New Direction

Well, the Ritalin was a no go.  There was a definite increase in the anxiety so Friday was rough and another drug tossed out.  Thursday afternoon was great. We visited a possible residential home and Mike stayed calm the entire time. He just said he didn't want to live with old people, and I don't blame him.  I would have a hard time putting him there for long term. There's no incentive to get better. The people seemed well cared for and comfortable, but very sedate, fragile, and old.

Sunday we had a very bad episode of out-of-control behavior and aggression to the point that I was afraid and called 911.  Mike was taken to an area hospital and long-story-short, he was observed, evaluated, determined that he needed to be admitted, no beds available, became anxious/agitated, was given a shot of Ativan, became calm, VERY lucid, and was released home with a small prescription of Ativan.  Today he has done so well and for the most part been cooperative, helpful, sweet, communicative, fun, NOT repeating (YAY! YAY! YAY!!!) He and Chris even went fishing.  If only we could keep this going, it would be wonderful.  However, I just read about Ativan, and see it is only used for the short-term, is highly addictive and after only a few days, can have the adverse effect.  So it is not the cure-all.

This morning, I went on-line to research other options for Mike, and actually went back to a brain injury specialist in the Richmond area that comes highly recommended by the Brain Injury Association of Virginia. I had spoken with Dr. Zasler before Mike and I moved here, but at the time went a different direction because he does not take insurance (or is out-of-network) so is more expensive.  After all the drama and chaos, checking into various other options and coming to dead-ends, today I e-mailed Dr. Zasler a brief description of what's been going on and have already received a response. He said to call his office and see if we can get him in. Praise God!!  Dr. Zasler is connected with or runs a residential facility called Tree of Life which specializes in brain injury. My hope is that Mike will be able to go there for a while, be evaluated, get medication adjusted, therapy, and whatever else he needs. Who knows, maybe they even have therapy sessions for spouses and family members. I know I need it. I am very thankful and blessed by the willingness of family members and friends who have offered financial assistance, if necessary, also.  Please pray. I am really hoping that this is God's will for us and we will be able to get in to see Dr. Zasler this week.

Happy Memorial Day!  I am so thankful for all the men and women past and present who have fought and given their lives so that we can enjoy the freedoms we have. We were invited to a very impromptu cookout tonight and had a wonderful time. Mike was doing so well, conversing with everyone, helping serve, carrying food to the table, we even played the corn hole game. After supper, we took a walk around "the track". Such a lovey tree covered path that I felt like we had entered another world, like walking into Narnia or something. The wonderful fragrance of honeysuckle lingering in the air and perfect coolness, birds chirping, walking hand-in-hand with a quiet Mike, ahhhh....

Come, walk with me.

I Peter 2:21

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, 

leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.