As I was squashing poo into a tube tonight, I looked at my husband, we laughed together and I thought, “This is going to be a great story to write”. Then I realized that I haven’t written in a year.
A. Year.
And for many various reasons- the majority of which I’m sure I’ll cover- it’s true. And I miss the blog fill-in-the-blank: blog friends, blog readers, the blog community, the blogginess of it all. And every time you left encouraging posts on facebook or sent me an email to ask me if I was dead, I really did appreciate it. You people, if there are still any of you out there, are truly friends. Thank you!
Back to the poo.
Our O-man, who is now big and 6, has an assortment of allergies. For a while, they were making him do crazy things and act funny. We have had him tested at every center, hospital and medical facility under the sun and- a year in- we think it’s a combination of ADD, allergies and a few genetic quirks that he was *lucky* enough to pick up from me and Jason.
A year ago we suspected he could possibly have been on the autism spectrum. Six months ago we had been given 4 different answers. Just a month ago we finally decided to give ADD prescription medication a try (after I had fought against that like a Jerry Springer guest) and he had wonderful results. As in, his teacher called us at home crying (the joyous kind). He was focused, did all his work and then some, talked to and played with friends, laughed, enjoyed school and had a great day. I could probably have counted days like that on one hand before then. So, we do not have all the answers, but know that this might be a temporary solution to help. Or- heck- a permanent solution. Who knows. We are working on this a day at a time, but are so thankful for some positive news. He is probably still on a spectrum somewhere- depending on who you ask/ what test results you read- but you probably wouldn’t know that now by being around him.
Like I said, we have explored many, MANY options. We’ve adjusted our diet (several times), added supplements, demanded sleep times and read enough books to put your library extension to shame. In our research, we are convinced that we can do our best to find out WHY his brain is acting like it is- not just throw medications at the symptoms. Not that that’s entirely BAD, but I’d rather treat the WHY than the what.
So, about 8 months ago we tried to get in to see a new-fangled, highly-recommended doctor in the Nashville area and we finally got in to see him in December. (You see, new-fangled and fancy-schmancy = wait-a-long-time.) While we were there, O-man had blood drawn (an experience about as much fun as your yearly GYN check up) and we were sent home with 2 boxes. One was labeled urine and the other stool.
Yep. You guessed it. We collected the urine without a problem and currently have a pee-cicle in a test tube in the freezer. The stool, that was a different situation. It’s actually difficult to convince a very smart 6 year old to poo in a bowl. So he held it for 2 days. And I chased him around asking him about poo.
Wanna come over sometime? Our house is a GREAT place to hang out!
We finally conquered day #1 of poo (I haven’t told him there is a day #2, yet) and Ollie made the best observation of all.
O: “Ok, mom. So what am I officially allergic to, now?”
Me: “We don’t know, yet. I have to send the poo to poo doctors and then they will tell us.”
O: “You send it in THE MAIL?? Does the postman know about THIS?”
You would not believe all the crap, um… stuff… we have to go through to get this poo in the mail. There are haz mat bags, overnight shipping info and I’m pretty sure you have to slip the FedEx guy a $20 to get your crap delivered.
Oh my.
More to come on the developing story and I can’t wait to fill you in soon! 
About Hillary
I’m smiling! And relating!
Thanks, Liz! I’m sure y’all have been through some similar testing.
Oh, Hill. It’s always something, isn’t it? I wish — oh, how I wish — we’d managed to pull off that zoo GTG before I ventured north. I miss you. I love you. I’m praying for you, friend. May your adventures in poo transport be smooth and scentless.
I KNOW! Can’t believe you’re already gone! And can’t wait to catch up with you, too! Love you vuuuury much!
yay! you’re back!!! poo talk and all! i can relate in children holding in poo as we are potting training molly and she just loves to hold in her poo as long as she can b/c it would be too easy just to do it on the potty right away!!
And that makes it easier! Ha! Kids are so funny about poo, but I imagine I would feel the same way… at 33… maybe not.
I too, had to send my poo off as a child. I remember feeling so bad for my mom having to do that! Praying for O Man – love you!
Love you back and I had no idea! I’ll have to call your mom and we can swap horror stories. Ha!
it was because I threw up all the time. They thought I had some sort of parasite, I guess! Alas, the poo was normal.
Well HELL-OH there! Happy to see you back blogging, I’ve missed it in my daily reads. Thanks for your encouraging words to me while you’ve been dealing with EVERYTHING!
XOXO
You are so sweet, Kell! Love you very much and thank YOU for everything.
So thrilled to read about your sweet, wonderful life again!! I am the mom to a curly-headed little girl who has some “quirks” of her own; keeps you humble and strengthens you all in the same breath! Isn’t the road to “quirk” discovery a real blessing by-the-way!!?!!
You’re back! You’re back! You’re back! (Insert happy dance here.)
YEAAAA! I’m so glad you’re back to the blogging world! Looking forward to keeping up w/your fam again!!!
You were missed!!
Glad you are back!
So glad you are back!!!
So glad your back on the blog!!!
Well, I for one, am so glad you are back! I’m also glad that you are getting it figured it out with O man! We have had some questions with A on the spectrum too…still do since he’s almost 4. Glad you are back sweetie!
welcome back! i’m curious what nashville doc you went to, and what the results are. Hadley’s gluten allergy was diagnosed by yours truly. I think she’s got other allergies too, and would love to know what route to take.
It’s about time! There was a hole in my blogging heart without you here.
Love you!
Hilary-
I can’t believe you are back!!! Do the other ruffles know? Hope you had a great holiday. Rian
so glad to see you back!
what an experience you are living! but we just do what we have to for our kids… fighting like mama bears! (great bear pics, btw!). i fought add meds too (perhaps not so violently!b and then a good friend asked this: if your dr told you your child needed glasses wouldn’t you go right out and get them? well, yes. and once i saw the difference in my daughter.i went begging for some for my son! they are just a tool, and i’m thankful there are so many different meds so we can find the right one for each of them! i am hoping that more answers are revealed for you soon. looking forward to more from you!
I don’t know how your son will feel about you sharing this, but I’m so glad you did. I laughed from beginning to end. I hope you get some answers!
You are hilarious! I am so glad you are back! Keep those blogs coming!