Building Anxiety

It has been one of those weeks. I’m busy, good busy, fun busy, but still busy. The birthdays are imminent. I haven’t started baking. Due to K’s allergies I must bake all of our cakes. Baking is not my gig, cooking is. Yes, having kids changes you and makes you willing to do things you would have never considered. The first celebration is Sunday. Then Tuesday, and Thursday, and Sunday. It will get done but my anxiety is building.

Layer on top a neurologist appointment for K on Monday. He was a trooper for his EEG in Deccember. I swear it is a test of the parents more than a test of the kids. I had to keep him up until midnight and wake him up at 4 am. No food after midnight. All the parents out there know that sleep deprivation can lead only two places: the grumpies or the sillies. Well, praise the Lord we got the sillies!

So, where was this headed? The EEG was before Christmas and our appointment is Monday. They would have called if it was BAD, right? Right? That wasn’t rhetorical. My ostrich in the sand approach has worn thin now that we are within a week of the appointment. So, leave it to me to layer birthday, neurologist, visiting in-laws, parties and more into a single week. I’m a freaking glutton for punishment. Or, perhaps I find distraction helpful.

Why to the neurologist? K is a sweet, happy, but somewhat yet to be understood child. I adore him with all my heart and soul and want to help him succeed as best I can. He has gross motor and fine motor delays (roughly 6mo – 2 year delay dependent upon particular area) and is a sensory seeker. I’ve mentioned his allergies previously and this is an area where they come into play. I, personally, believe many of his issues stem from his allergies (food, environmental, and seasonal) and his EE.

EE, what is that? K was diagnosed with Eosinophilic Esophagitis in August of 2004. An allergic reaction to something he was eating in his esophagus. It was diagnosed via endoscopy where the GI found the start of ulcers in his not yet 8 month old body. It was a sobering time for us. K was put on Reglan, Nexium, Nasonex, and Neocate (a $130/10 day supply elemental formula). Long story short, he was reacting to dairy, soy, nuts, and all other legumes as well as other random things and it was damaging his esophagus.

Back to today. We aren’t sure what is going on with K. He is seeing the neurologist Monday. He is going for an auditory processing evaluation in April. He is in OT once a week with his PHENOMENAL therapist Ms. Michelle. We just want to give him his best chance. He doesn’t have any profound issues and we are blessed. He is our favorite almost 6 year old.

One possibility is that he could be having absent seizures. I’ve purposefully avoided Google on this one. It has led me astray too many times. Like everything else with K, it is what it is and we will deal. It is part of what makes him the gem that he is. Some of K's specialness is what has led me to meet some people who have become dear to me over the years. Thank goodness for the internet, online communities, and the ability for the internet to bring people together at the right times.

Meanwhile, back to cake baking and diversion. More to come.