Chloe's Home - Lemonade!

"Chloe's Home!" is what my husband and I laughingly said to each other after I walked up the stairs the other night after arriving home from work and my evening workout. There was stuff strewn from one end of the house to the other. Jeff described the elaborate cat fort that Chloe had devised with bed sheets outside on the upper deck. A plethora of huge trash bags were stuffed with toys, dolls and the like all ready for a grand garage sale Chloe is planning in an effort to make some extra school shopping money.

You see, this was the first day Jeff and I came home from work after Chloe's discharge. We discharged Chloe on a Thursday and immediately headed north for a soccer tournament with Sophia's team. She did great in Portland over the long weekend and we were so proud of how she used her new skills to communicate when she was overstimulated and struggling.

This first week home has been very successful as Chloe works hard to implement healthy habits and stay on track. Our therapist informs us that changing routines at home will be super difficult for Chloe and hard work. She says that for the past 13 years, Chloe has been on the same path, carving a trench in her mind and among her neurotransmitters. Now, we're asking her to change the path of those neurotransmitters with only 10 weeks of practice at treatment. She is doing super and is trudging along practicing healthy habits.

This evening we celebrated with the grandparents Chloe's successful arrival home. We're so happy to have her back and work on healthy days with her. Yummy lemonade my girl! We are so proud of you!!

Lemonade Ahead!

We're excited to report that Chloe will be discharged from residential treatment on Thursday! Just in time to travel to Portland to watch Sophia's soccer tournament. It has definitely been an eye opening journey and one that we will continue. I'm so proud of Chloe for her hard work, determination and courage and we welcome her home with open arms.

We all mourn the tragedy of Robin Williams taking his life yesterday, all at the hands of mental illness that is so shunned and stigmatized in our society. It shouldn't take his death to shed light on this void in resources, acceptance and support in our communities.

If you're a Southern Orgonian, join me at the March4Hope on Saturday, September 13, 2 pm at the Inn at the Commons in downtown Medford. Senator Dr. Alan Bates will be speaking to help raise awareness and urge reform. For more information, visit NAMI-SO on Facebook. Spread the lemonade!