The First Week

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

I had every intention of updating this week, however, I was bummed to find out that KKI has blogger blocked :( I was forced to wait until today to write this much awaited (hopefully!) update about our first week at KKI's Feeding Clinic.

The first week was, in a word, intense. Monday was overwhelming to say the least. Getting admitted, meeting most of his team, saying goodbye to Steve and Daphne. Everything was overwhelming. Jack handled it pretty well. There were a few, quite a few meltdowns but luckily, the iPad was the saving grace and by bed time, we were both overtired. Neither of us slept very well, he woke up a lot, I woke up a lot. It was a very long night.

Tuesday was even worse. I think I cried all day long. I missed Daphne more than I ever thought I could. He freaked out at breakfast, even seeing a different type of yogurt, he cried at the sight of the playroom. I felt like all the other parents and playroom staff were judging me and I was terrified that it wasn't going to work. I couldn't leave him anywhere without him screaming Mommy! at the top of his lungs and crying. His main behavioral therapist found me crying in the playroom after his breakfast disaster and told me it was going to be okay. The rest of Tuesday we worked on his intense separation anxiety. He wasn't happy and I felt horrible.

We spent the rest of week building his trust with the staff, working on saying goodbye to Mommy and sometimes Theodore, following rules in the playroom and generally getting used to his schedule there. As of now I can say, some things have been much harder than I ever thought they'd be. I never thought it'd be so hard to walk away from the playroom and listen to him scream for 20 minutes. It sucked. A lot.  but some things have been much easier. I have a lot more down time than I thought I would but I'm sure it'll change as his schedule gets busier next week. I was able to shower this week! TWICE! He adjusted much faster than the staff or I could have hoped. Tuesday it was 30 minute meltdowns to the point where they couldn't even do a meal and by Day 5 they started introducing non-preferred foods!

The staff there is amazing. His main feeding therapist H (we aren't allowed to put their full names in blogs), is wonderful. Her assistant Ma is great too. Jack responds wonderfully to both of them. He loves everyone in the playroom too. Our Social Worker Me is amazing, always around to see if she can help out or if I need anything. I haven't had too much to do with his OT or ST aside from brief meetings in the hallways after his sessions. The Feeding Clinic director is also overseeing Jack's case so I've had a meeting or two with him and so far, I have nothing but positive things to say.

The staff on the 3rd floor is the same. Everyone is great. Jack has all the nurses wrapped around his finger and loves to take walks around the floor and flirt with them. They know automatically when we show up at the Nurse's Station that we need a carton of milk and are always impressed and laugh when he says "thank you" and blows them a kiss or fist bumps them.

All in all I'm glad the first week is over. Not just because we're one week closer to be done but because I know we can handle it. We can do this. My son is a rockstar for handling as well as he has. My husband is great for having the house as clean as it was when I got home and my daughter is awesome for handling a Daddy Only household so well.

Now if you'll excuse me, I believe Daphne and I are playing tea!