Anaemic.

Well tablets definitely having an affect as that which had been very light is now rather heavy. Oh good. Thankfully have realised today that the low mood, headaches, fatigue and irritability are related and that maybe it's not a good idea to take my calcium supplement at the same time as my iron one. So many little things to juggle at the same time.

Had a bit of a rubbish morning, went to our local children's centre and as usual was too busy supporting D that I didn't have time to talk to anyone else. Due to the lack of iron I had a huge headache and was feeling really dizzy and irritable anyway, plus M kept me up last night from 12 - 4 and 5 -6 so was quite tired. I don't often get the chance to talk to parent's at these sessions, but I feel they all know me as the mum with the disabled child... Very lonely feeling and very sad as I feel it is impacting on M as the focus is always on D.

M in super whingey mood for a specific snack, so I lost my eye on the ball, hence D getting hungry and having a huge, huge HUGE strop over a tricycle. Of course it had to be at story/singing time when it was nice and quiet. Trying to sort D out I then return to find M scooting around the room on a beanbag, fun but bumping into people potential so felt embarrassed. D is still kicking off so lots of people are staring at me and I felt totally conflicted as to stop M or at least take D some place she won't disturb story time. Thankfully D really wanted to do what I wanted her to do (which had caused the strop) and leaving her to it was the best thing. As it was so public it was all I could do not to cry.

You can guess what happened next - one of the workers asked me how I was and there were tears. As I said to her, when you get given a diagnosis, you become your child's therapist, advocate, social worker, carer, the whole lot. The mothering role get's lost. Of course it's still there, and D wouldn't be doing so well in general if I wasn't mothering but even so. Plus I have to keep M in social situations too. The problem is, people only ever want to know what's happening with D's school status, and I do tell them, and they say, "Oh you're doing magnificently Rachel, you do so well!" This is of course a wonderful thing to say, and appreciated, but quite honestly I'd rather move on from being a mother of a disabled kid who is after all a child like any other. This is going to sound ungrateful, but I also hardly ever get a drink when I go to this group as I'm simply too focussed - I kind of wish the appreciation would include the physical too. But then I'm expecting mind reading, which is unfair.

The kids absolutely love this group, and talk about it for much of the week, so I feel we do have to go regularly. Plus it's good for D to be put in supported but stressful situations and good for M to see the other kids. I'm worried he doesn't play with them much though.

Sick to the stomach with all the bloody school stuff.

Drinking very dark cocoa in an attempt to assimilate iron and cheer up. Writing this has been very therapeutic though, as today was a doddle in comparison to many, many days we have had. I don't mind how things are at all, just maybe I need to acknowledge them a little more.