ADHD... Sorry long post!

Jay has a severe ADHD. As I write this, I know that there will be some people that will read this and question why I am being so open about this. But this has been our struggle for our family. I know that there are other families who will have gone through the same issues. We also speak openly about ADHD because we do not want Jay to feel as though he is an outcast or different. And I hope that if there's someone reading this that is questioning getting their child tested for ADHD, our story will give them comfort to know they are not alone.

As many of you know, Jay had a horrible experience in Kindergarten and 1st grade. We started 2nd grade knowing Jay was behind and would need a lot of work to get to his grade level. Dave and I discussed between ourselves that there was a possibility Jay had ADHD and his horrible experience the past 2 years had just magnified it. But after meeting with his teacher, Ms. Avery, and discovering Jay's classroom behavior/traits/functions we were almost certain this was the problem. Jay at the time was only reading 32 words per minute (grade average was 67) and not completing any assignments.

We went to our family dr (Dr. Katona) and got a referral to see Dr. Niinikoski at Apex Psychological Services. After giving her Jay's history and completing over 500 questions, she diagnosis Jay will Severe ADHD. We then started looking at which medication would treat him the best. Along with Dr.K. we started him on Strattera. Strattera is a non-stimulant. It basically had the same warnings as stimulants (decreased appetite, headaches, nausea, etc.) But what we really liked about the Strattera was it is not a controlled drug. And it seemed to work. After being on the Strattera for 4 weeks he had benched marked to 68 wpm, completing assignments, and staying focused in class. Had even gotten to over 100 wpm. But then the problems started. He started having issues of not staying focused after lunch, complaining of headaches daily, not sleeping well, etc. The headaches continued to get worse until Jay missed 4 days in 2 weeks because of migraines.

So back to Dr. K. we go... He refers him to a Pediatric Neurologist (Dr. Syed) for the migraines. It was the worst experience for a child to go through. He walked in and said, "You are just spoiled, you have no ADHD." (He was so rude to Jay I thought he was going to cry) "No more medication until after a portable EEG in 2 weeks. Then if you need more medication we will re-evaluate in 2 wks after EEG." We stopped the Strattera and amazingly the migraines stopped. However, the problems at school escalated greatly in 3 days of being off. Jay was now back to reading 41 wpm. And was even acting up badly enough to get detention. With phone calls from the principal and Ms. Avery, we knew we had to get him back on some type of medication.

So back to Dr. K. again... This time we decided it was best to try Jay on a stimulant. We decided to go with Adderall. And Man What A Difference. It was immediate!!!!!!! We could see a difference. Ms. Avery could see a difference. His principal could see a difference. And most importantly JAY Could See A Difference!

Since taking the Adderall, Jay is staying focused, reading 90+wpm, completing all assignments, etc. He is now at grade level! Somewhere we didn't know if he'd get to. He's always had an issue with self-esteem but now his attitude is "If they can do it, so can I". He's holding a conversation now without getting off track. It's almost like having a totally different kid! He is back to feeling normal.

I hope that if there's someone reading this that is questioning getting their child tested for ADHD, our story will give them hope! So many people try to keep ADHD silent. It's nothing to be ashamed of. It's nothing to be scared of. You have to think about how much your child is suffering. More people have ADHD than people realize. Jay has been amazed at who all he knows with ADHD. And Yes, having ADHD you are different. But as in Jay's words, "I'm different because everyone is different. I have ADHD so I have to work harder to focus and that it!"



Thanks to Ms. Avery, Dr. Niinikoski, and Dr. Katona! Without their help and support, Jay would still be suffering!

Starting New

Ok, so I just realized that I haven't updated my blog in what is now over 4 months. There has been a lot happen in the past few months. Christmas, Bama Winning the National Championship, Birthdays, Sickness, work, school, daycare, Spring Break, etc.

But this is starting new. Today! March 31st!

Sad I know.....

Ok, so yeah, I know it's sad, I haven't updated the blog since when, oh yeah August 31st. Too many things have happened since then to even remember. There's been everything from Jay's 8th Birthday, My Birthday, Chase's 20th Birthday, little Cooper Fanning's birth, Granny's 80th Birthday Surprise Party, Beach trip, Halloween, and football....lots of football! (RTR!!!)


Hopefully I'll be better about updating the blog!






It's Robin & Batgirl off to save the world!

Anna's Is Now VOCAL!!!!

I know have a VOCAL daughter!

Since she was 10moths old, Anna has had constant ear infections. In the past three months, she's not went more than 10 days without running a fever and visiting her dr. We visited Tuscaloosa Peds so much, that the receptionists knew me and Anna by first names. One even made jokes about payment plans for co-pays!

So finally, her pediatrician(s) gave us our much needed referral. Last Wednesday, we took Anna to see Dr. Rosenstiel @ Tuscaloosa ENT. After looking in her ears he said "Still fluid, you know your options." I said, "TUBES!" Dave said, "As Soon As Possible!" It was scheduled for 2 days later!

She went through the surgery great! As soon as we got home, she ate enough for me and her. Then within an hour she started jabbering. And jabbering! And jabbering! It has been non-stop! It's like we have a new child. It's amazing! I feel horrible that she had to go through all the dr's visits and shots, but so happy and blessed that she's doing so well!


Anna w/ her Daddy after surgery!

2nd Grade!!!!!

Today starts Jay's 1st day of 2nd Grade! He loves his new teacher, Ms. Avery!

He was so big this morning. He didn't want me to walk him in. He said, "Mom, I'm not a little kid anymore. I'm a 2nd grader. Only Kindergarteners and 1st'ers need their Mommy's to walk them in!" And I guess I'm one of the odd Mom's, I was so glad that he's not wanting me to be right over him. He's had two horrible years at school, so I'm sooo glad that he still wants to go to school.


He didn't want me to take too many pictures today, but I did get him to agree to a few. But he wouldn't change his pose!

Hope everyone has a great 1st day of the new school year!

Can't believe it's happening!

I'm letting this sweet little thing go 630 miles... approx 10hrs away... to visit his Aunt Tetta & Uncle Way-Wayne in Pearland, TX. Not to mention he will not be back for over a week!We started talking about the trip at Christmas, then again during our Spring Break trip. Yeah, he's been camping for a few nights, but he was only at the most 2 hrs away. Not 10 hrs! He's excited but also a little nervous. This week he spent a few days home with Dad and also got to spend the day with The Fannings.

Since he is leaving late tonight with Poppa Rick & Nana, I decided to let him come with me and spend the day. Just so I can spend that extra little time with him. I love my Buggy Boo!Jay on our walk!

And he just had to have his pic made with Goldie!
Special thanks to Brittni & Vicki for being patient and putting up with my Munchkin!

I love you Buggy Boo! Have a great safe trip!

Wow really!

That's all I can say about my lack of updating my blog. Sorry! Hopefully, I will not be as bad here on out.

Since my last post we've been busy with the same schedule. Work, summer camp, and daycare Every day.


We did however manage a family beach trip a few weeks ago. Sorry, I don't have many pics downloaded yet. I know. I'm so far behind.


Thanks to Mark & Lisa for lending their house in Ft. Morgan.


And we managed a family trip to Tannehill w/ O'Pa & O'Ma. But after a long day of walking this is how it ended