Monthly Archives: October 2011

Fall has arrived!

October 21, 2011 in 3Day, adhd, Asperger's, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Parenting

So I am a little late in posting this week which is due to a couple of factors. The first being that my (step) dad was in the hospital for 9 days with heart troubles. After a pacemaker was put in and some time spent in the ICU he has finally been allowed to leave “hospital jail”. He got to come home earlier this week and he is getting some much needed rest without the added excitement of tubes, needles, tests, and the occasional snotty nurse. WHEW!

Other components adding to my tardiness is not having any school Wed-Fri because of Parent-Teacher conferences.  You see, this lack of structure in my day leaves me with the chronic question of “what day is it?” This in and of itself wouldn’t be bad but I have BIG training walks planned for this weekend (20 miles Saturday & 15 miles on Sunday) so I keep panicking because I am sure I have already overslept or missed it altogether. Silly knowing that today is Friday (I triple checked the calendar) but I am hyper paranoid that I will forget the obvious because I do that so often? No, just because I like to make myself a little crazier every day – welcome to my world.

Ahhhhh parent-teacher conferences. This time last year I was sweating bullets because our 1st meeting was more like an intervention. Funny because I did my best to prepare the school for Squidget’s needs, but they had to experience it first hand before they could make any attempt to help him. From Oct – Jan there was testing, observations, and countless meetings that brought us to a consensus about his IEP and basic learning environment. Jan- June was when we worked out all the kinks. I’m sure you can imagine my concern entering into this year with a new teachers, a new principal, a new aide, and new classmates but I am happy ecstatic to report that this year has a whole new vibe! Despite all the newness, everyone has managed to disseminate the appropriate information to the right parties. Squidget LOVES school and I honestly believe it to be the very best part of his day. It is super structured and he is surrounded by compassionate, creative, and smart people. His teacher is a dream. She communicates with me very openly and she has gone above and beyond to ensure that he is both challenged and that he gets the space he needs to get through the day. He has a part time aide (reduced hours from last year) but that is a good thing because he needs it less; and if he ever needs more intervention there are people around that can help him out. He is excelling academically and his teacher and I both agree on his trouble areas and it seemed relatively effortless to find solutions for improvement. I can’t tell you how nice it was to leave that conference with a smile on my face AND to look at Squidget and see that he was visibly confident, and happy in his environment. I love that I can thoroughly trust his teacher, and that she really enjoys him for the awesome that he is.
It is clear that his OT, social group, swimming, and school schedule are all doing great things for him. We are still having a lot of struggles in the afternoon but our good times to rough patch ratio has drastically improved and that gives me a lot to be thankful for. To think that there was a time when I honestly didn’t know if we were going to be OK; and now I can find peace in knowing that with continued hard work, advocacy, new resources, and a dash of fun combined with the epic support we get from our family and friends that we are OK and that we will continue to be. I might not know what day it is but I know I am happy in my delirium!

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My scary happy week

October 12, 2011 in 3Day, Marriage and Love

While I have considered many topics for this week’s blog post, I have had difficulty getting words onto a document of any kind. The truth is that “life” is happening all around me this week. Some of life has been a bit scary and other parts have been fantastic but all of it has left me feeling emotional and sometimes tapping into all that is more than I can handle.

Great things this week include successful fundraising for my upcoming Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day walk next month. Happy Happy Joy Joy! Another part of my delight is the celebration of my 10th anniversary with the Hub, Mr. T.  We’ve shared joys and sorrows, mayhem and order, love and pain, tears and laughter and we’re still standing like two solid rocks firmly planted amidst the various currents of the ocean. I feel confident that our friendship, love, and commitment will see us through many more milestone years.

The scary part of my week, has been that my (step) dad has been in the hospital since Sunday because of heart trouble. His pulse was lingering in the 30′s until they made the decision to put in a pacemaker early this morning. He came through reasonably well but he is still in a lot of pain and there are many unanswered questions. For now we believe him to be out of immediate danger but I cannot deny that this has taken its toll on me emotionally.  It used to be that people his age were “old” and now I look at him and all of my loved ones around his age as spry young ducklings. It toys with my version of mortality. Even tonight, Squidget was talking about when Mr. T and I have our 50th wedding anniversary…all I could think is that my kids will be in their 40′s (ahem) while I am nestled somewhere in my 80′s and it made nervous. Happy but nervous. Happy that with any luck I will be able to enjoy my kids alongside my grand kids with Mr. T on my arm. Nervous that any number of things could change that dynamic and the reality that our parents may not be there with us,  because I really really really want them to be.

