The new Mason.
We have not seen a seizure in 2 ½ weeks (first time in 5 years!). As a result, he is a very different boy. We are still trying to figure him out, but it will probably take some time yet. This is what we have seen so far:
- Much longer attention span.
- Chatterbox, non-stop some days!!!
- Repeating words after us
- Comprehending what we say better
- Following more directions – more cooperative
- On the computer a lot – more interactive than before
- Walking more vs. running
- Can make his voice quieter on occasion
- Sleeping through the night (no seizures waking him)
- Not napping (no seizures to tire him out) – but staying awake late
- Seems to know what he wants sometimes, but is unable to communicate it resulting in more tantrums – throwing himself to the floor
- Mood swings as a result of brain surgery itself – may go on for a while yet ?????
- Mood swings from hunger???
- Sometimes is more difficult to distract if throwing a tantrum (longer attention span!!)
- Loud
- Appetite is much less - sometimes prefers to be fed
- Not drinking enough – keep his water cup with him, meds need to continue to be flushed from his system – he has become an occasional sipper
- Interests seem to have changed ????
- Is bored with adults – needs kids!! – tends to copycat kids more than us adults
- Extreme separation anxiety (has been with Mom nearly every moment for 4 weeks)
New obsessions:
- Repeated touching his nose
- Repeated touching the floor
- Tilting his head onto his right shoulder
- Touches his right eye repeatedly when upset
- Computer – hard to get him off
- Trucks, tractors trains, cars
- Hypersensitive to some sounds - water running scared him for a few days
- There may be other things scaring him that we are not aware of
Ways to distract unwanted behavior:
- Sneeze or cough – he will laugh
- Peek-a-boo – where’s Mason?? (or name of friend . . . .)
- Say “Where’s a truck???”
