Extra Parenting Challenges
Submitted by Anonymous
I'm a 35-year-old mom with two great kids. My daughter's about to turn 13 but acts and LOOKS like she's about 18. She lives with her father now, which I hate 'cause I miss her, but at times I have to admit I am relieved because when she lived with me, my stress level was a lot worse and stress is one of my triggers.
My son, who's almost 7, lives with me and is quite the handful! He has PDD-NOS, on the autism spectrum but very high functioning. It took a lot to get him there. For example, in order to get him to talk so he'd stop banging his head, we had to use simple sign language followed by PECS (little pictures to express needs/wants).
Now here comes the big issue. I'm sick. I have multiple sclerosis, a blood disorder, major depressive disorder, anxiety and PTSD. I started off very good with the relapsing remitting form of MS but after being diagnosed 15 years ago, my doctor told me a few years ago that my disease had progressed to the secondary progressive kind.
I take nine medications in pill form now and I get an IV infusion every four weeks. The meds started off slow but as the MS has attacked my body, I've had to take more. I have problems with my bladder, nerve pain, seizures, etc.
My life was all about being a good mom before, but I have to admit that it has changed. I need to lie down almost every day due to fatigue or just not feeling well. I have a lot of doctor appointments and therapies that keep me busy. I am tired and fatigued a lot and my son is very hyper. I forget a lot of things, no concept of time and I get confused easily. Sometimes now I wonder if he would be better off living with his father, as much as it would hurt to let that happen.
I'm not sure what to do. I'm the type of person who always puts everyone else first. Is it time for me to think of my own health and well-being and actually put myself first?
Now here comes the big issue. I'm sick. I have multiple sclerosis, a blood disorder, major depressive disorder, anxiety and PTSD. I started off very good with the relapsing remitting form of MS but after being diagnosed 15 years ago, my doctor told me a few years ago that my disease had progressed to the secondary progressive kind.
I take nine medications in pill form now and I get an IV infusion every four weeks. The meds started off slow but as the MS has attacked my body, I've had to take more. I have problems with my bladder, nerve pain, seizures, etc.
My life was all about being a good mom before, but I have to admit that it has changed. I need to lie down almost every day due to fatigue or just not feeling well. I have a lot of doctor appointments and therapies that keep me busy. I am tired and fatigued a lot and my son is very hyper. I forget a lot of things, no concept of time and I get confused easily. Sometimes now I wonder if he would be better off living with his father, as much as it would hurt to let that happen.
I'm not sure what to do. I'm the type of person who always puts everyone else first. Is it time for me to think of my own health and well-being and actually put myself first?
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