April In The Burbs

  Dot living with a rare disease like Primary Adrenal Insufficiency will be a lifelong journey for her. That being said, the more she and we know as her parents, the better we can help her understand what's going on with her body and help her to advocate for herself when the time inevitably comes. Dorothy was born with Panhypopituarism, meaning that her Pituitary gland produces no hormones. Dot takes hydrocortisone to replace the cortisol her body doesn't make. She takes Synthroid because her thyroid doesn't work, growth hormone because she produces none, as well as having an emergency injection in case of bodily injury and illness. She will one day also be estrogen when the time comes. Although similar, Adrenal Insufficiency and Addison's Disease are different, so here's some important information to keep in mind: Adrenal insufficiency and Addison's disease are both conditions that involve a deficiency of the hormones produced by the adrenal gland. However, th...

Having a hospital bag prepared before a hospital stay is required can be a game changer in reducing stress during a health scare. I really wish I had thought about needing a more long-term stay when Dot was born and been better prepared for the unexpected, and I wasn't. Here are some things I've learned along the way so you can be better prepared than I was for a longer hospital stay. Whether it's a planned surgery or an unexpected trip to the emergency room, being organized and having all the necessary items in one place can make a big difference in your peace of mind. One of the main benefits of having a hospital bag ready to go is that it allows you to focus on your health rather than worrying about packing and gathering items at the last minute. If you're in a rush or feeling overwhelmed, it's easy to forget important items or to pack things that may not be necessary. By having a pre-made hospital bag, you can ensure that you have everything you need and that y...