It’s his very own.
It’s not like yours and mine.
He thinks about it. ALL the time.
Our air gives us life and breath and oxygen and growth.
His air could lead to death.
In Prader-Willi syndrome, at some point in childhood, hyperphagia sets in. Hyperphagia is experienced as a chronic hunger, or never feeling full. It’s an obsession with food, which leads to excessive overeating, and a host of medical issues, if not carefully supervised. Children and adults with PWS die every year from choking to death, and from ruptured stomachs due to eating binges.
It could look like this:
- A 5-year-old who sneaks into the pantry in the quiet of the night and opens all the cans. And eats. And eats.
- The kid at elementary school who takes a look into others’ lunchboxes and snatches their food.
- The teenager who steals money from her parents to use the vending machine at school when no one is watching her for 20 seconds.
It could be my 11-year-old who looked liked a cat, ready to pounce on Luke or Kate, while they were packing their school lunch bag, or preparing some breakfast. And I had to be the Kitchen Bodyguard, a role I never fathomed would be mine. Never.
I want to describe a week in our life with Ryan, where his food drive went from 0-60 overnight. We had this 7-day “episode” of intense hyperphagia, and then his food preoccupation returned to as it was. We have always kept a food schedule, watched his diet, and made adaptations along the way, as his food interest has increased. He has become more and more preoccupied with food, but it’s been manageable. It’s been a slow burn.
Yet, what I will describe is not uncommon in the daily lives of most persons with PWS.
One Sunday morning, the Food Monster came out. All Ryan wanted was food. He was already a bit out of his mind (due to illness and the house remodel), so it was very difficult to use logic and the clock to explain when and what he would eat. I did my best to hold off and risked his aggression for not adhering to his demands and requests. I accelerated the schedule, but did not give in, no matter how much he told me he was hungry.
Nothing could distract him. Not the tv, the iPad, reading, his workbooks, music, the backyard swing, nothing. In his psychosis and fragility I couldn’t leave home with him. It felt like being caged in with a nasty, unpredictable dog. And yet, it was MY CHILD. If he wasn’t sleeping, or needy-crying, Ryan was asking for food.
Monday morning, he woke up in the same mind set. With coaxing and cajoling to do his before-breakfast-routine FIRST, he did get to breakfast time. I gave him the usual choices and portions. Then he wanted to eat his snack and lunch. Right then. I had to talk him off the ledge. He got mad when Luke or Kate were eating their breakfast and he wanted more. SLAP! Went his hand to me. I had Chris take over since he was becoming aggressive. I scooted out with Luke to get him to school.
When I returned, he was badgering me to give him his lunch. I had already taken it out of his backpack, so he couldn’t get at it. I relented and gave it to him because his agitation was rising and I really did not know what to do. This was NEW territory.
He ate his entire lunch box contents in less than 5 minutes.
It’s a wonder he didn’t choke he inhaled it so fast. We are used to Ryan inhaling his food, but this was an all-NEW pace. Like an animal. Like a prison camp survivor. It was gross and scary to watch.
After he left for school with the help of school staff, I called my friend and mentor, Lisa Graziano, at the Prader-Willi California Foundation. I am sure she receives millions of these calls, yet she always makes you feel so listened to, and doles out her expertise with such patience and a calm disposition.
Lisa reminded me, “Food is like air to them. You cannot take it away. The natural consequences that he ate his lunchbox before school, and therefore doesn’t get anything else till afternoon snack, will NOT work.” (Consequences don’t work in PWS, anyway.) She told me I must bring to school the same lunch, nothing special, but exactly as packed before. And I was to lower the calories rest of day. Kids with PWS have low metabolism, so their diet must be regulated carefully. Oh, you are hungry all the time, and you get LESS than everyone else, that sounds like a winning combo double whammy. Vent over.
Lisa also reminded me to NEVER EVER give food outside of the schedule.That although it seemed I was pacifying Ryan’s anxiety, it actually increased his anxiety. The reason is that when you give extra food, you are showing them there is NO SCHEDULE to rely upon, and to give them “food security” as we call it in PWS-land.
Kitchen Bodyguard was my role the rest of that week. I put spiral combination locks from Rite-Aid on the fridge and pantry. Ryan was not happy about this, but I kept telling him it was about my caring for him, protecting him, all for him. If I was prepping food, I had another adult there to stand watch. I thought about all the PWS moms, dads and caregivers out there who have been dealing with this level of intensity in the food drive. Think about how many times a day you open the pantry and fridge, especially if you have other children to care for. Not to mention play-dates, parties, family get-togethers. I joked we would all lose weight cause we just didn’t want to bother with the damn locks 12,000 times a day.
AND—what is it like for Ryan and all persons suffering from PWS? How does it feel TO THEM to worry constantly whether they will get their daily meals and snacks without interruptions or changes? If we can imagine that food equals air to them for just a moment, we can imagine the anxiety and panic we’d feel if we were short of breath or suffocating.
I seriously wondered if this was going to stabilize or if this was going to be the New Horrible Normal with Ryan. By Monday night, March 2st, Ryan’s cold and cough were completely resolved. And therefore, his good brain chemistry washed over him and returned Sweet Ryan to us. Just like that. It was over. I know it sounds insane, but it’s true. His food drive was just as it was before the crisis, manageable. I kept the locks positioned in the kitchen for the next few days, just to be sure. But poof, the intense obsession faded, and my job as Kitchen Bodyguard was shelved.
Until the next time. And there will be a next time.
Adrienne says
The ups and downs, extremes and “norms”…thanks for sharing glimpses into life for you all. And praying for you as you ride out each wave, friend. xoxox
Lorrie says
Thanks for giving us a glimpse inside your life. The education I’m getting from you words is essential. Like air. It is heartbreaking and relentless and then he comes back to you. Call me when you need another adult to stand by. I can prep dinner or be with Ryan. Seriously. Drop everything get my butt over there serious.
Jana says
My favorite part was that Sweet Ryan did return… Just look into those beautiful eyes of his to remind yourself that you are strong for him and for your family Jess. Thank you for sharing.
Tim Morey says
Thank you Jess. Lord bless you guys –
Kristn says
You wrote this so beautifully Jess! I’m sure this will inspire the other mothers dealing with the same PWS situations. You have such a gift for reaching right into the sole of others. Glad to hear all is better.
Lynn says
My tears flowed as I read this, for both Ryan and you. I am praying right now for a cure, something to give both of you relief…. Our God can do it, I pray He does soon. You already have great strength, I can see that in you, but I also pray that God gives both of you even greater strength to overcome. The suffering Ryan and your family endures breaks my heart. Thank you for sharing in such loving words what Ryan’s life is like and what your life is like. Big Hugs for both of you.
Cynthia MacPhee says
Thanks for sharing Jessica!
Lora says
The strength you hold within you is awe-inspiring my friend. Thank you for sharing your life with us and helping us to get a TEENY TINY glimpse into what it’s like.
Paria Hassouri says
Thank you for your bravery……for sharing your story…..for using your powerful words to give us a glimpse into the life of families with a child with PWS.
Stephanie says
That was so intense and made me sad For your sweet boy. I know I cannot empathize, but I certainly can understand having a difficult child that throws a wrench in the flow of our day to day lives. You are stronger than I could ever be. You are an incredible mom, of course your only human, but I’m in awe.
Jan says
Wow just wow