It has been rough around here the last few months. We cannot seem to shake the sickness. On top of that, Super D has had very few good days. He has been regressing for several months now. I didn’t realize how bad it was until last week.
Wednesday morning started like most Wednesday mornings do. I was out of the house by 6:10, headed for the Men’s bible study at church. Darlene showed up at 7:30 to drop Baby B off on her way to work, and then I headed home because Aaron was sick again. An hour later I got a text from Daniel’s teacher.
That morning Darlene had cooked sausage for the boys. Daniel couldn’t wait and attempted to steal a piece while it was cooking. Darlene didn’t think he had gotten burnt and didn’t see any signs of it.
Only, he had burnt himself on the pan.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time we have had issues like this. Super D has lightning fast reflexes. The last time he got burnt, he reached into the oven to sample the casserole I was checking on. I had barely opened the oven door when I saw a little hand dart in. He wasn’t even in the kitchen when I started to open the door, I made sure of that.
Last week’s incident made me realize how far Super D has regressed in the last 6 months. There was a time when we could tell him something was hot and he would stop, give an approximate sign for hot and then move away. Not anymore.
It is a symptom of a much bigger issue. Suddenly, all cause and effect reasoning seems to be gone. He does not appear to understand the simple though process of “I did this and it hurt, so I shouldn’t do it again”. He will do the same things over and over.
It is aggravated by the fact that he does not seem to feel pain. If he does feel it, his pain threshold is so high he is seriously hurt before it registers. If I touch a hot pan, my brain pulls the hand away quick enough to only leave a little redness. I’m afraid a hot pan would end in blisters for Super D. As quick as he is to grab things, the brain is twice as slow to register pain, if it does at all.
It is a scary thing. It is nearly impossible to watch him every second of the day with three other boys in the house. So we have to adapt. This means posting a guard between the table and the counter so he can not enter the kitchen. Of course, then that person can not see if he is climbing the gate to go upstairs. If no one is available to help, I often resort to bringing the wheelchair inside. I hate to confine him, but I can not risk him getting hurt while I cook.
Hopefully, we will be able to find the cause of the regression and fix it. Until then, we will have to be on guard.
This is our crazy Life with Super D.
I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” – Psalm 91:2
Life With Super D! 