Michelle,
Once your son get his diagnosis, you should see his appetite drop (as a result of the enzymes taken with all meals/snacks/milk). Your message rang a familiar bell with me. I remember laughing at my sons voracious appetite. He just kept eating and eating - more than most of the adults. The problem with CF and the digestive system (although some people with CF do not have many digestive complications) is that certain enzymes produced naturally by the pancreas become "trapped" and are unable to reach the food. What that means is that the food can't be properly broken down and nutrients are flushed down the toilet rather then absorbed into your son's system. Your son eats like he is starving, because his body IS starving. Once your son starts taking these manufactured enzymes (prescribed by your doctor), food will be broken down better and more nutrients will be absorbed. It's not perfect, and your son will still have a bigger appetite than those kids without cf, but you will see a big change. My son was diagnosed just after his 3rd birthday (he's 4 and 1/2 right now). All the changes (treatments and medicines) seemed so overwhelming, but we all adjusted within a couple of months (probably less). It also broke my heart when I saw the research about infertility in cf males. My son was only 3 at the time, and it really bothered me being told he "can't" do something. Don't tell me my son can't do anything - he's just a little boy! I'm still irritated with the idea that he won't be able to scuba dive. It's like "If there is something my son wants, I want him to be able to work for and obtain it". I don't want my son to close any doors before it's necessary. Logan will need to know that, while having children naturally is unlikely, there are many ways for him to become a father if that is something he really wants. IVF, adoption (possibly abroad), foster parenting, artificial insemination.
I'm gonna stop there as I am sleepy. I know your concerns involve a huge range of issues, and I just wanted to touch on these couple of issues. Your son will feel so much better after his diagnosis.
Jena
4 yr old son with cf / 1 year old daughter no cf
Once your son get his diagnosis, you should see his appetite drop (as a result of the enzymes taken with all meals/snacks/milk). Your message rang a familiar bell with me. I remember laughing at my sons voracious appetite. He just kept eating and eating - more than most of the adults. The problem with CF and the digestive system (although some people with CF do not have many digestive complications) is that certain enzymes produced naturally by the pancreas become "trapped" and are unable to reach the food. What that means is that the food can't be properly broken down and nutrients are flushed down the toilet rather then absorbed into your son's system. Your son eats like he is starving, because his body IS starving. Once your son starts taking these manufactured enzymes (prescribed by your doctor), food will be broken down better and more nutrients will be absorbed. It's not perfect, and your son will still have a bigger appetite than those kids without cf, but you will see a big change. My son was diagnosed just after his 3rd birthday (he's 4 and 1/2 right now). All the changes (treatments and medicines) seemed so overwhelming, but we all adjusted within a couple of months (probably less). It also broke my heart when I saw the research about infertility in cf males. My son was only 3 at the time, and it really bothered me being told he "can't" do something. Don't tell me my son can't do anything - he's just a little boy! I'm still irritated with the idea that he won't be able to scuba dive. It's like "If there is something my son wants, I want him to be able to work for and obtain it". I don't want my son to close any doors before it's necessary. Logan will need to know that, while having children naturally is unlikely, there are many ways for him to become a father if that is something he really wants. IVF, adoption (possibly abroad), foster parenting, artificial insemination.
I'm gonna stop there as I am sleepy. I know your concerns involve a huge range of issues, and I just wanted to touch on these couple of issues. Your son will feel so much better after his diagnosis.
Jena
4 yr old son with cf / 1 year old daughter no cf
I actually will be up at the ENT clinic tomorrow--both our boys are scheduled for sugeries on the 25th. I am kind of thinking they will postpone Logans due to the pneumonia that's been hanging on but we'll see. He's supposed to be having his second set of tubes put in while our four year old is having his second set removed as well as his tonsils removed and any adenoids that may have grown back since two years ago. Up there we see Thrasher?