My hubby and I spent the nite out of town Saturday, my 17 year old was to be picked up by his Dad for the nite. We came home this afternoon to find my entire home had been tossed, we had been robbed. Apparently my kid blew off his Dad, invited a few "friends" over and it escalated. They stole computers, cameras, jewlery, designer clothing, drank anything they could and my son stated that it got out of hand. We called the police who took prints and interviewed neighbors who heard nothing.
My son refused to provide any names to help out and the police were really kind of help. After the CSI left and we were cleaning up the mess, my son went in to take a bath. He admitted to drinking and smoking pot and expressed a lot of remorse. I told him that I loved him but that he put our family in a lot of jeopardy. Anyway, he called out to me from the bathroom. I knocked and entered. He is usually very shy but he had a knife, a pair of scissors and a pen and had written on his chest some obsenities. I took away the sharp stuff, assessed him physically and he stated he had taken a bottle of Aleve and was feeling sick. Also stated he wanted to cut himself but the knife was not sharp enough and showed me some scratches on his forearm.
I called 911 and the EMT's arrived, his BP was way up, his BS was low, less then 60, he was started on IV NS and taken to our local ER. They tried a charcoal lavage and he is at this time very lethargic and still medically unstable to be moved to a Psych hold for a 5150. It's almost midnight and I am numb. His Dad has not returned any of my calls and I am sure I will be a wreck in the morning. The ER doc was a complete jerk who treated me like I was a felon and I wanted to punch him. I love my child, he is the only kid I will ever have and I want to do what is right for him but I cannot touch this pain he is having.
What an awful experience. To have this ability at our fingertips, to touch and heal a stranger and when our family members fall apart we are helpless. I wish I could cry. I wish I could rage against someone or something. I feel bewildered and helpless. I feel sorry for this young man who's smile can brighten any dreary day, who get's my jokes, who inspires me to be the best I can be. This kid who did such an abominal act that I have no understanding of. I guess I am angry that he would waste his life, but am not sure where to place my anger. He was not medically stable enough to be transferred to a psych unit when we left but they promised to place him in an observation unit and monitor his 02 sats.
I am quite sure this post will be eliminated (go on with the projected anger Haunted) but this is my resource right now and I am reaching out to my peers in compassion. I thank you for letting me vent.
I am so sorry for this. I totally understand. My son has tried to commit suicide several times. This started when he was 14 and he was in the hospital many times and 2 residential centers. It has been a hard road for us but now he is 18 and doing well. My advice is to make sure he is admitted into the teen not adult psyc. unit. Get a full evaluation done from a PHD psychologist your insurance will cover it and insist on this. Also get a drug and substance abuse evaluation it could be more than you know. It could have been the drugs/ alcohol that triggered this incident but I would consider this a huge red flag that requires further evaluation/counseling and seeing a psychiatrist. I would also remove your lock up your sharp objects and keep your meds locked up now. We have been through the overdoses and cutting on himself. He came out and told you, he wants and needs your help. Hang in there. Feel free to pm me. Is he on any medications?
From one mother to another, please know that I am thinking of you. We may be thousands of miles apart, but we are still mothers with teenage sons and that is not an easy thing in itself.
This is a great place for support - if you haven't done it already, perhaps you could set yourself up a journal here as well... sometimes it helps to look back and see how your journey has been - on the dark days it is good to see the evidence of the brighter days. I know right now there don't appear to be any rays of sunshine, but they will come. The journal doesn't have to be made public if you don't want, but is a good place to let off steam..
I am so, so very sorry. I am praying for your son as well as for you. Remember- you are getting him the help he needs, and he is still alive. Where there is life, there is hope. This will probably be his "rock bottom" that he will reflect back on for the rest of his life.
I am so sorry to hear what you went through, as a parent and parent of a 17 year old son I truely cannot imagine what that would be like. I do read into your post that since he called out to you that he really did not want to die. I remember being 17 and that's a very difficult time in life. My prayers go out to you and your family. Keep us informed. God Bless.
I cannot imagine how you must be feeling at this point. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your son for healing.[
I'm so sorry this happened to your son and family. I hope you'll remain open to individ. and/ or family therapy if they're suggested. Good luck-you sound like a very caring mom and he's lucky to have you.
wincha
339 Posts
I am so sorry for this. I totally understand. My son has tried to commit suicide several times. This started when he was 14 and he was in the hospital many times and 2 residential centers. It has been a hard road for us but now he is 18 and doing well. My advice is to make sure he is admitted into the teen not adult psyc. unit. Get a full evaluation done from a PHD psychologist your insurance will cover it and insist on this. Also get a drug and substance abuse evaluation it could be more than you know. It could have been the drugs/ alcohol that triggered this incident but I would consider this a huge red flag that requires further evaluation/counseling and seeing a psychiatrist. I would also remove your lock up your sharp objects and keep your meds locked up now. We have been through the overdoses and cutting on himself. He came out and told you, he wants and needs your help. Hang in there. Feel free to pm me. Is he on any medications?