The last time I posted, Trent had to go to the dentist to have a tooth pulled. It went well and the dentist informed me that she really has no idea how long those baby teeth will stay in his mouth. We just keep praying.
When Trent was around 7 or 8, he was diagnosed with JRA (juvenile rheumatoid arthritis). He eventually outgrew that for the most part, although at times his joints would hurt. Some years ago, the doctors said that he had outgrown the JRA and diagnosed him with psoriatic arthritis.
I took Trent off of sugar around a year and a half ago. He has lost almost 30 pounds and has kept it off. He weighed 168 when he began and now weighs around 139 pounds. The main reason I took him off of sugar is because he struggled with boils. All the doctors ever did was to give him medication to put on his boils to help heal them up. I wanted something that was preventative. I tried various things and the elimination of sugar seemed to help incredibly...until several months ago.
The boils have come back, but not to the extent that they had before. His bigger problem has been a strange rash, especially around the right side of his mouth. It comes from time to time, sometimes every few days, but usually we can clear it up within two to three days.
Last Sunday, the rash started again in the same place. I knew that he had pizza the night prior to that when he had attended a special rec activity. But I figured we could clear it up in a day or two---WRONG!
It is bigger and redder than ever no matter what we do. Sometimes besides the patch by his mouth, his right cheek becomes quite red. I have been at a loss and have asked God for wisdom about what to do, what kind of doctor to call, and what this could possibly be. God answered and gave me the wisdom for which I asked.
I realized that he had been complaining about pain the last several weeks. Trent doesn't complain about pain unless he is REALLY hurting. After being in remission, his arthritis is flaring up again. And if that isn't bad enough, so is the psoriasis that we thought was long gone. After looking up some pictures on line, I know that is what the problem is.
It's so hard for us as parents of a child with special needs to see them go through so much emotional turmoil and then add the physical problems, too. This is something that I must cast upon the Lord. I need to find a rhematologist who will take his Medicare and Medicaid. I'm trusting God, but I'm asking you to please pray for him.
He is able to do so many things--cutting the grass, raking the leaves, driving the garden tractor to clean up the snow...and he loves his job at Bob Evans Restaurant. He is an amazing young man and I am praying that he will go ino remission soon so that he can continue to do the things he so enjoys.
When we have a child with special needs, the concerns never end. But I know we have a Heavenly Father Who cares and loves all of us. And I am sure that those with special needs are very special to Him indeed.
And so we must continue on. Praising and thanking God for His Goodness, knowing that He always knows what He is doing and that He already has the problem under His control.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Look at the Bright Side!
It seems that when we have a child with special needs, there is always one medical need after another. For the most part, Trent has been fairly healthy. He hasn't had many of the problems that others with Down Syndrome have had. But he has had his share.
Today I found out that we now have to face something medically (or should I say dentally?) new.
About 13 years ago, we switched to a new dentist. She continues to be our dentist because I like her and I trust her. She told us at that time that Trent had no permanent teeth. What did that mean? It meant that at the then age of 19, he had all baby teeth and the x rays revealed that there were no permanent teeth. His former dentists had never caught this. The solution? There was and is none. The dentist said that the best thing was to just leave them alone and when there were problems that arose, we would deal with them.
He has had NO cavities--at least not until now.
Just before we went to the dentist for his regular six-month check up, I noticed that he had a tooth that was twisted to the side and squeezing up against the other one. Sure enough, the tooth has to be pulled. Not only has it moved, but it is quite decayed.
This is the beginning of something we hoped would never happen. But it is happening. We were told that eventually it would.
It is so easy to get discouraged when things like this happen. The only thing that can be done is that he will, eventually, have to have all his teeth pulled and have his teeth replaced with dentures. My heart goes out to him. He has suffered from arthritis from the time he was eight years old, when he was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. As he grew older, he was then diagnosed with psoraric arthritis. I know this is going to be no fun. Of course, he is apprehensive about having his tooth pulled. But he is brave--surprisingly so!
As for me, I had all I could do to fight back the tears. Dentures are not going to be easy for him to adapt to. And they are going to be expensive! At least, we had the good sense to be putting away for these for when the day was to come.
But we who have been parents of a special-needs child for any length of time know this: we must look at the bright side. What is the bright side? At least he will have this done while we are still here for him. The day will come that we won't be here. Do I worry about that? What mom doesn't? But we have made proper arrangements for him and I know that we have a Heavenly Father who will take care of him until he joins us in heaven. Thank you Father God!!
Today I found out that we now have to face something medically (or should I say dentally?) new.
About 13 years ago, we switched to a new dentist. She continues to be our dentist because I like her and I trust her. She told us at that time that Trent had no permanent teeth. What did that mean? It meant that at the then age of 19, he had all baby teeth and the x rays revealed that there were no permanent teeth. His former dentists had never caught this. The solution? There was and is none. The dentist said that the best thing was to just leave them alone and when there were problems that arose, we would deal with them.
He has had NO cavities--at least not until now.
Just before we went to the dentist for his regular six-month check up, I noticed that he had a tooth that was twisted to the side and squeezing up against the other one. Sure enough, the tooth has to be pulled. Not only has it moved, but it is quite decayed.
This is the beginning of something we hoped would never happen. But it is happening. We were told that eventually it would.
It is so easy to get discouraged when things like this happen. The only thing that can be done is that he will, eventually, have to have all his teeth pulled and have his teeth replaced with dentures. My heart goes out to him. He has suffered from arthritis from the time he was eight years old, when he was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. As he grew older, he was then diagnosed with psoraric arthritis. I know this is going to be no fun. Of course, he is apprehensive about having his tooth pulled. But he is brave--surprisingly so!
As for me, I had all I could do to fight back the tears. Dentures are not going to be easy for him to adapt to. And they are going to be expensive! At least, we had the good sense to be putting away for these for when the day was to come.
But we who have been parents of a special-needs child for any length of time know this: we must look at the bright side. What is the bright side? At least he will have this done while we are still here for him. The day will come that we won't be here. Do I worry about that? What mom doesn't? But we have made proper arrangements for him and I know that we have a Heavenly Father who will take care of him until he joins us in heaven. Thank you Father God!!
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Hello!
Hello to everyone who has followed my blog and has not given up on me.
Truth is, this past year has been a difficult one--a time of testings and trials that has tried my faith. I have kept myself busy by teaching a Ladies' Sunday School class, continuing to have our Wonderfully Made Moms group, singing at church, and just about anything that God lays on my heart to do. It has taken my mind off of other things, while my heart is in the process of healing. I am confident that some day God will answer my prayers.
The most exciting thing I am doing is writing a new book. It's is for Moms who have children with special needs and it probably won't be done for at least a few more months. Then comes the editing, finding a publisher, etc. Please pray for me. As I get nearer to the completion, I will let everyone know.
Nice to connect with you again!
Truth is, this past year has been a difficult one--a time of testings and trials that has tried my faith. I have kept myself busy by teaching a Ladies' Sunday School class, continuing to have our Wonderfully Made Moms group, singing at church, and just about anything that God lays on my heart to do. It has taken my mind off of other things, while my heart is in the process of healing. I am confident that some day God will answer my prayers.
The most exciting thing I am doing is writing a new book. It's is for Moms who have children with special needs and it probably won't be done for at least a few more months. Then comes the editing, finding a publisher, etc. Please pray for me. As I get nearer to the completion, I will let everyone know.
Nice to connect with you again!
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