October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Ladies, have you had a mammogram in the past year? If not, and you're of the recommended age, why not make your appointment now? Done properly, it's not really painful. A tad uncomfortable perhaps, but it only lasts a moment.
I had my mammogram today. The mood lighting and soft music didn't really enhance the experience. Add a glass of wine or some dark chocolate and we'll talk. Come on, this is "second base" we're talking about!
Anyway, I'm properly positioned between the two plates and holding on to the handle as asked (what is this - a ride on Space Mountain?!). As the radiologist steps behind the monitor to snap the picture, she says, "okay, hold still now." Excuse me? Where could I possibly go?
I'm just saying....
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Monday, October 05, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
His Magnetic Personality
He's seven and a half - well beyond the age of "knowing better." Yet Son #3 managed to swallow a magnetic rock several weeks ago. He was never the kid who put foreign objects in his mouth, even as a baby, but lo and behold, this time he did.
A couple of phone calls to our pediatrician and the local emergency room confirmed what we suspected. Since it was only one magnet and no other metal was involved, we just had to wait it out - pun intended. We were on high alert all week but no sign of the magnet. Not exactly something you can ask the school nurse to monitor, y'know?
After a week our doctor recommended an xray to be sure the magnet passed. That's not something you want to discover during an MRI years down the road. Xray showed all was clear.
I guess this means I can no longer threaten to stick him to the side of the refrigerator if he misbehaves.
A couple of phone calls to our pediatrician and the local emergency room confirmed what we suspected. Since it was only one magnet and no other metal was involved, we just had to wait it out - pun intended. We were on high alert all week but no sign of the magnet. Not exactly something you can ask the school nurse to monitor, y'know?
After a week our doctor recommended an xray to be sure the magnet passed. That's not something you want to discover during an MRI years down the road. Xray showed all was clear.
I guess this means I can no longer threaten to stick him to the side of the refrigerator if he misbehaves.
Monday, May 04, 2009
Prayers for My Mom
Sorry, I've been out of touch. I just returned from Washington, DC where I was visiting my mother, who has been ill. She was hospitalized the Monday after Easter with pneumonia. During the 12 days she spent in the hospital, they didn't have her up and walking at all (to regain her strength).
She was released a week ago Saturday (the day I arrived). By her third day home, it was apparent that she really wasn't ready to be released straight to home. She's back in the hospital now and will be going to a short-term in-patient rehab program soon.
It's difficult because she's always been very independent (works full time, lives alone). But there's no reason to think that she won't be able to return to her former level of activity after she rebuilds her strength and stamina.
Still, say a little prayer for a speedy recovery.
She was released a week ago Saturday (the day I arrived). By her third day home, it was apparent that she really wasn't ready to be released straight to home. She's back in the hospital now and will be going to a short-term in-patient rehab program soon.
It's difficult because she's always been very independent (works full time, lives alone). But there's no reason to think that she won't be able to return to her former level of activity after she rebuilds her strength and stamina.
Still, say a little prayer for a speedy recovery.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Breaking Up is Hard to Do ;-)
It seems my 30-year love affair with soft contact lenses has come to an end. I've known for a couple of months now that we were on the decline, Contacts and I, but I was in denial. I tried everything in my power to make this relationship work. But neither a trial separation (since this summer), professional counseling (okay, an opthamologis), nor prescription eye drops, could save this relationship.
You may recall that I had an inkling of trouble in August of 2007 when my annual eye exam revealed that I had "dry eyes." My optometrist recommended over-the-counter drops (Systane) and no contacts for two weeks. When I returned, everything looked good. Contact and I, we were happy. Or so I thought.
This past summer, I started having trouble with my eyes: redness, significant decrease in vision. I made an appointment with an opthamologist in August who confirmed severe "dry eye syndrome." She put me on a steroid eye drop to help with the inflammation, plus the prescription Restasis, which is supposed to help you produce more tears. She asked that I check back in three months.
Today was my follow up appointment. My eyes look better, but still very, very dry. While I held out hope that Contacts and I could work it out (is was just a dry patch, right? ha ha), it's not meant to be. Certainly Contacts and I could occasionally get together for Old Time's Sake? But no. The doctor feels that even wearing contact lenses part time would irritate my eyes. A clean break. No on again, off again (or in again, out again).
Today, she inserted little plug into the ducts in my lower eyelid to help prevent draining too much of my eyes' natural lubricant. It was a mildly uncomfortable procedure - not painful at all. I'll have to continue with the absurdly expensis Restasis drops, probably forever.
But what to do about my myopia (nearsightedness)? If not Contacts, then what? Glasses? Never been a fan. The pair I have are cute, stylish, lightweight - everything a gal could ask. But they're just not "me." I miss the peripheral vision that my old love, Contacts, provided and I have the bruises to show for it (hey, who moved that wall??).
Oh, and I'm of a 'certain age' which means: bifocals. (Quoting Charlie Brown: ARRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!). And while I'm at it, I'll need prescription sunglasses.
Or laser surgery. Blades/lasers near my eyeballs - not an appealing thought. But one I'm considering. I have a lot of homework to do in that regard. The feels that I'd be a good candidate for PRK (photorefractive keratotomy). I'd still have the dry eyes to contend with, and would probably still occasionally need reading glasses (the age thing), but it might be worth considering.
You may recall that I had an inkling of trouble in August of 2007 when my annual eye exam revealed that I had "dry eyes." My optometrist recommended over-the-counter drops (Systane) and no contacts for two weeks. When I returned, everything looked good. Contact and I, we were happy. Or so I thought.
This past summer, I started having trouble with my eyes: redness, significant decrease in vision. I made an appointment with an opthamologist in August who confirmed severe "dry eye syndrome." She put me on a steroid eye drop to help with the inflammation, plus the prescription Restasis, which is supposed to help you produce more tears. She asked that I check back in three months.
Today was my follow up appointment. My eyes look better, but still very, very dry. While I held out hope that Contacts and I could work it out (is was just a dry patch, right? ha ha), it's not meant to be. Certainly Contacts and I could occasionally get together for Old Time's Sake? But no. The doctor feels that even wearing contact lenses part time would irritate my eyes. A clean break. No on again, off again (or in again, out again).
Today, she inserted little plug into the ducts in my lower eyelid to help prevent draining too much of my eyes' natural lubricant. It was a mildly uncomfortable procedure - not painful at all. I'll have to continue with the absurdly expensis Restasis drops, probably forever.
But what to do about my myopia (nearsightedness)? If not Contacts, then what? Glasses? Never been a fan. The pair I have are cute, stylish, lightweight - everything a gal could ask. But they're just not "me." I miss the peripheral vision that my old love, Contacts, provided and I have the bruises to show for it (hey, who moved that wall??).
Oh, and I'm of a 'certain age' which means: bifocals. (Quoting Charlie Brown: ARRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!). And while I'm at it, I'll need prescription sunglasses.
Or laser surgery. Blades/lasers near my eyeballs - not an appealing thought. But one I'm considering. I have a lot of homework to do in that regard. The feels that I'd be a good candidate for PRK (photorefractive keratotomy). I'd still have the dry eyes to contend with, and would probably still occasionally need reading glasses (the age thing), but it might be worth considering.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Rollercoaster - Part 2
Originally this was part of yesterday's post, but it was just too darn long so I separated it out.
I've posted about Son #1's growth issues in the past. Here are some posts you can visit if you want to get up to speed:
He had a follow up appt. with the endocrinologist at the end of May. Although Son #1 gained weight (yay!), when you factor in the height increase (1/2 in. in 6 mos), it ends up equating to a net loss. Sigh.
Doc recommended a Growth Hormone Stimulation Test, which we took on June 3rd. Son #1 had to start fasting at 9pm the night prior. We drove to the hospital about 35 miles away, checked in and Son #1 was led to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). Sounds much scarier that it is. It turns out that - fortunately - the PICU is not a busy department and therefore can conduct the 3+ hour hormone stimulation test properly, usually without interruption. (Doc said the hospital closest to our house is "too busy" and if the bloodwork isn't drawn exactly in the right increments, it negates the entire test).
They insert a Hep-Lock in Son #1's arm (an IV port). They draw baseline bloodwork. They give Son #1 Clonadine (tablets) and Glucagon (shot in the tookus) to 'stimulate' an insulin/growth hormone response.
