Cat-astrophe Averted!

Great News! The reinstated regiment of cleaning and locking up my three kitties has paid off and so far (knock on wood) our PT is no worse for wear.

*huge sigh of relief*

When I first wrote about the possibility of loosing Anna, it was surprising to some that I felt so close to our PT. In my defense, she comes into our home, works with our daughter every week (that we're in town) for an entire hour, offers me support, suggestions, her corner chair on wheels, smiles, encouragement, and just about anything else she is able to give. Anyone would feel close to someone that does all that for your family, but those aren't even the most important thing she gives.

Anna trying to sooth a very mad Rae.

She gives her affection and love to our daughter and that makes a HUGE difference. It is a connection that goes beyond just your random doctor or the specialist you see twice a year. She's a friend.

Recently. we missed three therapy sessions with Anna due to a death in the family. After missing week number two I was about to become a basket case because I knew I didn't have all my therapy "stuff" and therapy is the only thing we have.

When we returned, I was excited to know that therapy would resume and at the same time dreaded the "clean-up." Now, I don't expect my husband to run around the house with a vacuum like I do so it was no real surprise that our couch was covered in enough hair that it looked like we cloned a cat. Tufts of fur were dancing across our floors and the cats looked like they ruled the roost. I had to nip that in the bud right away...Anna was coming in a few days and this placed needed to be hair free (like there is such a thing).

After extensive fur removal, we were finally as ready as we were going to be for our reunion with Anna. Rae was dressed, fed and watching Curious George while we waited for the door bell to "buzz."

"Buzzzzzz!"

I scooped up Rae and opened the door. It had been three weeks and there was no telling how Rae was going to handle the reinstatement of her therapy routine or the reunion with Anna.

She SMILED!

Her grin was from ear to ear, her legs started swinging, she started babbling, and even giggled a little. She remembered Anna and was happy to see her. I was so thrilled that she recognized this wonderful woman who works with her even when she is behaving like this...

Anna is, like another mother/blogger* said, our daughters friend and nothing can replace the important role she plays in Rae's life. Thank you Anna for sticking it out in spite of your allergies.

*If you are interested in reading about the journey of another family please visit Dana Nieder's blog Uncommon Sense.

A Cat-astrophe!

Some relationships that develop while learning how to navigate in the world special needs will become significantly more personal than others. You may not feel as close to your child's Ophthalmologist as you do their Neurologist. I think it would depend on how often you see that particular specialist. In my case, I have become very attached to Rae's physical therapist. We met Anna through Early Steps and while I was nervous about having a new person come into our home every week that apprehension quickly faded away. Now I look forward to hearing the buzz of our doorbell every Wednesday morning. Unfortunately, our patient/therapist relationship isn't without some kinks.

Tummy time with Anna.

During our initial meetings with Early Steps, I made mention that we were the owners of three, strictly indoor, cats. That means we have cat dander and hair pretty much all over the place. I wanted them to make note of this so we could be matched with a PT that didn't have allergies, especially to cats. In an effort to stress this feline fact, I mentioned at least three separate occasions. Satisfied that I did my part to avoid developing an attachment to someone that couldn't stay I put the potential catastrophe to bed and moved on. Imagine to my surprise, after waiting for two or three weeks for Early Steps to find a PT, when I first spoke with Anna and once again asserted that we are a feline friendly home she admitted to being...you guessed it...allergic to cats!! Like you didn't see that set-up coming a mile away.

Tigger

Houdini and Moo-Shu

Aaaarrrrrggggghhhhhh!!!!!

Well, she was still willing to give it a try and I was determined to do everything I could to make her comfortable outside of getting rid of our cats or pumping her full of Benadryl the minute she set foot through our door. So, every morning before Anna arrives I vacuum our entire living room (including the furniture), chase down the hair balls which seem to multiple over night, and corral the cats into our bedroom. This effort has been richly rewarded by no incident of an allergy flare-up. That us until recently...of course.

Anna and Rae working on head control.

During the holiday season, when everything is hustle and bustle, I was not as dedicated to making sure the above noted measures were completed prior to Anna's arrival. The first week she made no mention of it and everything appeared to be going as usual. The second week the sneezing began and I ended up hunting for tissues. I vowed that the next week would NOT be the same and I would do everything that I usually do to make sure she was comfortable. I was overwhelmed with contrition and apologized profusely for my lapse in housekeeping.

Well, that weekend I received a call from Anna...I was dreading that call because in my gut I knew it wasn't good. She said that for two or three days after her visits she experienced discomfort caused by our cats. I felt horrible and then afraid of losing her. She offered to try another week or we could contact Early Steps and inform them we needed a new PT. Panic was beginning to wash over me. What if they couldn't find someone for another two or three weeks? Who was going to work with Rae? What if the new person doesn't like us or we don't like them? What if they heap loads of guilt on top of the already gigantic pile of guilt I already feel over my perceived lack of follow through? I can't loose Anna!

Rae and Anna playing in her sensory box.

Ultimately, it is not my choice. It is her and that is what I told her. I don't wish her to continue coming here and being uncomfortable for days after. I reassured her, yet again, that I was willing to give it another try if she was comfortable and also willing.

Our next visit went better and even though I am recommitted to making this relationship work I feel like we were just handed our two weeks notice. I don't think I will be completely confident that Anna isn't leaving until another month has elapsed. Here's to my New Years Resolution: keep things clean and contained for Rae's sake. I really don't wish to start over with a new PT.