Boring updates

I feel like this has become the 'Fight for Cody' Blog, so I thought I would just give some random updates on everyone. Randy and I just celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary. There were so many people who bet (literally) that we would not make it this far that to have come all this way makes me SO proud. Growing up I really didn't have a great example of how a marriage should work. Dad is on wife #4 and mom has been divorced 3 times, my amazing grandparents were married over 50 years, but for some reason I never looked at their marriage as work. So, based on my parents marriages I knew what a marriage WASN'T supposed to be, so really my only other example was TV, which set me up for a RUDE awakening! Life is not a tv show, problems don't get resolved and forgotten about in a half hour. A marriage is hard work. It's a lot of give and take and a lot more give. But I am proud to say our marraige is stronger than it ever has been...so take that haters! May 30th Randy had gastric bypass. He has struggled with his weight since before I met him (although he was his skinniest when we met) and his health was starting to pay the price. He was 37 and diabetic, with high cholesterol and high blood pressure, so basically I was a widow in waiting unless something changed. In November he went to a information session on it and slowly did the doctor appointments, support group meetings, education sessions and so on so he would qualify for his surgery. So far he is down almost 50 lbs...not just from the surgery but from some life changes he made before. I am so proud of him. He does get frustrated at times with the small amounts he is able to now eat (just 1/4 cup a meal) but he did this so he can be a better father and husband and I couldn't be prouder. Shane...my little lolli-pop. After tomorrow he will be a second grader. WHAT!!! When did that happen. He is SO smart and that is not me mom-bragging, the kid is really bright! I hope this continues and he becomes a doctor or some other high paying job so he can take care of mommy when she retires!!!! (but in all seriousness, I just hope he grows up healthy and happy, if he does, I did my job!). He is looking forward to playing soccer in the fall, which reminds me I need to send them a check! Cody...he has been the topic of many posts lately, but they are usually about his ASD and I can't allow his diagnosis to define who he is. He is a child, a boy, my son, a sweet, compassionate kid who loves animals and his baby brother. He will be starting 3rd grade in the fall and hopefully will have a smooth year. Casey...my baby. My sweet little baby is already a year old. I could cry just typing that out. He is changing and discovering new things each day, doing new little 'tricks' (the latest is to shake his head no really fast when you ask him 'who's crazy'). He is overall a happy boy who is STILL not sleeping through the night, but as I tell everyone, 'he's my baby' which seems to be my answer for everything when it comes to him! Me....ugh. Life is always hectic for me. This past Monday I had A wisdom tooth removed and now have a face that looks like someone punched me in the jaw. It could be worse, but it just seems like when I do something I do it BIG! I am still working weekends, and for the most part enjoy it, esp with some of the recent changes the agency has made (weekend nurses are basically untouched). I have also been picking up extra hours at the hospital again, working in oncology. Working the 2 are totally different, but each have their pros and cons, and generally make me grateful every time I work. I have so much to be thankful for, that even when I am bitching, I know there are so many who have it so much worse than me. As of tomorrow the kids are done with school, which means it me and the 3 boys home all week. Last summer flew by with vacations and such and I imagine this summer will follow suit. With the added benefit of pinterest and a great neighbor/friend (who is crazy/brave enough to go with on an overnight with all 5 of our kids) I think we will have a pretty awesome summer. I'm sure you'll hear all about it!

Cha-Cha-Changes

Recently we have found out that Cody's ped psychiatrist will be leaving the hospital that I work for. My 1st thought was "Just wonderful, we finally have answers and now the one person who will help us is leaving." However, after our last appointment we found out that yes she is leaving the hospital system, she does plan on staying in the area. Phew. She is not sure where she is going just yet, but told me to call in Aug and they will have to tell me (and if they don't, that is what Google is for!). She placed a check next to Cody's name (she has a master patient list, some she is willing to keep, others she will discharge to another doctor) becuase as she has said, "I LOVE my Aspergers kids, they are so sweet. If I had a practice of all Aspies I would be a happy doctor!" One problem with her moving out of the network I work for, is that my insurance will only cover in network doctors (even though there are now no ped psychiatists). In thinking about it, she is that good that if need be we would pay cash (it would be hard, but Cody is worth it). Several people told me due to his diagnosis he may qualify for medical assitance. In the past I would brush it off. I have health insurance, why or how would he qualify for medical assistance? But this past week at his therapy apptointment his therapist suggested it and said it would most likely cover his copays for her (only $15 a visit, but still), his meds (again not htat much, but things are still changing) and should his dr go out of network, his doctor. At that point the heavens opened and I could hear angels singing. SOmeone also mentioned that it may help him get an ICM (intensive case manager) or an advocate which will be helpful for IEP meetings (that is a totally different issue, in which we have to go to court in August over). Therefore, tonight I spent the last hour filling out the online medical assistance application. I still have to mail in copies of a whole lot of crap that I will need to search for, but at least it is a step in that direction. I look at the Autism Speaks website and other sites and find TOO much info, it is all jsut so overwhelming. I don't know where to start. Sometimes I feel like I am drowning in the sea of information that is out there for ASD. Sometimes I feel like a failure as a parent because my kid has to struggle so much, but really compared to other kids, his struggles are minor. Last night we were at a local baseball team game with a bunch of people from my work. We cut the evening short when Cody went into full meltdown over losing a toy I told him NOT to bring, which only got worse when we passed the gift shop and I would not let him get an overpriced stuffed toy (which he is allergic to anyway). Of course, when in public, when Cody starts to have a meltdown, so does my husband who is still trying to understand Cody's diagnosis. But by the time we got to the car, Cody had stopped crying, the meltdown had passed with the help of some deep breathing and soft voices (on mommy's part). It really was only about a half hour of a meltdown, and the storm passed and today was a new day that made me even prouder of my little man. He had to have dental work done and did AMAZING. The dr and the assistant made a point to come out and tell me how great he did, that most kids were never that good, let alone kids with special needs. Proud Mommy moment.