When I first became pregnant years ago, Super D (like many men) wanted a boy. A strapping (what does that word mean anyway?) young lad whom Super D could teach to round kick, pass gas, and play shoot-em-up video games. But when our sweet girl was born, Super D was hooked. Most of the dad pics in her baby book are of him asleep with her on his chest. She had him wrapped around her little finger from Day One.
By age 4, the turned-in foot hadn't corrected itself. X-rays revealed that there was no unusual bone growth. A sports doctor told us that there is a surgery to correct it, but that he doesn't recommend it. All kinds of athletes experence intoeing. Even Michael Jordan. If Michael Jordan can overcome it, so can my son. The doc sent us to a single session of physical therapy, where they showed us some exercises he could do to possibly increase his flexibility, but I gave up on those. They were painful and didn't seem to help. I'm not cut out to be a PT. So, oddly enough, he stands with both feet next to each other, but pointing in opposite directions. And he can't really sit cross-legged; he sits with his feet beneath his bottom and his toes pointing in.
Just today, at age 10, the doc diagnosed him with keratosis pilaris. We were at the allergist for testing when the doctor mentioned it. No one has ever said anything before, but C has small bumps on his cheeks which are harmless and will probably clear up each summer. An over-the-counter cream should keep it in check in the meantime.
And now we get to carry an EpiPen with us wherever we go because C is allergic to shellfish, among other things. Here is the complete list, in order of severity: house dust mite, cockroach, shrimp, crab, oak, cat, Kentucky blue grass, Red River birch, short ragweed, Russian thistle, European house dust mite, oyster, lobster, Timothy grass, Meadow Fesque, Bermuda grass, Johnson grass, Bahia grass, maple, sycamore, American elm, Lambsquarter (whatever that is), Dock mix, and a fungus called Alternaria Tenuis. For those who forgot to count, that's 24 allergens. So, he pretty much can't live in the house, can't go outside during any season but winter, and can't eat at Red Lobster.
So in addition to the Novolog, Lantis, blood glucose test strips, Ketostix, lancets, two Glucagon pens, insulin cartridges, infusion sets, and Phenegran, he has added to his list of prescriptions a nasal spray, an allergy med, two inhalers, and four EpiPens.
After that, he couldn't imagine having a boy. Girls are easy. She was normal, healthy, and happy. She hit all of the developmental milestones on track. So when I got pregnant for a second time, he was openly hoping for another girl.
And out popped my little ninja. He's a sneaky little thing - born 3 weeks early. Here I was, expected a 2-and-a-half-hour delivery, and he snuck out with just 2 pushes. Upon arrival, he broke the mold. There isn't another like him anywhere. He has a little toe that is turned sideways. We lovingly refer to it as his "crazy toe". Makes for a really cute little baby footprint.
By age 2, we noticed that one of his feet turns in when he walks. According to the doc, that's normal and usually works itself out. Unlike when I was little, they don't recommend the special shoes for kids anymore. Apparently, they don't really help. My mom wishes she had known that when I was a toddler. It was a dark secret that I had to wear those shoes.
By age 3, C had been diagnosed with diabetes. Not a surprise, since Super D is diabetic, as was his dad. Family and friends rallied around me, as if expecting me to fall apart. (Super D's mom actually told me to run out and buy a CD from the local religious nut and play it 24/7 by the kid's crib. She was convinced that would heal him.) But I was prepared for this one. Not a big deal. People live with Type 1 diabetes every day and function normally. C could learn how to survive, too. After all, it's better that he learn to live with diabetes from an early age than have to change his life habits at the age of 17, like Super D.
By age 4, the turned-in foot hadn't corrected itself. X-rays revealed that there was no unusual bone growth. A sports doctor told us that there is a surgery to correct it, but that he doesn't recommend it. All kinds of athletes experence intoeing. Even Michael Jordan. If Michael Jordan can overcome it, so can my son. The doc sent us to a single session of physical therapy, where they showed us some exercises he could do to possibly increase his flexibility, but I gave up on those. They were painful and didn't seem to help. I'm not cut out to be a PT. So, oddly enough, he stands with both feet next to each other, but pointing in opposite directions. And he can't really sit cross-legged; he sits with his feet beneath his bottom and his toes pointing in.
By age 5, we were convinced that C has ADD. We haven't taken him to a doctor about it because we want to try to correct poor behavior with good parenting. We have to stay on him a little more than most parents do with their kids and be very specific with our instructions to him, but we kept saying we won't get a diagnosis until it begins to affect his schoolwork. Well, here we are, in 4th grade, and I wonder every day if it may be time for a trip to another doc. (I'll leave that story for another post.)
By age 7, the dentist revealed that C is missing his two bottom front permanent teeth. I have to admit that I freaked about this more than anything else. But, again, the professional didn't show great concern. C's teeth will probably shift to the front, and no one will notice. If he ends up with a gap, we slap braces on him. There was even a mention of implants. But I was told not to worry. Right. I didn't tell C for a long time. By the time I did tell him, he had already begun to ask for braces, so it was no big deal.
By age 7, the optometrist told me that C has an eye that drifts. Corrective lenses are supposed to help, but they haven't fixed it yet. In fact, his vision has worsened. We'll see.
Also by age 8, it became apparent that C also has eczema, a trait he got from me. This terribly itchy skin disease is of the devil. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I guess I had eczema from the time I was in the hospital nursery. They put little mittens on my hands to keep me from scratching myself. But, again, this illness is liveable.
Just today, at age 10, the doc diagnosed him with keratosis pilaris. We were at the allergist for testing when the doctor mentioned it. No one has ever said anything before, but C has small bumps on his cheeks which are harmless and will probably clear up each summer. An over-the-counter cream should keep it in check in the meantime.
And now we get to carry an EpiPen with us wherever we go because C is allergic to shellfish, among other things. Here is the complete list, in order of severity: house dust mite, cockroach, shrimp, crab, oak, cat, Kentucky blue grass, Red River birch, short ragweed, Russian thistle, European house dust mite, oyster, lobster, Timothy grass, Meadow Fesque, Bermuda grass, Johnson grass, Bahia grass, maple, sycamore, American elm, Lambsquarter (whatever that is), Dock mix, and a fungus called Alternaria Tenuis. For those who forgot to count, that's 24 allergens. So, he pretty much can't live in the house, can't go outside during any season but winter, and can't eat at Red Lobster.
So in addition to the Novolog, Lantis, blood glucose test strips, Ketostix, lancets, two Glucagon pens, insulin cartridges, infusion sets, and Phenegran, he has added to his list of prescriptions a nasal spray, an allergy med, two inhalers, and four EpiPens.
Despite each and every "abnormality", my son is a normal 10YO boy. None of these things get to him at all. I have only heard him complain about being diabetic twice. (Nearly broke my heart!) He doesn't let anything slow him down. And I love him more than anything in the whole world! He's my kicking, farting, zombie-killing, ninja!
