Not that anyone is asking

RFW said:
This is something I keep seeing in caseworkers in general. They are overloaded with difficult cases with barely enough time to study them properly. So prejudice does absolutely exist. It's easy when you already make up your mind about who to trust and no further investigation is necessary. Hell, even I am doing it right now because you seem like a good and honest man with your side of the story that I empathize. The difference is it's not my job to get it right. All in all, I can see and understand why these things keep happening but there is absolutely no excuse for potentially ruining people's lives when you could do better and choose not to.
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Yeah, you hear this case-overload excuse over and over. Seems the simple solution is to hire more caseworkers. I'm only guessing here, but I think they don't because then the directors and supervisors would be paid less and/or get fewer bonuses and benefits. If I'm right about that, then the safety, mental health, and futures of millions of children is forfeited to ensure hefty salaries.

And I do think I'm right.
 

I saw my doctor yesterday, my PCP. According to her scale I've actually lost 30 pounds, not a little over 20, like I thought.
And this loss has occurred over just the past year, after weighing the same (give or take 5lbs) since I was around 45.

So, now she's worried, too. She ordered some tests. I went to the lab for blood draws already and they gave me a fecal-test kit.
Next, they'll look inside, see if something's going on. But the thing is, I'm not hungry. That's what's going on. She wants to make sure there's not something wrong with my organs or whatever, and that's ok. If it comes down to just my appetite, there's a pill for that.
 
3am. Me and Li'l K were quietly watching lullaby videos and she drifted back to sleep. She's all curled up on this thing called a boppy pillow in my lap, doing little baby snores. I kind of hate to move her.

We're going to our doctor appointments tomorrow, her for an immunization, me for some lab work for the weight loss and a med review because because I decided against getting that injection in my spine. The PA at the pain clinic wants me and my PCP to discuss a medication called Buprenorphine. I haven't even looked it up yet. I always look them up, but Kailee's kept me so busy I haven't taken the time. I'll check it out after I put the baby in her crib.

She's doing really well. She was so stoic when we first got her, and she didn't move around much, but she's been very responsive the past couple weeks. When she's on her tummy she holds her head up and looks around, starting to grab at things - we lay her on her back on this pad that has colorful objects dangling from an arch over it. She's reaching up and grabbing them and does happy kicks. Her dark hair fell out and she's got a little bit of fuzz coming in now. It looks light. Very light blond.

She seems really happy. I better put her in her crib, then some soothing tea for Daddy.
 
Just a quick description from the NHS website Frank...

Buprenorphine is a strong opioid painkiller. It's used to treat severe pain, for example during or after an operation or a serious injury, or pain from cancer. It's also used for other types of pain you've had for a long time, when weaker painkillers have stopped working.
 
hollydolly said:
Just a quick description from the NHS website Frank...

Buprenorphine is a strong opioid painkiller. It's used to treat severe pain, for example during or after an operation or a serious injury, or pain from cancer. It's also used for other types of pain you've had for a long time, when weaker painkillers have stopped working.
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Thanks, Holly.

I also found this: Buprenorphine is an opioid used to treat opioid use disorder, acute pain, and chronic pain.

Firstly, that doesn't even make sense. Secondly, I don't have an opioid use disorder. This PA wants to get me off Norco. It was the very first time I've ever seen her. She doesn't know me or my history, she saw the word Norco on my medication sheet and went directly to the cut-off protocol. I've been seeing my PCP for over 5 years, and she knows my goal is to take the lowest dose possible of ANY type of pain reliever. She also knows I'm in a lot of pain, it's becoming more severe, and it's constant.

This article also says: At increasing doses, unlike a full opioid agonist, the agonist effects of buprenorphine reach a maximum and do not continue to increase linearly with increasing doses of the drug--the ceiling effect.

Sounds like the relief has a ceiling. ?? Like you get adequate relief until your pain worsens, and then you're out of luck because you won't get more relief above a certain dosage. Or maybe "agonist" means something entirely not that...like something physiological; your cell's pain receptors or something.
 
I gained a little weight.

