Scout Camp=No Showers For a Week!

Estrella Hills Young Men Scout Camp (Noah is in the purple DC jacket)

Noah just returned yesterday from his first Scout Camp.  Their camp was located at the Coconino National Forest, Blue Lake Reservoir.  The camp was only a week long, but Noah still managed to complete two merit badges, Cooking and Environmental Science.  He also worked on his Pioneering badge, but didn't have enough time to complete it. 



(stock photo of the area)

Endo Update: Alora's Stim Test

The four-hour long growth hormone test is officially done and the results are in.  Last Friday Alora had to be at the Phoenix Children's Avondale location bright and early at 7:15 am.  She was hooked up to an IV line and had her first sample of blood drawn (several vials of it).  Her vitals were taken and by 8 am the test started.
 

The first two hours or so she had the medicine arginine pumped into her IV.  This medicine causes the body to release growth hormone.  After almost 100 mg was administered and because this was a time sensitive test, the nurse had to come in every 30 minutes to check her blood pressure and draw several more vials of blood.

At about the halfway point, she was then given an oral medicine, clonidine, that would cause her blood pressure to lower and make her brain think she needed to make more growth hormone.  This was probably the worst part of the test because she could actually taste this bitter liquid.  She was crying and fighting us so bad, we had to take her into another room where the nurse and another nurse had to hold her down and squeeze her mouth open to administer it.  I felt so bad.  The medicine made her groggy so at least she kind of got to sleep a little for the remainder of the test.  Even though this test is supposed to be virtually pain-free, Alora acted like she could feel every single little drop of blood leaving her body and that the blood pressure cuff was chopping off her arm.  I felt bad for her and the other people around us. 

Results:  Alora's endocrinologist called about 2 days ago.  She said the tests showed that she is making growth hormone, which is good.  I guess the normal levels are supposed to be around 23 and she is at a 10.  The doctor said what to do next is kind of up to us.  As she put it, we are kind of on the fencepost.  We can try the steroid injections, but Alora would have to take these daily injections for about 4 years, until the age of 12.  We could forgo the treatment and just let nature take its course. I asked the doctor what she would do if this were her child, and she wasn't really sure either.  She said she would consult some of her colleagues and see what they would recommend.  So now we have to wait to see what the general consensus is from everyone.  Alora has said she doesn't want to be so little when she's an adult.  Noah is already taller than what her expected height is to be; he's 4'11".  When I told her that, she had a meltdown.  I guess we'll just have to wait and do some more research in the meantime.  What to do, what to do...

Bribery

Sometimes you need a little bribery to maintain your own sanity.  I knew with Alora's super long growth hormone test, I was definitely going to need LOTS of bribery.  Before the test, I told her if she was super, super good and didn't throw a fit, I would take her to get a manicure and pedicure.  She has only gone once before (for a friend's birthday party), so she was super excited. 

Even though she was HORRIBLE during the test (running out, kicking, screaming, crying, etc.), I gave in and still took her to get her nails done.  We went to a place called Phoenix Nails.  It was pretty much like most other nail salons.  It smells bad and you can't understand what the nail techs are whispering.  Regardless, Alora loved her pampering and ended up with cute little purple nails with  white and silver flowers.