INTERMISSION: Update for the last 10 days

When I started back on my birthday this year, I knew it was going to be a bit of a challenge, which is why I asked for help. What I didn't know was that we would need far more help than expected before the end.

First, my daughter, who has severe autism and intellectual disability, needed to spend a weekend in the hospital. Now spending a weekend in the hospital is almost never fun, but when you don't have the ability to talk, or the ability to understand what's going on or why, it can be traumatic. As a parent, this can be pretty difficult as well.

In order to get an IV line and NG tube in place, it took six adults and multiple attempts at each. In order to keep her from tearing them out, she had to be put in hard restraints. That means secure straps at the wrists and ankles. Then they had to put mittens on her hands and splints on both elbows to prevent her from bending her arms. Then those had to be duct taped because she was strong enough to break through both the velcro and medical tape. This was all after being sedated.

Even with all this, my wife, a family friend and I had to take turns keeping her in the bed laying back to ensure she didn't dislocate any joints while trying to get free, as well as to try to comfort her and let her know everything was going to be okay.

At the same time all this was going on, a second unexpected crisis was unfolding: Bed bugs. I don't know if you've ever known anybody who had to deal with bed bugs, but of all the treatment options are a nightmare, especially if you have a lot of kids. We talked to various companies and looked into treatment options and not only is it really expensive (thousands of dollars) it's also a ton of work.



Long story short, we're opting for the all-out full house treatment to get them gone once and for all. We have to run ALL clothing, bedding, stuffed animals, curtains, towels, hats, etc. through the dryer on high heat for 40 minutes. We also have to remove everything from all drawers, closets, shelves, and the tops of nightstands, desks, tables and other flat surfaces. Then we have to move all furniture 2-3 feet out from the wall. And the treatment can't begin until all that's done.

In other words, we are moving out of our own house, and then back in again.

So from here on out all posts to this blog will be guest appearances, and they will all be to thank people who are helping us through this.