Stir Crazy Caleb

Stir crazy (condition)

(emphasis added by me, indicates the "stir crazy" behaviors seen in Caleb)

Stir crazy is a phrase that dates to 1908 according to the Oxford English Dictionary[1] and the online Etymology Dictionary. Used among inmates in prison, it referred to a prisoner who became mentally unbalanced because of prolonged incarceration. It is based upon the slang stir (1851) to mean prison. It is now used to refer to anyone who becomes restless or anxious from feeling trapped and even somewhat claustrophobic in an environment, usually a confined space, perceived to be more static and unengaging than can any longer continue to hold interest, meaning, and value to and for them. 'Stir crazy' could be classified as a more specific form of boredom, but combined with elevated and often increasing levels of anxiety, frustration, agitation, figeting, manic depressive type mood swings, and accessory episodes of acting out violently or otherwise antisocially on those feelings, the longer the unengaging non-stimulating environment is persisted in. 'Stir crazy' has a similar meaning to cabin fever, except minus the urge to disengage and sleep more, plus the urge to engage and attempt doing anything perceived to be even slightly more constructive and productive, given the extreme limitations of the environment, even if plainly destructive, than doing nothing at all. Prisoners will sometimes initiate otherwise easily avoidable conflict for no other reason than they perceive they have nothing else better or more worth while to do.(this translates into more frequent fighting between Caleb and Benjamin)

 Stir crazy might colloquially be defined as finding yourself trapped in a waiting room without any apparent appointment time scheduled.

So, that just about sums up Caleb and his attitude right now (and let's face it, it describes my attitude too).  Caleb goes from being emotional, wanting 16 hugs in a row, telling me how pretty I am...to being sassy, defiant, belligerent, and downright grumpy.  I have found myself getting frustrated with him and his "stir crazy" attitude and then I have to remind myself what he has been through the last 2 1/2 weeks.  He is sick of being home.  He is sick of me asking him to lie down (he pretty much refuses at this point).  He misses school.  He misses his friends.  He wants to go to church.  He longs for his independence and freedom.  He is having to rely on me so much because he hasn't gained back the function he had prior to the surgery.  He can't get himself up to the table, he can't climb up on his bed, he can't walk into the next room, he can't climb his steps to brush his teeth, he can't get into the car by himself.  There are just so many things that he can't do right now, things that he was used to doing.  He is having to work so hard in physical therapy.  I was watching him just struggle to get into a tall-kneeling position today with Ms. Vicki.  It was so hard for him.  He has just lost so much strength and function.  He is gaining it back but it seems like such a long road and the kidney infection really set him back a bit.  Thankfully he is on the mend from the the infection and we are able to move forward with his recovery.

I'm not trying to complain or focus on the negative. While the last couple of weeks have been tough, I'm still very thankful:

*For how well Caleb's incision has healed.  We have not had a single issue with the incision.
*For the ability to be home with him during this time.
*For all the wonderful love and support we have received from friends and family.
*For all the notes, cards, gifts, and visits that Caleb has received.  I think we have had more visitors to our house in the last 2 weeks than we have had in the 8 1/2 years we've lived here!
*For all the prayers.  It is amazing to me that so many of you have never met Caleb, or me, but you love him and you prayed for him.  That just gets me all teary-eyed.

Okay, time for a few pictures:

We have had gorgeous weather this week so I have taken Caleb outside to soak up some Vitamin D and hopefully improve some of his "stir crazy" emotions (and mine too).

Benjamin had school a couple of days this week so Caleb had me all to himself.  We had a picnic lunch in the backyard yesterday.

With his kidney infection, Caleb has had access to more juice than usual.  I don't buy juice often but I needed to make sure he was drinking enough fluids. 

 (I was not given any monetary compensation from CapriSun-although I should have)

Being his silly self.  See, a little bit of sun did help his mood a bit.

Ah, love the toothless smile.

Blowing bubbles

I love this picture of Benjamin.  He was all hot and sweaty from running around like a lunatic in the backyard. His face was flushed and he had tiny sweat droplets on his forehead.  And I'm pretty sure that is a giant river of snot pouring out of his nose.  Awesome.

Caleb has been working hard for Ms. Vicki this week.  Here is picture of him sorta standing up.  She was offering quite a bit of support but he was able to put some weight on his legs, so that is an improvement.

Smilin' even when he is working hard.

Picnics in the sun and blowing bubbles can momentarily help with "stir crazy" behaviors but I think going back to school will be the cure for grumpy-pants Caleb.  So, I've decided to let him go back to school on Monday for just a few hours in the morning.  I'll likely keep him going a half-day until we have our follow-up appointment on May 1st.  I think Caleb will do fine with just 3 hours of school.  I think just being out of the house and spending time with his friends will do wonders for his current condition of stir craziness.  And just maybe, it will benefit my mental health as well.  :)