About our Daughter

I am mother to four wonderful daughters, ages 17, 19, 21, and 23, and wife to the greatest husband on earth. God has given us a special child to raise one who was diagnosed with early-onset bipolar disorder at the age of seven, though she showed signs of it from the age of fifteen months. She also has ADHD, Sensory Integration Disorder (sensory seeking), Dyslexia, and Non-Verbal Learning Disorder-NOS, all typical comorbidities for a bipolar child. In spite of the trials, she enjoys lacrosse, running (finished her first marathon in October of 2014!), and reading and writing her own books. I will share with you the many joys and sorrows we have faced and will face in the future with the hope that you may find better understanding about this mental illness caused by both chemical and structural abnormalities in the brain. I desire that you will be encouraged by this blog if you are also dealing with a bipolar child. Thank you for reading and sharing in our journey.

How Did You Know She Was Bipolar So Young?

I wrote a long explanation of how we came to this bipolar diagnosis in a child so young under my post of March 19th of 2009. If your child or a child you know bears similarities, please seek out a good psychiatrist and don't wait for "things to get better." Often they will simply get worse, and the longer a child is unmedicated, the more damage their brain can accrue. Early diagnoses and treatment are key to providing these children with a chance at a successful life later as a teen and an adult.
Never change, start or stop a medication without the approval of your child's physician!

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Caroline Gets Creative Writing Recognition

This is truly wonderful because this is the girl who nearly failed the sixth grade last year, refusing to write anything. She was assigned in English to write several pages of an alternate ending for a historical fiction novel. Her book was "Anacaona" from the The Royal Diaries series. Her teachers said that her piece was the best they had seen in years. They published it in the school newspaper, the only one out of the middle school! Here is a sample:

"Filled with fury and terror, my mind whirling faster than the strongest hurricane, we fled from our stronghold, Maguana, my home. We have run quietly, but swiftly, all through the night. I fear for my people more than myself. We have not made camp because of the wolf-like pack of pale-skinned men and their lightning metal rods, firing every now and then, jarring us back from our excruciating pain and weariness from this long journey. Even I am beginning to tire."

I just had to brag on her, because she has come so very far. We have to thank Meridell again for restoring her academic confidence.

8 comments:

Meg said...

That's awesome! Often times bipolar people are very creative and it looks like your daughter is one of them :) Megan - I've read she's doing really well but do you worry about your daughter being on so many meds? If she has to come off any of them because of side effects the withdrawals are going to be unkind at best with those doses. I also wonder how long her doctor says her organ systems can maintain those doses without causing damage?

Accidental Expert said...

How beautiful. You have a talented writer on your hands. How wonderful for both Caroline and you!

Megan said...

Hi Meg! Yes, I am concerned about the fact that she takes so many meds, knowing that they could damage her kidneys, her liver, her pancreas, etc., but we are really in a catch22. She was so unstable for so long, after trying many combos of meds, and she was on fewer starting out of course. When she went to Meridell this past summer, we hoped they could reduce the number of meds she was on, and they tried, but she would become unstable quickly with a reduction of anything she was on previously, even after adding in some new highly effective meds. The combo she is taking now is producing the most "normal" Caroline we have ever had. Before Meridell, she was very unstable which means suicidal, which is obviously life-endangering. But with all these meds, she risks other serious medical issues. We have chosen the lesser of two evils, I guess. Her psychiatrist is hoping that we can reduce the number of meds if we can address the other neurotransmitters besides the most known three serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine (see his interesting blog on my link list) through some natural remedies. He is really different in his approach and a little controversial. We shall see. I have some hope that she will not need so many meds after the teen years when the hormones have settled out, at least this is what I have seen in other kids. We are walking a fine line and we just pray she is kept safe.

domandkat said...

Cool writing, but not being familiar with the book just yet, I couldn't capture the true amazingness of it all. To add to what Meg asked - How is her back these days???

Megan said...

Caroline's back is fine right now. Basketball is in full swing!

Cinda said...

Celebrating the joy! Artists...and bipolar, there are books about the it. As you know I have one of my own (daughter with BP). And on lots of meds. I think that we know that we wouldn't treat a physical illness like diabetes without medication even though there are side effects. The lack of medications can be fatal. Suicide ideation is treatable but a very big risk for people with BP and often the treatment are meds. As my daughter so clearly says to our audiences, the meds have allowed her the stability to learn the life skills and practice the life style that can someday, hopefully, allow her to reduce or eliminate her plethora of drugs. When unstable she couldn't begin to practice this. I know your post is a celebration and I am so happy for Caroline. I would love to connect her and Linea someday! Beautiful young women, artistic talented writers and braver than most adults I know. Take care of yourself, Megan!

Amy said...

Megan-due to your inspiration I started my own blog. I hope it helps me and others. Yours sure has! If you are interested here is the web address: http://www.onemomheart.blogspot.com/
Thanks again,
Amy

Megan said...

That's awesome! I will love to read it!