I thank God for finding this forum, now I don't feel so alone.
My "son" Ian is 12 years old. He is a great young man. I am his and his 3 siblings legal guardian. Although he is not my biological son, I could not love him and his siblings more if I bore them myself! They have been with us 5 years and we, God willing, will raise them to adulthood.
This young man stole my heart at age 7. His smile and charisma are something to be seen! At age 11, he shot up- tall. We began to notice his weight dropping. I went from doctor to doctor, them telling me he had an eating disorder to siliac's (sp?) disease. I knew in my gut they were wrong. I took him to the emergency room at a premiere Children's Hospital in our area. We had been told previously that his first possible appointment before that ER visit to their GI staff was 6 weeks away. With my son at 5 foot 6, and at 90 lbs, this wasn't going to fly.
Over the 5 days we awaited a scope and colonoscopy, he lost 6 lbs and got down to 84 lbs. He wasn't eating well, and my baby was so so thin.
I thank God also for Dr Jain, his pediatric GI specialist, one of the best in the Midwest. He got everything going so quickly and answered our multitude of questions. He diagnosed Gastroduodinal Crohn's.
Ian is on Asacol, which is helping and he eats better, more often and more foods. We stay away from roughage, seeds and spicy or greasy foods.
He was diagnosed 5 week ago, and the battle to get weight on my son is uphill and SLOW! But he didn't lose it overnight either.
My question to you wonderful people is this- DOES IT GET BETTER? My son has nights he cannot sleep if he gets a tummy ache- and he is gaining weight slowly, but this is killing me to watch my son this way. I cry when he is not around to just get it out. Are there any parents of young men or women with Crohn's out there?
I am ever grateful for my son's school and friends. They have rallied around him and not singled him out. They encourage him and he has a very sunny disposition and loves school.
Ian also has bone density issues. We found that first 2 years ago, and Dr Jain told us that may have been the first signs of Crohn's, the body taking nutrients from bone since it wasn't absorbing elsewhere. He should be at a density of 80- his is 17.
Any and all encouragement is welcome, and I am so glad to have found a group of people to help me on this journey for my son! Please join us in friendship and prayer. With my son, family, friends and loved ones, please help support Team Ian!!
thank you so much for all you folks do here. I have read so many of your posts, and feel your warmth and comfort.
SuLyn
"Mom" and coach of TEAM IAN!
My "son" Ian is 12 years old. He is a great young man. I am his and his 3 siblings legal guardian. Although he is not my biological son, I could not love him and his siblings more if I bore them myself! They have been with us 5 years and we, God willing, will raise them to adulthood.
This young man stole my heart at age 7. His smile and charisma are something to be seen! At age 11, he shot up- tall. We began to notice his weight dropping. I went from doctor to doctor, them telling me he had an eating disorder to siliac's (sp?) disease. I knew in my gut they were wrong. I took him to the emergency room at a premiere Children's Hospital in our area. We had been told previously that his first possible appointment before that ER visit to their GI staff was 6 weeks away. With my son at 5 foot 6, and at 90 lbs, this wasn't going to fly.
Over the 5 days we awaited a scope and colonoscopy, he lost 6 lbs and got down to 84 lbs. He wasn't eating well, and my baby was so so thin.
I thank God also for Dr Jain, his pediatric GI specialist, one of the best in the Midwest. He got everything going so quickly and answered our multitude of questions. He diagnosed Gastroduodinal Crohn's.
Ian is on Asacol, which is helping and he eats better, more often and more foods. We stay away from roughage, seeds and spicy or greasy foods.
He was diagnosed 5 week ago, and the battle to get weight on my son is uphill and SLOW! But he didn't lose it overnight either.
My question to you wonderful people is this- DOES IT GET BETTER? My son has nights he cannot sleep if he gets a tummy ache- and he is gaining weight slowly, but this is killing me to watch my son this way. I cry when he is not around to just get it out. Are there any parents of young men or women with Crohn's out there?
I am ever grateful for my son's school and friends. They have rallied around him and not singled him out. They encourage him and he has a very sunny disposition and loves school.
Ian also has bone density issues. We found that first 2 years ago, and Dr Jain told us that may have been the first signs of Crohn's, the body taking nutrients from bone since it wasn't absorbing elsewhere. He should be at a density of 80- his is 17.
Any and all encouragement is welcome, and I am so glad to have found a group of people to help me on this journey for my son! Please join us in friendship and prayer. With my son, family, friends and loved ones, please help support Team Ian!!
thank you so much for all you folks do here. I have read so many of your posts, and feel your warmth and comfort.
SuLyn
"Mom" and coach of TEAM IAN!