I either haven't mentioned actual weights on here, or I've said that I lost, say, 20 pounds when in reality it was more like 30 (didn't want to worry anyone), but anyway, coming clean, today the doctor's scale said I'm 141 lbs, which is a gain of about 6 lbs since this time last month. I'm about 6ft tall after a major back surgery propped up my crumpled spine a bit, and my weight hovered around 175-180 lbs for over 30 years, until I suddenly lost my appetite a year ago. I've been slowly but steadily losing weight ever since.

Lab work today said liver damage is probably causing the loss of appetite/weight loss, and since there's not a lot they can do about the damage, my doctor prescribed oxandrolone, an appetite stimulant. Problem is, one of the side effects is it can cause cysts on your liver...gah! It's a rare side effect, and I'll be on a low dose and probably for only about 6 months, but I'll have to have my liver checked regularly. An up-side of the oxandrolone besides better appetite is that it might also help with my pain.

And for pain, my doctor prescribed Cymbalta and also increased my Norco from 4 caps per day to 5. The cause of the (new) pain is my L-4 vertebrae slipped down onto and slightly in front of the L-5 vertebrae. So I have an appt with my back surgeon in 3 weeks, and he'll probably schedule me for another surgery. We already talked about it last month. The timing is good bc Michelle has a school break in April.

And Li'l K got an immunization today. She didn't like it at all, and who can blame her?

On our way home from the doctors, me and K stopped to get a week's worth of groceries, but at check-out I found out I left my wallet at home. The cashier was a real turd about it....as if I drag a 2-month-old with injection-induced crankiness along with me on major shopping trips, and then say "oops" at the last minute just to mess with people. You have a nice day, too, ya little punk.
 
Murrmurr said:
3am. Me and Li'l K were quietly watching lullaby videos and she drifted back to sleep. She's all curled up on this thing called a boppy pillow in my lap, doing little baby snores. I kind of hate to move her.

We're going to our doctor appointments tomorrow, her for an immunization, me for some lab work for the weight loss and a med review because because I decided against getting that injection in my spine. The PA at the pain clinic wants me and my PCP to discuss a medication called Buprenorphine. I haven't even looked it up yet. I always look them up, but Kailee's kept me so busy I haven't taken the time. I'll check it out after I put the baby in her crib.

She's doing really well. She was so stoic when we first got her, and she didn't move around much, but she's been very responsive the past couple weeks. When she's on her tummy she holds her head up and looks around, starting to grab at things - we lay her on her back on this pad that has colorful objects dangling from an arch over it. She's reaching up and grabbing them and does happy kicks. Her dark hair fell out and she's got a little bit of fuzz coming in now. It looks light. Very light blond.

She seems really happy. I better put her in her crib, then some soothing tea for Daddy.
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She is a beautiful baby girl, gentle hug from me. Wishing the best for you and your health, thoughts with you all. 🧡
 
Murrmurr said:
3am. Me and Li'l K were quietly watching lullaby videos and she drifted back to sleep. She's all curled up on this thing called a boppy pillow in my lap, doing little baby snores. I kind of hate to move her.

We're going to our doctor appointments tomorrow, her for an immunization, me for some lab work for the weight loss and a med review because because I decided against getting that injection in my spine. The PA at the pain clinic wants me and my PCP to discuss a medication called Buprenorphine. I haven't even looked it up yet. I always look them up, but Kailee's kept me so busy I haven't taken the time. I'll check it out after I put the baby in her crib.

She's doing really well. She was so stoic when we first got her, and she didn't move around much, but she's been very responsive the past couple weeks. When she's on her tummy she holds her head up and looks around, starting to grab at things - we lay her on her back on this pad that has colorful objects dangling from an arch over it. She's reaching up and grabbing them and does happy kicks. Her dark hair fell out and she's got a little bit of fuzz coming in now. It looks light. Very light blond.

She seems really happy. I better put her in her crib, then some soothing tea for Daddy.
Click to expand...
Sending good, healthy vibes your way. May the good wishes and warm thoughts of those who care about you send a little cheerfulness into your world and help you feel better.
 
Li'l K's grandmother came to visit her yesterday. Her name is Anne. She's only 41 and she looks a good 10 years younger. She hardly ever put K down while she was here. She changed her diapers, fed her, played with her and cuddled her, and K took to her right away. She brought a bunch of really nice gifts for her, too.