Thirty minutes after the meds, they draw blood. Sixty minutes after meds, they draw blood, Ninety minutes after meds, they draw blood. One hundred twenty minutes after meds, Son #1 had to pee, gets nauseous and weak, they draw more blood. He finally dozes. One hundred eighty minutes after meds, they draw the last round of bloodwork.
Now I understand what I mean when they say that blood must be drawn at exactly the precise intervals or else the entire test is a bust!
They feed us - an unexpected treat (I fully expected to have to stop for food on the way home). Son #1 ate cheese pizza and drank Gatorade ... a must before Nurse Nancy would remove the IV port from Son #1's arm.
The test results will be forwarded to Son #1's endocrinologist in 3 to 4 weeks. I'm not sure what to make of all this. I've been doing research, off and on, for a while now. Information overload. On one hand, I'm 5' 1" and I don't feel 'shortness' is a condition that necessarily needs to be cured. Hello, Michael J. Fox (5'4") and Al Pacino (barely 5'6" if I had to guess).
I remember watching a special on 20/20 on TV a few years ago about teens/young adults who had growth hormone injections. How much it hurt, how much it cost. I remember Son #1 who must've been about 8 at the time saying he didn't want any of that. He's happy the way he is. The way God made him. That's a pretty compelling argument.
But there's a flip side. Many studies have shown that children (and adults) who do not produce enough growth hormone (you don't stop needing the growth hormone once you've reached adulthood), are at increased risk for: 1) obesity - altho' this is unlikely to be an issue for Son #1, 2) osteoporosis - which runs in my family, and 3) early onset coronary artery disease - Dear Hubby had stents at 34 and triple bypass at 36.
So it's not really a matter of curing 'shortness'. Unfortunately, many insurance companies consider growth hormone therapy a 'vanity' treatment. Test results should be in by the end of the month. Stay tuned....
I've posted about Son #1's growth issues in the past. Here are some posts you can visit if you want to get up to speed:
- Failure to Thrive (November 19, 2007) - Son #1 was prescribed a drug designed to prevent muscle wasted and stimulate appetite and prevent muscle waste.
- More Questions than Answers (April 23, 2007) - chronicling our first visit with the pediatric endocrinologist.
- 56 is the Magic Number (April 12, 2007) - pediatrician is alarmed that Son #1 has not only fallen off the 'growth curve' two years ago, he's no longer following the curve.
He had a follow up appt. with the endocrinologist at the end of May. Although Son #1 gained weight (yay!), when you factor in the height increase (1/2 in. in 6 mos), it ends up equating to a net loss. Sigh.
Doc recommended a Growth Hormone Stimulation Test, which we took on June 3rd. Son #1 had to start fasting at 9pm the night prior. We drove to the hospital about 35 miles away, checked in and Son #1 was led to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). Sounds much scarier that it is. It turns out that - fortunately - the PICU is not a busy department and therefore can conduct the 3+ hour hormone stimulation test properly, usually without interruption. (Doc said the hospital closest to our house is "too busy" and if the bloodwork isn't drawn exactly in the right increments, it negates the entire test).
They insert a Hep-Lock in Son #1's arm (an IV port). They draw baseline bloodwork. They give Son #1 Clonadine (tablets) and Glucagon (shot in the tookus) to 'stimulate' an insulin/growth hormone response.
Thirty minutes after the meds, they draw blood. Sixty minutes after meds, they draw blood, Ninety minutes after meds, they draw blood. One hundred twenty minutes after meds, Son #1 had to pee, gets nauseous and weak, they draw more blood. He finally dozes. One hundred eighty minutes after meds, they draw the last round of bloodwork.
Now I understand what I mean when they say that blood must be drawn at exactly the precise intervals or else the entire test is a bust!
They feed us - an unexpected treat (I fully expected to have to stop for food on the way home). Son #1 ate cheese pizza and drank Gatorade ... a must before Nurse Nancy would remove the IV port from Son #1's arm.
The test results will be forwarded to Son #1's endocrinologist in 3 to 4 weeks. I'm not sure what to make of all this. I've been doing research, off and on, for a while now. Information overload. On one hand, I'm 5' 1" and I don't feel 'shortness' is a condition that necessarily needs to be cured. Hello, Michael J. Fox (5'4") and Al Pacino (barely 5'6" if I had to guess).
I remember watching a special on 20/20 on TV a few years ago about teens/young adults who had growth hormone injections. How much it hurt, how much it cost. I remember Son #1 who must've been about 8 at the time saying he didn't want any of that. He's happy the way he is. The way God made him. That's a pretty compelling argument.
But there's a flip side. Many studies have shown that children (and adults) who do not produce enough growth hormone (you don't stop needing the growth hormone once you've reached adulthood), are at increased risk for: 1) obesity - altho' this is unlikely to be an issue for Son #1, 2) osteoporosis - which runs in my family, and 3) early onset coronary artery disease - Dear Hubby had stents at 34 and triple bypass at 36.
So it's not really a matter of curing 'shortness'. Unfortunately, many insurance companies consider growth hormone therapy a 'vanity' treatment. Test results should be in by the end of the month. Stay tuned....
Monday, June 09, 2008
Quite the Rollercoaster..(Part 1)
I'm just going to toss this out there...no deep introspection. I've been mulling this over for a bit and haven't quite figured out what to say/think about it, so I'm going to put toss it out there. Maybe I'll analyze it later. Maybe not.
Sons #1, #2 and Dear Hubby are heading off to Boy Scout camp three states away. They leave the Sat. before Father's Day (June 14), will be gone for Son #2's birthday (June 17) and will return on Sat. June 21 (two days before Son #1's birthday). They'll have a blast, but cell phone coverage in the mountains of Georgia is spotty at best, so it will be very strange going days without knowing what they're up to, how they're doing...
Dear Hubby's upcoming job interview. The good: slightly more money (he's close to maxing out in his current position), better opportunity to broaden his skills. The bad: giving up the company car (gas, maintenance, insurance paid by the company), more overnight travel, although they say he'll be able to set his own travel schedule. He really wants this so if it fits in with God's plan, I hope he'll get it. If not, then it wasn't meant to be.
Sons #1, #2 and Dear Hubby are heading off to Boy Scout camp three states away. They leave the Sat. before Father's Day (June 14), will be gone for Son #2's birthday (June 17) and will return on Sat. June 21 (two days before Son #1's birthday). They'll have a blast, but cell phone coverage in the mountains of Georgia is spotty at best, so it will be very strange going days without knowing what they're up to, how they're doing...
Dear Hubby's upcoming job interview. The good: slightly more money (he's close to maxing out in his current position), better opportunity to broaden his skills. The bad: giving up the company car (gas, maintenance, insurance paid by the company), more overnight travel, although they say he'll be able to set his own travel schedule. He really wants this so if it fits in with God's plan, I hope he'll get it. If not, then it wasn't meant to be.
My eyesight has been another source of anxiety. You might remember that last year at annual eye exam I had problems with dry eyes, which was news to me. (Click here and here for background.) At that time, my optometrist said recommended several weeks of wearing glasses (UGH!) and using eye drops. My vision improved enough for the doctor to prescribe a type of contact lenses made specifically for dry eyes - Accuvue Oasys. All's been well until a couple of weeks ago.
I've experienced a rather dramatic decrease in my vision. With contacts lenses, it's not as noticeable although I do seem to benefit from reading glasses. However, with my new (less than 1 year old) prescription eyeglasses, my vision STINKS! I can no longer see the alarm clock from across the room when I'm wearing glasses. I cannot read email without removing my glasses and having my face THISCLOSE to the monitor (blogger font fortunately is larger than my default email font).
I'm inclined to think it might be the dry eyes again. Truthfully, I wear contacts 90% of my waking moments and they feel fine so I tend not to remember to use the drops. In addition, since my mini-vacation in May, I've had trouble with first allergies and then a cold so it's possible that the decongestants and anti-histamines are having an impact.
I'm trying to give my eyes a rest (no contacts, using eye drops regularly) for another couple of weeks. If things don't improve, I'll forgo my usual optometrist and visit an opthamologist instead. Keeping my fingers crossed that there isn't anything seriously wrong.
So there it is....tossed out there. Just the facts. For now.
Friday, February 22, 2008
FLU - The Sequel :-(
Those of you who read my blog at least semi-regularly are probably thinking, oh, she already blogged about Son #3's recent bout with the flu. But, sorry to say, this is a new flu post.
