Tubes Again...Gifted Therapy

On April 30 (2 months after the tonsillectomy and 2nd set of ear tubes) we were back in the hospital for a re-do of the right ear tube.  Abby had significant bleeding post surgery in February and the blood had clotted, blocked the ear tube and caused it to slide out and get stuck in the clot.  While in there for the re-do per our Pediatrician and ENT had her upper lip frenulum clipped and her tongue frenulum re-clipped.  As a newborn her tongue frenulum was so tight that in caused feeding issues and doctors were afraid of speech issues developing.  Since she was already going to be under anesthesia we decided to take care of those concerns.  Both required dissolvable stitches and she seems to be healing as expected.

The hard part is she is still sick often.  We knew that the February and April procedures weren't going to be a "quick fix" but I hate that she hasn't felt any better.  We started the immunotherapy in February and she is handling the weekly shots beautifully.  The first two visits were difficult for her and she cried hard.  She has to get a shot in each arm every week.  But from then on she has walked in like a pro and handed over her arms.  I feel bad that this is "normal" for her and that she has to be so brave at age 6 but I've realized that there are many kids that this is normal for and many kids who have to go through so much more.  We haven't noticed the benefits of the surgeries and shots yet but hope to in the next 6 months.

In addition to my daughters minor immunodeficiency she is also a gifted child...and that can be a bad combo.  Her intelligence has developed faster than her emotional control.  She feels like she is "sick all the time" and that her "body hates her" as she tells me.  Her body has to work so hard to keep her well that it overreacts and fights itself causing her to experience chronic hives.  It has also contributed to her sensory hypersensitivity.  Things like taking a shower for example sometimes actually hurt her skin.  She will step in to the shower and immediately start itching like mad before any soaps / shampoos are used.  As a result, she scratches and her skin develops welts.

As a gifted child...her questions are deep and the answers are hard to understand (and hard to come up with).  That leads to frustration for her.  Frustration leads to emotional meltdowns.  We are trying to help her not be so frustrated and learn to control her emotions a little better and learn to be a little more flexible when things don't go as planned.  She has started seeing a therapist weekly to help her deal with her chronic illness and her giftedness so she is not so anxious and frustrated.  In addition, I am reading "Smart but Scattered" by Dawson Guare and "The Explosive Child" by Ross W. Green.  Both have been very helpful...gives me insight to who I am and who she is and how I can better relate to her and support her in a more positive way.

There are things I know that I wish I didn't have to know.  I know about immunoglobulin classes....I know the difference between IgG, IgA, IgE and IgM as it relates to the immune system.  I know what it's like to get your children tested (twice) for Cystic Fibrosis, Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Liver Disease (to name a few).  I know about Executive Skills and how the brain develops.  I am learning how to balance empathy for the illnesses and frustration with individual empowerment  to raise responsible and respectful children.  That being said...I'm so glad I know about those things.  I'm glad I took the time to research and ask questions.  I'm glad I interviewed doctors and found the best fit for our situation.  I'm glad I got laid off and had the opportunity to focus strictly on my family.  And most of all I'm glad I have my daughter...she and my son are the best things that ever happened to me and it's my privilege to be their biggest advocate.

I was born to be their mama!