Life is a blur

I figured it was time to update! We are getting ready for summer. We have our first family vacation planned in 8 years. We are heading up to Walker, MN for a week long stay at Adventure North Resort on Leech Lake. I used to vacation at another resort as a child on Leech Lake. I am very excited to take my family and have a nice relaxing and FUN week!

Zack has had some changes in his medications lately. We have increased his Fluoxetine (for anxiety) up to 2.5 mL from 1.25 mL. We have noticed some more changes in his ability to communicate at school. His teacher had emailed me a few weeks ago stating he had read for her and even answered a question from across the room.  We are also taking 7 mL of Trileptal and 2 capsules of Depakote twice daily. These are both seizure medications. Additionally he has had some allergies pop up. Bummer! So now he has to take eye drops and Flonase which is complete with bloody noses. We have given him some saline nose solution which helps! At least now he can breathe!

We do see Dr. Zelaya again this Thursday for an EEG follow-up appointment. His EEG was March 30th of this year so I am assuming there hasn't been much change considering the time gap since the EEG to the date of appointment.

Zack's development continues to surprise us. He has just about completed his year of 1st grade. We have learned that he will go onto 2nd grade and will have a regular homeroom and will go to special education for reading, math, and writing. He will learn those core subjects in a smaller group which will help with his anxiety levels as well as learning disabilities. He is doing well with sight words and is taking more pride in his work.  He has had a great year with his teacher Mrs. Ramos.  He continues and will also get speech therapy next school year. They don't feel that he requires it over the summer. We of course will work on school work this summer but it will focus on FUN! It is summer after all!

Blog Update

Things have been busy for Zack. We were able to remain medication free until this summer. In early June we noticed him waking up in the middle of the night very scared. He would look around as though he was seeing things that were not there. He would point at things that were not in the room. We called Dr. Zelaya and he called us back. His EEG showed a type of seizure occurring in the occipital lobe of the brain. He wanted to start Zack on Trileptal. We have been taking Trileptal 7 mL 2 times per day since June 11, 2012. He stopped waking up and seems to tolerate the medicaiton well. However his anxiety levels were keeping him from speaking at school. He also seemed scared and nervous according to his teachers. After finally getting into a child psychologist and getting an official diagnosis of Selective Mutism we decided to try 1.25 mL of Fluoxetine in the mornings. While I was hesitant to try and was sure it wouldn't help I am happy to say I was wrong! This medicine allows him to relax at school and in social situations. While he still has trouble speaking in the classroom he will raise his hand to answer non verbally. He is also speaking to his special education teacher and to his speech teacher.

His most recent EEG in October 2012 showed a new type of silent seizure activity. Sadly sometimes other medications can help one type of seizure and at the same time cause another kind. Zack was started on Depakote in November 2012. We have to have regular blood work performed as this medication can cause damage to his liver. So far the minimum dose seems to be working and his labs are coming back normal. He takes his medications like a trooper!

He continues to have difficulty learning but he is starting to read a little for us. It is neat to see him get excited when he knows a word! I credit his teachers and learning team for providing him the help he needs and for providing us with tools to help him at home! While I wish we could have maintained a medication free life I am blessed that there are medications to help! Again, one day at a time is all we can do and that is ok.

One day at a time

Goofy Brothers!

 Zack continues to show that he is learning new concepts. While he will not talk at school he continues to talk up a storm at home. We are currently trying to find a pediatric psychologist to see him as we are suspecting he may have Selective Mutism. He is a happy guy who loves puzzles, playing Wii, coloring, looking at books, and listening and dancing to music! We are concerned how he will adapt to a new school next month when we move. He seems excited and does understand we are moving to a new house. However, I am pretty sure the new school will be a tough adjustment for him. I pray that God has put us in the right place at the right time and He will guide Zack to where he needs to be. This move is a blessing even though the main downfall is moving further away from my family. Kevin will get to be closer to work and thus will get to be at home more often and spend more fun time with our boys. We are very blessed to have everything we do. We pray daily for Zack's seizures to remain controlled without medication and pray for his (and Tommy's) development and growth. There are many times when I feel saddened when Zack has a difficult time either academically or socially. I feel angry that things are not and will not be easy for him. Then I remember that while as a mom it is natural to worry about your children, only God knows what the future will bring. Whether he goes on to be class valedictorian or not means nothing. We are taking each day as it comes. We watch him struggle to write, yet he is trying so hard! He writes his name and is reading a little. He is learning basic math skills. More than anything he is an awesome big brother and a wonderful son. We are so blessed we were chosen to be his mom and dad! My life is amazingly simple....just the way I want it to be!

Building towers

Tommy Turns ONE!

Wow! I cannot believe Tommy has turned one! He is a super busy little boy now =) He is walking and babbling and starting to say a few words! Thank you, Tractor (he is a Rothzen) and of course dog, mama, dada, babble...the basics! We celebrated his birthday with a simple family get together and of course cake and ice cream!

Life changing decision

Well...after months of planning I am now a stay at home mom! I cannot believe it! It still feels like I am just taking some vacation days from work but I am sure that feeling will be short lived! I am ready for this new adventure and cannot wait to really spend time with my boys!

Another EEG

Well here it is...another yearly EEG. I can say we are thankful it only has to happen about once a year...and pray that it continues to be that way. Zack did amazing today. He struggled and fought for about 15 minutes but then just kind of gave in and chewed on his blankie and went to sleep. He stayed up until 12 AM the night before so he would be sleep deprived. Thank goodness for the Wii! He fell asleep well for the test and the EEG techs could not have been more amazing with him. All in all it was a better day than we hoped for but one we are not going miss!

WOW! It has been way too long!

A LOT has happened in our lives to this point. Zackary continues to grow each day...both physically and mentally. He is in preschool everyday from 8-11:30. He is very quiet at school and does continue to have quite a few speech delays but at home he is super talkative. He can communicate his needs very well and is 90% potty trained! WHOOOOO! There are days when I realize he is definitely behind the other kids in his class but I have to remind myself that he is a miracle. Not a day goes by that I don't think about what could have been. He is counting to 20 by himself, recognizes his name, can write some letters, knows his colors, and LOVES to sing songs. He plays well with his friends and is overall a very good boy!

The biggest change for Zack is the addition of baby Tommy! He loves being a big brother and even began using the potty pretty consistently the day Tommy was born. Tommy Anders Rothzen was born June 22, 2010 at 8:52 AM weighing in at 6lb. 12oz. Zack has stepped up to play the big brother roll quite well and Kevin and I are so proud of him.