First, I have to say that for a family of five living in a house smaller than 1200 sf, it's pretty amazing that only Son #3 suffered from the flu. The rest of us managed to dodge it. (Click here if you need a refresher.) If there was a small blessing, it was that the kids were off of school for a week because of the Mardi Gras holiday and therefore, Son #3 only missed one day of school due to the flu.
That was then, this is now.
Fast foward three weeks. Yes, a mere three weeks. To the day. Son #3 (yes, him again) wakes me at 2:00 a.m. with a host of complaints. He's hot, he's cold, his tummy hurts, his legs hurt, his head hurts, he can't stop coughing, etc. This sounds familiar, I thought, but what are the odds?
I called the doctor's office as soon as they opened, and thankfully, they didn't try to encourage me to "just keep an eye on it for a couple of days" like last time. Bad advice for the flu. If you catch it within 24-48 hours of the onset of symptoms, it can be treated with Tamiflu. Tamiflu doesn't 'cure' the flu, but it decreases the rate at which it multiplies in the body and therefore lessens the duration and the severity of the symptoms (5-7 days, rather than the usual 7-10 days).
Of course by this point, the receptionist probably thinks I'm a likely candidate for Munchausens by Proxy. The doctor, however, check Son #3 out, did a culture for strep and the flu. Guess which one came back positive?
Yep, it's going to be a loooonnnnnggggg week.
First, I have to say that for a family of five living in a house smaller than 1200 sf, it's pretty amazing that only Son #3 suffered from the flu. The rest of us managed to dodge it. (Click here if you need a refresher.) If there was a small blessing, it was that the kids were off of school for a week because of the Mardi Gras holiday and therefore, Son #3 only missed one day of school due to the flu.
That was then, this is now.
Fast foward three weeks. Yes, a mere three weeks. To the day. Son #3 (yes, him again) wakes me at 2:00 a.m. with a host of complaints. He's hot, he's cold, his tummy hurts, his legs hurt, his head hurts, he can't stop coughing, etc. This sounds familiar, I thought, but what are the odds?
I called the doctor's office as soon as they opened, and thankfully, they didn't try to encourage me to "just keep an eye on it for a couple of days" like last time. Bad advice for the flu. If you catch it within 24-48 hours of the onset of symptoms, it can be treated with Tamiflu. Tamiflu doesn't 'cure' the flu, but it decreases the rate at which it multiplies in the body and therefore lessens the duration and the severity of the symptoms (5-7 days, rather than the usual 7-10 days).
Of course by this point, the receptionist probably thinks I'm a likely candidate for Munchausens by Proxy. The doctor, however, check Son #3 out, did a culture for strep and the flu. Guess which one came back positive?
Yep, it's going to be a loooonnnnnggggg week.
Saturday, February 02, 2008
FLU :-(
The kids are out of school this coming week for the Mardi Gras holiday. It won't be a fun week, though. Son #3 has the flu. I knew his buddy at school was diagnosed with the flu and wasn't in school Tuesday and Wednesday so I figured it was only a matter of time.
Son #3 (who turns 6 in a couple of weeks) came home from school Thursday and complained of headache and nausea. I gave him a Children's Motrin, and he immediately gave it right back, if you catch my drift. He had a low fever most of the evening and couldn't keep anything down. Not even water. He and I spent the night in the living room with his new best friend, Mr. Wastepaper Basket.
On Friday, the nausea subsided. Or migrated south (if you catch my drift again). His fever was up to 101.3, but he was able to eat a couple of dry waffles. Later he complained that he felt like he "just got off a spinny ride" which I took to mean dizzy. I called the doctor's office and the nurse who screens the calls said it didn't sound like flu since his fever wasn't very high (later that evening it was 103.8). She advised that we monitor him "for a couple of days."
Persistence pays off, though, and she did fit us in. By this time Son #3 was quite lethargic and fell asleep on the exam table while we were waiting for the doctor. She walked in, took one look, and said 'flu.' She did a nasal swab to confirm (*that* woke Son #3 up). Since we brought him in within the first 48 hours of the onset of symptoms, she prescribed Tamiflu, which doesn't kill the virus, but it is supposed to lessen the "down time" from 7 - 10 days (!) to 5 - 7 days.
A good thing I didn't monitor him for a couple of days, as the nurse suggested. At that point, it would've been useless to start the Tamiflu. We're knocking wood (and obsessively washing hands) that Son #3 seems to be the only one affected.
Son #3 is more alert today, a little ornery and argumentative, which tells me he's starting to feel better. Still, it's going to be a long week.
Son #3 (who turns 6 in a couple of weeks) came home from school Thursday and complained of headache and nausea. I gave him a Children's Motrin, and he immediately gave it right back, if you catch my drift. He had a low fever most of the evening and couldn't keep anything down. Not even water. He and I spent the night in the living room with his new best friend, Mr. Wastepaper Basket.
On Friday, the nausea subsided. Or migrated south (if you catch my drift again). His fever was up to 101.3, but he was able to eat a couple of dry waffles. Later he complained that he felt like he "just got off a spinny ride" which I took to mean dizzy. I called the doctor's office and the nurse who screens the calls said it didn't sound like flu since his fever wasn't very high (later that evening it was 103.8). She advised that we monitor him "for a couple of days."
Persistence pays off, though, and she did fit us in. By this time Son #3 was quite lethargic and fell asleep on the exam table while we were waiting for the doctor. She walked in, took one look, and said 'flu.' She did a nasal swab to confirm (*that* woke Son #3 up). Since we brought him in within the first 48 hours of the onset of symptoms, she prescribed Tamiflu, which doesn't kill the virus, but it is supposed to lessen the "down time" from 7 - 10 days (!) to 5 - 7 days.
A good thing I didn't monitor him for a couple of days, as the nurse suggested. At that point, it would've been useless to start the Tamiflu. We're knocking wood (and obsessively washing hands) that Son #3 seems to be the only one affected.
Son #3 is more alert today, a little ornery and argumentative, which tells me he's starting to feel better. Still, it's going to be a long week.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Failure to Thrive
(Background info: click here and here for more info about Son #1's condition....)
Most of us moms are at least vaguely familiar with the term: failure to thrive. Usually it brings to mind infants who are not growing as expected. I guess, technically, that would be Son #1. He was born in the 50th percentile for height and weight, but quickly dropped to the 10th percentile and then to the negative 10th percentile, which means that although he was still following the curve for "normal" development, he was not gaining weight/length at the rate of a "normal" baby.
Still. Failure to Thrive. Although it's been in the back of my brain, I've never seen them in print on a medical chart until today. My "baby", for the record, is 12 years 5 months old. I'll admit that it's distressing to learn that your child at any age isn't growing as expected. However, at this point (pre-teen years) his life is not in danger. I should point that out.
Son #1 was referred to an endocrinologist for testing in April. Blood work was okay (human growth hormone was at the low end of normal). Bone x-ray was a bit disturbing. Apparently the bigger the gap between "bone age" (indicated on the xray) and chronological age, the better. Son #1's gap wasn't much. :-(
Today's visit was slightly encouraging. Son #1 grew 3/4 an inch (more than he's grown in the past two years). I knew it would be good news, because I noticed that his size 8 Slim school pants were *finally* getting too short. (Did I mention that he's 12.5?).
The doctor wants to try an appetite stimulant. Periactin is the most popular. It's from the same family as Benedryl, though, and can make kids drowsy (altho' that would be a welcome change from Son #1 as long as the drowsiness didn't occur in school), and it can make them fidgety (Son #1 is on ADHD meds to make him less fidgety. Let's not cancel that out.)
Instead the doctor recommends a medicine called Megace which is used to stimulate appetite and prevent muscle loss in AIDS patients and cancer patients. The biggest risk to Son #1 is that it may delay puberty, which the endrocrinologist said may not be an altogether bad thing. The greater the amount of growth between now and the post-puberty growth spurt at which most boys peak, the better. The medicine is expensive - about $550 retail (my insurance copay is $100) but we figure it's worth a try. If we can encourage Son #1's appetite now and perhaps avoid the human growth hormone injections (to the tune of tens of thousands per year) in the future, it would be less invasive in the long run.
I'll keep you posted.
Most of us moms are at least vaguely familiar with the term: failure to thrive. Usually it brings to mind infants who are not growing as expected. I guess, technically, that would be Son #1. He was born in the 50th percentile for height and weight, but quickly dropped to the 10th percentile and then to the negative 10th percentile, which means that although he was still following the curve for "normal" development, he was not gaining weight/length at the rate of a "normal" baby.
