Catching UP: Kids, Cancer, Autism and Affairs
I just figured I would get a start and add a bit about my history. Maybe I, or someone here, will find it useful later on.
Thirteen years ago I came home from college to deal with "Severe Clinical Depression". Something I have fought with since junior high and will likely deal with for the rest of my life. The two good things to come from this is I met my future wife and began a job that would turn in to my career as a programmer.
Two years after coming home I was married. Three years after that our son was born (2007). Eleven months after that our daughter was born (2008). Both pregnancies were tough with my wife going into early labor (~20 months) and being put on mercury and bed rest to prevent premature births. After all was said and done neither child stayed longer than a week in the hospital after being born at 32 and 36 weeks.
A year and a half after my daughter was born the division I worked in was closed (Dec 2009). I am lucky enough to work for a company that was willing to relocate me and my family to a different division and I retained employment.
By the end of 2010 my daughter (just over two) stopped wanting to walk or use her legs at all. After months of fighting with doctors and getting tests we found out she had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Obviously this was a tough time on the family with lots of tears and scares. She completed treatment after two years and we counted our blessing at just how much easier she had it than so many of the other kids had.
Now our focus was on our son who, although very smart, was struggling in his PreK class. The schoolwork was easy but he was disruptive and struggled to maintain composure throughout the day. The school blamed it on a form of PTSD from his sisters hospital stays and sent him to a psychologist. It wasn't long before we realized this was not the issue. Another 6 months and we had the diagnosis of Asperger's (now part of Autism Spectrum Disorders). He has other "co-morbid" issues including ADHD etc.
The last couple years have been spent working with him and his special needs teachers to get him through school with as few problems as possible. To note, he is in accelerated classes in knowledge but remedial social skills.
During my daughters treatment and continuing through today I have also suffered from gout. I was slightly over weight to being with (10lbs) but have gained another 60 due to inactivity. I have tried multiple medications and supplements as well as a change in diet. Finally just a few months ago I started being able to get out and do yard work and exercise a bit. Although still a bit scared to push it to much I am devoting myself to getting back in shape now that my uric acid levels are stable (but still a bit high).
That brings us to today. After all of this my wife and I have let ourselves get off track. It is difficult to go out or do anything when all of your money goes to extensive medical bills but that is no excuse.
Last week, my wife admitted to 6 months of affairs with several men. For the first time in years, through all that we have dealt with, this is the first time I have felt truly lost.
Thirteen years ago I came home from college to deal with "Severe Clinical Depression". Something I have fought with since junior high and will likely deal with for the rest of my life. The two good things to come from this is I met my future wife and began a job that would turn in to my career as a programmer.
Two years after coming home I was married. Three years after that our son was born (2007). Eleven months after that our daughter was born (2008). Both pregnancies were tough with my wife going into early labor (~20 months) and being put on mercury and bed rest to prevent premature births. After all was said and done neither child stayed longer than a week in the hospital after being born at 32 and 36 weeks.
A year and a half after my daughter was born the division I worked in was closed (Dec 2009). I am lucky enough to work for a company that was willing to relocate me and my family to a different division and I retained employment.
By the end of 2010 my daughter (just over two) stopped wanting to walk or use her legs at all. After months of fighting with doctors and getting tests we found out she had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Obviously this was a tough time on the family with lots of tears and scares. She completed treatment after two years and we counted our blessing at just how much easier she had it than so many of the other kids had.
Now our focus was on our son who, although very smart, was struggling in his PreK class. The schoolwork was easy but he was disruptive and struggled to maintain composure throughout the day. The school blamed it on a form of PTSD from his sisters hospital stays and sent him to a psychologist. It wasn't long before we realized this was not the issue. Another 6 months and we had the diagnosis of Asperger's (now part of Autism Spectrum Disorders). He has other "co-morbid" issues including ADHD etc.
The last couple years have been spent working with him and his special needs teachers to get him through school with as few problems as possible. To note, he is in accelerated classes in knowledge but remedial social skills.
During my daughters treatment and continuing through today I have also suffered from gout. I was slightly over weight to being with (10lbs) but have gained another 60 due to inactivity. I have tried multiple medications and supplements as well as a change in diet. Finally just a few months ago I started being able to get out and do yard work and exercise a bit. Although still a bit scared to push it to much I am devoting myself to getting back in shape now that my uric acid levels are stable (but still a bit high).
That brings us to today. After all of this my wife and I have let ourselves get off track. It is difficult to go out or do anything when all of your money goes to extensive medical bills but that is no excuse.
Last week, my wife admitted to 6 months of affairs with several men. For the first time in years, through all that we have dealt with, this is the first time I have felt truly lost.
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