Published on April 17, 2007 By Texas Wahine In Blogging
Ok, this is starting to get ridiculous. Of course all these things happen while Adrian is away. I remember the unholy nosebleeds of '05.

Orian has been complaining about leg pain for about a week. He complains about it constantly, especially before and after school. However, I had noticed that he sometimes didn't seem bothered, so I wondered if it was just attention-seeking behavior.

This morning I woke him up and then took Izzy downstairs to get her lotion and diaper and clothes on (fresh out of the tub).

I waited quite a while and he still didn't come downstairs. I was nursing Izzy, so I called up to him and he sobbed and said something, but I couldn't hear him (I have a problem with one of my ears right now and for reals, I can't hear well). I told him I couldn't hear him and that I was feeding the baby and asked him to come downstairs and I would help him with whatever problem he was having.

He cried some more.

Finally Xavier was showered and dressed and came downstairs. I asked him to check on his brother since Izzy wasn't quite finished nursing.

He went up there and helped for a bit and then came down and said his brother couldn't get out of bed because he leg hurt.

Around that time baby girl was finished with breakfast so I asked Xavier to hold her while I went upstairs to check on Orian, and then I would make breakfast when I got back downstairs.

My poor little baby was in his bed just sobbing, with his shorts at his knees. His brother had tried to help him, but just putting on shorts was too painful. I helped him get his shorts on and yelped the whole time.

Then I tried to coax him out of bed, but anytime he moved he would shout out in pain. I couldn't reach in and get him because he has a bunk bed and sleeps on the bottom bunk and I'm just not that good (or that strong...he weighs 60-something pounds).

He was crying and didn't want to get out of bed, so I had to tell him that the doctor couldn't come see him in bed, so if he wanted to feel better he had to get up and I would help him walk.

It took a long time and a lot of tears (and him holding onto my waist), but we made it down the stairs.

I originally had an appointment for this morning to get a referral for a urologist, but I figured I could convince them to see him instead and just make another appointment for me.

I finally got everyone fed and my oldest got all his gear and I dropped him off at school (heh, we didn't walk, poor Orian never would have made it).

I came back home and got ready and then we went to the doctor's office. Thankfully, they let me switch.

The nurse was very sweet but didn't speak English well, and when added with the fact that she was a chatterbox and wanted to make conversation, she became a point of stress. I tried very hard to understand her and talk with her, but wow, it was hard. 

Orian decided he needed to go to the bathroom which was right outside the exam room door. He took forever. I finally check on him and he appeared to be standing like he was peeing, but he quickly asked for privacy, so I shut the door.

Several hours later (ok, not really, but it seemed like it), the nurse became concerned and checked on him. She came out and told me there was a problem. I got very worried and asked her to hold Izzy while I checked on Orian.

He was fine, but there was a big (sorry) doo doo streak on the floor. Now, Orian is six and he doesn't have poop accidents or play with poop, so I was very alarmed and confused.

It looked like he had tried to clean it up, and apparently that's what caused the delay. I got him out of the bathroom and had him wash his hands very well. I apologized to the nurse and took crying Isabella out of her carrier.

While the nurse was getting someone to clean the bathroom and we were waiting for the doctor, I tried to get Orian to tell me what happened. He seemed very timid and embarrassed. I thought maybe his leg hurt too bad to sit on the potty? I just couldn't figure out what could have happened.

Finally he confessed that he pooped and then when he stood up the poop fell on the floor (I guess it was a dangling poop...sorry!). Then he tried to clean it up, which obviously made things much, much worse.

The doctor came in and I apologized to him repeatedly. He was concerned that something serious was wrong because of the poop incident, so I explained that to him. He was actually very cool about it, although it was mortifying for me (and my little guy).

We talked about my son's pain, how bad, how often, where, when, why, how, and all that. The leg pain is in his thigh, he describes it as "excruciating", he limps, it's been going on about a week, and we are unaware of an injury that would cause it.

After checking him out, the doctor was sort of perplexed, but felt it might be a strained hip tendon.

He sent us to the pharmacy for some Motrin and then we were off to x-ray. This all involved a lot of walking, with Orian whimpering and limping and shuffling all the way.

Now we are home and waiting for a call back on the x-ray. Poor guy.

Comments (Page 2)
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on Apr 18, 2007
Insane, unfreakinbelievable hair loss that my LLL leader said could indicate post partum hypothyroiditis.


I had that too! My doc checked my thyroid levels and said that I was on the low end of normal and that my hair would start growing back on it's own. I didn't believe him but it is starting to grow back now (8 months later!). It had been coming out by the hands full especially in the shower.

Hope yours is not thyroid either.

I agree on keeping an eye on the leg pain. Alex had bad leg pains last year but it was either strained muscle or tendon or "growing pains". I worry about that stuff too.

Hope you all are feeling better pronto!
on Apr 18, 2007
Poor little guy. I remember what it's like to have problems in the doctor's bathroom. I didn't quite make it before I threw up everywhere. Not quite the same, but still pretty embarrassing.

I hope he's ok. Maybe he's developed a strange way of sleeping that's hurting him so much. My mom did that with her hand. She couldn't figure out why her hand kept hurting so badly, until she woke up and realized she was clenching her thumb inside her fist causing so much strain. I'll keep my fingers crossed that it's something like that and nothing serious.