Taunting me further is that life is hanging in the balance for so many people in my circle of friends and family. They have shown so much courage, honor, humanity, and love that all I can do is be humbled and motivated, encouraging and vivacious. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you, and hopefully my actions will have more meaning.

Love hard. Live strong. Dance a lot. Sing loudly. Mind your manners. Be a good friend. Let people know that you love them. Be kind. Give Hugs. And don’t forget to Smile.

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Sticking it to Cancer

October 5, 2011 in 3Day, adhd, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Balance, Parenting

Many of you know that I have become a regular participant in the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day. Every year since 2009 I have committed to walking 60 miles over 3 days, and raising a minimum of $2300 (and more for my team).

At some point every year I feel overwhelmed by my commitment as it requires a great deal of time to train and fundraise; but then I am humbled by the all-too-large number of  people who have been affected by cancer and I find even more reasons to get my walk on.

I choose to walk in this particular event because breast cancer has affected me and my circle of family and friends profoundly; but a lot of other kinds of cancers have had that same profound affect on my loved ones – so I walk in solidarity and support for all of those affected by cancers nasty grasp.  

I walk because of the growing number of names I carry with me. Every name represents a special relationship that myself and/or one of my friends holds in their hearts.  I walk because it allows me to choose hope.

I walk because if I am not “training” for something, I won’t consistently give myself the time needed to exercise. It is easy to be last on the to-do list which means it is a little too easy to put it off till tomorrow. The 3-Day has given me a way to commit to my own well being while simultaneously  giving something positive back to the universe.

I walk because the 3-Day embodies a spirit of kindness that I am addicted to. It has healing properties previously unknown to me. I walk because joining a large group of women on a mission packs a power unmatched by any arsenal; and men who aren’t afraid to be swept away by said women display chivalry not often seen in today’s world and I love every part of it.

I walk because I needed a way to honor my loved ones and the loved ones of my friends and family. I walk because I can. Recently, I met two new reasons to walk. I have been introduced to two very special individuals with cancer stories of their own that need to be shared.

Meet Donna. Her mama, AKA Mary Tyler Mom chronicled Donna’s Cancer Story which appeared daily in serial format through the month of September to recognize Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Each post covered one month of Donna’s 31 months of treatment. I cannot find adequate words to describe how amazing this little girl is and how deeply she has has touched my heart. She has been such a gift to this world and every day her legacy lives on through Donna’s Good Things. Both Donna and Mary Tyler Mom (et al) have taught me a great deal about facing our own family’s adversity with grace, and a thousand good reasons to always choose hope.

“I refuse to let life’s challenges fuel my excuses. I will instead embrace my adversity, adapt to my circumstances, and use this moment as the catalyst for making the lives of others around me better. I will never stop fighting forward.” – Dustin Hughes

Meet Dustin. Dustin was recently diagnosed with GBM an incurable form of brain cancer. He is 35 years old with 3 beautiful boys and an amazing circle of family and friends. While Dustin has been busy kicking cancer’s a$$, he has also managed to give us boundless inspiration because of his stellar attitude and his open and humble heart. Check out this awesome video (check side panel or this link): Blink of a Moment and consider joining the Hughes Troop army on Facebook. You will be sooooooo glad you did.

For the angels who watch over us
For warriors who fight so heroically
For the Survivors who stand in our circle

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

If any Portland folks are on the West side over the next few weeks – stop by and EAT for a CURE!!!

Monday Oct 10th: Beaverton Burgerville **Tuesday Oct. 11th: Aloha/Tanasbourne Burgerville ** Wednesday Oct. 12th: Scholls & Allen Burgerville**Wednesday Oct. 19th: Hillsboro Burerville.From 5-8pm 10% of all proceeds will go towards my teams SGK 3-day fundraising efforts! Let’s make 1 in 8, NONE in 8!!!

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