It's been a L O N G week and a half at the Trop household. I'm exhausted. Amanda has been going for all-day outpatient treatment this week, and today is her last day. Tomorrow she goes back to school, and already she's telling me she's not ready.
~Sigh.
She saw her regular physician Monday afternoon, and he's not convinced she has mono. Apparently the blood test indicates only that one has been exposed to the virus. She's had none of the classic symptoms: persistent sore throat, swollen glands, or fever. He thinks her extreme fatigue is the result of depression.
If you are keeping score, that leaves me with a psychiatrist who attributes Amanda's shut down to mononucleosis, and a general practitioner who attributes her shut down to depression. Quite the paradox, don't you think?
The good news is Amanda's psychiatrist, with whom I have lost all confidence, has been on vacation since Friday. Amanda has been working with a doctor on the ward and it's been going well. And she's bonded with her psychotherapist too. He asked to have her assigned to him for weekly counseling (and he's in my provider network, cha-ching!). I can tell he's getting through to her, because all of the sudden Amanda is very forthcoming with her feelings. So far they mostly involve pet peeves having to do with me.
I got a letter from the school attendance officer yesterday informing me I have to attend a truancy hearing. He and I have been playing phone tag all day.
This is the time of year when my consulting work clicks into high gear. It's a grueling schedule when I'm on top of things, and right now I'm really behind on projects. I worked until 1:00am last night to finish up a project. I am behind on three others. And then there is my day job, where I am perpetually behind because I dislike it so much.
Tonight Amanda, Court and I will sit for our second family counseling session. The first one went pretty well. Since that first session on Saturday, I discovered that Amanda has been stealing beer and hiding the empty bottles in her clothes hamper. You can bet THAT will come up for discussion. We'll have to confront her aversion to school too.
And that's where things stand.
I can't imagine going through this without Court by my side. Heck, she's carried me. I know from past experience what a luxury it is to be able to fall apart and know someone will be right there to pick me up and put me back together. I completely fell apart last week, and Court is getting me back to whole again.
And to think I almost didn't marry her. It would have been the biggest mistake of my life.
7 comments:
It's not uncommon to get these conflicting diagnoses- you may need to seek a third or 4th opinion. It's still very possible there is a physical component, but I'm wondering if your primary care is right- that the fatigue is caused by the depression.
Sounds like you are all on the right track; there will be ups and downs, but all the signs sound positive. Hang in there!
We are keeping you, Court, and Amanda in our thoughts. I know this has been a complete nightmare, but I'm so glad you are all getting help. Hugs
What lachlan said, most especially regarding multiple opinions.
You, and Court, and Amanda keep hanging in there.
My thoughts are with you all.
(((hugs)))
You know...I'm inclined to agree with your family doctor. I have had mono and I am not kidding, it was the worst thing I have experienced since the flu. I remember not even being able to swallow saliva without wanting to scream. And I was feverish and slept constantly. Constantly. It lasted for nearly two weeks.
And let me say again that I am SO glad, too, that you have Court. i have gotten through many things on my own and many things with Bing at my side. It works best when you can lean.
Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers, and sending you lots of hugs. {{{ }}}
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