Note to Cody's Doctor

The U of U now has a health care website where you can keep in contact with doctors, schedule appointments, check lab results, etc.  

Cody had an appointment with his neurologist last week and afterward I stayed awake for most of two nights, having a conflicting conversation in my own head (I do that sometimes and will freely admit it.) Last evening, I finally made a decision and took advantage of the website to write a note to Cody's doctor. Normally I wouldn't share something so personal, but I think this might be beneficial to other parents going through similar situations. 

Dr. _______,

After giving Cody a couple of doses of the Vimpat, as directed, I have come to the conclusion that I would rather not change his medication. My mind is telling me to listen to you because you are a professional, but my gut is telling me not to do this to Cody at this time. After nearly 33 years of caring for Cody, I have learned, albeit the hard way, to listen to my mother's intuition. I DO understand what you said about it being only a matter of time before Cody has another grand mal seizure, but I would rather take the chance and deal with it if it happens than medicate Cody to the point where he has no quality of life.

This is only part of the note, but it's an important part because I've preached about mother intuition on my blog before. Responsibility for another human being who cannot express their own needs is difficult at best. I'm trusting that I made the right decision. Only time will tell, but in the meantime, Cody won't be so drugged up that he's dizzy and sleeping his life away.

Sick Slacker

I would love to write a decent post and read my favorite blogs, but I'm not 100%. Allergies suck!

'Autism and Vitamins' Repost at Autism Blogs Directory

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Poison Control

Having to call Poison Control is one of those things that every parent anticipates. We keep medications and chemicals out of reach or locked up, the Poison Control number near the phone (or these days, programmed into the phone) and hope we will never have to use this service.

I made it twenty-five years before I had to call. The circumstances involving the incidence were very unusual and unpredicted.

That particular evening, I had been "down and out" with a sinus infection. I was laying on the sofa with Cody sitting beside me and realized that it was time for his evening dose of Phenobarbital. Feeling too sick to get up, I asked my son Casey to please give Cody his pills (at that time he was taking three pills per dose).

Casey brought Cody his medicine with a glass of water. Cody obediently took the tablets, swallowed them and then said, "Wrong ones."

I felt feverish and pretty much like crap, but not bad enough to not catch what Cody said. I asked Casey to please read the prescription bottle to me. It said Quinipril. Casey had made a mistake and given Cody my blood pressure medication; not just one pill but three! (The tablets looked so much alike that I eventually asked to have my prescription changed.)

Long story short, Poison Control came through for us. We had to take Cody to the hospital to drink activated charcoal and Casey felt extremely horrible for making a mistake that put his brother through a nasty ordeal.

We all wish Cody would've said, "Wrong ones" before he swallowed. In any case, at least he said something and we were able to take care of the situation.

What did I learn from this experience?

1) Keep the Poison Control number close by.

2) You may have to use Poison Control even when your kids are grown.

3) Always, always, always check the prescription label before you take medication and...

4) Moms just can't afford to be sick!

The Divorce Drug

Cody's Neurologist added another seizure medication to his Phenobarbital. She told us, "I think this will be the best medication for Cody, but I must inform you that they call this the 'Divorce' drug." She goes on to say, "Keppra (the new drug) has a tendency to make people grumpy and I can tell that Cody is a very happy person."  Needless to say, Don and I left her office that day less than thrilled.

I don't know why we assumed being grumpy would be the case for Cody. Has Cody been grumpy? Not so far. However, he has been more quick witted.

Just this morning, Cody was dancing (in his bazaar way) to Raffi. (For those of you who may not know who Raffi is... he sings children's songs.) Don walked in the room and said, "Cody, how old are you?" Cody responded, "Twenty-Nine". Shortly after that, Don and Cody were playing around and Don "pants" Cody. He responded by saying, "Dad, how old are you?"

A while later, we were in the car and Cody said something to his dad (who was driving). Apparently Don didn't respond fast enough for Cody because Cody said, "You-hoo. Anybody home?" (He never says that!)

As Don and I were making Caramel Corn this afternoon, Don mentioned to me that we should go to Myrtle Beach sometime; to which Cody piped in and said, "I don't have any money." (As if we were suggesting he pay for the trip.) When the Caramel Corn was done,  I asked Cody if he wanted some (he has never cared for it, but I was being polite). Did Cody say "No thank you." as he usually does? You guessed it. He excitedly said, "Yes!" and then proceeded to eat a whole bowl of it.

If I didn't know any better, I'd think that Cody lives to prove the doctors wrong!