Still. Failure to Thrive. Although it's been in the back of my brain, I've never seen them in print on a medical chart until today. My "baby", for the record, is 12 years 5 months old. I'll admit that it's distressing to learn that your child at any age isn't growing as expected. However, at this point (pre-teen years) his life is not in danger. I should point that out.
Son #1 was referred to an endocrinologist for testing in April. Blood work was okay (human growth hormone was at the low end of normal). Bone x-ray was a bit disturbing. Apparently the bigger the gap between "bone age" (indicated on the xray) and chronological age, the better. Son #1's gap wasn't much. :-(
Today's visit was slightly encouraging. Son #1 grew 3/4 an inch (more than he's grown in the past two years). I knew it would be good news, because I noticed that his size 8 Slim school pants were *finally* getting too short. (Did I mention that he's 12.5?).
The doctor wants to try an appetite stimulant. Periactin is the most popular. It's from the same family as Benedryl, though, and can make kids drowsy (altho' that would be a welcome change from Son #1 as long as the drowsiness didn't occur in school), and it can make them fidgety (Son #1 is on ADHD meds to make him less fidgety. Let's not cancel that out.)
Instead the doctor recommends a medicine called Megace which is used to stimulate appetite and prevent muscle loss in AIDS patients and cancer patients. The biggest risk to Son #1 is that it may delay puberty, which the endrocrinologist said may not be an altogether bad thing. The greater the amount of growth between now and the post-puberty growth spurt at which most boys peak, the better. The medicine is expensive - about $550 retail (my insurance copay is $100) but we figure it's worth a try. If we can encourage Son #1's appetite now and perhaps avoid the human growth hormone injections (to the tune of tens of thousands per year) in the future, it would be less invasive in the long run.
I'll keep you posted.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Not For the Faint of Heart
If you're the squeamish sort - especially about dental stuff - hit the "back" button NOW!
Still with me? Okay. Sunday morning in church, Son #3 (age 5 1/2) whispers to me, "Mommy, I have boo boo on my lip." He was pointed to his gum, however. I gently pull is lower lip to take a look. At the very bottom - where the lip meets the gum - was a hole. Yes, a hole.
But not just any hole. This one had - are you ready for this? - part of a tooth root (yes, ROOT) protruding. I almost fainted on the spot. Broken bones, stitches, blood? I can handle it. Tooth-related stuff? Nuh uh.
Son #3 has this pesky baby tooth that's been slightly loose for almost a year now. It's the bottom front, on the left. The permanent tooth is growing in right behind it. At his last check up in May, our dentist, Dr. C said if the tooth doesn't fall out by this upcoming visit - scheduled for Nov. 29, he would probably pull it.
I left a message on the answering machine at my dentist. They open at 9:00 a.m. on Monday so of course I was on the phone calling them again at 9:02. I know, I know. Give the receptionist a chance, sheesh. But hello? Hole? Tooth root? Come right in, she said. So we go. Son #3 meanwhile is handling it fine. It's tender, but not too bothersome to him. (Plenty bothersome to me.)
The dentist and the hygienist take a look and start saying stuff like, "Wow, would you look at that?" "Oh my, that really is a root." and my favorite: "I've never seen that before." Not what a mom wants to hear.
Dr. C used a cotton swap to push on the root to confirm that, thankfully, it's the root of the loose baby tooth and not the permanent tooth. Apparently since the permanent tooth grew in behind, and not beneath, the root of the baby tooth never dissolved as they usually do.
Dr. C is a family dentist but doesn't specialize specifically in pediatrics, nor is his office equipped to do sutures so he referred me to another dentist, Dr. Jill. Dr. C was concerned that if he pulled the baby tooth and the gum split, he wouldn't be able to stitch the gum.
Luckily, Dr. Jill's office was able to fit us in. She was able to extract the tooth without splitting the gum. Son #3 was thrilled that the tooth fairy visited him last night. As for me, I'm thrilled that the 4 1/2 hour ordeal is over.
Are you ready for a picture? It's not a great shot, but to the left of the tape measure is Son #3's baby tooth. It looks like an icicle. See the point of the root? OUCH! And it measure about 1/2 an inch. For comparison, on the right of the tape measure is Son #2's same baby tooth. 
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Ouch
We joined a modest fitness center earlier this month and I finally got around to going on Wednesday. Suffice it to say it's been way too long since I've exercised and I'm feeling it now.
I rode the recumbent bike for a bit to warm up, worked with weights, then rode the bike again to cool down. I was pretty pleased with myself for sticking it out for longer than five minutes, but I forgot to take into account that the fitness center is on the second floor of a gymnastics studio. No elevator. Trying to maneuver down the stairs on my now-jello legs was a workout in itself.
I'm supposed to go back tomorrow but I'm pretty sore. (I'll probably go, but I'll take it a little easier than I did yesterday.)
I'm no longer a Weight Watchers member. I hit a plateau before summer started (I had lost 18 lbs). I haven't gained any back since then, but I think I've lost all I can just by portion control and counting points. It's time to - gasp! - exercise! Ironically, I did lose two pounds since quitting WW three weeks ago. Go figure.
I rode the recumbent bike for a bit to warm up, worked with weights, then rode the bike again to cool down. I was pretty pleased with myself for sticking it out for longer than five minutes, but I forgot to take into account that the fitness center is on the second floor of a gymnastics studio. No elevator. Trying to maneuver down the stairs on my now-jello legs was a workout in itself.
I'm supposed to go back tomorrow but I'm pretty sore. (I'll probably go, but I'll take it a little easier than I did yesterday.)
I'm no longer a Weight Watchers member. I hit a plateau before summer started (I had lost 18 lbs). I haven't gained any back since then, but I think I've lost all I can just by portion control and counting points. It's time to - gasp! - exercise! Ironically, I did lose two pounds since quitting WW three weeks ago. Go figure.
Friday, September 07, 2007
Eyes Wide Open
No longer squinting through 5-year old glasses (two prescriptions ago). Today I made my third visit in just under two weeks to the optometrist. Both corneas are looking much, much better, he said. No more sign of dry eyes.
He gave me a sample pair of different contact lenses, Accuvue Oasys, made especially for folks with drier eyes, which I am now wearing and loving. The astigmatism in my right eye has gotten worse over the past couple of years, but it's doesn't seems to noticeably impact my vision unless I close one eye and look out the other. And, let's face it, why would I do that?
In order to correct the astigmatism, I'd need to switch to toric contact lenses, but those aren't recommended for dry eyes so the barely perceptible lack of 'crispness' in the vision in my right eye is a minor detail.
I also ordered a new pair of glasses with my updated prescription which I hope to only rarely wear. I go back in two weeks for a follow up. If the dry eye condition doesn't return, we'll place the order for my new contacts.
In the grand scheme of things, glasses versus contacts is not such a big drama...but I'm just not a glasses kind of gal.
He gave me a sample pair of different contact lenses, Accuvue Oasys, made especially for folks with drier eyes, which I am now wearing and loving. The astigmatism in my right eye has gotten worse over the past couple of years, but it's doesn't seems to noticeably impact my vision unless I close one eye and look out the other. And, let's face it, why would I do that?
In order to correct the astigmatism, I'd need to switch to toric contact lenses, but those aren't recommended for dry eyes so the barely perceptible lack of 'crispness' in the vision in my right eye is a minor detail.
I also ordered a new pair of glasses with my updated prescription which I hope to only rarely wear. I go back in two weeks for a follow up. If the dry eye condition doesn't return, we'll place the order for my new contacts.
In the grand scheme of things, glasses versus contacts is not such a big drama...but I'm just not a glasses kind of gal.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Moving Forward...
I hope everyone had a nice Labor Day. My father-in-law barbecued, so that kept us entertained most of the day.
Not much is new here. My followup appointment yesterday with my optometrist was encouraging. As you may recall, I went last week for an eye exam and he said my corneas looked very "rough" - usually a sign of very dry eyes. That was news to me, but I followed his directions and used the better over-the-counter eye drops made for severe dry eyes (Systane, TheraTears) and wore glasses only. He said my right eye is almost completely healed and my left looks much better. He says to continue with the glasses/eye drops for a few more days and go back on Friday. Although he didn't come right out and say it, I'm cautiously optimistic that I may be able to return to wearing contact lenses (although hopefully a different brand). I don't do well with glasses.
