GAINESVILLE FRIDAY NIGHT/SATURDAY
We arrived in Gainesville about 7:30 / 8pm, went to the hotel to unload and re-group to present in the morning. A couple families were still hanging around the pizza party area so it was nice to visit with some people we only know from the Internet. A FACE! ;0)
So after we got everything in our room we went back to the conference area to see if the board meeting was completed to possibly meet up with Michelle (President) for details on when we will be speaking and where. We found the little bar and grill with some folks in it and planted ourselves to see if anyone would drop in. Many non pws traveling people were in watching the game and took in the information we were discussing about the conference. Nancy and I met a couple of people who were interested in learning about PWS and were very pleasant to spend time with. The guys were supportive, one actually called to leave fundraising information on my cell phone. Roger might possibly help with a antique car/motorcycle club fundraiser. What wonderful people in this world. An interesting conversation sparked when the TV on the other side of the rooms volume went up regarding the upcoming elections.....
We closed the place down at about midnight, Tressa had such a wonderful time with the bartender, so cute. She asked that the women babysit her baby while she went to work (Tressa) The women "MANDY" answered the hotel phone and Tressa FIRED her from babysitting and told her should should not talk on the telephone while she should be babysitting her baby. Kaitlyn played the video games the entire night. The cook made an error on an order so they took fries and chicken to Kaitlyn and got Tressa up to the bar with diet coke and a cherry. Tressa is so into a conversation with Mandy, telling her her life story. We were having a great time with a small amount o new found "friends" for the moment. EDUCATION about PWS at a high.
Saturday morning
Tressa wakes me before 5 am saying she wants breakfast. I get her back into bed and again at 7 am she wakes me saying she had a bad dream and didn't sleep well. Nancy wakes and says Tressa was in her room (joining rooms) during the night. We get ready to get to the conference doing our hair and makeup. Tressa has to wash her face, something was on it. Nancy checks her tums but all there.
We head to the conference after a 1/2 hour searching for Kaitlyn's glasses with no luck. The kids go into their groups with peers and Nancy and I run to grab coffee and a bite to eat. The conference is starting and Adele is here.. So wonderful to see her. She is an adult with PWS who taught me so much the first year I had Tressa. Tressa is loosing it because the hotel doesn't have cereal. She has to have cereal every morning. ROUTINE.
We get her calm, get into the opening speaker. I have a feeling of warmth. A feeling of belonging that I haven't always felt in this group. I can not explain why but this was all feeling wonderful. Many of the new families are here and they are so welcoming. Michelle is an amazing person.
Tressa wets her pants just before noon and I scramble to find a change of clothes. She now has lost her classes, we search for them and can not locate them.....TWO PAIR of glasses... Kaitlyn and Tressa ..
Lunch is served and now it is time for Nancy and I to present. I am feeling good as is Nancy. We present about 2 hours on IEP and school communications and supports. DOE/APD/Special Olympics/FBA/PIP/Family Care Council/ESE Advisory/Etc... We had some very hungry families needing information who were attentive.
I remember I need to give Tressa her antibiotic for her ear ache and When I open the bottle THEY ARE GONE!!!! Tressa admits that during the night she ate them. (THUS THE STUFF ON HER FACE WE THOUGHT WAS TUMS) Oh my goodness. Dr. Driscoll has gone and now we search for another medical professional... The 400mg chewable tabs smell like candy..I didn't think, I didn't think!!!!! I call poison control and we discuss her weight, the time that has passed and the amount... At first it said 40 pills so we figured she ate 32. It puts the toxic level to go to ER. then I remember the pharmacy put the order into two bottles so only 20 in search and she had a days worth and then 2. So, she ate 14. this brings the levels to a watch. She is acting usual, is having diarrhea which they said would be normal and a belly ache although she isn't saying she has one, I am not sure she would. Her urine is suppose to smell musty.... so I go back to her morning clothes... Pee smells musty???? I am no smell detector but smelled like urine and not smelling musty???? She rinks water all afternoon, no problems other than lots of bathroom breaks.
The day finished with some prizes for the kids and lots of hugs of support. I plan to get more involved with this group over the next year. We went back to find Tressa's glasses although Kaitlyn's never showed up. We stopped for a bite to eat and fill up and head home. Jordan is calling crying for Mom to get home. We drive straight on and arrive in my drive way after a short sop in the Tampa area to pick up Birthday gift bags for Kaitlyn's MAKE UP Birthday Party by MaryKay which is Oct 4th.
Jordan was asleep although gae a cute smile when I kissed his cheek. Lucas had held out as long as he could for us although was sleeping now. MIDNIGHT. we unpack necessary items and head for bed. The entire way home we recapped our first co-presenting experience and plan to do many many more as helping families learn how to use their DOE materials to educate themselves with ease.
