Growing....

Some background, I guess, on Nathan & the testing. When he was around 2 his pediatrician noticed that he was below the curve on weight and height. She did some blood work & he tested low for the growth hormone.

Over the years we've had him followed by a pediatric endocrinologist. What it meant was blood tests about every six months, and coming into his office to be weighed and measured. (Nathan. Not me. Thank goodness!)

His hormone level soon came back up, and while it took him a while to make it on to the charts he was always growing. He actually always followed the chart exactly, the same growth rate, just right below...

Last year he had an x-ray of his hand to check his bone age. If the bone age is the same as the age represented in his actual current height weight, that's good. Meaning: his current height/weight is for a 2 year old, and his bone age is also for a two year old - even though he's five. But that's good - means that he'll probably catch up. If his bone age was for a five year old & height weight for a 2 year old, that would be a "problem." (And by problem I need to put this in perspective... the most he would need would be daily hormone shots. It's not life threatening, it's not more invasive than that....)

After that the Dr. pretty much said he was ok & that he didn't need to come any more... but then he tested a bit low on his thyroid - so the Dr suggested the big (FOUR HOUR) test that we did two weeks ago. Even at the test the Dr said he didn't think there was anything... because even though Nathan's small... he hasn't actually ever stopped growing. He said if there was a deficiency, he'd have stopped growing.

So, hopefully that's that. And honestly, while I want my child to be the best and the healthiest he can be... all this testing makes me wonder .... to what end? I mean, subjecting him to all this so he could be a few inches taller? It's not like it's a serious health issue, or anything... And this Dr is actually very conservative with his testing! But it's done - and I actually didn't even have those thoughts until after we went through the 4 hour test and it was so dreadful... if I went back in time & was told to do it again, would I? Put us all through that? Siigghhh.... I'd like to say "no" but I'm not so sure.

The Part of You That No One Sees

You are wise, insightful, and brilliant. Your wit is sharp and occasionally hurtful... Revealing your scorn for people with less intelligence. Underneath it all, you feel burdened by the stupidity of humanity. You know what's right in the world, but it's overshadowed by everything that's wrong. People see you as arrogant. While this is partially true, you are also very sensitive.

What's the Part of You That No One Sees?

Ahhhh humanity.... I feel so burdened... y'all are just so stupid! What's up with that?!?! (C'mon, gotta have some fun with this stuff!)

Test Results

I spoke to Nathan's pediatric endocrinologist today & his growth hormone levels are absolutely normal! They're not even low! They are right exactly in range! Hooray!! And what makes this even better is that every other time we've tested the levels it's just been a "regular" blood test. This one was the Big Test - so it's really the final say.

And, can I say how much I love his doctor. This guy is the chief of pediatric endocrinology over at NYU - and he answers his own phone, is kind approachable... and loves my son! He just does. I can see his face light up when he sees him... and what mother doesn't like to see that. (Ok, what mother doesn't like to see that on a non-threatening, not a stranger, male. Anybody else - stay the F away!)

So, just still keeping him the low level of synthroid & just have to bring him back in Dec for a final follow up. Dr. says he's probably have a growth spurt when he's 12 or so. I'll keep you posted.

(Oh my. Would that be a good or a bad thing if I'm still doing this blog in 7 years...?)

Food Glorious Food

So I'm doing this - trying to raise money for the NYC Food Bank. (And there is supposed to be some way to get that button on your website and not have it be just a picture, but link to my donations web page.... But - no - I could not figure it out.

I don't know. I got a Daily Candy email about it -- and it just kind of jumped out at me. (And maybe, perhaps, could be that the fact that there were no walks involved... could have been a bit of the draw. I'm not saying definitely... but COULD have been.....)

But seriously. I like the fact of how only one dollar can provide five meals. So it makes me feel that the little bit that I can afford to donate will actually make a bit of a difference.... So I feel like this is something I can ask other people to donate to as well.

I know, of course, that all the "big" charities are very very very important and worthwhile... but unfortunately I guess I feel like it's kind of like voting. Does my one little bit make a difference? (I know, I know, every little bit counts, it all adds up... but I'm just being honest here! That's how I feel!)

So - I hope the link works. And I hope that you'll think to maybe donate a few dollars....