That's what you said, Rob, on the way home from Pediatric Associates today. And I agree !! We really like their new Pittston Twp office, on the way to Walmart. Unfortunately, we've been there too much recently to see Dr. Cross, and to see Dr. Garg (neurology) in Kingston, and to see Dr. Blaze (optometry) in West Pittston. And you've independently seen Dr. Palmero (chiropractic) in Pittston Twp. Plus we have still to visit Dr. Whiting (neuro-opthalmology) in Danville in 3 weeks or so. You are in the process of being assessed by Dr. Timchak in Kingston. An important additional team member is your therapist Rob Tryzenski, a close friend of several years. You've had blood work in Wilkes-Barre, an MRI back in Kingston, and numerous medications from CVS in Exeter. Perhaps there will be a visit to the Thomas Jefferson Headache Center in Philly, assuming the office returns my call.
On the school front, we've had consultation and meetings with Jennifer Ciampi, your guidance counselor, and Dr. Pollard, your principal. We've called SUNY and it's possible we'll be starting calls with an LCCC contact soon. So many professionals are involved and providing reassurance.
Maybe some day it we'll remember it with a little bit of humor. But mostly, since January this year it has been painful (physically), tiring, stressful and sprinkled with various disappointments. We still don't really know what's going on. Wyoming Area went to remote, virtual school in April, 2020 due to COVID 19 and stayed that way until April, 2021. Your routine was turned upside down, school activities stopped, you've been isolated from seeing friends, classmates & teachers and had significant screen time. You were taking 5 AP classes during senior year. You began getting periodic headaches in December, and then it developed into one massive, chronic daily headache with light sensitivity, general fatigue and poor sleep quality in January. Truly, you looked and I know you felt awful for a few weeks in January. To make things harder, Dad passed away early in the month. Although you have improved with a particular anti-depressant/nerve pain medication, not much else helps in spite of trying additional medications. Very little schoolwork has been done since then. We've had so many conversations together about what we can do & changes to make things better. It was been draining for you above all, and certainly difficult for me (and Steve) as we try to navigate these medical issues, home routines, academic expectations and college decisions. Aunt Pam and Alex are worried about you. Honestly, we desperately want you to feel healthy and normal again, but it's not clear if & when there will be a diagnosis that makes sense, an understanding of how to address the symptoms and ability to focus without discomfort from head pain, lights and feeling tired.
All we can do is continue to see specialists, appreciate that it has gotten better (though more slowly that we would like) and be relieved that tests to date show no underlying, significant health issues. You have listened to many audio books and we know you're thinking your usual interesting thoughts because you are coming up with quirky stuff (like tonight you mentioned donkey brains, I still don't know why but Steve says it has something to do with the series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia). You are threatening to name a kitten (should we get one) Doyle or Royal McPoyle. You are going to in-person Key Club meetings again. Also, graduation is coming up. You are certainly still interested in engineering, which I expect you will study successfully.
So I fully believe we will figure this out, and move forward in whatever amount of time this will take. That doesn't make it much easier right now, but that's the way it is. We are truly grateful for all the people who are helping along the way. I've been playing this song by your favorite Beatle recently on YouTube a lot (you have heard) - it's the perfect thing to keep us optimistic.
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