BETH

Osgood Schlatter update

When I was telling my husband about what the doctor had said about Dougie, Roger chimed in with "I think that's what is the matter with my knee then too". So we've been to bother the GP yet again, and sure enough, he agrees! To be fair, Roger has complained for months now that kicking and jumping hurt, but I am so bored with doctors at the moment that it takes major illness to persuade me to take the kids anywhere near one!

They don't seem to sell those bands in chemists or sports shops over here, but I've ordered one over the internet to try on the basis that it is bound to help one of them!!!!

Thanks for the info, Ali

Hey, Ali -

I know exactly what you mean about being bored with doctors! Two days ago, after playing basketball, Brady told me his knees were killing him and he thinks he has the Osgood Schlatter thing. I said I was going to go buy one of the bands and he said "don't I need to go to a doctor first?" I told him we've been to too many doctors lately (we're still trying to figure out the source of his headaches/stomachaches) and we'll just consider him diagnosed. I really can't take another appointment! Plus after all these years I must have practically an honorary degree or something!

I hope the bands help Dougie and/or Roger. At least we know they're growing!

Beth

Hi all,

I haven't posted in a while, seems we have been to way too many doctor visits too, and as much as I know we need too, I am getting like Jordan is about seeing them lately, AGAIN???...We saw an oral surgeon twice and an ENT twice (had to go that route for insurance reasons) for a rannula (sp??) in her mouth, turned out for now to just watch it. Kind of what we have been doing with the ITP thing, however I must admit, I get nervous knowing she's low and we are not treating since we had been routinely. Then an immunologist for issues regarding possible use of Rituxan (Jordan has low WBC's), still waiting on a bunch of blood tests and need to see him again. But at least school is out, and she is only going to summer school twice a week for six weeks. Thought she'd like the break but I should know better. It took exactly two days for her to tell me she is bored already, got to look for more activities to keep her busy. Glad to read about the kids and their updates, hope all continues to go well for all or get even better.

Karen
mom to Jordan

We got a letter from the hospital today which would seem to confirm that Osgood Schlatters is a good diagnosis - the results from the rheumatology tests are all negative. The doctor who wrote it must have a good sense of humour - I quote "All of the test results are normal, with the obvious exception of the platelet count, and at 44, even that is remarkably high for Dougie"!

I am going to ask if he can get referred to a physio or something when we go back to the hospital to see if that could speed up his recovery. He's come home from school today really upset because they had the trials for sports day today, and of course he couldn't run so he hasn't qualified for anything. Given that he normally qualifies for everything, I think it has come as a bit of a shock. It seems a bit unfair really - he loves sports, but he can't do hardly anything at the moment because of his knees, and before that he wasn't doing things because of his platelet count.

Ho Hum, ,I hope his body sorts itself out soon! Ali

Ali,
I'm sorry to hear that Dougie's knees are really bothering him. You're right - it's not fair. Let me know what the doctor says when you follow up. So far, Brady mostly complains after a basketball game or some strenuous exercise, so maybe he doesn't have too severe of a case. If it gets worse, I probably should take him in, so I'd be interested to hear what the doctor tells you.

On a separate note - we're SO excited to watch USA-England tomorrow. That should be a great one! When we were in the U.K. two summers ago, we convinced our friends that we should get tickets to a soccer match. We ended up seeing Blackburn v. Arsenal and we were just amazed at how enthusiastic the spectators were. That was really something to see - so fun!

Karen - sorry that Jordan continues to struggle, but hopefully she'll get a break this summer. I can't wait for summer break (two more weeks)!!

Beth - mom to Brady (age 13, diagnosed 1/18/02) and Matthew (16)

Beth - Blackburn v Arsenal - you haven't lived!!!! You need to see a Pompey game (well, possibly not at the moment.....)or even the Boro. Plus, the tickets for that match must have cost you a small fortune. I'd forgotten it was the England US match tonight - might have to withdraw from this board for a few days to sulk in private if we lose!

Karen - I really sympathise with the whole doctor thing. Some weeks, it just seems like they have you trapped in their system. I fell off a bouncy castle a few weeks ago (too much to drink, very embarassing) and I've got soft tissue damage to my right hand. Last week I went to the fracture clinic, for the next 6 weeks I've got to go to the physio..... and I've still got to take Dougie to his appointment next week too!!! Its a good job we've got the NHS or I would be broke!

All the best, Ali

Robert Green - what were you on!!!!!!!!!!

LOL. Painful wasn't it?

I feel so badly for him. But the U.S. is lucky to get out of that one with a tie - we'll take the point!

Beth