Joy!!!

Today I am sooo happy! I guess I feel a little stupid too.. :) Happy because we started Lynn on a new medication a few days ago. Stupid because it seems that this was EXACTLY what she was missing!! Why didn't I do something sooner? Why did I allow her to suffer like she has this year with relationships...particularly in her dorm? She now is taking Abilify in addition to Depakote and Adderall. Her psychiatrist told me that Abilify is a "wonder" drug that has really been a very good thing for all of his Bipolar patients. He has yet to have a single complaint about it! We went up for the performing arts festival at Lynn's boarding school this past weekend. She goes to a top college prep boarding school situated in the southern Appalachian mountains...do I need to tell you just how spectacularly gorgeous it is up there?! What an absolutely beautiful weekend..we even drove into Highlands, NC. If you have a moment, you must google "Highlands, NC" it is a feast for the eyes! Back to Lynn. She began taking Abilify on Saturday, after serious protest. She did not want to take another and I will quote her: "psycho drug!". When I am faced with her very stubborn and dominant personality, I know I need to be as factual and matter-of-fact as I can be. This has taken YEARS of practice because I am very sensitive and emotional. I have had to learn to remove my emotions when dealing with Lynn and give her logic, facts and simple choices. I did just that and she quickly acquiesced.

We (my husband and I) arrived at Lynn's school with her little sister and her friend from home. It was Lynn's 14th birthday this weekend. I can't believe she is already 14 and starting high school next year! We brought her a cake and celebrated. We took her out to dinner at the restaurant of her choosing..(a chinese buffet..in a very small mountain town..need I say more? - not much to choose from in the immediate vicinity of her school.) Then we went to her school's performing arts festival. This festival consists of many very talented high school kids. WOW!!! What an amazing show! These kids did everything from sing, put on comedy skits, and a little bit of Cirque performing too! The highlight of the show was a group of five Korean boys who performed an amazingly choreographed break dance routine with back flips too!!! I highly recommend the show. They have been holding it for more than 10 years now and people come from all over to see it. Hopefully Lynn will be in it next year!

Lynn sent me an email today that said the following: "
"im gonna go tan today before i start outdoor club tomorrow.
may i have my cell phone today?
i am noticing dramatic changes in my behavior, and i really think that the new meds are helping me a lot.
can we give it a try at least?
please email my dorm parent if its ok with you.."

Absolutely!!! What a sweet and wonderful email! She is so humble in this email. How could I resist! I want to just reward her for being so positive about the new medication. What a delightful young lady!

She normally doesn't get her cell phone til after 9pm because with Verizon, our cell phone company, the minutes used after 9pm during the week are free. Lynn has not once, not twice, but three times and more in the past run up very large cell phone bills. I am talking close to $1,000 in one month alone.

In just the short few days Lynn has been taking Abilify, I have also noticed a dramatic change in her. That sweet side that she has? The one I have mentioned in my earlier posts? It is now there much more consistently. But the most important thing?!!! SHE is happier. Lynn has a hard time understanding all that goes on within her. But she does understand how people react to her - good and bad. She has noticed that she is having a much easier time with her relationships. I hope beyond all hope that this only gets better. That Lynn finally sees, feels and experiences all her wonderful qualities in this new, much healthier light. Thank you!!! Thank you!!! Thank you medical science! Please don't stop researching all that we can to better understand this condition. These children deserve our dedication and support! Lynn is a charming, beautiful and very intelligent young lady. Her teachers and faculty members all have said they are better off for having known her...WOW! I am not worthy to be her mother.

My beautiful daughter, Lynn - MY SOUL IS INCOMPLETE WITHOUT YOU - MY LOVE FOR YOU IS ETERNAL.