might not be around much for a little bit...

[gertbysea]

Ditto for me too. Karen. There is a lot of strength here so call in any time.

Gretchen

[brazen20au]

thanks all, am popping in for a recipe.
still struggling with it all but i'm sure the news with ryan will get better with some time, and once we know where to from here. my thyroid is another issue, as i can't afford the specilist the GP referred me to she wants me to wait 3 months and be retested. this is when i am just dragging myself through every day. lucikly she is not my regular gp who i am going to see for a second opinion.

thanks again for your support 

[gertbysea]

Karen you get all the opinions you need. As a retired nurse who worked in the operating theatre for many years I know the importance of getting a SECOND and even THIRD opinion. I have a very healthy disrespect for most doctors including some I have worked with closely. If you have any nursing friends then value their opinion re doctors. It is a very closed shop in many cases. Don't be fooled by their "bedside manner". Means not a jot in the scheme of things. GP's refer you to the specialist of THEIR choice but you can go to any specialist you want. Do your research and phone directly before getting a referral. You can often do deals direct.  I never met a specialist who would not negoiate a price. Good shoppers never pay retail! And I might add there is no shame at all in telling them you cannot afford them but need their expertise and" how can I fit into your payment plan?". Flattery and sucking up will get you everything with this tribe.

Be fearless, bold and a woman.  Works every time doesn't it. JD would agree. Also get all the info from others in the same situation. Join every group you think can help. There are people out there ready and willing.

Gretchen

[Karen3]

Love and support to you K!  Yell out if you need anything.
K3

[judydawn]

Yes Karen, Gretchen is right.  Listen to her advice and you can't go wrong.  Good luck with your negotiations, you can't wait 3 months to have a problem looked at so try Gretchens advice and hopefully bring that appointment forward. We put health treatment before grocery shopping in this house so if it means cutting down on your shopping bill to pay for a specialist appointment, pull out all your trusted low cost recipes and feed the family on those for a couple of weeks and you should have the money to pay for a specialist.  Baked beans on toast if need be.

[Thermomixer]

Get a second opinion brazen   

[alioop]

Hi Karen - here's hoping that it's a smooth road to getting the services needed for your son and that you see lots of positive progress in the not too distant future  . 
Sending positive vibes for your health also - my sister went through treatment for her thyroid a few years ago - all good now..hope your is sorted soon too.

Ali 

[meganjane]

Oh, I missed this post as I've been too busy to be on the computer in the last couple of days.
I'm so sorry to hear that you're not well Karen, compounded by the news of your son's diagnosis.
There are some wonderful programmes in schools now for children with Asperger's, so I hope you're able to access them.

Do take care of yourself and my thoughts and best wishes to you and your family as you deal with all this.

Megan
x

[versaceyoyo]

brazen, I can't imagine what you must be going through with your son, and to not be feeling well into the bargain.  Hope to have you back feeling better soon.

[brazen20au]

thanks all, and especially to gretchen for the advice. not knowing the system it's hard to know what your rights are.

[Ceejay]

Follow that gut feeling and do as the ladies (and TMXer ) have suggested.

It never fails to surprise me how as mothers, we will stand up for our children if we think they need it but we doubt ourselves with it involves our own health... I am guilty of that myself. 

Much strength to you... it can be a minefield but just keep on pushing through until you get those answers! 

[Nay-nay]

All the best Karen - hope TMX can help you out - imagine if you didn't have him! Yes - research everything! 

[I Love Bimby!]

Hi Karen,

Sorry I haven't posted earlier but you & your son have been in my thoughts and prayers.

Listen to everyone's advice. I think it's important to seek other opinions too. Doctors had diagnosed DD with Bronchial Asthma but last time, after 3 rounds of steroids nothing was happening I took her to a naturopath who advised that DD doesn't suffer asthma at all, it's linked to a gluten intolerance. Overall her immunity and the ability to fight off colds has been much improved since we reduced gluten in her diet. So research and seek as much help, advice and other opinions help as you can to give yourself a really well grounded view of what you're dealing with and the best way to treat it.

Thinking of you all and wishing you more energy to handle everything 

[JaneeZee]

I haven't been around much either Karen so have only just seen your post.  My BF's eldest son (now 19) also has Aspergers & if you can keep on top of his diet it will really help things.  The TM will help massively of course.  As for you - make yourself a priority as others have said, you won't be able to help Ryan - or be there for the rest of the family when everything is tipping out of kilter - if you are not healthy. You would probably guess from me that I would be traipsing off for a second - alternative - opinion.  A good naturopath will probaly be able to give you good advice for both of you.  Don't ignore or eliminate the medical profession of course - just be informed & follow your instincts so you don't get fobbed off. Question the tests you are asked to have & look on the bright side........once they get your thyroid under control you'll probably become a slender bundle of energy - unstoppable.  Hope to hear that that occurs sooner rather than later & that Ryan gets the very best of help.  Take care...

[brazen20au]

i really wish i could go alternative, i would love to, but we just cna't afford it we've nearly reached the medicare threshold which means all our medical stuff will be nearly free for the rest of the year, compared to the prices of alternate practioners, which are hardly covered by our private health (i'd used our whole family's worth of chiro treatment in under 6 months).

to make matters worse dh had a car accident this week (he's ok mostly) and wrote off his car and there is simply NO way we can survive without 2 cars so we have to fork out to buy a new car too. bloody money is just a huge pain in the rear end, i hate having to worry aobut it all the time.

to be honest i can't wait til May is gone, it has not been the best month of my life so far LOL