Friday, March 28, 2008

One More Thing

Landon had his "9 month" check-up this morning. He's really only 8.5 months, but his pediatrician is starting up a new clinic far away and we wanted him to be able to see her. His weight (20 lb. 12 oz.), height (29.5"), and head circumference (45 cm) are all good, and the needle pricking went well. He passed the anemia and lead blood tests and took his polio vaccine like a champ- he was too busy give sideways smiles to the nurse to even notice the prick.

The pediatrician was happy to see his rapidly healing surgical scar and happy to hear about the future ear tubes. Then I mentioned that Landon has seemed much more thirsty than usual and has been soaking through his diapers and clothes each night. She seemed concerned and ordered a glucose test. Which he failed. The nurses asked if he'd eaten in the last hour and he hadn't (it had been about 2.5 hours), so now they want to do a fasting glucose test on Monday at 8am. He's supposed to go 8 hours without eating- I'm sure that's going to go over really well.

I do not understand how one cute little package could have so many medical issues, all of which are ostensibly unrelated. Most of them haven't been that big of a deal (at least not in the long run) - the undescended testicle decided to join his friend on the right, the acid reflux was hell but we finally got medicine that helped and it resolved itself by 6 months like it was supposed to, the dermoid cyst was odd but was removed without complication, the ear infectionss have also been hell but aren't uncommon and the tubes should help-- but Type 1 diabetes? That's entirely different. It's permanent, chronic, and serious. It's not just another medical condition on the laundry list of things about Landon's first year that JP and I will never forget but which Landon, with his goldfish-like memory, will soon be blissfully unaware.

I'm not panicking yet, I'm just tired. Tired because he was up again at 4 AM. Tired because I'm pretty sure we could have another baby in two years who will sleep through the night while he still doesn't. Tired because I'm not even sure I want another baby, ever. Tired of doctors. Tired of Landon being in the small or rare group for everything. Tired and a bit overwhelmed with all I need to get done before I can graduate (like writing a 35 page substantial paper). Tired of not having the "easy baby" everyone else seems to have. Just tired and seriously thinking about crying in the law school green lounge.

Sigh... he sure is cute though.


16 comments:

  1. Hey, how long will he have to fast before surgery? Can they do the blood draw the morning before surgery when they (presumably) do any other blood draws? It might be worth asking to avoid two fasts!

    Also, could all the antibiotics be wreaking havoc with his blood sugar?

    Good luck to you on both!

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  2. He *is* adorable -- and I'm sure this is just "your year from hell." (Mine was 2006.) I am holding out hope that everything else will go swimmingly and that the fasting blood glucose test will be normal-boring!

    Good luck with the paper. I remember how much I hated getting mine done, and the amazing feeling when it was finally in!

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  3. I'm hoping this is just a false alarm. And good luck with the ear tubes!

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  4. I hope to ease your mind a bit by telling you that both my kids had weird things happen too. My daughter was full term but had unexplained apnea and was on a machine for 2 years, then they thought she had a brain stem tumor (funky optic nerve) and my son, after getting tubes at 6 and 18 months, was followed for years for endocrine problems (another potential tumor situation) because he got hair under his arms in 2nd grade. You know what? They're both fine and perfectly normal, annoying teenagers today. My friend's kids went through something similar and they're OK too. I think it is more common than you think and the odds are that most of it will be nothing serious.

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  5. Poor kid! You know, when I was a kid I had TONS of medical issues . . . including a 3 month hospital stay. After that, though, I was perfectly healthy (knock on wood) up until now (and hopefully will be forever!) So maybe after you just get past this, he'll be a normal, healthy kid. And here's to hoping your subsequent kid(s) if there are any are the healthiest of the healthy!

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  6. Hang in there. Isn't it hell when you feel like you keep getting hit in the face with curve balls?! Ugh. Life is like that. There are better times around the bend. At least that's what I'm telling myself. Landon is happy and adorable. :)

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  7. I'm sorry hon. Today is officially sucky day. I'll be enjoying inebriation -- nice glass of vino and wallowing in self-pity. I think it's okay to throw a pity party once in awhile and just marinate in it. Join me *virtually*. Cheers to Landon not having diabetes or any other probs... and to you being a kick ass mom.

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  8. I hope you are able to take some time to take care of yourself, too. You sound terribly tired (understandably) and if you haven't already found a therapist to talk to you should look into it (even though it's just another thing on an already very full plate).

    Hope everything goes well with the test!

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  9. I'm a type I diabetic - have been for 22 years. If you want to email me on this, feel free. nkloconte@yahoo.com

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  10. Aw man LL, I'm sorry about the worry. I'm hoping that Landon follows his trend of having exceedingly curable problems. Give him a big hug from LM.

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  11. Hang in there. The world's gotta cut you a break sooner or later. And there is nothing wrong with cutting a class and leaving the kiddo at daycare so that you can take a nap. Trust me, I've been there. Good luck!

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  12. Awww, I'm so sorry all this is happening! Sending warm happy thoughts your way :)

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  13. I am so sorry you guys can't catch a break. He is awfully sweet and cute though so that has to compensate for the middle of the night wakings right? Hang in there.

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  14. I'm crossing my fingers that the next test goes well!

    But you're right, he is so adorable! I bet the nurses love when he comes in.

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  15. I really hope this is a false alarm. I am so sorry LL. You guys have definitely had the toughest introduction to parenthood. He is adorable though. ;) I love his pictures.

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  16. he sure is cute! I can't wait until next monday to see how hefty my guy is...so funny that we both have such chubbo-babies. :)

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