I hope your thyroid is ok as well. It's annoying to have to get your blood checked twice a year and be on meds for the rest of your life. However, if it is your thyroid, the medicine could help you lose weight that you couldn't lose before. (Not that you need it, but I'm trying that whole "silver lining" thing)
on Apr 18, 2007
Give Orian a big hug for me. It sucks to be in pain--especially when you don't know what's causing it.

Adrian thinks it might be psychological, so he is pushing for me to get the boys into counseling which I have no problem doing and intended to do a while back but got sidetracked.


Everytime I read your blog I become more and more impressed with what amazing parents you guys are--involved and progressive.

Sending good vibes and positive thoughts in your direction.
on Apr 18, 2007
Tova: Yeah, me too. Although I would love to know why my hair is falling out. I mean, PP hair loss is normal, but THIS is just way beyond normal PP hair loss.

Michael: Thanks.

Jill: Well, it's reassuring to know that it could right itself. Did you find it embarrassing to leave ropes of hair everywhere you went?

I mentioned it to a friend who had her baby about a month and a half ago, and she looked at me like I was a freak, and told me, no, she is NOT experiencing that.   

Thanks for your input about the hair loss and the leg pains. I appreciate it. It seems like you usually understand what I'm experiencing.

SHE: Yeah, I think that would be embarrassing. I remember when I was little if I wouldn't make it to the bathroom to throw up I would have so much guilt. When I had the chicken pox in third grade I tried to catch it with my hands to keep from getting it on the floor. (yuck)

That's a good idea about checking how he's sleeping. I've done the same thing before. I will look into that.

Is your mom very stressed?

Have you had problems with your thyroid? Heh, I would love to lose some weight. I have lost 37 lbs. since I had Izzy, but I still need to lose 12 more just to not be overweight (12 lbs won't make me "skinny"), and it does seem like the weight loss is slower and more difficult than last time. But it could just be that I'm older and I haven't been kind to my metabolism.

shades: Thanks, will do. I'll even tell him who it's from.

Adrian is an incredible father, and he certainly amazes me. Even though he's so far away he is still very involved. He is worried about the boys right now. It will be nice when we are all together again.

on Apr 18, 2007
That's a good idea about checking how he's sleeping. I've done the same thing before. I will look into that.

Is your mom very stressed?

Have you had problems with your thyroid? Heh, I would love to lose some weight. I have lost 37 lbs. since I had Izzy, but I still need to lose 12 more just to not be overweight (12 lbs won't make me "skinny"), and it does seem like the weight loss is slower and more difficult than last time. But it could just be that I'm older and I haven't been kind to my metabolism.


Yeah, she still clenches her thumb every time she's stressed. It's actually a pretty good indicator of how stressed she is.

As for my thyroid, I've had some problems in the past, and I'll find out tomorrow if I'm having problems again. My last round of meds seemed to kick my thyroid back into gear so I got to go off of them, but it's possible that it's messed up again. I'm losing my hair pretty bad again (and yes, it does suck. I agree with you on that one) and my nails keep pealing. My weight loss isn't going as well as it should either.

However, once you get the thyroid fixed, the other problems really do go away. Also, if yours is caused by your pregnancy, you may not have to stay on the medicine for the rest of your life. No guarantees, but it is possible.
on Apr 18, 2007
Maybe he is experiencing major growing pains. The deputy priciple at the school where I'm working had a relative whose bones were growing faster that the muscles or tendons. They actually had to go into traction. Maybe Orian is going through a growth spurt ( he is a bit young for a major one, but then he maybe he is going to be quite tall). This might explain why the pain is intermittent. I got them a bit and it followed that sort of pattern, not so bad I didn't want to move but it wasn't pleasant.

I'd be reluctant to suggest psychological reasons unless there was a good reason for it e.g. he is getting bullied at school, isn't getting along with a teacher etc. Though I suppose maybe it could be jealousy of Izzy. After all he isn't the youngest any more, perhaps this is some cliched middle child syndrome.

Hope all goes well for all of you
Growing Pains Info
on Apr 18, 2007
I mentioned it to a friend who had her baby about a month and a half ago, and she looked at me like I was a freak, and told me, no, she is NOT experiencing that.
I talked to a lot of women too and none of them could relate but none of them had more than one or two kids either. I have a theory that hormones build up in your system and accumulate with each baby. I don't remember any hair loss with my first, maybe slight thinning with the second and, as you put it, "unfreakinbelievable hair loss" with my third.

Did you find it embarrassing to leave ropes of hair everywhere you went?


Oh, it was terrible! I was in tears one evening because some of my hair ended up in the dinner. My poor family. I would have to gather up the hair at the end of my shower so the water would drain properly and so my hubby wouldn't be grossed out.

Each kid is so different from the moment they are conceived. Being a mom is an exciting, wonderful, and seriously scary adventure. You seem like a great mom. You certainly love your kids and care about them deeply. I'm just sorry that you have to adventure in parenthood on your own for now. Sounds like Adrian is doing what he can from afar though.

Best wishes.

on Apr 20, 2007
Wow, Tex, I do hope you and Orian get better and there is nothing serious going on. Have a great weekend and give that beautiful girl of yours a kiss from me.
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