Friday Wrap-Up

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My meeting with the principal and vice-principal last Friday went fairly well. Seems there was a significant lack of communication that contributed to the "tone" of the email from the vice principal. I got to hear how they had really treated Cam with kid gloves last year - gave him a break "maybe too often" (their words) - and are disturbed that he was recently overheard saying, "I don't have to do my work in class - they just pass me anyway."

After finding out about this comment, they decided to put a thumb on Cam (something I've requested all along - consistent accountability) and are now surprised that he seems a bit defiant and uncooperative. I think this is most frustrating because I spent last year telling the school they were NOT doing Cam (or themselves) any favors by letting him "get by," now they are surprised and frustrated that it's biting them in the ass? Hello?

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I mentioned last week that I've decided to consider "better living through chemistry" options for Cam. We went back to the doc on Tuesday to get his blood work results and guess what? He is anemic - his red blood cells are too small and he has a significant iron deficiency (FAR below the normal range). Not sure what the exact cause is, but diet is likely the greatest factor. I'm working on increasing the iron content in his (our) diet, reducing iron blocking foods (milk, eggs, etc.) and serving vitamin C rich foods with every meal (to aid in iron absorption). He's on an iron supplement now as well.

Interesting enough, symptoms of low iron levels include depression, fatigue, listlessness, impaired learning and cognitive function, ADD and ADHD type behavioral disturbances, poor memory, decreased attention span and increased distractibility. Until we get his iron levels into a normal range, there will be no consideration of any other meds.

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Found this self portrait of Cam on the camera when I downloaded my HNT shots this week. I have no idea how he got this (this was straight from the camera - no editing), and although it has a bit of a "dark" feeling to it, I like it for the emotion it shows.

(*CLICK* to big it)

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Speaking of HNT, I had a bit of a change in self-perception yesterday. Usually, when I post an HNT shot, as I look at it throughout the day I become more and more critical of it. Picking out the flaws in not only myself, but in the composition of the photo as well. That didn't happen yesterday. In fact, the more I looked at the photo, the more personally detached I became, and the more I was able to see the beauty in it. Odd feeling - very odd feeling.

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