I received my blood test results in the mail this afternoon. The doctor who performed my physical last week said she'd call if there was anything suspicious; otherwise, she'd send a letter. My total cholesterol is up a bit. It's still the high end of normal though. I've not been exercising like I should, but I do eat a low fat diet (thanks to Weight Watchers). The Prevacid seems to be working on my acid reflux. She gave me an 8 week supply of samples. If it's cleared up by then, then I don't need to go back for another year ... unless I get sick, of course.
I'm gearing up to teach 7th grade CCD (Catholic Religion Class) this year. I teach Son #1's class. We start this Sunday evening.
Son #3 has had an interesting year with the school bus. He started kindergarten on Aug. 20th. We learned four days prior to the start of the school year that Mr. Doug will no longer be the bus driver on this route since he'll now be driving for a different school/age group. Mr. Doug was Son #1's bus driver when we moved to this area in 2001. He drove Son #1 from 1st through 3rd grades, then Son #2 from kindergarten through 3rd grade. (Our elementary school only goes up to 3rd grade. Middle School is 4th - 6th grades.) We'd exchange pleasantries.
He was around when I would waddle to the bus stop when I was pregnant with Son #3, and then got to know Son #3 when we'd go together to meet his big brothers at the bus stop. Son #3 was very much looking forward to riding Mr. Doug's bus. But nope. Instead he got a different bus driver who didn't seem to have great control over the kids on her bus (she'd have to get out of her seat after every stop to get everyone situated). Son #3 said she "yelled a lot."
Last week, we receive a note that they'll be another bus serving our neighborhood instead, effective Tuesday. Well, yesterday - Day #1 for the new (our 3rd) bus - did not get off to a great start. The driver was trying to maneuver a turn and accidentally scratched a parked vehicle. Our neighborhood streets are narrow with ditches on the sides of many roads so I can see where it could be difficult. This occurred at the bus stop two blocks from ours so we got to watch and wait...and wait... Finally my neighbor had enough and decided to drive her kids to school. She had an extra booster seat in her van so Son #3 rode with her (he's friends with her kids).
To the bus driver's credit, she stayed on the bus with the kids and called the authorities, the school board's hot line, etc. per protocol. She did manage to get the kids home in the afternoon despite the pouring rain. Son #3 says she yells, too. One of my concerns is that although the bus is called "206" and has a sign taped to the window to that effect, the bus itself is painted with a different number.
This morning, things went better if you can call it that. I was appalled when the bus pulled up to our stop that there were at least 4 kindergartners (I can tell by the mandatory kindergarten tote bags) STANDING in the aisle by the first row of seats, right behind the driver. Standing. The bus was no where filled to capacity so Son #3 and the kids at his stop had to squeeze past the standing kids to get an available seat. I asked the bus driver why there were kids standing and she said she was "going to assign seats." Fine. But that still didn't answer my question. Did I mention that - not be an age-ist - that she's about 25 years old? If that. How much experience driving a bus - loaded with 5 to 8 year olds - can she have?
The answer? None, apparently. But she did have 7 weeks of training, the assistant principal explained to my neighbor when she called the school to express her concern.
I'm thinking that Son #3 is going to become a car rider. Oy vey!
Not much is new here. My followup appointment yesterday with my optometrist was encouraging. As you may recall, I went last week for an eye exam and he said my corneas looked very "rough" - usually a sign of very dry eyes. That was news to me, but I followed his directions and used the better over-the-counter eye drops made for severe dry eyes (Systane, TheraTears) and wore glasses only. He said my right eye is almost completely healed and my left looks much better. He says to continue with the glasses/eye drops for a few more days and go back on Friday. Although he didn't come right out and say it, I'm cautiously optimistic that I may be able to return to wearing contact lenses (although hopefully a different brand). I don't do well with glasses.
I received my blood test results in the mail this afternoon. The doctor who performed my physical last week said she'd call if there was anything suspicious; otherwise, she'd send a letter. My total cholesterol is up a bit. It's still the high end of normal though. I've not been exercising like I should, but I do eat a low fat diet (thanks to Weight Watchers). The Prevacid seems to be working on my acid reflux. She gave me an 8 week supply of samples. If it's cleared up by then, then I don't need to go back for another year ... unless I get sick, of course.
I'm gearing up to teach 7th grade CCD (Catholic Religion Class) this year. I teach Son #1's class. We start this Sunday evening.
Son #3 has had an interesting year with the school bus. He started kindergarten on Aug. 20th. We learned four days prior to the start of the school year that Mr. Doug will no longer be the bus driver on this route since he'll now be driving for a different school/age group. Mr. Doug was Son #1's bus driver when we moved to this area in 2001. He drove Son #1 from 1st through 3rd grades, then Son #2 from kindergarten through 3rd grade. (Our elementary school only goes up to 3rd grade. Middle School is 4th - 6th grades.) We'd exchange pleasantries.
He was around when I would waddle to the bus stop when I was pregnant with Son #3, and then got to know Son #3 when we'd go together to meet his big brothers at the bus stop. Son #3 was very much looking forward to riding Mr. Doug's bus. But nope. Instead he got a different bus driver who didn't seem to have great control over the kids on her bus (she'd have to get out of her seat after every stop to get everyone situated). Son #3 said she "yelled a lot."
Last week, we receive a note that they'll be another bus serving our neighborhood instead, effective Tuesday. Well, yesterday - Day #1 for the new (our 3rd) bus - did not get off to a great start. The driver was trying to maneuver a turn and accidentally scratched a parked vehicle. Our neighborhood streets are narrow with ditches on the sides of many roads so I can see where it could be difficult. This occurred at the bus stop two blocks from ours so we got to watch and wait...and wait... Finally my neighbor had enough and decided to drive her kids to school. She had an extra booster seat in her van so Son #3 rode with her (he's friends with her kids).
To the bus driver's credit, she stayed on the bus with the kids and called the authorities, the school board's hot line, etc. per protocol. She did manage to get the kids home in the afternoon despite the pouring rain. Son #3 says she yells, too. One of my concerns is that although the bus is called "206" and has a sign taped to the window to that effect, the bus itself is painted with a different number.
This morning, things went better if you can call it that. I was appalled when the bus pulled up to our stop that there were at least 4 kindergartners (I can tell by the mandatory kindergarten tote bags) STANDING in the aisle by the first row of seats, right behind the driver. Standing. The bus was no where filled to capacity so Son #3 and the kids at his stop had to squeeze past the standing kids to get an available seat. I asked the bus driver why there were kids standing and she said she was "going to assign seats." Fine. But that still didn't answer my question. Did I mention that - not be an age-ist - that she's about 25 years old? If that. How much experience driving a bus - loaded with 5 to 8 year olds - can she have?
The answer? None, apparently. But she did have 7 weeks of training, the assistant principal explained to my neighbor when she called the school to express her concern.
I'm thinking that Son #3 is going to become a car rider. Oy vey!
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Whew! I'm Glad That's Over (Part 1)
Okay, just to give you a hint of my state of mind the past week or so: Not Good. You know that "the baby" started kindergarten on Aug. 20 leaving me Home Alone...and bored. There's only so many times one can clean the bathroom before it gets boring (once, to be precise).
I've made a few missteps this past week. 1) I didn't factor in any fun little errands (a quick trip to Starbucks or the craft store, for example). It's odd because I had no problem going out and spending money when it was "Son #3 and me." Now that it's just me, I'm finding it very hard.
2) I thought it might be a good idea to work on a budget for our family so I checked out a few books from the library on the subject. Yawn.
3) I also realized that we've procrastinated long enough. It's time to think about estate planning (wills versus trusts, long term health care, etc.). Normally, I'm not afraid to confront my mortality in the list. However, it's been nearly 7 years since I've had a complete physical (ob/gyn visits not withstanding)...
4) I've decided to catch up on my long overdue routine medical checkups. Here's my general thought about healthcare: Ignorance is bliss. You go to the doctor, they'll find something wrong. You don't go, well, ignorance is bliss. Except what you don't know can kill you, so I'm trying to revise my thinking. (Note: this does not apply to Dear Hubby or kids. Mandatory checks ups for all.)
The combination of finances (which aren't bad, but nor are they where I want them to be), anxiety about putting off my physical, reading about estates, wills, probate, etc. is not a good one for my first weeks solo. It's left me in a rather maudlin mood in fact, convinced that they'll find Something Seriously Wrong, although I have no reason whatsoever to suspect that would be the case. I really should've eased into being a responsible adult. ha ha.
