Tuesday, August 07, 2007

The Start of Daily TS Tidbits and Other Random Thoughts

I've been annoyed how life has derailed my original intent of this blog. Although, I do have to say that I'm extremely lucky so far in that The Boy has not had Tourette's symptoms or tics that would actually give me much to write about on a daily basis. So yah, thank you God. I'll take it!

But in the interest of imparting information, I've decided to have my daily Tourette's fact or observation. Well, maybe not daily. But each time I post, I'm going to put a fact or observation about Tourette's first. Then I'll move on to whatever minutiae is on my mind at the moment.

Most of my facts will probably come from the virtual cornucopia of information that is the Tourette's Syndrome Association (http://www.tsa-usa.org/). They have been my main source of one-stop-shopping info. But I will also delve out into the webosphere in search of other information.

Today's Tourette's Tidbit (from the TSA site's Fact Sheet page):

Is obscene language (coprolalia) a typical symptom of TS? Definitely not. The fact is that cursing, uttering obscenities, and ethnic slurs are manifested by fewer than 15% of people with TS. Too often, however, the media seize upon this symptom for its sensational effect.

I found this one most interesting. I think those of us who are ignorant about TS (and I would say I was in that group until my son was diagnosed) think of this symptom first when we hear the word "Tourette's". I know that many movies and sitcoms make references to this. I know I've seen comedians burst out with a swear and then joke, "Oh sorry...I have Tourette's!" to big laughs. And I was one of the ones laughing. How funny that it's one of the less common symptoms of Tourette's.

The few people I've encountered with coprolalia didn't yell out swears. One pre-teen would just yell out random words that just weren't appropriate. Not in the politically correct sense. But in the, hey, that doesn't belong there sense. One kid would yell out "Metal!" or "Coffee!" So the whole swearing thing is a rarity. And I often wonder how the mind decides which random words to pick. I imagine it has a lot to do with your environment and experience. Although I have nothing to back that up. Just a hunch.

Now on to more stuff that doesn't matter...

I didn't post for quite a while because I was just too angry. And I'm really sick and tired of hearing and reading my own anger. I'm sure anyone just popping by here is, too. So I'll just Readers' Digest it here for you: Future ex spent a long time with his friends and then with his girlfriend. I got mad. I got raving lunatic mad. I had a nice little emotional meltdown. He got back in town this past Saturday. He's trying to be "helpful" by taking the boys out and such. It's so lovely to have someone take your kids so you can actually have time to....DO HOUSEWORK. Yah. Good times.

But I'm doing much better. God is much more powerful than my own anger. I sang at church on Sunday again. I love singing backups. Harmonies are my favorite. But every single song just spoke to me so powerfully so I was having one of those singing times where I was doing everything in my power not to start crying. I am not a pretty crier. I am not a dainty crier. I can't stand there singing with a single tear rolling down my cheek so that everyone just goes, "Awwww..." and weeps. No, my face scrunches up in the most horrific display. It's impossible to sing in tune when I get like this. So, as a service to my church and humanity in general, I stood there singing and silently praying, "Help me keep it together God! Pull me together!!!" And he did. I was able to truly worship and sing my butt off. One of my friends came up afterwards and said, "You were ROCKIN' that worship, girl!" Which meant she appreciated my sincerity of worship. Not that I was jumping around and crowd surfing.

That's about all I have. I'm not very creative today. And I must go pick up the wee one from day care. The Boy is having one on one time with his daddy. So I must go distract the wee one.

7 comments:

Trish Ryan said...

I can't wait to hear you sing! Hang in there. If God can hold you together in church so you can sing, I have no doubt that it's a metaphor for all the larger challenges in life he'll hold you together for so you can sing. Awkward, when described by me, but pretty impressive when it actually happens.

You are loved and missed, up here in the North!

Sarakastic said...

Sorry to hear that things are still rough & as for you thinking that you are whiny I miss it when you don't post & I don't mean that in a stalker way.

I'm not plagued by the "ugly cry", but I can't do a cute sneeze to save my life.

Kendra said...

I've been missing your posts as well, and sure have had you on my heart. Good to hear from you. Thanks for being honest. I'm with you on the ugly crier thing - glad the Lord held in the floodgate for your sake and the other worshipers sake - although I have a feeling they sure would have sympathized with you (they are that kind of people I'm thinkin'). Love you -
k

Angela Marie said...

I have to agree with trish ryan.
I know what you mean about the "ugly cry," and have done it too.

Lynette~ I know that I haven't been commenting, but I have been reading you. My heart just aches for you.
I don't know how to explain what has been happening with me but feel like I should share, than to leave you thinking that I am not commenting and just don't care. That is not the case. I have prayed about this, and feel I should be honest with you. I don't completely understand it myself, so bare with me. At the same time of your break-up, there are some friends of ours that also broke up. My husband and I spent a lot of time with, at one time. Well, When I commented one time that you were living and going through one of my worst nightmares, I wasn't kidding. Both of these break-ups have made me look deep into my own marriage... which is a good thing. But, at times.. I just hurt for you and what you are going through, I don't know what to say. With that being said, This blogging is new to me. If I lived close to you, that would be one thing, I could do many things.
Blogging is another... I have checked on you and I worry about you. I want to be an up-beat friend... and then all of these feelings are being stirred inside of me that sometimes I don't understand where they are coming from.
Oh Lynette! I feel like I am rambling and you are going to think I am a nut! I don't expect you to understand, I just wanted you to know that I haven't vanished...

(hugging you)

Allie said...

I'm not a pretty crier either. But somehow God manages to help me pull it together too just when I need him to. Even if I've hardly talked to him in days, I just need to go "Okay God, I just cannot cry in this situation or things will get really screwed up" and he works it out for me. He's cool like that. And it's great to hear it's the same for others, and I hope you don't feel the need coming on again to cry in the near future.

Wanda said...

So glad to have you back Lynette! Loved all your signs and captions! You are a survior....and make us smile while you are hurting...I think that's a gift.
Love you girlfriend, and will keep saying prayers...Maybe I'll sing a few.
Angela may think she's rambling, but she shares my heart too.

gorillarod said...

It's called the ugly cry..I do it too.