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Tag Archive: Sent
Permanent link to this article: http://lostandtired.com/2010/03/19/new-time-and-new-channel/
Mar 14 2010
Almost back to normal
Well Lizze has been home resting. The kids came home tonight. Elliott Richard is sleeping on one couch and Lizze is on the other. Emmett John is up stairs with me.
Gavin seemed to do ok at my parents. He had a bad day at school Friday. He was in the principles office at least twice. That is not good. We are still having issues with the school at this point and I am not sure what we are going to do.
I want to thank everyone that helped with the kids (not that any of you actually read this) the past few days. Also thanks for all the prayers for Lizze.
Tomorrow will be fun.
Lost and Tired
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Permanent link to this article: http://lostandtired.com/2010/03/14/almost-back-to-normal/
Mar 06 2010
Gavin, Gavin, Gavin
We can't resort to violence like spanking with Gavin (even though he has it coming at times) for a few reasons. We don't believe in spanking because there is no progression from there. Gavin will associate violence as a way of dealing with anger. The biggest reason is because Gavin witnessed his biological father beat Lizze for the first year of his life.
So we have come up with something even better and more satisfying. When Gavin makes a lot of bad choices and needs to be kinda put in his place we substitute his next meal with oatmeal. He isn't real fond of oatmeal when it plain. It's effective most of the time. He never learns from it which really makes it a pointless consequence but we have to keep trying or he will have no chance later in life.
Anyone have any other ideas they can share with the class?
Lost and Tired
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Permanent link to this article: http://lostandtired.com/2010/03/06/gavin-gavin-gavin/
Mar 06 2010
The run down
Today has come and gone and where are we? Eliott Richards party was moved home from grandma and grandpa's house. Lizze and Emmett John were both sick today so we needed to change the venue.
I think it went over quite well actually. Elliott Richard was very happy and is currently exhausted.
Gavin is a different story all together. While we haven't seen any fits today we were constantly repeating ourselves. He was on the verge of being out of control all day long. Dr. R has increased the Zyprexa to 15mg in the am. He is still on 10mg at night. This is being done to hopefully silence the voices in his head. As with any med change we will have to watch him for a few days to make sure there are no side effects (especially with the increased dose).
My parents were here today and they are very supportive but I know they don't understand. We still get the looks when we correct Gavin for what may seem like no reason. We are very in tune with the way his mind works and we have learned to read the body language and know when enough is enough. I could explain over and over why we do things this way but honestly it's a waste of time and energy as no one will understand.
We have recently connected with a family through this blog. My wife and I can very much relate to this family. They face many of the same challenges we do. This is only the second time I can say for certain that someone knows what we are going through. Mark and Debbie are friends of ours from Gavin's school. They know what we go through because they go through it to. Our new friends Mandi and John are in the same boat. These are all amazing human beings and very good parents.
I am grateful because we can share our experiences with each other. It's nice to know you aren't alone isn't it.
We also have made friends with a family that isn't necessarily going through what we are but know about great sacrifice. They are a military family. Yeah I'm looking at you, Nicole and Chris. They have always been supportive as well and we truly appreciate them and the sacrifices they make to keep us safe. They have never judged us and only ever offered kinds words and prayers.
I just want to thank you all for being a part of our lives and being there for us and allowing us to be there for you.
Lost and Tired
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Permanent link to this article: http://lostandtired.com/2010/03/06/the-run-down/
Mar 04 2010
Credit needs given
With all the joy that goes along with Elliott Richards birthday something slips through the cracks.
I want to take a few minutes and thank my wife for everything she sacrificed to bring Elliott Richard in to this world in the first place. You may not know that her pregnancy was VERY complicated. She was on complete bed rest for most of the EIGHT months she FOUGHT to carry Elliott Richard. She was hospitalized quite a few times for major complications like DVT's (deep vein thrombosis) or blood clots in her leg. These were very serious because any movement on her part could have caused her to throw the clot and that could have been fatal. She endured 1550+ injections and 2000+ pills over the course of the pregnancy. She gave up all of her freedom and suffered many indignities. She never once complained not even once.
I was the big tough firefighter/paramedic who has seen it all and I was a mess much of the time. She is truly the rock in our family.
Elliott Richard is here today because of her hard work and sacrifice. Lizze you are truly an unsung hero. It's time that your song was sung. I can never thank you enough for giving me Elliott Richard. You did it with grace and dignity. You are a shining example of what a mother is. Some day I will find a way to thank you. Until then I will have to keep trying. I love you. This day is your day also.
Lost and Tired
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Permanent link to this article: http://lostandtired.com/2010/03/04/credit-needs-given/
Mar 04 2010
Time goes by to fast
I couldn't sleep last night. I was trying to recover pictures off a bad hard drive for a customer. Then I was thinking about what I was doing at that time 4 years ago. I was in the delivery room waiting along with my wife for Elliott Richard's arrival. We had no idea the what we were in for.
When it finally happened I was beside myself. It was the most amazing thing I had ever seen. I lost complete control over my emotions and sobbed like a baby. Words can't do the experience justice. In that moment my entire life was forever changed.
I have made several movies to document our experience in the nicu and I watched them all last night while everyone was sleeping. Seeing him in the NICU relying on a machine to breath and having his little hands tied down (so he could pull the tube out again) puts so very many things into perspective.
I will try to upload the videos as soon as I can.
Happy birthday Elliott Richard. You have no idea how much I love you but I will spend the rest of my life trying to show you.
Lost and Tired
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Permanent link to this article: http://lostandtired.com/2010/03/04/time-goes-by-to-fast/
Mar 04 2010
Pink elephant in the room
Lizze and I had a conversation today about Emmett John that we both have been putting off.
Over the past few months we have been very focused on his hearing and speech issues. We realized we have overlooked some things. Emmett John smells everything, he has started with a few repetitive motions, he doesn't talk (probably hearing related) and throws himself on the floor. He is also hitting himself in the head.
Now these could mean nothing but this is how Gavin started. These are some of the things we missed early on with Gavin. Emmett John is still very engaging and actively seeks out attention which is good. We have been pretty tunnel visioned lately and missed some of these things. His doctor had already requested that he be run through the autism clinic at the children's hospital.
Everyone has decided that we are going to pursue the hearing issue first because that makes the most sense. The other things"could" be normal for his age. Since there is a family history it increases the chances that it could be autism related.
Lost and Tired
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
Permanent link to this article: http://lostandtired.com/2010/03/04/pink-elephant-in-the-room/
The Author
Rob Gorski is a husband and father of 3 boys on the Autism Spectrum. Gorski began his writing career in June of 2010 with his multiple award winning blog Lost and Tired: Confessions of an Autism Dad. Recently cited as the 3rd most influential Autism Blogger on the internet by Dr. Oz's Sharecare website, where he is an expert on Autism.
His mission is to create dialogue, spread Autism Awareness, educate the public on how technology can benefit a special needs family and do so in ways that society can relate to and understand.
Gorski advocates for special needs families and those on the Autism Spectrum, both young and old.
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