Why, oh why couldn't I have started off reading fluff, non-fiction books instead?
My physical today went well with my new doctor. I liked her a lot. She gets my sense of humor and didn't fuss at me for neglecting my health. My acid reflux has flared up in the past week. It's the first time in a couple of years. The doctor loaded me up with samples of Prevacid and if that doesn't clear it up in 8 weeks, then I'll go back so she can check out my upper GI. I optimistic the meds will do the trick though since it's not something that bothers me chronically (knock wood).
She also sent me for routine blood work. As I sat in the lab's waiting room, the nurse called four of us in at one time. She had two women sit on a bench, one man sit in one chair and me in the other chair. I didn't like the chair. It was too big. Once I sat far enough back for my back to reach the backrest, my feet wouldn't reach the floor. I felt like I was 6 years old. Then the two nurses start drawing blood from the man in the chair and one of the women on the bench. I'm thinking to myself, great, I hate needles. I'm a big baby. I look like a little kid in this oversized chair and if I cry it'll be in front of these other patients. Not that I've ever cried at routine blood tests before, but nevertheless.... Fortunately, I was the last to have blood drawn so the other patients had already left and the nurse moved me to the bench where I could sit with my feet actually touching the floor. I told her I'm not a fan of needles so she pulled out the smallest butterfly needle. Score! It was smooth sailing from there.
I have a couple of other routine tests scheduled over the next few weeks.
I've made a few missteps this past week. 1) I didn't factor in any fun little errands (a quick trip to Starbucks or the craft store, for example). It's odd because I had no problem going out and spending money when it was "Son #3 and me." Now that it's just me, I'm finding it very hard.
2) I thought it might be a good idea to work on a budget for our family so I checked out a few books from the library on the subject. Yawn.
3) I also realized that we've procrastinated long enough. It's time to think about estate planning (wills versus trusts, long term health care, etc.). Normally, I'm not afraid to confront my mortality in the list. However, it's been nearly 7 years since I've had a complete physical (ob/gyn visits not withstanding)...
4) I've decided to catch up on my long overdue routine medical checkups. Here's my general thought about healthcare: Ignorance is bliss. You go to the doctor, they'll find something wrong. You don't go, well, ignorance is bliss. Except what you don't know can kill you, so I'm trying to revise my thinking. (Note: this does not apply to Dear Hubby or kids. Mandatory checks ups for all.)
The combination of finances (which aren't bad, but nor are they where I want them to be), anxiety about putting off my physical, reading about estates, wills, probate, etc. is not a good one for my first weeks solo. It's left me in a rather maudlin mood in fact, convinced that they'll find Something Seriously Wrong, although I have no reason whatsoever to suspect that would be the case. I really should've eased into being a responsible adult. ha ha.
Why, oh why couldn't I have started off reading fluff, non-fiction books instead?
My physical today went well with my new doctor. I liked her a lot. She gets my sense of humor and didn't fuss at me for neglecting my health. My acid reflux has flared up in the past week. It's the first time in a couple of years. The doctor loaded me up with samples of Prevacid and if that doesn't clear it up in 8 weeks, then I'll go back so she can check out my upper GI. I optimistic the meds will do the trick though since it's not something that bothers me chronically (knock wood).
She also sent me for routine blood work. As I sat in the lab's waiting room, the nurse called four of us in at one time. She had two women sit on a bench, one man sit in one chair and me in the other chair. I didn't like the chair. It was too big. Once I sat far enough back for my back to reach the backrest, my feet wouldn't reach the floor. I felt like I was 6 years old. Then the two nurses start drawing blood from the man in the chair and one of the women on the bench. I'm thinking to myself, great, I hate needles. I'm a big baby. I look like a little kid in this oversized chair and if I cry it'll be in front of these other patients. Not that I've ever cried at routine blood tests before, but nevertheless.... Fortunately, I was the last to have blood drawn so the other patients had already left and the nurse moved me to the bench where I could sit with my feet actually touching the floor. I told her I'm not a fan of needles so she pulled out the smallest butterfly needle. Score! It was smooth sailing from there.
I have a couple of other routine tests scheduled over the next few weeks.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Time Flies....(NOT!)
I was surprised at how long it's been since I've blogged. It's not like I've been having a blast. Time flies when you're having fun, you know. It apparently sometimes flies when you're bored.
If I had to sum up what I've been doing with my days of "freedom" (since Son #3 started kindergarten), I'd have to say napping. And doing chores. And the occasional errand.
All's going well with the kids in school so far.
Today I went to the optometrist for a long overdue eye exam. It did not go well. The technician did my pre-screening and with my contacts lenses in. My vision with contacts was 20/25 in one eye and 20/40 in the other. I knew that I wasn't seeing as clearly out of one eye. I chalked it up to age.
The doctor came in (after I removed my contact lenses) and he had me look through the various lenses at the eye chart. He'd ask, "which is clearer? A?" then flip the lens "Or B?" The problem was, while one might be a teensy bit less fuzzy, none of them were clear.
In otherwords, he couldn't get my vision to 20/20 with the lens thing-y. He put this goop (lumescin, or something like that) on my eyes and looked at me through this fluorescent light scope. He asked whether my eyes are ever itchy or burning (they aren't).
He said my corneas were very rough, which he attributed to very dry eyes. News to me. Unless it's allergy season (when I'm congested and sneezy) or I'm in a smoky area (which is rare), I rarely use eyedrops at all.
He wants me to use Thera Tears 4 times a day for the next week, wear glasses only (ACK!) and go back next Tuesday morning. Hopefully there will be an improvement and we can continue with the exam. Other than roughness, my corneas looked fine (clear, not diseased or infected). I hope I'm not going to give up contacts permanently. I've been wearing soft contact lenses since they first came out nearly 30 years ago (since I was two - kidding!). I've never liked myself in glasses, so I'm hoping I won't have to give up the contacts permanently. We'll see...
Other than that, not much is new here. Tonight is Son #2's first baseball practice of the fall season, and tomorrow is Open House at his school. Perhaps I'll have more to say then.
If I had to sum up what I've been doing with my days of "freedom" (since Son #3 started kindergarten), I'd have to say napping. And doing chores. And the occasional errand.
All's going well with the kids in school so far.
Today I went to the optometrist for a long overdue eye exam. It did not go well. The technician did my pre-screening and with my contacts lenses in. My vision with contacts was 20/25 in one eye and 20/40 in the other. I knew that I wasn't seeing as clearly out of one eye. I chalked it up to age.
The doctor came in (after I removed my contact lenses) and he had me look through the various lenses at the eye chart. He'd ask, "which is clearer? A?" then flip the lens "Or B?" The problem was, while one might be a teensy bit less fuzzy, none of them were clear.
In otherwords, he couldn't get my vision to 20/20 with the lens thing-y. He put this goop (lumescin, or something like that) on my eyes and looked at me through this fluorescent light scope. He asked whether my eyes are ever itchy or burning (they aren't).
He said my corneas were very rough, which he attributed to very dry eyes. News to me. Unless it's allergy season (when I'm congested and sneezy) or I'm in a smoky area (which is rare), I rarely use eyedrops at all.
He wants me to use Thera Tears 4 times a day for the next week, wear glasses only (ACK!) and go back next Tuesday morning. Hopefully there will be an improvement and we can continue with the exam. Other than roughness, my corneas looked fine (clear, not diseased or infected). I hope I'm not going to give up contacts permanently. I've been wearing soft contact lenses since they first came out nearly 30 years ago (since I was two - kidding!). I've never liked myself in glasses, so I'm hoping I won't have to give up the contacts permanently. We'll see...
Other than that, not much is new here. Tonight is Son #2's first baseball practice of the fall season, and tomorrow is Open House at his school. Perhaps I'll have more to say then.
Monday, April 23, 2007
More Questions Than Answers
Today Son #1 and I had our first visit with the pediatric endocrinologist. This step one in determining whether Son #1 actually has a growth deficiency. His growth rate has been slow for several years - sometimes dipping below the growth chart, which in itself, is not necessarily a problem as long as the child is following the same curve. However, Son #1 seems to have fallen flat.
Endocrinologists often use a slightly different growth chart than pediatricians (one that ranges 3-97%, instead of the usual 5-95%). According the the endrocrinologist's chart, Son #1 is in the bottom 1-2 percentile. He also looked at Son #1's bone age xray that my pediatrician had ordered. I like the endo doc. He really took the time to explain things. It appears that Son #1's bone-age is 11.0 years, which isn't too far off from his chronological age (he's 11 years 10 months old).
