If we are facing in the right direction, all we have to do is keep on walking. ~Buddhist Saying

Note: Recently, I made the decision to share more about my family’s Lyme diagnosis and treatment; part of it is cathartic, and in part to help increase awareness about the impact of Lyme.

As my younger son got in the car after school on Monday afternoon, I asked him the usual questions: “How was your day? How were your classes? How was the wandering?”

The typical answers are “fine”; “good”; and “okay” but I was surprised when he replied “, Mom, I didn’t wander today.”

The “wandering” refers to my son’s inability to sit still for any length of time in his chair. Sometimes he gets up to sharpen his pencil. Sometimes it is to look out the window. Other times it is to get a drink of water or to talk to another student.

When I’ve met with his teachers, the issue of his wandering around the classroom always comes up: it is disruptive to other students and it frustrates the teachers; is there any way he can just stay seated during the class?

I was surprised to hear him say he didn’t wander around the classroom and even more surprised when he told me that he was able to focus and remain focused in all his classes.

“Really?” I asked.

“Really” he replied.

He was very nonchalant as he told me he was able to keep up with the teacher’s instruction during math class for the first time he could remember and then he casually told me he going to work on his homework when he got home from school.

I held my breath before letting it out slowly. No wandering in the classroom? Classroom instruction that made sense to him? Sitting down to do homework, without being asked? My son was progressing and moving forward in a positive direction. Treatment was working!

During winter break, C had had four more neurotherapy sessions and our doctor said he was responding favorably. My husband and I had seen some improvements in his temperament and patience; he looked forward to each treatment, yet I had no idea I would see such a positive change at school.

When we arrived home, I hugged him and told him I was proud of him; his commitment to his neurotherapy treatment, the supplements, and all the doctor appointments. He didn’t say a word, instead, he hugged me tighter.

This week, there have been no emails or phone calls from his teachers. My son has been able to sit down and focus on homework each evening, he has not complained about school, and his attitude about going to school has been positive the last three mornings. I like this new path; there is hope and another victory to celebrate.

I won’t leave my son’s side as we continue to keep walking forward, one step at a time.