Growth Hormone

We had a growth hormone stimulation test done on Weilong this summer. It was not surprising to find out that he needs to take human growth hormone. His hgh level started out at .5 and never rose above 2.5. Normal is between 7 and 10, I think.

The endo will not prescribe gh until after the decompression surgery. He says that he is afraid of creating any more pressure in Weilong's little brain. But Weilong is taking levoxyl for thyroid hormone replacement. And I am thrilled to report that he has grown 3/4 of an inch since March when he started the levozyl. And he weighs 40 lbs now, nearly every time we weigh him. Sometimes he slips down to 39, but mostly it's 40. He is thrilled, jumping up and down and clapping when we measure him and he has grown a bit. His optimism and good spirits never fail.

I have read that some children grow up to 6 inches the first year they are on hgh!! Weilong is looking forward to growing more than anything.

Summer's End

Can you believe school starts next week? Where did the summer go? I've been so busy that I have neglected to even update this old blog.

Weilong's decompression surgery is scheduled for 10/8. Things didn't work out for us to have it this summer, and I must say that it will be a lot easier for me if the other children are in school. We have prayed about this so much, and I truly believe that this is God's timing for the surgery.

We have tried to keep Weilong quiet over the summer, his symptoms are much better when he doesn't play so rough or get over heated and tired. Swimming has been a wonderful way for the kids to get exercise safely.

Gary's dad is having some health problems that really concern us. He is staying with us for a while now. He had an accident early this summer, his riding lawn mower turned over on him! A few days later his leg kept giving under him and he was admitted to the hospital. They think he may have suffered a stroke. He seems to be disoriented, had balance problems which may be what is causing him to stumble and have trouble walking. He forget things and cannot remember things. He is having severe problems with his eyesight, has even been bumping into the walls and doors. I called his doctor long distance today because his glucose level is extremely high, and nothing seems to bring it down. The doctor is prescribing a different kind of insulin to be taken in addition to his regular insulin. I'm going to pick it up from the drug store shortly. I would give anything to have some medical training right now. I'm afraid I will do something that will cause him more harm, but I have written down the doctors directions and am following them to a "T".

We had a wonderful, but very brief visit from Lisa's friend Wenyi a few weeks ago. The were in Changzhou SWI together until Lisa was 7 and they will always love each other. Wenyi is like a sister to Lisa, when they get together it is like no time at all has passed.

Well, I must be off to the store, I'll just post this short update and hope to get time to post more soon. Maybe next week after school starts?