Introduction

kitykat086

Hi everyone. I've been lurking for about the past month, ever since my now 15-month-old DS was released from the hospital. He has a diagnosis of exclusion of idiopathic hypercalcemia of childhood, which means that he has high Calcium levels for which they can't find a reason. The doctor is hopeful that he will grow out of it in a few years.

In order to keep his Calcium levels within the normal range, we have to give him shots four times per day. Every other week, he has to have blood taken to check his Calcium level and once per month they will run a CBC to test for leukemia, to catch it early just in case it pops up.

In addition to the hypercalcemia, DS has had a very difficult time learning to eat. We currently have to give him about half of his feedings through an NG tube because he refuses to eat enough calories to help him grow. We are working with an Occupation Therapist to help us with this and today we received a referral to an ENT Doctor because he has slightly enlarged tonsils.

DS was a perfectly healthy kid prior to his first birthday, when all of these issues popped up kind of out of the blue. I still don't know whether he would be considered as "Special Needs". I don't know if I'm in denial. DS is not developmentally delayed besides his eating issues and as long as he has his shots, he is healthy. I don't really feel like I can relate to all of the other parents who have never had to deal with any health issues, either, so I feel kind of stuck inbetween.

I guess my question is - what do you consider Special Needs? Would DS fit into that category? 

I hope this isn't insensitive to anyone. I'm really trying not to be, I'm just trying to figure out where I fit in.

MaxandRuby

I'd consider him special needs and welcome to the board!

st.augbride

This is a great support board for all kinds of health and medical issues with our LOs. I'm sure giving that many shots and the constant b/w is far from easy. I hope that it resolves sooner rather than later for you guys!

S-Tuna

st.augbride:

This is a great support board for all kinds of health and medical issues with our LOs. I'm sure giving that many shots and the constant b/w is far from easy. I hope that it resolves sooner rather than later for you guys!

All of this. Also, I know exactly what you mean when you say you don't feel connected to NT or SN parents at times.

Assembly_Reqd

Welcome!!

zoeyandsummersmom

Welcome!

goldenleaves

Welcome! I mostly lurk here but post occasionally