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!

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Mystery Illness Stressing Me Out

My oldest daughter Elizabeth has been suffering almost two months from a mystery illness that is causing her to miss school more than all of us would like.  She has had nausea, vomiting, fatigue and weight loss, almost 20 pounds, since March.  She seems to have trouble keeping food down increasingly and now has chest pain.  Her pediatrician hasn't been able to figure it out, so now we are going to a gastroenterologist and we were able to get an appointment on Wednesday.  She has her last AP exam coming up this week, prom in two weeks, and of course graduation next month.  I know it isn't bulimia because she feels horrible most of the time now, not just throwing up.  We bought her prom dress last week and now we may have to have it altered so it doesn't fall off of her.  We are hoping for answers very soon so she can enjoy the end of high school and go off to college without problems.  I am struggling with a lot of anxiety over this and many other things today.  "Breathe!"  I keep reminding myself.  I can't wait til the end of school for everyone.  And Caroline was acting very manic again yesterday, so we are back to the doc tomorrow.  She will miss her classes again today which is stressing me out as well since these classes only go to the end of May.  Lord, give me peace!
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2 comments:

NikDuck said...

Oh, I'm so sorry Megan with all you have going on. I so understand the feelings of anxiety. Put your oxygen mask on first! Ha...easier said than done. Praying for you. Nicole

May 10, 2011 at 10:52 AM
asplashofsunshine said...

Could it be anxiety/stress to its utmost degree? Graduating, college, accident of her cousin, other family stresses... I have no idea. I can imagine that this has crossed your mind more than once. Just thought I'd try since I stopped by today. Hoping for better days ahead!

May 10, 2011 at 12:31 PM

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