Re: First day of school...

August 26, 2002

Tana-glad you could enjoy the success your son had in school. That's

exciting about China. A friend from work became the proud grandma of a

little girl from China a year ago. Are you with Adoptions from the heart?

Ellen

August 26, 2002

Tana, that's great news, thanks for sharing!! My son (13)

has also began this school year MUCH MUCH better than last year! We

began school here August 8 and still going great. I'm sure this'll

be true for your son too after such a good first day! You sound

sorta like me, afraid I'll " jynx " it (sp?) if I say/ask too much.

Keep us posted and ALSO let us know about your new child (boy or

girl?) in a couple months!

> I haven't posted for a while, but I just had to share what a

> miraculous day it has been!

>

> Our son has PANDAS, and after a horrific OCD attack last spring,

> I didn't think he'd ever willingly go to school again! He would

> scream and cry and beg to stay home, and we'd literally have to

> push him out the door and lock it behind him. Then, when he

> did get to school, he'd invariably call us, begging to come home.

> It was awful. (This is the very abridged version of the story).

>

> Anyway, over the summer, he's gradually improved to the point

> that I'd say he's about 90% back to the old . He was

> doing really well, but I really worried about what he'd do when

> school started, if it would send him into a tail-spin again. This

> morning, although he was a little nervous (as every kid is on the

> first day of school), he went to school without any problems. I

> held my breath all day, half-expecting him to call. When he came

> home for lunch (the school is across the street so they let the

> kids eat at home), he was in a good mood, but I didn't press him

> about how it was going. After he went back to school, I went out

> to check the mail, and I could see him playing dodge ball with

> his friends. He was running and yelling and smiling, and I have

> to tell you, it was all I could do to not drop down on my knees and

> thank God (or whatever higher power you happen to believe in)

> right at the mailbox for the miracle I was witnessing! I'm only

> half-joking! ;o)

>

> After school, I casually asked how his day had gone. I expected

> his usual response: " bad, " but he said, " good, " and then went off

> to play with his toys. I am SO happy!! Last school year, I

thought

> that there was no hope, and that I had completely lost my child. I

> know he will continue to have his battles, but this reminds me

> that they can be temporary, and that we can live through them.

> )

>

> We are adopting a baby from China in a couple months, and

> actually wants to go with us now. A few months ago, he

> refused because of having to fly and get shots, and he was

> terrified that his dad and I would crash if he stayed. He has

> really come a long way.

>

> Thanks for reading.

>

> Tana Whicker, one happy mama today!

August 26, 2002

---Tana,

You give me hope. My son (12) will start his first day of

school on Sept 3rd. I know what you mean about not knowing what he

would be like. I wish I could be as lucky to see from my mailbox.

But, my son will be starting middle school and won't be out having a

recess even if I was across the street. I hope your son has

continued sucess and will welcome his new sibling and enjoy being a

big brother. Like said please let us know about your new child

when you get settled. And I will keep my fingers crossed that my son

will have the same great start as yours did!! Marilyn

August 30, 2002

Marilyn,

I truly, honestly thought that he would never be the same again. I

feel badly for being so pessimistic, but things were so bad, I just

couldn't fathom that it could get better. Of course, I realize that

we will have ups and downs, but this gives me hope that we can

make it through the downs. I will keep my fingers crossed that

things go well for your son! )

Tana

> ---Tana,

> You give me hope. My son (12) will start his first day of

> school on Sept 3rd. I know what you mean about not knowing

what he

> would be like. I wish I could be as lucky to see from my

mailbox.

> But, my son will be starting middle school and won't be out

having a

> recess even if I was across the street. I hope your son has

> continued sucess and will welcome his new sibling and enjoy

being a

> big brother. Like said please let us know about your new

child

> when you get settled. And I will keep my fingers crossed that

my son

> will have the same great start as yours did!! Marilyn

September 2, 2002

HI Tana:

Thanks so much for sharing about and his wonderful recovery.

I bet he is excited about having a new sibling, you must all be

excited!

Take care, aloha, kathy (h)

kathyh@...