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Post by iansmommy on Aug 10, 2009 18:52:35 GMT -5
Hi Everyone, My name is Sandy and I have 7 children. My youngest, Ian, will be two on August 29th and has Down Syndrome. I found out early in my pregnancy so had lots of time to prepare as best we could. I am so thankful for my son...for all of my children, but there is just something amazing with ds children. He has brought oodles of joy to our household. At birth, 3 holes were detected in his heart and at 5 months of age, he had surgery to repair it. Thank goodness it was a one time deal! Ian also struggles with asthma that seems to have been mismanaged for the past year. Weight gain has been a huge issue for him as he is still only 20 pounds. Looking forward to meeting you and gleaning lots of wisdom from this site. Sandy Attachments:
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Post by elizabethsmom on Aug 10, 2009 19:48:09 GMT -5
hello Sandy, Welcome to unomas! You will find so much information and support here! I know I did. Can't wait to hear more about your family...and about Ian. I have 5 children...20, 17, 17, 2 and 2 (both 2 year olds with DS). Unomas has been wonderful to us. Sheryl
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Post by Googsmom aka Jennifer on Aug 10, 2009 21:28:07 GMT -5
Welcome to Uno Mas Sandy Your little Ian is a cutie pie I have Brook, 3 yrs old, my Hero!
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Post by laurasmom on Aug 10, 2009 22:00:50 GMT -5
Hi Sandy
Welcome to Uno Mas! Ian is adorable. I have 2 girls, Laura, who will be 18 in a few weeks, has DS, and her sister, Kelly, is 14 and a very typical teenager.
I am glad you found us, there is a ton of info to be shared from the parents here, not to mention new friends to make. Don't hesitate to speak up!'
Sharon
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Post by CC on Aug 10, 2009 22:41:31 GMT -5
Looking forward to hearing more about you and yours CC ~ From New Jersey
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Post by kg91207 on Aug 11, 2009 15:15:25 GMT -5
Hi Sandy! Welcome. Ian is a cutie! My baby, Kaelyn, will be two Sept. 12. She just had the PDA in her heart repaired this past June, and still has 2 holes. She too hasn't gained a lot of weight, but is finally up to 23 pounds. She was a preemie tho. Hope you enjoy this board, I sure have!
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Post by kellyds on Aug 11, 2009 15:47:24 GMT -5
Hi, Sandy! I love the picture of Ian!
I have six kids and the youngest has Down syndrome. He had a VSD repaired at three months of age and also struggled with weight gain. He's 4 1/2 and now weighs a whole 32 pounds! :-)
Welcome!
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Post by Jodi on Aug 12, 2009 11:36:26 GMT -5
Hi Sandy, and Hello IAN!!
I have an 11 year old son, Ryan, with Ds.
Ryan also had 3 small holes, but we were lucky in that they closed without surgery by the time he was 1.
You mentioned about weight gain. I know there are heart issues, but I thought I would mention that when Ryan was 3, he had his tonsils and adenoids removed, along with ear tubes put in. He had sleep apnea and that was keeping him from gaining weight. He went from being in the lower 5th percentile for kids with Ds to being in the 80th percentile in a couple of years following surgery.
I am, of course, not suggesting that this is the issue with Ian, but I thought I would mention our situation so that you can think if Ian has had lots of ear infections or any trouble sleeping (periods when he stops breathing for several seconds).
Anyway... WELCOME! This is a great place to share information and get support!!
Jodi
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Post by sueb on Aug 12, 2009 11:56:13 GMT -5
Hi Sandy: I am also relatively new here - my name's Sue and I have a 21-year old daughter, Milly, who has DS and autism - this is a wonderful, wonderful place to get info, support, and, whenever needed, a hug or two! Helps me realize that I am not alone. Your son Ian is adorable. Welcome!
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Post by iansmommy on Aug 12, 2009 13:05:41 GMT -5
;D
Thanks for all of the warm welcomes here. I KNOW this will be a site I visit often.
Jodi, you mentioned some things to consider with Ian's weight issues. He has been tested for sleep apnea, as when he was younger, I knew that was an issue. At this point, they say he's not having enough significant problems to warrent tonsils/adenoids removed. Because of his age/size, they want to hold off as long as possible as his ENT said he would probably be in the hospital for a week, most likely in ICU and could have troubles coming off the ventilator. He said by the age of 10, Ian would likely need them out.
As for ear infections, he's had some of those and did end up getting tubes put in April 20. He's had more issues with some pneumonia, respiratory junk and now just recently dealing with asthma.
Thanks for the thoughts though....I love learning from others that have walked this road.
Sandy
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Post by MB on Aug 12, 2009 21:08:45 GMT -5
Welcome! A friend of ours, a little guy with Ds, suffered a long, long time with asthma and other respiratory stuff. Circumstances forced them to change ENTs at age four. New Doc sent him immediately to an allergist. He was allergic to dairy products and eliminating it from his diet cleared up all of the respiratory stuff.
mb
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Post by Chris too on Aug 12, 2009 21:14:37 GMT -5
I'm a bit late in the welcome - seems you are settling in with 6 posts already Welcome anyway! Glad to have you aboard
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