Another 16 year old in the house

Last week, we celebrated our boy's birthday. We partied a bit early this year because he was leaving for summer camp on his actual b-day. This didn't bother our boy a bit as it meant he got a special dinner on Sunday (Chinese take-out, one of his favorites), another special dinner on Monday (I made a Thai beef salad at his request). He opened presents and we sang over his ice cream cake on Monday, then he got a special b-day breakfast (everything bagel with lox spread and red onion) on Tuesday before we drove him to camp.

You might ask why I'm focusing on the food aspect here and the answer is simple. Our boy lives for food. It soothes him, comforts him, fills a void in him like nothing else. Yes, I know that's not the best case scenario and his food issues are on our radar screen...but considering where we were a year ago, we're looking at this as a work in progress and are satisfied for the time being.

Let's review. Last year, our boy was hospitalized in a locked psychiatric unit four times. He was aggressive at times; he was delusional and paranoid at times. He was not very functional. He was ingesting strange foods and foreign objects. He was unable to focus on the simplest tasks. We worried about whether he'd even be able to return to his regular school placement in the fall. He celebrated his 15th. birthday with us on a pass which allowed him to come home for a few hours for dinner and presents. He was pretty unstable and we just weren't sure what to expect.

Fast forward a year and we have a different story. No, it hasn't been an easy year but we have seen steady progress. We haven't seen aggression or violence. He isn't ingesting foreign objects and his food consumption has moderated. He was able to return to school and complete the year successfully, passing all classes. He is able to participate in social groups and go to sleep away camp. He's even able to laugh at himself and act a little silly. Not something I could have envisioned a year ago...we're so grateful!

Note the birthday crown...see what I mean about silly?