Often during my journey somewhere over the spectrum I get off the yellow brick road and find myself lacking a strong heart, courage and knowledge to stay the course. While looking for the wizard to show me the way, I put my faith in things that are seen. Time after time I am reminded that my plans are not HIS plans and I am left finding humor in these instances.
Since Emily was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 3, I have been consumed with the fear of puberty. Two weeks before Thanksgiving I was forced to face those fears and I was not prepared. How do you explain menstruation to a child like Emily? How could I teach her self help skills related to this when she just became independent with pooping? Thankfully it was just a light period and aside from her being proud to wear a pad and announcing it to everyone she met, it was tolerable. After much thought and speaking to her pediatrician we decided a continuous dose of birth control was best for her. She did not need the added stress of a period. I could not keep her home one week every month without facing regression at school and there was no way I could send her and ask the teachers to handle that. So she started on those magic little pills that were going to prevent anymore worry.
Taking the pill was a challenge. She can't swallow pills, so every night I hid that tiny thing in a spoon full of cool whip or ice cream. Met with some resistance, spitting it out and even chewing, we stayed the course. There was not going to be a period because we were taking these pills. I was sure of it. Well, a week into the second month I went to give her a bath and low and behold there was blood. I was in denial. It couldn't be. It shouldn't be. Maybe if I ignored it then it would go away. She was teary and emotional after bath and wanted to go to bed at 6:15. So I put a pad in her panties and put her to bed. It was just a one time thing. She'd wake up in the morning and be fine and I'd send her to school. Because they said she wouldn't have a period on the pills. I was awakened the next morning by two pair of messy panties on the floor and my girl who kept saying, "It's ok baby. I know your tummy hurts. Mommy will rub it." Not only was there a period but she was in pain. In an effort to soothe her, I got her a milkshake from McDonald's. I took a picture of my precious girl to post for prayers and maybe to complain a little. After posting it and saying "Lord help us" I saw the Church sign behind her. Faith. It was at that moment I realized I had put my faith in those little pills when it should have been elsewhere.
I smiled and the rest of the day was filled with things I found humorous...Pulling up to the drive thru and the lady asking if we wanted ketchup and Emily replying to her, "Hey! My pad hurts." No thanks lady. We have enough red today.
I am currently awaiting a return call from the pediatrician to determine if she can get the shot to cease menstruation. Believe when I say I am not putting my faith in a shot!
Thanks for reading~
Jessica
