Today's "good bad news":
The psychiatrist finally returned our phone calls. Sarah spoke with him and said he sounds good, was respectful, took our concerns seriously, and said that he is absolutely not discharging Big Guy this week and without any med changes, contrary to what the social worker had told us yesterday. He thinks Big Guy will probably come home towards the end of next week. This makes me really sad because I miss him and don't want him to have to be away from us for that long. But it is also a HUGE relief because the idea of them sending him back home with nothing having changed whatsoever was terrifying, and I couldn't believe they weren't taking seriously our concerns about his depression (which he's not being treated for currently), his dissociation, etc. Sounds like they are now taking those concerns more seriously, and they do indeed plan to start med changes today or tomorrow. Some of what happened yesterday was likely miscommunication - Social workers are often not filled in by psychiatrists on what their plans are. But some of it may also be the additional info we provided the social worker yesterday about the abuse history that Big Guy has been talking about increasingly, the dissociative-seeming episodes he has after some of his meltdowns, etc.
I'm sad Big Guy will be in the hospital for so long, but I'm glad there's some hope that some change can happen while he's there. In particular, they'll have time to see if med changes make any difference for him. Explaining to him each time we visit why he's not home yet despite his good behavior is going to be hard.
Maybe once they're changing his meds, it'll get easier to explain to him why he's there. I mean, he's getting a tune-up, basically! They need to test the new medicines and make sure they're keeping him healthy before he can be released. That puts the burden on the doctors and not on his "goodness," but I'm sure it will still be hard on him (and you) to get through.
ReplyDeleteHey there. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Tell your partner Sara, right?? Hello from a fellow Foster Parent/SW'r! :) I have really enjoyed popping over to your blog and reading your entries. Thank goodness they are starting to take his issues seriously. I get so MAD when people down play the needs of children - especially emotionally needy kids. UGH. I will be following your journey! :) Oh- and we are fostering again. Maybe we can share some stories. haha.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments.
ReplyDeleteMotherIssues: I love your tune-up idea so much that I discussed with "Sarah" using that concept with him next time he asks. In particular, comparing it to how cars need a tuneup sometimes! Thank you for that. We are trying, of course, to make it clear it's not his fault and it's not a punishment.
Katie: She says hi back! Congrats on fostering again. I look forward to hearing more.
You two are doing such a great job of taking care of his needs. Big hugs to you for being such loving and committed parents.
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