Busy, Busy, Busy

Things are going okay. Eli is doing better since we decided to have his pediatrician take care of his meds. He was put on Abilify and that really seems to be helping some. Now we just need to get to the right dose!
Carter is doing well and is now a big 3 years old! We are going to be trying potty training once again starting this next week. I imagine it won't be easy, but I am prepared with tons of cleaner and the understanding that this could be a little messy for a while. I also finally started putting some of my artwork on Etsy! I am so excited! We really need the income and it would feel wonderful if I could make others happy with using my talents. I really look forward to hopefully making this a business. Eli loves helping me and the art therapy is so good for him! He also enjoys seeing our work on the computer and thinks thats pretty awesome. Below is a little of what is in my store. Come support me and Eli by checking it out!

Can we say sticker crazy??? !!

So absolutely ADORABLE. Eli loves stickers and yes, He did this all himself! I think he decided he earned a ton of rewards for today. Just had to post this one! =)

A Long Silence....

I know it's been almost centuries since blogging.
The doctor we found ended up not being a great fit for poor little Eli to say the least. he was drug through medications one of which he was allergic to. My Birthday was the 11th, and on the 10th my sweet Grandma passed away. The 14th on Valentines Day I took Eli to the hospital for evaluation because of severe aggression, tantrums, and extremely bad sensory issues. It was so bad.... I just cried and cried. Michael had work, and LaVonne my Mother in law was helping with Carter because he could no longer have been home at that point.
Coming home to an empty house, leaving my child behind in a clinic, being given strict visiting hours, and a message that my Grandmothers funeral was that late morning the same time I was saying goodbye to my son was enough. I felt so empty, like a bleeding daggered heart trying to pump what life I could manage to bring back into me. But my sweet husband left flowers on the table and a note for VDay. I knew that we had to be strong for each other. I usually can. This time, I feel I fell short. Eli stayed until the following Sunday.
He had regressed. The day before bringing him home we purchased a video camera with some of our tax return and started filming video of him to keep track of what was going on. That's how we found the severe aggression fits due to one of medications. We called and demanded him to be taken off the medication. They lowered his dose.

Last weekend we went to our children's Hospital because Eli was having bad episodes again and they told us we could take him off completely. They had someone come in from Liberty, MO to talk and try to help us because they had no idea how to handle Eli's situation. Insane right??!!!! This guy said that they were sorry that there was nothing else to do because of the huge wait lists for services, and that the world is just not equipped to handle children with Autism yet. He then proceeded to say that he is so thankful for his two "normal children" and can't wait to go home and hug them.
Yes, I wanted to choke him. Okay more then just that. He was an idiot.

Our church has been really there for us and it feels wonderful to have that. I take Eli back to his Pediatrician on Monday.

Wow, I know that was a lot, I tried to sum it up for you as much as possible. I just haven't been ready to share or talk about anything because I had some healing to do which I know all the prayers for our family is what has helped us the most.
But, Things are looking up a little hopefully. Michael and I figured a way for me to work with Eli at least through the summer and a great Preschool for Carter who absolutely loves going! (This week he went two days for the first time!)

I will write more about the family later like Michael's shift change, Carter's preschool, and some of my great findings with Eli that hopefully will and already have started to make him a happier boy.
Tonight: Eli and Carter enjoyed watching "WIPEOUT" with me. The only show I can get them to sit with me!=)

Doctor, Doctor, Who's Got a Doctor?