Next step is a complete blood work up, then we go back in 7 weeks to discuss the test results and to monitor Son #1's weight (he's not really expected to gain much, if any, height between now and then). I got the impression that at this point, we're collecting info to plot on charts to get a better picture of what's going on. The growth rate over time is a more important clue than his short stature/low weight. It should be an interesting journey. Wish us well...
Endocrinologists often use a slightly different growth chart than pediatricians (one that ranges 3-97%, instead of the usual 5-95%). According the the endrocrinologist's chart, Son #1 is in the bottom 1-2 percentile. He also looked at Son #1's bone age xray that my pediatrician had ordered. I like the endo doc. He really took the time to explain things. It appears that Son #1's bone-age is 11.0 years, which isn't too far off from his chronological age (he's 11 years 10 months old).
Next step is a complete blood work up, then we go back in 7 weeks to discuss the test results and to monitor Son #1's weight (he's not really expected to gain much, if any, height between now and then). I got the impression that at this point, we're collecting info to plot on charts to get a better picture of what's going on. The growth rate over time is a more important clue than his short stature/low weight. It should be an interesting journey. Wish us well...
Thursday, April 12, 2007
56 is the Magic Number
Son #1 and Son #2 had their physical exams today so the pediatrician can sign their summer camp medical forms. Son #2 will be 10 in June. He weighs 65 lbs, and is 56.75 inches tall. This puts him in the 25th percentile for height and weight, but in my observations, he seems to be just about average sized compared to his peers.
Son #1, however, is a different story. He'll be 12 in June and he is 56.25 inches - just a smidge shorter than his younger brother. He weighs 56 pounds. Can you imagine being as tall as you are heavy? Let's just say that if that was my ratio, I'd be 11 feet tall (and shrinking, because of the Weight Watchers).
Son #1 has always been on the small side. 50th percentile for height/weight as an infant, but by preschool he was in the 10th percentile - or worse. For quite a while, he completely dropped off the growth chart but was still following the same curve so no one (doctors) was particularly worried. The doctor he went to last year suggested that if his growth was still slow at this year's check up, further testing might be needed. We've since switched doctors - no complaints about the other doc, but I wasn't wild about his office staff. Dear Hubby has a friend who a pediatrician and we switched to the friend's practice. I warned Dr. B. that I was a tough customer and he still wanted our business anyway. Gotta give him props for that.
Anyway, Son #1 is no longer following the growth curve at all so Dr. B. referred us to a pediatric endocrinologist (our appointment is April 23). He also sent us today for a bone-age x-ray which will help the endocrinologist assess Son #1's physical age versus his chronological age. Dr. B. suggests that Son #1 might have a growth hormone deficiency. We'll see.
Son #1, however, is a different story. He'll be 12 in June and he is 56.25 inches - just a smidge shorter than his younger brother. He weighs 56 pounds. Can you imagine being as tall as you are heavy? Let's just say that if that was my ratio, I'd be 11 feet tall (and shrinking, because of the Weight Watchers).
Son #1 has always been on the small side. 50th percentile for height/weight as an infant, but by preschool he was in the 10th percentile - or worse. For quite a while, he completely dropped off the growth chart but was still following the same curve so no one (doctors) was particularly worried. The doctor he went to last year suggested that if his growth was still slow at this year's check up, further testing might be needed. We've since switched doctors - no complaints about the other doc, but I wasn't wild about his office staff. Dear Hubby has a friend who a pediatrician and we switched to the friend's practice. I warned Dr. B. that I was a tough customer and he still wanted our business anyway. Gotta give him props for that.
Anyway, Son #1 is no longer following the growth curve at all so Dr. B. referred us to a pediatric endocrinologist (our appointment is April 23). He also sent us today for a bone-age x-ray which will help the endocrinologist assess Son #1's physical age versus his chronological age. Dr. B. suggests that Son #1 might have a growth hormone deficiency. We'll see.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Well, That Was Quick!
Just a quick update. I may have mentioned - if not in a blog post, then in my comments to some of you - that we received contradictory discharge papers from the ER re: Son #3's sutures. One sheet said to have the stitches removed in 7-10 days (that's also what the ER doc said). Another sheet said the stitches should remain in "no longer than 5 days." The pediatrician's office said 3-5 days.
I dunno, 3-5 days just seemed kind of short, but his chin is healing really, really well. We made an appointment to see the doc today (yes, it's Saturday, but that's when they suggested we come in). He said it would be fine to removed the stitches today so we did.
Again, Son #3 (who generally isn't very cooperative) was amazing. It didn't hurt him at all - an advantage to taking them out sooner, rather than later. We're instructed to keep it covered with a bandaid a while longer, primarily to protect it from being bumped.
Apparently, according to the doc, there's less scarring if the sutures are removed within 5 days, rather than leaving them in for 10. If the wound isn't quite healed, they'll often remove the sutures and replace them with Steri-Strips (butterfly tape) for another week. Son #3 didn't need that.
Poor fella will have to find some other way to milk some sympathy.
Hey, look, I invented an "emoticon" of Son #3's Boo Boo:
:-)$
Boo! That's a bad one, I know.
I dunno, 3-5 days just seemed kind of short, but his chin is healing really, really well. We made an appointment to see the doc today (yes, it's Saturday, but that's when they suggested we come in). He said it would be fine to removed the stitches today so we did.
Again, Son #3 (who generally isn't very cooperative) was amazing. It didn't hurt him at all - an advantage to taking them out sooner, rather than later. We're instructed to keep it covered with a bandaid a while longer, primarily to protect it from being bumped.
Apparently, according to the doc, there's less scarring if the sutures are removed within 5 days, rather than leaving them in for 10. If the wound isn't quite healed, they'll often remove the sutures and replace them with Steri-Strips (butterfly tape) for another week. Son #3 didn't need that.
Poor fella will have to find some other way to milk some sympathy.
Hey, look, I invented an "emoticon" of Son #3's Boo Boo:
:-)$
Boo! That's a bad one, I know.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Five Stitches
Tuesday evenings are pretty busy for our family. I volunteer with my church's RCIA ministry, Son #1 has his Boy Scout troop meeting (also at our church), and Dear Hubby sometimes has his Cub Scout committee meetings at church. Dear Hubby's committee didn't meet this week so we rode together and he took all three boys to Son #1's Boy Scout meeting.
Somehow walking to the meeting place, some scout accidentally bumped into Son #3, who fell on the concrete. He got up complaining that his knee hurt. Okay, so why is blood spewing from his chin? Dear Hubby takes him into the bathroom, gets a wet paper towel, cleans the boo boo and tries to assess the damage. Son #3 wanted nothing of it.
Dear Hubby brings Son #3, now holding a wad of wet paper towels uner his chin, to my meeting to get my opinion. Hard to tell how bad the cut is because of the initial swelling, but we come up with a plan.
The Boy Scout meeting was an important one - they were planning which merit badge classes to take at Summer Camp in June. As for my meeting, they could manage without me. I called Father-in-Law to see if he could pick Dear Hubby, and Sons #1&2 up when their meeting ends. He can.
I take the van and drive Son #3 to the emergency room. We check in with admitting, Son #3 balked at the hospital bracelet (I later snuck it on him when he wasn't paying attention), we met with the triage nurse who promised he wouldn't touch the boo boo. He was just going to take a look. "Oh yeah," he said. I knew what that meant, and we were escorted to Room 8.
We waited a little while, checking out the smiley/frowny pain indicator poster (Son #3 said he was at 6 earlier, but he's at 4 now). Dr. Luis comes in, assesses Son #3, and informs me of our options. The traditional, fast-acting shot to numb the area, or this blue gel applied topically that works well on deeper wounds like Son #3's. It takes about 45 minutes to completely numb it.
I had 3 stitches in my knee when I was about 8 and I still remember that first needle. YIKES! Blue gel it is. Dr. Luis soaks a cotton ball and tapes it to Son#3's chin. It burned initially but not for long. We settled into our 45 minute wait. The clock in Room 8 was broken. I sat on the bed leaning against the wall, Son #3 laid in the bed with his legs across my lap. I check out the knee that hurt so badly at first - a teeny brush burn about the size of a pencil eraser.
It was around 10 pm when Dr. Luis returned. He took this little needle and poked Son #3 in the boo boo. "Feel that?" "No." "Feel that?" "No." I was checking out that smiley poster again.
