So last night was awful! I had been getting help for Cody with some of his anger issues, and trying to help him past whatever has been bugging him lately. Well, last night I had to have him admitted to a hospital here in town to help him in a more structured and intensive therapy type of setting.
The issues with Cody are part of why I haven't been on much lately. It has been a struggle to keep him in check lately and he has been getting angry and upset, and expressed the desire to hurt himself, others and actually hit his head against the wall. Last night I realized I could no longer handle his out bursts and that he was going to really hurt himself or someone else if I didn't do something drastic.
I will save you all the dramatic details for now but lets just say, I was worried that he was going to really hurt himself or even Beth or Aiden. So I took him to the ER and he has been accepted into a place called Lincoln Prairie Behavior center. It's new and So far I am very pleased with everything that they have helped us with.
They are a medication is the last option type of facility, which makes me very happy. I am freaking out though this has been just pure Hell for the last 24 hours. He bit my boyfriend because he was trying to hold him down to keep him from hurting himself, he pushed Beth and threatened to kill us all.
It's so hard when you realize that you can't help your own child. Ugh so I need prayers guys, and most of all Cody does. I don't want him to be stuck in that place for long, but I am very worried ab out his cooperating. I know though that this is one sad sad scary terrible step in the right direction, and no matter how hard this is it will be the best thing for Cody in the end, he'll be the happy little boy he used to be, and that is the most important thing of all.
Jess, I'm so SORRY that you're going through this, and most of all for Cody! Poor little guy... Are you going to plan on follow-up therapy after he comes back home? I think it sounds like he'll need more than the time he spends at the center, although that's a very good, and immediate start towards addressing his issues.
__________________
"It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities"
(Dumbledore to Harry Potter)
Well that certainly sucks. Nice to hear things are getting better though. And yes, MEDICATION truly does tend to be the best option. I had a friend whose kid had problems similar, turns out little snot wasn't getting any exercise and yeah, stuck in his room all day, all pent up frustration. Once they told his parents to basically make the kid take a proverbial lap each day it all worked out. I'm sure it'll work out for you too
__________________
"If you were looking for something clever or witty or funny here, you've come to the wrong place."
Thanks guys! He seems to be doing well. I spoke with his doctor and counselor today and he will get to follow up with them even after he is released. Of course today got even crazier with the tornadoes. Gah I am so tired!
Poor Cody! But great that you have him in the best spot to take care of his problems. (Would that my neighbours do the same for their child. See Brandon's post about that.) Meds do help so try not to be too reluctant if that's the best solution.
Good luck to all of you, and keep us updated, Jess.
Good grief Jess. Glad you were able to break away to let us know what has been going on. I will definitely keep you, Cody and his doctors in my prayers.
Do you have a good minister at your church that can talk with Cody after he comes home from the facility? I agree with others that additional therapy when he gets out will be key to helping him.
We have had the hardest time finding a good church here in town. I am not about to send Cody back to my dad's church. Did I tell you all what happened to him at camp? I can't really remember. Will's mother however is a minister and a counselor at the crisis center a few towns over, and he really seems to connect with her. So I am going to have her talk with him when he gets out.
I talked to one of his counselors today and they have a splendid outpatient process, and my ex-husband's insurance is covering everything except the 35.00 copay .. EVERYTHING no matter how long it takes as long as the doctors believe he needs it, they are paying. I get to go see him this Saturday and see how he is doing. He gets to make phone calls on his breaks but they have to keep it short because so many other kids are waiting to call as well.
He has earned the right to go down to the basketball court and had no incidents. I am glad about that but worried that they won't see what we see at home. The counselors; however, understand that it is completely normal for a child to act differently at home than other places so they are working on that as well.
I got my fmla being set up right now too, and even though I don't get paid for those days, my job is secure and I will not be put on any kind of discipline as a result. I do think I am going to talk to our EAP and set up some family therapy which would then include me and would be more like a short term disability to go along with my fmla claims, so I will be able to get paid if I do have to miss for any of the family therapies or what not.
In the mean time we are all kinda sitting back and chilling out at home, getting Bethany ready for her first day of kindergarten. Very lucky to have gotten my laptop when I did, because I have it available all the time to get in touch with counselors to sign off on action plans and what not that they send me even when I'm out at the park with the kids.
