Tricia,

Can I address you as OT here to differentiate from the other parts of us also named Tricia?



Here are the answers to your questions.

1. Just like the journal that we emailed to her each week, only Melissa has access to this blog. 


2. A is struggling to get her schoolwork done and isn't sure if she wants to continue to be homeschooled.  She decided for the week that she does.  A week at a time is good enough for now since going to public school is a permanent decision.  It at least buys her time because she commits to doing the right thing for a week at a time.


3. cj is going to have to answer this.  Remember though that the part of us that is cj is honest to a fault. 


4. The older girl is Lexi, aka Alexis.  She is 9.  The younger one is Jordyn, aka Jordy.  She is 6 and in Kindergarten. 


5. M wasn't exactly left alone.  Michelle (the little girls' mom) was home and responsible for her if she needed anything.  A & I needed a break from the stress, I needed to see Dr. S and we needed groceries. 


6. The bone is bruised, whatever that means.  It takes as long to heal as a break but doesn't have to be immobilized.  Immobilizing it could help with the pain.  Ibuprofen should be taken around the clock; 600mg every 6 hours, the med list is in the kitchen by the microwave.  Flexeril if needed to relax and relaxing is a good idea right now.  No driving after taking flexeril.  No other pain meds allowed.  It should be iced for 30 min every 2 hours.  I do even hours.  It is easier to keep up with that way. 

Now, about M & Melissa.  If you hadn't said that you feel like life is going on without you I would probably say that I would explain later because I am stressed and tired and scared I might leave something important out, but here goes. 



M is upset mostly b/c Melissa came over on Tues when she was acting out and partly b/c she said that if M ever hits us again the police will be called.  Since you don't remember, I will tell you the police should be called if she acts like that again.  Hopefully the threat will be enough to curtail her behavior.  All of us want what is best for M and given her behavior something's got to give.  Meds won't necessarily effect M like they do us.  Remember that.  And although some diagnosis could prevent M from having certain jobs like being in the military or becoming an astronaut, neither of those things are something she wants to do with her life anyway.  True, those same diagnosis could also prevent her from adopting kids, but let's worry first about getting her the help she needs and let the future take care of itself.  If her current behavior continues unchecked, she doesn't need to adopt kids anyway.  Remember when you were so stressed that you didn't want M diagnosed w learning disabilities and then you realized that those diagnosis could get her the help she needs to succeed?  Look at this like that.



ET