Passing of a beloved friend

So I started to write this blog, then released I needed more time. So now I am ready to face this and be ok with it. Some of you know that we recently had to put Krystn's cat to sleep. Her name was Godsmack, yes, like the band. She was a wonderful member of our family for 8 years. She was not only a cat, but like a playmate for Krystn. Our house is very solemn without her presence. She is greatly missed. I got Godsmack for Krystn for Christmas in 2002. I remember like it was yesterday. Krystn and Godsmack bonded from the moment she saw her. She use to go limp in Krystn's arms. Krys would bounce down the hallway with her, and Godsmack never complained. People told me all the time to make Krys "be careful with the kitty" and I said "No, Godsmack will let her know if she crossed the line." And, there were times she did...lol Godsmack got very sick, and we found out she had FIP. It was a fatal, painful, non-treatable disease. Only 5% of cats (so they say) get this from the regular coronavirus (FCoV) which is like the common cold for cats. After doing good for a couple of weeks, she went back downhill. That is when we decided to put her to sleep. It was one of the single hardest decisions I have ever had to make. Krystn has had a hard time with it. After about 5 nights, she finally slept through the night. But last week she was primarily in our room with us. Many tears. So I got a bunch of old pictures together and made a collage with her collars (yes she had two, one for when she lost one from killing birds). I think that helped her. So we have talked much about death. It is a very hard subject for children anyways. She says that she hopes Godsmack will come home, and we just keep letting her know she wont, but that to always remember her and she is happy now. So here are some pictures I would like to share.

Braiding hair

Krystn has never been big on me touching her hair. She even has her dad brush her hair if it is really tangled. She says I hurt her...but I say that I take after my Aunt Vickie. She use to line us girls up (there was 5 of us, 3 years apart) and do all of our hair, and if you cried or pulled away she would wack you with the brush and tell you to hold still. With all of us kids (13 with all cousins and siblings) it took way to long to get us all ready. So when Krystn was little, I knew she hated it. So I learned to do her hair really quick and tight so it would not fall out. When she turn around 6 is when she didn't want me to braid or doll it up anymore. So tonight we are just putt putting around the house and I asked her if I could do her hair. It has been a good 3 years since doing anything with her hair. It took convincing that she could take it out if she didn't like it, and 35 minutes after negotiating this is what the result was: It took about 3 minutes. She liked it for about 5, and then took it out. but this face is what I was going for! Oh, and that is the cat feather toy stick in her hand. She had to show that in the picture.

Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)

So I thought I could give some information on PDD-NOS. Krystn doesn't have the Autism. However, she has many of the behavioral issues and physical and mental problems associated with the PDD symptoms. "The term pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs) refers to a group of developmental conditions that affect children and involve delays or impairments in communication and social skills. Autism is the most well-known of the pervasive developmental disorders, so PDDs also are known as autism spectrum disorders." "Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) is a 'subthreshold' condition in which some - but not all - features of autism or another explicitly identified Pervasive Developmental Disorder are identified. PDD-NOS is often incorrectly referred to as simply "PDD." The term PDD refers to the class of conditions to which autism belongs. PDD is NOT itself a diagnosis, while PDD-NOS IS a diagnosis. The term Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS; also referred to as "atypical personality development," "atypical PDD," or "atypical autism") is included in DSM-IV to encompass cases where there is marked impairment of social interaction, communication, and/or stereotyped behavior patterns or interest, but when full features for autism or another explicitly defined PDD are not met." - Yale Medical School My favorite article: "Like other parents with children on the spectrum, you will face many challenges, starting with the incomprehension and insensitivity of others unfamiliar with your situation. They may think your child is "misbehaving" and, consequently, deem you a parent unable to "control" him. This may be especially true because PDD-NOS kids don't fit into the more easily identifiable forms of autism spectrum disorders. Ignorance can bring out the worst in others, and sometimes, when they're not privy to your child's issues (or simply don't understand them or won't accept the diagnosis, as happens in some families), they may be more judgmental. That's why it's important to surround yourselves with friends, family members, teachers and healthcare providers whom you trust. Be sure that the lines of communication with and among them are clear; you will be relying on them through the many ups and downs of life with a PDD-NOS child." So I hope this helps some people. It sure does me. It took us almost 10 years to diagnose Krystn. I am just glad I kept pushing, and never just pumped her full of meds, like so many doctors before wanted to do. There is hope out there! Scottish Rite here is fresno is one!! http://www.fresnoscottishritelanguagecenter.com/index.htm