Read more about the article How @AkronChildrens helped me protect my youngest son today
Akron Children's Hospital / Emmett John / My thoughts / Pediatrics / Vaccines

How @AkronChildrens helped me protect my youngest son today

For the most part, our morning has gone on without too many issues, and any issues that we did have were quickly overcome. That's a pretty good feeling. I dropped Elliott off at school before taking Emmett to get some shots and Gavin to flget his blood work. We headed to Akron Children's Hospital new North Canton office for a nurse only appointment. He was incredibly brave, especially for an anxious kid who's constantly worrying about everything. He did awesomely and I couldn't possibly be any prouder. ☺ ♥ Today he received his Meningitis and Tetanus vaccines. That amounted to one in each arm and he didn't feel either of them. Our nurse at Akron Children's Hospital was fantastic and helped Emmett feel comfortable. The process was quick and painless.…

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September 3, 2019
Read more about the article Review: The New @NixplayCloud 9.7 Inch 2K Smart Photo Frame (W10E) is Gorgeous
My thoughts / Reviews

Review: The New @NixplayCloud 9.7 Inch 2K Smart Photo Frame (W10E) is Gorgeous

Let's face it, who actually prints their pictures out or uses actual film anymore? In my opinion, the best way to display those precious memories taken on your digital camera or smartphone is with a digital picture frame. On the off chance that you are unfamiliar with what a digital frame is, here's the cliff notes.  Digital frames are picture frames with an HD display built in. This display allows you to show countless pictures, without having to pull the frame down, remove and replace the photo. You're able to show off countless pictures on a digital frame.I’ve used tons of digital frames over the years, and the frames by Nixplay are second to none. Nixplay has just released a brand new 9.7 inch Smart Photo Frame (model number…

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September 3, 2019
Read more about the article I’m heartbroken because of what today is but things will get better
My thoughts / New Beginnings

I’m heartbroken because of what today is but things will get better

Today marks the sixteenth and final year of my marriage. What was once a cause for celebration is now so painful I can hardly take it. I'm full of emotions right now and I don't know what to do. It's very difficult for me exist today because everything I've known is coming to an end. Accepting the end of things is not easy and it's going to take some time but I'm trying to focus on the idea of new beginnings. Sometimes things come to an end and we don't understand why. Sometimes we may never understand why and we have to move on anyway. I'm trying really hard to focus on the positives right now but but I'm struggling to embrace them. As hard as this is for me…

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September 3, 2019
Read more about the article Our week just got a bit more complicated
My thoughts

Our week just got a bit more complicated

One of the most critical things I have to do every single Monday is make sure Gavin's blood work gets done. I mentioned that his Clozapine can be a nightmare and that timing is crucial. We took Gavin for his blood work this morning, only to find the lab was closed. It hadn't occurred to me that they would be closed on Labor Day. I guess I've not ever run into this before. This time last year, he was on a thirty day cycle and his blood work never fell on a holiday. When you have a thirty day window, it's much easier to get things done. Tomorrow morning I'm supposed to take Emmett for vaccines at the new Akron Children's Hospital office. It happens to share a parking lot…

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September 2, 2019
Read more about the article This medication is a godsend but it’s also a f*cking nightmare as well
My thoughts

This medication is a godsend but it’s also a f*cking nightmare as well

This week is going to be pretty chaotic. We have a string of doctors appointments over the next few days that will require Emmett to miss some school. Emmett has some vaccines due this week. It's first thing in the morning, so I think he'll make it back to school. The next day will take us out of town and that's going to cost a full day. He hates missing school and isn't happy about this but these appointments are very important. Later in the week, Gavin has his follow-up with psych. It's just a medication check and I don't expect anything crazy to come from this. I'm hoping that we can move him from weekly blood work to every two weeks. That means he would get two weeks worth…

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September 2, 2019
Read more about the article He scared the shit out of me tonight
Gavin / My thoughts

He scared the shit out of me tonight

The boys and I had a pretty good day. Gavin of course had a good day, or was at least in a good mood. Gavin is nothing if not chronically happy. It can honestly be annoying sometimes but it's also something that I truly admire about him.. ☺ The only significant problem with Gavin was that he couldn't remember if he'd taken his Clozapine when he took his bedtime meds. He became very upset with himself for being unable to remember. Counting the pills wouldn't help either because of the refill timing. Just trust me on that. Counting the pills left in the bottle wouldn't help right now because we couldn't be certain. I have to assume he took it even if he didn't. The reason being that he'll be…

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September 2, 2019
Read more about the article I took all 3 of my #Autistic kids to the grocery store today
My thoughts / Today's Victory

I took all 3 of my #Autistic kids to the grocery store today

My claim to fame today has been taking all three on my Autistic kids grocery shopping. Everyone did really well and I couldn't be prouder or more grateful for their cooperation. I often feel like I'm in over my head but today, they made a challenging situation a bit more manageable. ☺ We ended up at Walmart because major grocery shopping is usually cheaper there. We buy a lot of frozen fruit and veggies for smoothies. It's definitely cheaper than Giant Eagle, even though I prefer them over Walmart. The most challenging part of the trip was deciding on air fresheners. When Lizze was here, we couldn't have anything fragrant because they triggered her migraines. Now it's just a matter of agreeing in what we want the house to smell…

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September 1, 2019
Read more about the article I have 6 short-term goals as I begin to rebuild our lives
My thoughts / New Beginnings

I have 6 short-term goals as I begin to rebuild our lives

I have a couple of short-term goals in regards to rebuilding our lives. I, of course, also have long-term goals as well but for now, I'm not in a place that I'm really focusing on them. The Kids The single most important goal I have is to get my kids through this. That means helping them establish a footing in this new world they've found themselves in. I think it's important that we establish solid routines and that I provide a more ridged structure for them. Autistic kids thrive on routine and structure, because it's predictable. I have goals for each of the kids that are unique to each one of them. Just as an example: Emmett hasn't slept in his own bed since August 10th. I don't mind him…

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September 1, 2019