Focusing on improvements

2011 is developing nicely for Elliot. He's earned a couple of perfect scores on math and science tests in January. And he's learning to use the computer to send messages to friends from school (at the moment, we're counting this as a 'positive'). It's nice when things are going well... so it can offset some of his frustrations.

For instance, he's experiencing new issues with his feet. He's being tortured with 'hot feet' - a stinging/burning sensation that offers no warning for onset. There's no rhyme or reason as to when this happens so the element of surprise seems to annoy him as much as the discomfort. He can be in the shower, the car, relaxing on the couch ...and all of a sudden the stinging sensation begins. And there's little we can do to ease the pain. It's internal, at nerve level.

I'm proud of him for handling his challenges with an improved perspective. He's working really hard on how he chooses to view his disease. I have to wonder if the strength he's building in coping with his disease is what's inspired him to climb out of his rut at school. Or - maybe his progress at school is making him feel better about himself and his situation. Either way, I have to say that as things get worse, they also happen to be improving.