Isn't he cute?
This is his birthday:
I have a natural approach to health (go Bradley Method!) &
Cash's birth was just what we hoped for,
naturally & with no complications.
So it was quite a shock to get a phone call a week later
from a frantic nurse telling me
that my son needed medical attention asap.
He looked fine.
Hearing the words cardiac arrest will put a chill in your heart instantly.
*birth photos courtesy of Kate Jennings Photography
I have a natural approach to health (go Bradley Method!) &
Cash's birth was just what we hoped for,
naturally & with no complications.
So it was quite a shock to get a phone call a week later
from a frantic nurse telling me
that my son needed medical attention asap.
He looked fine.
Hearing the words cardiac arrest will put a chill in your heart instantly.
You see there is a health screening that
is done on newborns called a PKU.
It tests for rare diseases that can be fatal if not caught early.
Cash tested positive for a disease called
CAH
(congenital adrenal hyperplasia.)
is done on newborns called a PKU.
It tests for rare diseases that can be fatal if not caught early.
Cash tested positive for a disease called
CAH
(congenital adrenal hyperplasia.)
What is it?
An inherited disorder of the adrenal glands which are organs that are important for producing various hormones. In this condition, people have a defect in the activity of one or more of the enzymes required to make the hormones known as cortisol and aldosterone. As a result, both cortisol and aldosterone levels are greatly reduced. Cortisol is a hormone that helps the body adapt during times of stress. Aldosterone is a hormone that is involved with regulating the amount of water and salt in our bodies. It is important to produce sufficient amounts of cortisol and aldosterone because these hormones can also influence the production of other hormones, such as androgens. Androgens include testosterone, a type of male sex hormone. For CAH patients, the absence or reduced levels of cortisol and aldosterone interferes with the signals involved with regulating androgen production.
-About 1 in 14,000 children are born with CAH.
-CAH is an autosomal recessive inherited disorder,
which means that children develop this disorder only if they receive two abnormal copies of a gene, one from each parent.
All of this means that he is on several medications for life.
It also means that Cash gets a shot if he is under any physical stress.
There have been many hospital & Doctor's visits &
complications due to his condition.
That being said, I am so very aware how much worse
things could be for my little bear. I am also aware of how much
the Lord has blessed us through this process. I would be lost without this Gospel & the strength of the Savior.
So we take things one day at a time & count ourselves blessed
that he is happy, & at home with us. My baby boy has taught me how to smile, even when you feel your heart is breaking.
It also means that Cash gets a shot if he is under any physical stress.
There have been many hospital & Doctor's visits &
complications due to his condition.
That being said, I am so very aware how much worse
things could be for my little bear. I am also aware of how much
the Lord has blessed us through this process. I would be lost without this Gospel & the strength of the Savior.
So we take things one day at a time & count ourselves blessed
that he is happy, & at home with us. My baby boy has taught me how to smile, even when you feel your heart is breaking.
The medical bills have become quite daunting
& that's where my Etsy Shop comes in.
Please be sure to check it out & spread the word!
All of the proceeds from the sale of my photographs
go directly to pay for Cash's medical expenses.
If you see something on the blog that's not in the shop
please let me know! I'm happy to take requests.
If you or someone you know has CAH, please contact me!
We could use the advice of those who have gone through this.
xoxo
