Growth Hormone Deficiency Theories (from a mom, who is not a Scientist or Physician)

                                  
Although there are no studies to support my theories, I firmly believe:

1) Growth Hormone Deficiency can be a condition which is passed down genetically despite scientific studies stating it isn't. There are an insufficient amount of studies completed with large groups to rule out a genetic correlation.

2) There should be studies to determine if there is a correlation between intro-uterine growth retardation and growth hormone deficiency.  I was diagnosed with intro-uterine growth retardation with both my children at approximately 24 weeks, was placed on bed-rest, and was induced into labor with both children - Samantha at 38 weeks and her younger brother at 37 weeks. At the present time, there are no scientific studies of which I am aware which have ruled out this connection.

1 in 3480 children have this condition and I'm confident it is much more prevalent than the medical community is aware of at the present time. In my humble opinion:

1) the testing is expensive and time consuming,

2) one has to have a pediatrician recognize possible symptoms and recommend testing,

3) payment of medication is cost prohibitive if a person does not have decent medical insurance, and

4) insurance companies resist paying for the medication because they see it as "elective" instead of truly necessary.

I can only imagine how many children are in the world who could benefit from treatment, for treatment is not necessarily solely to increase one's height. I hope that Samantha can make a difference in the lives of others as she is simultaneously making a difference in hers, and in turn, mine.

Disclosure: The information above is personal opinion only and should not be considered medical or legal advice, nor is supported by any medical research studies or physicians.

Day 140 (from Mom)

                             
When Samantha was logging her daily dose treatment tonight she exclaimed "today is 140 days!"  Although I feel tonight is a milestone for her, she told me "no, 150 days will be."  Samantha has made this process simply part of her daily routine and I am in awe of her.

When we first began investigating whether growth hormone therapy was right for Samantha, I was worried about the physical issues; how her body would respond, would she be sick, what unknown long-term effects were possibly looming in her future, and how would she take the medication on a daily basis for an unknown period of time.

Now that we have seen that Samantha does not appear to have any negative physical responses to the treatment, I think often of how Samantha feels about taking growth hormone therapy: what if it doesn't work as she wants it to, and what social stigmas are and will there be because Samantha has insisted on being vocal about her journey?

Her blog and talking/writing about it is her choice, and I support her strength, enthusiasm and drive. Samantha is coping phenomenally well and I feel it's in part because she is so open about her experience. We have friends or family get-togethers at our home and she wants to show her friends and mine how she can self-administer her shots. It gives her the motivation to keep on fighting the good fight.

Samantha's experience is one she shares because Samantha wants both herself and I to be a source of support for others at a time when it would have been unbelievably helpful to have known another child to explain the process and support Samantha. We, as parents, need support as well. I wish I had a parent I knew who had gone through this experience to inform me, even at a minimum, that everything would work out and not to doubt myself one bit in agreeing to allow Samantha to begin growth hormone therapy. Samantha wants to do more; she wants to hold another child's hand through the process, even if that is done electronically.

I look back at the last 140 days and think how easy much of the process has been.  I look towards the future and can't imagine watching Samantha take nightly shots for possibly another 2 years.

Challenging experiences are the same ones which make us better people and more appreciative of the precious gifts life has to offer so long as we take the time to open our eyes and look at what we can learn from them.