…they did.
The worse tics ever today.
Ever.
I’m really trying not to be beside myself.
But I’m beside myself.
I don’t think (obviously) this UCLA study is going well at all. The best I can hope for is clarity at the end of this so I can have a better idea of how to parent this kid with (or without) meds.
Tonight, as luck would have it, Stink asked to pet a dog in front of our house. I have never seen this lady in my life. He walked away, after madly sputtering and eye rolling and squeaking and throat clearing, and she says, “Oh, does your son have Tourettes?”
“Yes,” I say.
“I know because my daughter has it. She’s 21 now.”
I was hoping to hear this great story about her – how she’s amazingly gifted and secure and has no problems at all.
“She can barely get through college. She has OCD, ADHD and her judgment is so bad she was recently arrested.”
Well that was helpful.
Folk, listen to me: We are not going down that path. I don’t care what my kid has or yours, we are going to fight like hell to accept the tics we can’t change, change the ones we can, and have the wisdom to know the difference. We are going to get good support systems going – for us and them – and we are going to nurture their spirit until their character far outweighs some impulse issues.
I don’t totally believe I can do this tonight. I’m pretty defeated right now. But guess what? I have another daughter to raise. I have a book to write. And my kid? He’s going to rock – regardless of this rough spot. We’re all going to look back one day and have a good laugh. Here’s to staying positive!
And here’s to a $40 gift card from hubby for Starbucks! If I’m not drinking wine, I’m drinking good java. Tonight is the night if there ever was one.
Stay close by, okay? We’re going to all learn from this! Andrea
Happily Ticked Off 
We’re with you in Texas Andrea. Just hang in there…..
@ Raymond – THank you. I love me some good Texans. My hubby and I think Austin is fantastic. Not sure where you live, but in general, the Big Sky place is awesome. And hey, if you’re new on this journey, please know that my story as of this month is rare. We’ve had our ups and downs, but this is exceptional. I know it’s the meds. I’ll keep everyone posted. Thank you for your kindness. I hope you are okay????
Well, when it rains, it pours….I hope you wrote down everything she said, though. It has to go in the book.
It’s the meds, I guarantee it. My son’s children’s allergy med that he wasn’t supposed to drive or operate heavy machinery while using (yes, i did say childrens) because it makes you drowsy, made him so hyper and ticcy that I had to take him off it and just go with the allergies. I think Stink will go back to where he was after the study.
OMG!
I had to laugh and cry a little at that story. The page broke just after the woman said “…my daughter has it, too…” and I was working myself up for something of a feel good cry and then I scrolled down and the other shoe dropped.
Last summer, when we were still in the “gobsmacked” stage (this is the one that comes after the “wth!?!” stage), I attended a TS support group. It was my first step on the road to acceptance. Not because I found a supportive and sympathetic group (although they were indeed that), but because that was when I realized that however overwhelmed and sad I felt about my son’s condition, someone else has it worse. And I can thank my lucky stars that his case is so “mild” in comparison. Call it a defense mechanism if you must, but that’s exactly what I thought when I finished reading the story below the fold. Sorry for the woman and her daughter, but thankful (and determined) that my son is not going down that road. Yours isn’t either.
Keep your chin up. You’re doing a great job.
I just re-read my post, and lest it sound sanctimonious, I will cop to hating my son’s tics with the red hot passion of a thousand fiery suns. I attribute my sanity to the fact that we have not had the sort of uptick that you describe since we were in the “now what?” stage last fall. Even now, while they are relatively mild, (knock on wood), it can be too much to bear sometimes. I’m sorry you’re going through this. Hang in there!
Christy – Yes, all book fodder. Meh!!!!!!!
Joy – I think you’re right.
Gwen – You don’t need to worry about your comment. I totally get it and I appreciate your input. Glad you haven’t had any upswings lately.