Friday, April 12, 2013
Re-Cap... Announcement of Devin's (soon tobe) BFF... Reminder about Walk
I wasn't sure if I was going to blog this... probably to protect my own feelings. But than decided if it could possibly help one child or parent than it was worth it..
As many of you know I am have been trying for approximately 15 months to work out some HUGE emotional issues Devin has been having. These issues have stood in the way of various aspects of life, one major one being his ability to succeed academically and socially. We have seen numerous specialists... developmental doctors, psychologist, neurologist, psychiatrist, play therapist, therapy groups, and different therapy programs. The diagnosis was "severe ADHD"... Try though we may NUMEROUS medications, new ones, old ones, combinations, stimulants, and non-stimulants. NOTHING worked!!!!! He has had 3 complete evaluations in 15 months with each and every person telling me the same thing, "he has intelligence, he can clearly learn"... BUT!!!... he is struggling emotionally...
After living day in and day out frustrated by a "MISERABLE" child.. who struggles everyday!! I continued on my quest to try and find someone, somewhere who can help with the "BUT" and the untreated ADHD.
I was finally able to track down a psychologist who specializes in ADHD and learning disabilities. Unfortunately 2hrs and 45 minutes of a commute... I got to meet with him in May. He had reviewed ALL Devin's information.. medical, medications, & testing. When I walked in he asked me to start at the being and explain everything!! As I spoke I sensed I was walking myself into a bomb shell.. after him listening to me and us going over everything... here are only a few statements he made.....
- You have been on 15 different ADHD meds and none have worked. Did you ever think of thinking outside the box... It might not be ADHD!!
- If you, yourself were on a seizure medication and you had increased the dose twice and you still had seizures. Would you continue to increase the dose?? He is COMPLETELY over medicated on meds that don't work well together and can be causing some of his problems.
- EVERY evaluation you have starts with... I saw Devin McQueen in my office today. He appears to have a flat affect, and appears sad. The only emotion he clearly show is anger in relation to frustration, which occurs easily. He is very anxious over mom leaving and takes a long time to settle for his age. He asks repeatedly to see mom and where mom is. (You get the idea) His question was, did anyone find it concerning that a seven year old boy is sad with a flat affect?? Doesn't really fit the normal description of ADHD..
- He shuts down easily and fall asleep in unpleasant situations that he wants to avoid.. Again not consistent with ADHD
- 4 out of 6 medication that he takes for transplant can cause anxiety and depression.. Has that been looked at??
- Chronic illness and RE-OCCURING TRAUMA PLAY A MASSIVE ROLE IN A CHILDS DEVELOPMENTAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL STATE... this trauma can NOT be processed while the child is going through it. It is usually processed later! What have you done to help him??
- Have you ever thought this could be Post Traumatic Stress ??
Well, needless to say I left there sobbing!! Wanna talk about feeling as though you completely failed!!
Well here we are ((2)) years later and Devin is still struggling!! It seems as though the more stable his health gets... the more he suffers emotionally!!! Once again I've been reminded "he struggled for his life from his first breath of life in October of 2003 until March of 2011.... since than his health has improved but he still is by far not healthy" Maybe just maybe he is processing this re-occuring trauma he lived day in and day out!!
I THINK i've covered just about every therapy out there and I THINK we've helped him somewhat with medications... but his LIVER is STRUGGLING do to the side effects of these medications and and the stress his liver has been under for the last 9 years...
On May 5th Devin has been selected to take part in a Companion Dog Program!! This is a 2 week service dog program that will help Devin with some of the emotional struggles he faces in certain situations... the dog will stay with Devin at all times (except school). Hopefully it will help Devin work through some past trauma... build self esteem... provide friendship... teach responsibility.... support him during stressful times... go to doctors visits and stay with him during hospital stays!!!! The program sounds wonderful and it seems like something Devin will truly benefit from!! I pray that it all goes smoothly.
We are weeks away from the walk/run for organ donation and awareness.... Sunday, June 9th PLEASE... PLEASE... PLEASE... come out and support those waiting, honor those who received, and REMEMBER THOSE WHO GAVE!!!!! for without them so many would NOT have a second chance at life!!!
If you can not join us.. please donate!! to help support our team!!
PS.. you'll get to meet Devin's new 4 legged BFF!!!
DEVIN'S GOT GUTS!!!!
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