Bad Mother.

My daughter who is 13 had surgery one year ago. Her circulation was completely blocked. She has always had a neurological deficit we just didn't know why. Her pediatrician felt there was no need to worry. We just got her physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. She stabilized and even though she wasn't 100% she was functionable. She had difficulty using her hands, poor balance control and could not ride a bike. She falls a lot and had major sensory deficits. She started to loose hand skills in the fifth grade, sensory issues worsened, and her behavior started to become very erratic. She was diagnosed with being bipolar. She wasn't sleeping, even when given medication. The antipsychotics were not helping so we kept trying new meds.

At the same time that this was occurring she wasn't growing so we started to see an endocrinologist. She was 12 years old 4'2" and weighed 52lbs. Again, her pediatrician did not feel there was a need to worry but I decided to have it checked. We started testing and we found she was not producing enough of the hormone she needed to grow. The final test was a MRI to check her pituitary and hypothalamus for any abnormalities.

The doctor called me and informed that there were no abnormalities and then gave me the news. We were immediately sent to a neurosurgeon and the surgery was scheduled to be done the very next week. She had multiple syrinx on her spinal cord, the biggest which affects her hands. We were lucky she never had a seizure. After the surgery she was no longer psychotic and reported that her hands were tingling. She still has the residual nerve damage that will always be there but she is now happy. