Burning Brighter

Psalm 34:8

Taste and see that the LORD is good;

blessed is the one who takes refuge in HIM.

Day 3 of No-Psych-Medication Experiment

While the days have not been without some chaos, the chaos that has occurred has been less frantic, wild-eyed, or frenzied. Plus, Mike is more easily distracted or calmed in order to focus on a task or activity. The repeating has also diminished, except when he is agitated or upset. Mornings are still usually a bit chaotic and then he progresses to more clarity and direction as the day goes on.  

I am so thrilled with this outcome.  Now that I have a medication that helps to calm his anxiety and agitation, but is mild enough to let him think and stay awake, it seems evident that the ZyPrexa and Risperdal aren't needed, were inhibiting his cognition, and were actually causing some of the out-of-control behavior.  Don't get me wrong, we've still had some out-of-control agitation and anxiety, but less intense.  

HUGE PRAISES! 

A young man came looking for work on the farm last week, and Hugh doesn't need anyone right now. When he came, I was trying to get the lawn mower started and he hung around and helped me get it going.  On Friday, I decided to call him and see if he might like some work by helping with Mike until he finds a full-time job. He came yesterday at 9:30 and although Mike was pacing and being non-cooperative at the time, within about 30 minutes, Chris, had helped him get his shoes on and they went out walking. Later we all swept out the calf barn and cleaned the waterers, then he and Mike played Wii, pulled weeds and generally got along really well. Praise God!! 

I received an e-mail from Camp Va. Jaycee and Mike has been enrolled in camp for 2 weeks the end of July!!!  I was so shocked and pleased to get a reply so quickly and to get a favorable response. Hopefully this will be a really great time for him. He was so clear this afternoon, that he may be helping them with camp by that time!

Today was Mike's evaluation for beginning Occupational Therapy.  He did really well this morning, quiet, ate breakfast well, helped me gather Kale from the garden, then sat and rocked on the front porch while I did some work.  We headed over to Richmond, stopped at McDonalds, and then on over to the hospital where he would have therapy. On the way to therapy, he became very agitated because I hadn't let him finish the cup of lemonade.  (My reasoning was he had drunk an entire glass of water and gatorade and half of the lemonade and I didn't want an accident during therapy.) Realizing that I had just given him his lunchtime pills, I then tried to go on and give him the lemonade, but it was too late. The repeating and anxiety had set in.  Thankfully we arrived safely at the hospital, tried to go to the bathroom, but too agitated.  Went on up to therapy, and now he's more upset, I realize he might be thinking that I'm admitting him, so I try to alleviate that anxiety and the receptionist is trying to support me any way she can.  We finally get signed in (thankfully they had mailed the paperwork so it was already completed) and then we walked around and around until Ann, OT, was ready.  Once we walked into the therapy room and we both assured him that he was only there for therapy he started to calm down and did fantastic!  He answered her questions, followed her instructions, performed the dexterity tests and then continued to work with the objects while she talked with me. Not upset at all or repeating.

After therapy, we went to the grocery store and stopped at Hickory Knoll Nursery on Rt. 153 (gorgeous flowers/great folks-locals-go there!) where I had bought flowers. The owners are very kind and strong Christians who have been praying for us and since Mike was doing so well, we stopped so they could all meet. Cindy even prayed over Mike before we left. At home, Mike did terrific all evening. Talked at supper, helped clear the table, mostly showered and dressed himself, was a pleasure to be with, and no struggles WHATSOEVER!!!  WOO HOO!!!  PRAISE YOU, JESUS!!!

Garden - harvesting Kale, mixed lettuce, and picked our first strawberries this morning - all 3 of them :-)

Hens - 13 eggs today - the number keeps rising.

God is Awesome.