Day 45

Tomorrow's the big day - our first family therapy call. Hopefully I have Skype set up correctly for a video call.

Day 44

Well, I cried today, but they were tears of joy. The weekly report always includes pictures--but I've never been happy with how he looked--they never looked "right" to me. Well today's included a photo of him right after he's heard he was promoted to level 2. He's in the kitchen, holding a pan of muffins he's just baked--grinning ear to ear. I can't remember the last time he looked so happy--it has literally been years.

I know we all have a lot of hard work ahead of us--but it will be worth it in the end.

Day 43

He wrote a letter to his father today--very mature and reasonable. No ranting, just a statement that he couldn't say what he wants to in a letter, so he'd wait to talk about those things until we have our family therapy call. he then proceeded to give a nice newsy update on what he'd been doing--a run down of the day.

I am beginning to be very hopeful.

Day 42: Level 2

He was promoted to Level 2 today!

Day 41

Another day without a letter...hopefully this means that he needs me less for venting--and is processing things on his own by journaling...or just needs to vent less. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the treatment team feels he's ready for level 2 when they meet tomorrow afternoon.

Day 40

I spent a fair amount of time today dealing with medical issues--getting a refill for his inhaler--arranging for pain relief for his wisdom teeth--they actually need an order from his pediatrician for him to get ibuprofen. I also began the process of sorting out how he'll have his wisdom teeth out up there, if it winds up being necessary.

Day 39

His therapist says that he's very close to being moved to level 2--perhaps as soon as this week. When that happens we'll be able to have video calls--where I can actually see him!

Interesting that the timing aligns fairly closely with the biblical "40 days"...this has been our 40 days in the wilderness, where we face our demons. But, its not yet the beginning of the end - just the end of the beginning. This is a cyclical process, with progress followed by retreat, and I must steel myself for that. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that next Monday will be a "family" call!