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Update on my son's health
- Nov 4, 2009 at 9:10 AM
- By
- Comments (16) Total Views (155) Everyone can see this journal post.
Big kisses to my sweet, darling, supportive CafeMom friends. You gals astound me. I've been going through some very tough times here, and your good wishes go a long way.
Here's the condensed version of what's been going on with my 14-year-old son ...
His appetite had been gradually diminishing the fast few years, and his pediatrician repeatedly told me not to worry or even think about it. Some kids are just skinny. Some kids just aren't big eaters.
But a few weeks ago I became alarmed when it seemed he was eating even less and lost weight. Can you picture 98 lbs. on a 5' 8" frame? Trust me, if a fashion model showed up for work that skinny they would send her home.
From there things went from bad to worse. The kid could simply not eat more than a bite or two without feeling full. If he tried to push himself, he vomited.
I made some frantic calls and got in to see a pediatric gastroenterologist. By the time we saw him a few days later, my son was 93 pounds. The next time we weighed him he was 91.
The doctor sent us for extensive blood word and scheduled an endoscopy and colonoscopy, which took place yesterday. I'm afraid to put him on the scale, but at this point he's surely under 89.
The upshot is that he has Crohn's Disease, a chronic condition that causes the bowels to inflame. There's no cure but it's treatable.
So now he's on a couple of meds, including prednisone, a steroid. Job one is to get the inflammation under control and put some weight on.
His spirits are fine. The kid is a stoic and a trouper and I'm in awe of him. I've been putting up a brave front but have been a complete wreck inside. I'm not sure there's anything worse a mother can go through than watching her child waste away in front of her eyes. We are programmed to feed our children. This is as primal as it gets.
We'll be okay. I'm glad we have a dx and can get on with a treatment. Will try to post updates soon, but please don't be mad if I don't reply directly to your messages. I'm pretty overwhelmed at the moment ...
With hugs and thanks ...
Comments:
HUGS, Hope he is feeling better soon. If you need me i'm not that far away.
How scary! I am glad you have a diagnoses so now you can deal with the condition. Sending prayers your way! Keep us posted.
That must be so frightening, and frustrating that the doctor didn't catch it sooner. Best of luck to you and your son, and I'll be thinking about you.
Praying....
Oh, Ellen, how scary and frustrating. I'm glad you now know what you're dealing with, and as you said, Crohn's is treatable. I know several people with it. Now that he's getting treatment, he'll be able to enjoy eating, put on weight and start feeling better. That's good news! I'm sure he gets some of his resilience from you. Prayers and hugs to you and your whole family!
Oh Ellen, I'm so sorry to read about this. This is the first I've heard of anything, I've been dealing with some personal things myself and haven't kept up on cafemom much recently. Sending big big hugs your way and lots of prayers for your son. I really hope he'll be feeling better VERY soon!
I hope things get better for you now that you know what's wrong.
No need to reply to each of us -- just know that we are thinking of you.
Let me know if you want me to mention this in JM, though, so the group can pray...
Oh my gosh. I am so sorry you are going through this. It sounds very scary and my heart goes out to you. I am glad you are finding some resolution and I hope he is better very soon...
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No one is gonna be upset that you don't get right back to them, Ellen. Take care of your boy and let us know if there is anything we can do to help.