Anne wants to foster Li'l K, so she's looking at houses within Sacramento County (which is huge), but CPS will transfer K's case to the county that Anne lives in provided she passes the background check and home inspection, and she probably will. The Sac Co caseworker said K's mom has 30 days to enter rehab here, and if she doesn't she'll have to enter rehab in Utah, near where Anne lives.

She talked about how K's mom got in on a bad path. She and her husband divorced 4 years ago, and their daughter went downhill pretty fast. Started using drugs, left home, got popped for shoplifting.

So anyway, I guess Li'l K's grandmother could come to take her home as soon as a month from now. The caseworker will keep us updated.
 
Anne will pick up Kailee tomorrow at around 1pm.

Kailee's mom was arrested on Saturday for drug possession and the worker went to see her on Monday after her arraignment to ask if she would voluntarily agree to Sac County placing the baby in Anne's care in Utah. The mom said yes.

By agreeing to that, in order to get Kailee back I'm pretty sure the mom will have to go to Utah to enter rehab and get reunification services, which includes visitation (after she's rehabilitated). I assume the worker explained that to her.

Anne called today. She said her approval process was expedited. She sat through two 2-hour interviews and then had her home inspected and approved for child health and safety the very next day. That's gotta be a record. She'd already been cleared by the FBI. They do the background checks. She sounded really excited....happily excited.

Anyway, I don't know if they're going to fly or if Anne's going to drive, but she'll be here to get Kailee tomorrow afternoon. She said she has everything Kailee needs, but we'll pack her clothes, bottles, and formula, and Anne can take em or leave em.

:( Yeah, I'm bummed. Michelle is sad. But we're happy for Kailee, though. (it's pronounced Ky-lee)
 
Murrmurr said:
Anne will pick up Kailee tomorrow at around 1pm.

Kailee's mom was arrested on Saturday for drug possession and the worker went to see her on Monday after her arraignment to ask if she would voluntarily agree to Sac County placing the baby in Anne's care in Utah. The mom said yes.

By agreeing to that, in order to get Kailee back I'm pretty sure the mom will have to go to Utah to enter rehab and get reunification services, which includes visitation (after she's rehabilitated). I assume the worker explained that to her.

Anne called today. She said her approval process was expedited. She sat through two 2-hour interviews and then had her home inspected and approved for child health and safety the very next day. That's gotta be a record. She'd already been cleared by the FBI. They do the background checks. She sounded really excited....happily excited.

Anyway, I don't know if they're going to fly or if Anne's going to drive, but she'll be here to get Kailee tomorrow afternoon. She said she has everything Kailee needs, but we'll pack her clothes, bottles, and formula, and Anne can take em or leave em.

:( Yeah, I'm bummed. Michelle is sad. But we're happy for Kailee, though. (it's pronounced Ky-lee)
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@Murrmurr
I know you and Michelle are going to miss Kailee. I hope you can feel content in knowing she is in good hands with her Grandmother. Ideally, it would be great if Kailee's mother could get clean. Perhaps one day, she will.
 
Knowing Anne was coming to get Kailee on Friday, me and Michelle took Li'l K to visit the kids and grandkids. Kirk and Ariel, especially, got real attached to her, and so did my youngest son's wife. So she got lots of hugs and cuddles and play, like "this little piggy" and stuff.

It was good to see how excited Anne was about taking K home. It was comforting. She hugged us and thanked us a bunch for taking good care of her granddaughter. She did take Kailee's clothes and the other stuff we packed. She plans to adopt Kailee if mom fails to get custody.

Anne said she'd write us every month and send pictures, and keep us in K's life and all that, but I told her I'd rather she didn't do that. She looked kind of dumbfounded, and Michelle looked at me like "What the...?" until I said "Hard to explain." Maybe Anne didn't fully understand, but Michelle did. I've been there with Paxton and it's just too painful. We didn't have Kailee nearly as long but....

You know what? It IS hard to explain. It's just best let her go and imagine she's happy and doing great.

Michelle went to do the shopping so I'm gonna go take the crib down and stow it away before she gets back.
 
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