Dr. Luis showed Son #3 the special scissors used only to cut thread, and the thread itself. You couldn't even see the tiny curved needle attached if you weren't looking for it. Dr. Luis gets to work - again I'm memorizing the smiley poster. For a while, it seemed like Son #3 was dozing off, propped up on the squashy pillow he liked, eyes closed, obviously feeling no pain... I held his hand the entire time, peeking only occasionally. Son #3 didn't flinch at all. I did once or twice.
Son #3 was so brave and so good. He's generally pretty stubborn so I was surprised at how cooperative it was. Medicine sure has advanced since I was 8.
He's the first of my kids to require stitches (he needed 5). He's also the first to have any type of surgery (adenoidectomy). Son #1 holds the record for first limb broken (an arm). Ah, life with boys....
Somehow walking to the meeting place, some scout accidentally bumped into Son #3, who fell on the concrete. He got up complaining that his knee hurt. Okay, so why is blood spewing from his chin? Dear Hubby takes him into the bathroom, gets a wet paper towel, cleans the boo boo and tries to assess the damage. Son #3 wanted nothing of it.
Dear Hubby brings Son #3, now holding a wad of wet paper towels uner his chin, to my meeting to get my opinion. Hard to tell how bad the cut is because of the initial swelling, but we come up with a plan.
The Boy Scout meeting was an important one - they were planning which merit badge classes to take at Summer Camp in June. As for my meeting, they could manage without me. I called Father-in-Law to see if he could pick Dear Hubby, and Sons #1&2 up when their meeting ends. He can.
I take the van and drive Son #3 to the emergency room. We check in with admitting, Son #3 balked at the hospital bracelet (I later snuck it on him when he wasn't paying attention), we met with the triage nurse who promised he wouldn't touch the boo boo. He was just going to take a look. "Oh yeah," he said. I knew what that meant, and we were escorted to Room 8.
We waited a little while, checking out the smiley/frowny pain indicator poster (Son #3 said he was at 6 earlier, but he's at 4 now). Dr. Luis comes in, assesses Son #3, and informs me of our options. The traditional, fast-acting shot to numb the area, or this blue gel applied topically that works well on deeper wounds like Son #3's. It takes about 45 minutes to completely numb it.
I had 3 stitches in my knee when I was about 8 and I still remember that first needle. YIKES! Blue gel it is. Dr. Luis soaks a cotton ball and tapes it to Son#3's chin. It burned initially but not for long. We settled into our 45 minute wait. The clock in Room 8 was broken. I sat on the bed leaning against the wall, Son #3 laid in the bed with his legs across my lap. I check out the knee that hurt so badly at first - a teeny brush burn about the size of a pencil eraser.
It was around 10 pm when Dr. Luis returned. He took this little needle and poked Son #3 in the boo boo. "Feel that?" "No." "Feel that?" "No." I was checking out that smiley poster again.
Dr. Luis showed Son #3 the special scissors used only to cut thread, and the thread itself. You couldn't even see the tiny curved needle attached if you weren't looking for it. Dr. Luis gets to work - again I'm memorizing the smiley poster. For a while, it seemed like Son #3 was dozing off, propped up on the squashy pillow he liked, eyes closed, obviously feeling no pain... I held his hand the entire time, peeking only occasionally. Son #3 didn't flinch at all. I did once or twice.
Son #3 was so brave and so good. He's generally pretty stubborn so I was surprised at how cooperative it was. Medicine sure has advanced since I was 8.
He's the first of my kids to require stitches (he needed 5). He's also the first to have any type of surgery (adenoidectomy). Son #1 holds the record for first limb broken (an arm). Ah, life with boys....
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Disney - Wednesday, Feb. 21 (Day 4)
This is how our day started. I'm not kidding. We woked to find Son #2 like this - sound asleep. How goofy is that?? Fortunately he doesn't do this at home: he sleeps in the top bunk.
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We all got ready and then took the bus to....
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Epcot! It was pretty nice, but the least favorite of the theme parks we visited all week. I was a little disappointed because I expected to enjoy it more than I did. It was fine, worth seeing, but just not as much fun as the others (in my opinion).
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We used our Fast Passes to get advanced tickets to Soarin'. While in line, we chatted with a nice family from upstate New York, who happened own vacation homes in Vermont and Clearwater, Florida - must be nice! Soarin' was interesting. You're seated in three rows in front of this giant movie screen. Just before the start of the movie, each row of seats rises. We were in the front row, which mean we rose to the top. The second row became the middle row and the third row became the lowest row. (I don't remember whether there was a 4th row.) All I know is that I'm strapped into this seat with my feet dangling I'd guess at least 2 to 3 stories high. Did I mention that I hate heights? The movie projected on to the giant screen was cool - all heights as the title implied (first you're ballooning over Napa, then hang gliding, then flying over a golf course, then skiing in the mountains, etc.). I was okay with all that. What I had problems with was the feeling that I was dangling way up there and the seat belt didn't feel very tight. Dear Hubby and the kids loved it. Me, not so, but I didn't admit that.
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We all got ready and then took the bus to....
Epcot! It was pretty nice, but the least favorite of the theme parks we visited all week. I was a little disappointed because I expected to enjoy it more than I did. It was fine, worth seeing, but just not as much fun as the others (in my opinion).
Dear Hubby and the older two boys rode Mission Space while Son #3 and I visited The Seas with Nemo & Friends (part ride/part movie). Below is a photo of Son #1, Son #2 and Son #3 in front of Nemo and Friends ("Finding Nemo" is a favorite movie in our house). Son #2 is holding an astronaut Mickey. Sons #1 and #3 selected Jedi Mickey from the MGM park on Monday.
Just beyond the area in the above photo is the Nemo attraction (part ride/part movie), a fish themed gift shop and a 5 million+ gallon two-story aquarium. There was also this shark learning center. Below is a photo of the boys with Bruce (also from "Finding Nemo") Repeat after me, Bruce, kids are friends, not food!
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We ate lunch at the Coral Reef restaurant, which was really neat because every table had a great view of the aquarium I mentioned above. Fish, a squid, a giant sea turtle, sting rays, sharks would swim past while you were enjoying your meal. I hope they didn't recognize me eating Uncle Bob (it was Ash Wednesday and, as Catholic,s we avoid meat that day as well as on Fridays during Lent). Occasionally a scuba diver would swim by and wave. This was our favorite restaurant that we visited, both in terms of food and ambience.
After lunch, we visited ImageWorks, sponsored by Kodak. There's a booth there where you can take your photo, add special effects if you choose, and email it to someone. Here's Son #1 after morphing his photo with that of a chimpanzee :
We used our Fast Passes to get advanced tickets to Soarin'. While in line, we chatted with a nice family from upstate New York, who happened own vacation homes in Vermont and Clearwater, Florida - must be nice! Soarin' was interesting. You're seated in three rows in front of this giant movie screen. Just before the start of the movie, each row of seats rises. We were in the front row, which mean we rose to the top. The second row became the middle row and the third row became the lowest row. (I don't remember whether there was a 4th row.) All I know is that I'm strapped into this seat with my feet dangling I'd guess at least 2 to 3 stories high. Did I mention that I hate heights? The movie projected on to the giant screen was cool - all heights as the title implied (first you're ballooning over Napa, then hang gliding, then flying over a golf course, then skiing in the mountains, etc.). I was okay with all that. What I had problems with was the feeling that I was dangling way up there and the seat belt didn't feel very tight. Dear Hubby and the kids loved it. Me, not so, but I didn't admit that.We browsed around the international section a bit, but were getting kind of tired, so we went back to the hotel. The weather had warmed enough to play in the pool. Here's a shot of Dear Hubby and Son #2.
And here's one of Son #3 playing in the kiddie pool. Don't let the leaves in the water fool you. They really keep things clean at Disney. However, there was this other kid, around 3 years old, that dumped a whole bunch of leaves in the kiddie pool.
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We had a quick dinner at our hotel restaurant and called it a day.
Today...
Another one bites the dust. That's the song that's running through my mind as Dear Hubby is ill with the same stomach bug that's plagued every member of our family, except me (knock wood). He stayed home from work and looked after Son #3 while I went grocery shopping (ha! Given Dear Hubby's condition, I'm certain Son #3 had free reign). It's interesting how productive grocery shopping can be without a 5 year old. Son #3, by the way, seems to be feeling better today. Perhaps he's on the mend, although we had our share of false alarms there.
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