Well, since I last wrote which has been quite a while in Blogging life things have been quite crazy. Eli had that "awesome" day and then all of the sudden things seemed to go downhill. I went as far as trying to call any place that will admit him to make sure his medications weren't giving him a bad reaction. The thing with clinics and psychiatric hospitals are that there always seemed to be a reason for my son not being able to qualify. I kept hearing "We can't take him because of his Gtube, and we aren't set up for that, we don't have the right program for someone with Autism, and.... "It's sad, there really isn't anything like what you need around here and you would think there would be. It seems that this issue has fallen through the cracks."
The other issue is that it all comes down to money and funding.
It's been a very tough last three weeks.
That being said, The doctors appointment went well yesterday and we were able to get more resources. I think we might have a break through. They are adding a medication to help with Eli's focus, I will start his first dose tonight and it could take a week to see a real difference. What I realized is that yesterday was our "real" first appointment since we were sent up from the ER last time for a emergency visit. We have two psychiatrists there now that are working together so we are feeling a little more comfortable. Now that I am finally getting somewhere in that area..... On to the next thing on the list. Today I called for a study that I can't believe how much of a run around we get just to push to get one service/issue taken care of! But, It's all worth it for my Baby!!=)
GRRRR!

Breakthrough!

Yesterday was quite the day but I would have had it over and over just to have the day I had today. It was crazy with getting Eli's allergy shots sent. My Sister in law (who has been giving Eli his shots so we don't have to go all the way to Overland Park twice a week.) sent in a fax for a refill and they never sent it. So, thanks to  the office, Eli is going to be late on his shots again, but we are so thankful for what his Aunt is doing for us to make things a little easier. I also finally got Eli's medical supplies in but, in the wrong size. This stuff always happens. I think maybe it just goes hand in hand with having a special needs child when you have more then one or two physicians, therapists, medical equipment, blah blah blah. Anyway, Yesterday wasn't a good day for Eli at all. He seemed confused and tantrum ed quite a bit. He seemed more aware of things to the point that it irritated him which of course the awareness is great, but to the point of freaking him out? His little pillow pet Lion he has pretty much disowned because I showed him that he makes snoring sounds when you press his head. (It's actually really cute!) He totally freaked out and now "Lion 2" has been put out to sleep at the bottom of the stairs because he snores and that's to weird. Why didn't I show him this sooner? He got him for Christmas, and I forgot. Okay, now some parents wouldn't be so impressed by this, but I was totally excited! The fact that he didn't stim, he actually was thinking about what was going on, and the fact that he made his own opinion!!!! Yay! Then, Mike was working on him with asking his name and age... He actually was able to answer! So, today I let him go to school and when he got home he was pretty tired, so he took a nap. When he woke he was so happy and just "here with us". He would look at me and dance with me! He also has never been able to put the home phone up to his ear because of to much sensory but not only did he do that, He carried a little conversation the best he could with his Grandma LaVonne! He was so proud of himself that he actually was able to communicate and  I was so proud I cried and have been thanking God all evening.

We aren't out of the dark with all the medication switches, but we are so thankful for finding this new doctor. The fight over a few weeks of being on the phones and two days of going to different centers and hospitals was all worth it. Elijah's Pediatrician is amazing and they helped lead us until we got the help we needed. So, now we seem to have two doctors that are keepers.

Eli has gone back into his own little world by bedtime, but from the day we have had I can't do anything but smile because today, even for a little bit, I had my little boy in my world.

Thank you to all of you who have and are keeping little Eli and our family in your prayers. Today, some of these prayers were truly answered.
Thank you for all you that inspire us to keep pushing forward and for the support and the understanding even if at times you don't. The phone calls, emails, and even quick posts mean so much. Thank you.

Sketch

Just something I drew while Eli was sleeping in my Lap. =) One of Eli's Favorite colors are Green.

Elijah's New Meds

So Eli started his new medication on Saturday night. So far he has done really well and no bad side effects. He is thirsty and hungry all the time it seems though... Not something I can complain about! The doctor said that could happen. He is sleeping better at night and hasn't needed most of his night medications to try to get him to sleep. He does seem to have a sense of being more aware of stuff that is going around him though. I know he is restless, and no school for him today because he needs to be monitored. Hopefully, if I feel comfortable.. He will be able to go to school tomorrow. I know he misses it!
He and Car haven't gotten alone to a T, but last night Eli let his little brother lay next to him while he played mobigo. We look forward to the next few weeks as he gets more adjusted!

BTW, The doctor put Eli on a FDA approved medication to help with Autism symptoms.