been wanting an escape for so very long.

This week started with a virus. Clara was violently ill starting late Sunday morning. Luckily for her, it only lasted the one day, she was feeling much better the next day. Unfortunately, it made its way to the boys and myself soon after. Today was the first day that I felt much better, but poor Lucas is still throwing up - 3 days and counting. He had an appointment with the doctor this morning (originally scheduled as a follow-up to check his ears). The doctor diagnosed an ear infection as the reason why he can't keep anything down combined with allergies (more on that in a minute). His weight is back to what it was at his 3-year checkup... 30 lbs. He is currently taking antibiotic for the ear infection, but I'm still questioning how this is going to help him if he can't keep anything down.

Ok... so Lucas' doctor's appointment. Let me start by saying that the experience as a whole was a complete turn from the last visit. We didn't have to wait long to see the doctor this time, and for the short time that we did have to wait - a nurse provided the boys with a container of blocks to keep them occupied! When the doctor came in, I opted to inundate him with information about Lucas' history for fear of getting cut off or forgetting to include something. The doctor listened to EVERYTHING! I was extremely impressed that he was able to get everything since I was talking so fast and a bit all over the place with my thoughts. He immediately responded to my concerns with the diagnosis of allergies. He says that allergies could easily be the cause for all of Lucas' health problems (his low weight, his frequently being tired, his struggle to get well with any illness, his ear infections, and even the fluid buildup in his ears/hearing loss). He has an appointment to have an allergy test performed next Tuesday... I'm anxious to find out what he's allergic to that could be causing him such grief all these years. Could this really be the answer to getting Lucas healthy?? It almost sounds too easy.

We had our meeting with the Fairfax County Public School psychologist to discuss the results from Clara's evaluation. A series of 9 different assessment methods showed that Clara is exhibiting behaviors and characteristics typical of Asperger's Disorder. For special education services, the school doesn't differentiate between any of the Autism classifications, therefore Clara is now officially in the school system as having "Autism Spectrum Disorder". When I was approached about the possibility of Clara having Asperger's early on in the school year, I read about it and was in some sense relieved to know that there was a reason or explanation behind her frustrating behaviors. Somehow, though, hearing it as an official assessment hit me very differently that I expected. All of a sudden, I felt the weight of what this meant. This wasn't just some erratic behavior that with some therapy or guidance would go away. This was HER and there is no cure. Jason and I, together with her educators, can help provide her with strategies to help ease her way through, but her struggles will be persistent and most likely harder than those of her peers. However, like the psychologist told us, she has a lot going for her which will help her immensely. She is a highly intelligent kid, with a sweet disposition and a supportive, loving family. She will be fine.

Meanwhile, later in the week, I met again with the panel to decide whether or not Clara is eligibile for special education services. This meeting went as I expected. It seemed to me that the decision had been made prior to my arrival and all they needed me for was a signature. They, of course, approved her for special education services. At this point, for me, it just feels like whatever they decide is fine as long as what is best for Clara is at the center of that decision.

We were planning to get away for the long weekend. The fact that Lucas is still throwing up and I just finished changing Eli's sheets for the second time tonight, I'm guessing we are pretty well housebound.