JulieMarshall
New Member
I just wanted to drop by to give you lovely amazing people an update about Leo.
He came home today! The psychiatric hospital released him this morning. Leo did have to stay longer than was originally thought because he refused to eat; they ended up having to sedate and force feed him with a tube. Nothing was helping him, and Leo was just so closed off. It was just awful and frustrating and sad and I was beginning to lose hope.
The breakthrough point came, two days after they had to start force feeding him, with this psychologist who had been on vacation. The guy was young and hip and he immediately connected with Leo. My god the man was amazing, like a teenage boy whisperer/miracle worker. I visited Leo that night and the light had started to return to his eyes. I don't know what he said to Leo during their session or what Leo said back but it worked. Leo willingly ate after that first session. Not much, but it was definitely a start.
Dr. Wonderful worked with Leo for two days pretty hardcore, from what he told me, and last night he called me and said that Leo was ready to go home in the morning.
I was kind of anxious because I was worried that my other kids wouldn't know how to act around him, especially my daughters because they saw Leo's breakdown when I called emergency transport to take him to the hospital. But they were so great and understanding and natural with him. I'm so proud of them.
Leo's obviously not completely better, but Jack said something funny at lunch today and Leo actually smiled for the first time in three weeks, smiled his beautiful sunny smile that makes girls weak at the knees and the thing I've missed so, so much. I almost started bawling.
Leo is still kind of distant and withdrawn with me, and I'm not sure if he's still mad at me or embarrassed or what. But he's home and eating and hanging out with his siblings watching a movie right now instead of holed up in his room. I couldn't ask for more, really.
We have an appointment for a family therapist on Sunday, so we'll see how that goes. Leo knows that he has to go or else he could be re-admitted to the psychiatric hospital. He says he'll go, which is great.
The best news is that Dr. Wonderful has a small private practice on the side. It's highly selective because he doesn't have too much time to do it, but he said that he would definitely see Leo. I'm so happy because he's the thing that basically saved my son.
But all of you deserve my thanks just as much. If you all hadn't urged me to call 911, Leo could have been dead by now. So you saved Leo, too. Thank you so, so much. I really can't tell you how grateful I am for this website and you amazing mothers who, even though you all have kids that from what I've seen on other threads are more heartbreaking than Leo, were able to be so helpful and encouraging and supportive of me. You saved me as well. So I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
--Julie
He came home today! The psychiatric hospital released him this morning. Leo did have to stay longer than was originally thought because he refused to eat; they ended up having to sedate and force feed him with a tube. Nothing was helping him, and Leo was just so closed off. It was just awful and frustrating and sad and I was beginning to lose hope.
The breakthrough point came, two days after they had to start force feeding him, with this psychologist who had been on vacation. The guy was young and hip and he immediately connected with Leo. My god the man was amazing, like a teenage boy whisperer/miracle worker. I visited Leo that night and the light had started to return to his eyes. I don't know what he said to Leo during their session or what Leo said back but it worked. Leo willingly ate after that first session. Not much, but it was definitely a start.
Dr. Wonderful worked with Leo for two days pretty hardcore, from what he told me, and last night he called me and said that Leo was ready to go home in the morning.
I was kind of anxious because I was worried that my other kids wouldn't know how to act around him, especially my daughters because they saw Leo's breakdown when I called emergency transport to take him to the hospital. But they were so great and understanding and natural with him. I'm so proud of them.
Leo's obviously not completely better, but Jack said something funny at lunch today and Leo actually smiled for the first time in three weeks, smiled his beautiful sunny smile that makes girls weak at the knees and the thing I've missed so, so much. I almost started bawling.
Leo is still kind of distant and withdrawn with me, and I'm not sure if he's still mad at me or embarrassed or what. But he's home and eating and hanging out with his siblings watching a movie right now instead of holed up in his room. I couldn't ask for more, really.
We have an appointment for a family therapist on Sunday, so we'll see how that goes. Leo knows that he has to go or else he could be re-admitted to the psychiatric hospital. He says he'll go, which is great.
The best news is that Dr. Wonderful has a small private practice on the side. It's highly selective because he doesn't have too much time to do it, but he said that he would definitely see Leo. I'm so happy because he's the thing that basically saved my son.
But all of you deserve my thanks just as much. If you all hadn't urged me to call 911, Leo could have been dead by now. So you saved Leo, too. Thank you so, so much. I really can't tell you how grateful I am for this website and you amazing mothers who, even though you all have kids that from what I've seen on other threads are more heartbreaking than Leo, were able to be so helpful and encouraging and supportive of me. You saved me as well. So I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
--Julie