Update On My Son

My son has been home for three weeks now.  There are improvements.  I would use the term big improvements.  When I say "big" understand that is relative to what we have grown used to as his "normal." 
He is taking better care of his appearance.  That is huge.  He was always meticulous about his appearance and his things.  He always looked just so.  It is hard for me when he lets himself go.  He was a walking advertisement for American Eagle.  His hair was always perfect.  He used to say he could not wait until he was an adult and could get his haircut every two weeks.  Now he will dress unusual.  Wear odd jewelry.  From the time he was young he looked as good in a shirt and tie as he did in a t-shirt.  He will dress odd and people will stare at him.  I am not ashamed of him.  There is a part of me that wants to say, he used to look great.  This is his illness.  It is good to see him cleaning himself up again.  At dinner tonight Tink looked at him and said, Uncle you look like you are in High School.  It was the clean shave on his face.
He is watching TV.  This might not seem like anything.  It is something.  He can watch entire shows.  He is even watching marathons.  Sure it is junk MTV.  I do not care.  What it signifies is he has more concentration.  I hope that is the start of good things.
I bought him a medication watch for Christmas.  He told me what time to set it to take his medicine.  Four times a day it beeps.  He takes the medicine.  If he is sleeping, he might hit a delay button for a little while.  Eventually, he gets up on his own and takes the medicine.  We do not have to remind him.  That gives him control and dignity.  Asking him if he took his medicine makes him feel like a child.  He was telling my brother and sister-in-law how great it is to have the alarm. 
He sleeps at night.  I am going to say that again.  He SLEEPS at NIGHT!  I think there have only been two nights that he has not slept.  He sleeps.  We sleep.  Staying on a schedule with constant sleep goes far for mental health.
He is eating.  Well.  He cannot afford to lose weight. 
He goes to the hospital for weekly blood tests.  That is big!!!  Big!!  The only time he is at the hospital is usually to be committed.  The fact he is calmly going weekly for tests shows a good comprehension of what is going on.
He is talking to himself less.  The delusions are not completely gone.  Baby steps work for us.
What is the downside?  Hubby and I wait for the bomb to fall.  When will he fall back down.  When will we have the next screaming fit.  When will this medicine fail.  We know this is last hope medication.  There are about three more medications they can try.  The one he is on right now is considered last line of defense.  I keep having this sick feeling in my stomach of what if......
I am trying to celebrate the small victories.  Tonight the kids were over.  He walked over to Coco, kissed her on the head and said hi sweetie.  She came over to me with a big smile.  Uncle kissed me.  That is a victory.
Baby steps to better mental stability.  I think we can all do a small happy dance and a thank you God!  We needed a break.