Batteries Included

When one of Lucas' trains has this printed on the package I am more eager to buy it over the othere toy that does not have batteries included.  As a Mom I love the phrase "batteries included". 

I remember the first time I told Leo that I have a battery inside of me.  I don't think it was a selling point for our budding relationship.  I was always impressed at his non freak out reaction.  Later, months later, he told me how he misunderstood the whole conversation.  He relayed a conversation to me that he had with his mother the next day.  He thought I was trying to tell him I had a fake leg and that I was robotic.  For me one of the selling points on Leo was how well he handled the information and even though I later found out that he was freaking out I understood how perfectly rational it was.   I mean it is one thing to handle a loved one's health issue AFTER you have fallen in love but to walk into a relationship with someone who has a health issue and care for them BEFORE falling in love.  That shows character.  Back then I had my RSD under control using my SCS.   This was before my back pain issues.  Another selling point, one of the ultimate tests Leo aced.  My first big flair was an event that sold me on the greatness of Leo.  His nerves were wreaked and yet he took care of me in the way I wanted to be taken care of.  He even told his Mother that I don't like it when everyone overreacts to my pain, that for me it is "normal" and "soon will pass".  He retrieved my crutches from the trunk of my car but panicked that he couldn't find my SCS case, I had to use my crutches to go out and show him (again) what it looked like and where to find it.  After I was set up on the couch, my leg elevated I knew that while this was my "normal" it also showed that I finally found a man that could take care of me and love me the way I needed.  That was just the beginning and I am happy to say that our story is one that lasts through all the drama life with RSD brings. 

Back then my first SCS battery had a life span of 5-7 years, depending on usage.  When the battery ran out I would need a surgery to replace it.  Now as technology has advanced I have a battery they call the mini.  The mini is about half the size of the old battery, nicely hidden.  It is also a rechargable battery.  It is a "cordless" rechargable battery, very cool considering the first generation of recharables needed to have one end in an electrical outlet while the paddle was taped to my skin and was sensitive to movement.  If I sneezed or moved an arm to scratch my nose it would shift off the sweet spot and we would need to recenter the paddle.  What a pain in the butt!  Now my new mini has this cordless rechargable system.  While my battery is a mini the recharge system is large and bulky.  The fact that I can walk around while charging my battery and the sweet spot is not so sensitive is the selling point. 

Last night, I woke with a start at 1:30am from a strange dream.  I dreamt that my battery was beeping and vibrating.  I think it was my subconscience reminding that I need to recharge.  My gut instincts were to jump out of bed, run to my closet and pull down the black case that keeps my charging system.  Unpractical considering I would wake up Leo and it could wait till morning.  I tossed and turned till I fell back to sleep worried I would forget by morning.  Understand, that while the mini battery is recharable if I let the charge fully run out then I would need a surgery to replace it.  Which is why my nerves were jumbled from the dream. 

Waking up this morning I couldn't help but remember what I needed to do.  I quickly pulled some clothes on and then pulled the black case from the top shelf in my closet.  I opened the case, pulled out the paddle and the charge system.  I slipped the paddle between my pants and my skin, placing it over the area where my battery is.  I connected the cord to the charge system and squeezed it into my pants pocket.  This was at 6:45am and by 8:20am the system beeped to let me know it was fully charged.  During this time I was able to get the boys up and moving.  I made breakfast, and lunch boxes.  I watched Gabriel walk to school and got Lucas dressed for school.  It was a very productive morning considering everything. 

Batteries Included is one of our family jokes.  Robo Cop, Robo Mom is another one of our jokes.  Life with RSD is very serious but you have to lighten the mood.  You cannot go around always being depressed.  We find the fun where we can but remember that taking care is not a joking matter.  I remember when everyone started to prepare for Hurricane Sandy.  Food, water, candles, and batteries for flashlights.  When I had to prepare I included recharging my own battery.  I think of it this way, if you need batteries for a flashlight then I need to take care of my own battery.  I am Robo Mom, I have the battery and electrical leads in my body to show for it.  The beautiful kids and husband to keep me moving.  The ability to laugh at myself and my condition while still taking it as seriously as it deserves.  That is what makes me who I am.  I am batteries included! 

First Day!

This morning I set my alarm early.  My nerves were slightly jumbled.  I was excited.  Today was Lucas' first day at the Pre-School program in our school district!  My nerves were jumbled because I had to get him moving faster that his old schedule.  Lucas can be a very cranky easily frusterated when his routine is changed or just when things don't go his way.  Luckily he woke up easily and sat at the table nicely, only a little fussy, for his breakfast.  We had one minor meltdown this morning when I was gathering the items for his lunch box.  He wanted them NOW even after I explained what they were for and he would get them later, he wanted them NOW for breakfast.  After a 5 minute battle I switched gears and went with distraction.  "Where are your trains?"  Sometimes a Mom has to pick her battles.  Our next little tiff was when I placed the finished lunch box in the fridge.  Lucas wanted it to go into his backpack.  He was not willing to listen to me explain.  This was a moment that his language delay becomes a big issue.  I explained three times that it was "too early" to put the lunch box in the backpack.  I held my ground, it was only 7:30am and way too early for the lunch box to be packed away.  In these moments it helps that I get on his eye level (tough when my leg hurts) and find a way to calm him down so he can listen to me. 

We drove Lucas to school together for this first day.  Of course I took some pictures!  This is a big day for all of us.  Lucas wasn't confused he knew he was going to the "Big School" today.  My only real fear was that the teachers won't understand him when he talks but because she is experienced with children who have special needs and speech issues I am comfortable that she and Lucas will figure it out.  Lucas is very different from Gabriel, when Gabe was this age, heck when Gabe was 7 years old he had extreme seperation anxiety.  Lucas has zero seperation anxiety!  Today I had to ask for a kiss when I was leaving him at the school.  Lucas was happy with the toy vacuum in his new class and the i-pad at his desk. 

Lucas' teacher sends out a daily email stating what the kids have done that day.  Today she also sent me an email to let me know how his first day went.  I quote "Lucas had a pretty good first day. He was disappointed when we couldn’t play all day but caught on to the routine pretty quicklyJ Each day will get better and better."  This three sentence feedback on Lucas' first day may seem pretty basic but it is a fount of information for me.  First, it tells me that the teacher does take into concern my roll in Lucas' daily educational life.  Second it tells me that she understands how these small details are needed.  Lastly, the information tells me what I already know.  Lucas is used to a "play school" type of setting, she probably had to deal with a small meltdown when trying to get him involved in the schedule but he soon understood that certain things are expected of him.  I know when Lucas came home he was super excited about his day so what ever the meltdown was about he hasn't held a grudge (Lucas can hold some grudges!) 

By Friday I will be looking for his speech schedule.  I want to sit in on a session or two a month so I know how to carry over the work being done.  Leo and I have been enjoying the amount of speech coming out of Lucas lately that we haven't worried ourselves about his clarity.  Sometimes you need to learn how to switch off of being a teacher and remain as a parent.  I especially needed to spend some time only enjoying Lucas instead of constantly working with him, or worrying about him.  I am continueing my "break" as his teacher till Friday when I will begin to work with him again.  Until then, I will simply be Mommy.