My 13 yr old son was diagnosed back in January and we both had a hard time grasping the diagnosis. We both started individual therapy cause we were being strong for one another outside while killing ourselves inside. Well, on Thursday at his pediatrician’s appt, he told the physician assistant when I fall asleep that night, he was going to take his own life cause he was tired of the chiari taking over his life and the physical pain, headaches for 5 days straight, and feeling like a burden was too much to handle. He was sent to an adolescent hospital on that day. Its hard because I’m his mother so behind his smile I should have still seen his pain. I feel as though I failed him cause he wanted to not live anymore. I do t want sympathy, I just needed to vent. I want my baby back home where he belongs!!!
Darla, I know it is hard to see a silver lining here, but the key point is that your son told someone, someone who he knew could take appropriate action. That means he wanted help. That is really important. Teen years are rough, and a chronic illness with chronic pain makes it rougher. I hope your son's healthcare team gives him the very best of care so that he can come home to you soon. Please update us when he is home again. We'll be thinking of you.
Thanks for the words of encouragement, @dancermom.
dancermom said:
Darla, I know it is hard to see a silver lining here, but the key point is that your son told someone, someone who he knew could take appropriate action. That means he wanted help. That is really important. Teen years are rough, and a chronic illness with chronic pain makes it rougher. I hope your son’s healthcare team gives him the very best of care so that he can come home to you soon. Please update us when he is home again. We’ll be thinking of you.
It hasn’t been easy, but it could be worst. He stayed in the hospital for 7 days and came home with a celexa prescription. We both go to individual and family therapy. He had reconstruction surgery on his left foot on the 15th of last month so the therapist increased his therapy to once a week because last year when his right foot was done, he went into a deep depression…new school, beginning of his junior high years, a wheelchair although temporary, crutches, walking boot, and couldn’t play sports. So this year, we did the surgery early so when school starts, he’ll be without all the contraptions. Now, Chiari has decided to make insomnia pay him a visit.
Darla, I am so sorry for what you and your son are going through. My daughter is 16 and was diagnosed last year. She was relieved to finally have a diagnosis because she thought she was going crazy and school nurses called her a hypochondriac and told her she was not sick and just hated school. She also went into a deep depression where she started dripping in grades and very distant; I brought her to her dr and they were great about talking to her. She felt like a freak at school, felt like no one understood why she was always in pain and why she couldnt do stuff they did after school cuz all she wanted to do was come home and go to bed. After a couple appts I could see her starting to brighten up a lil bit, her boyfriend broke up with her and I thought for sure oh boy this is gonna be bad, but she took it well. Said that he doesnt understand what is going on with her and heck neither does she but she doesnt need to be holding his hand through this when he should be holding hers... Much better response than I thought.... lol Its scary as a parent to see your child hurting and knowing you cannot do much to help them. I tell my daughter every day I wish I could take her pain away she as well has insomnia, hasnt had more than 1 hr sleep at night for past 2-3 weeks. . I hope your son heals well if you ever need someone to chat with Please dont hesitate to inbox me. My daughter has also offered to talk to him if he wants someone around his age to chat with. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your son.
You really made me smile and cry at the same time. Our kids stories are so similar. Thanks for sharing y’all story with us and thanks for offering to be there. Besides his doctor and our therapist, we feel NO ONE understands the daily struggles with chiari.
I completely understand what you are going through. We are here anytime. My daughter still has her days where she wants to crawl on a ball. As we speak she is in her room feeling nauseous studying for finals tomorrow. Every time info down there to check on her she gives me a look like ugh do I have to do this?? Lol I just smile and I love you. Makes her smile every time.