Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Potential Great Therapist

Yesterday I got a return call from the therapist that the psychiatric nurse from Melmed recommended. I am so excited. I was thrilled with everything she said. She is going to meet with Todd and I next week, Thursday at 9:30, for 90 minutes and then we will set up a time for her to come the house to observe Kenzie and the rest of us. She is even willing to be here at 6:15 a.m. to observe, Kenzie's worse time of the day. I do realize that probably Kenzie will put her best foot forward when she is here, but the therapist said she would expect that and that she will still be able to observe things and get a feeling of how things work in our home. I am also not going to tell Kenzie when she is coming. I am going to let that be a surprise so Kenz will not have time to prepare herself to be on her best behavior. That might seem terrible, but I want help. I really believe that if she could see that side of McKenzie then she will be able to help more. I love her philosophy on helping children. She believes that when a child is that sick then the whole family suffers and it becomes imperative that the whole family strive towards wellness. So she not only works with Kenzie but also the whole family. Yah! This was what I was so excited about receiving at Hope Ranch, but now I think we will be able to get it here. She is even not that expensive. You think that with her coming to the house at odd hours she would be a fortune but she is very reasonable. However, it is still going to be an investment so please pray that the funds will continue to be there to help us all the way through this process. I am really excited about getting new ideas on how to help her and guide her. I also really like what she said when I told her that we have trouble figuring out what part of her behavior is manipulative and what is really part of her illness. She answered me with a question, "Whether it is or it isn't you still want her to have appropriate behavior, right? And of course, my answer was yes. So her point was that we still have to help her function appropriately in the world and she has to be taught correct behavior. On how we get there just might look different from other children.
Also, my husband tells me that I can be very defensive when I am given constructive criticism. So I am praying that I will be open and receptive to whatever she shares with me. I think that because I want help so badly that I will be more receptive than usual. But just in case, please pray for that one too. I am also excited that she will be able to help with all of the damage to Tori that has happened because of this terrible disease. All in all I am very ready for her to get started. The sooner, the better.

5 comments:

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  2. Yay for good news! I hope you'll be able to be at Bible study tomorrow morning!

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  3. That is wonderful! Caroline had the same therapist from the age of 7 to 13 and it made a world of difference. I hope that this woman will be the same kind of friend to your family and McKenzie!

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  4. How did it go this morning? I've been praying!

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  5. Julia-see my new post. Thanks for asking and for praying. Maybe someday I will get back to Nashville and if so I will definitely have to hook up with you! Take care, Amy

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