Growing up

My son started with CVS around age 3. A magical thing is beginning to happen now that he is 7. He's able to talk about it finally. Until now he's ignored all questions I've asked about what it feels like and if he's aware its coming.  I've had to always figure things things out by his moods, energy levels and trusting my mommy sonar. He also shares his thoughts by the lego creations he builds.

This is a huge change for us. I asked him what happened before I found him laying on the bathroom floor in the conscious coma. He was able to share with me, he was getting up to go to the bathroom when the pain hit suddenly and all he could do was lay on the floor. He never made it to the toilet if that give you a better idea of the pain he was in. I asked him why he did not call for me and he said he could not but he knew I would come help him because I always do. (Glad he knows we are there to take care of him when he can't)

When he was younger he would not have even attempted moving to the bathroom and several times I'd find him face down in the vomit on his pillow still in his bed. I can see why many parents get service dogs to alert them when this happens. We do not have a dog (having 6 kids and cat is enough to manage for me). He shares a room with his 2 brothers who are with him and are able to let us know.

He's always been able to motion to me when we need to go the hospital since he was 5.  We would always take him. He would even lay still as they put in the IV knowing that it was the only thing that would stop the retching which is typically 10x an hour for hours on end if left at home.

As he learns more the warning sensations I am more aware he's growing up. Someday he will be his own advocate and I will be only his helper. I'm so proud of him and he's only 7. He's no longer the defenseless infant or toddler. He's no longer the sacred preschooler.

He's a mature 7 year old with over 22 hospital admission experiences. He's learning how to communicate his needs and do what he needs to do get them met. Other kids may have done this at an earlier age.. but for a child on the Autism Spectrum and Anxiety disorder, this is a huge gain. A huge step forward.

A kid who can think this creatively... (took the legs off to make them look like they were swimming) I cannot wait to hear what else he is thinking about. He's got a lot to say.... and it may not always be with his words, but he is learning to use them better and better.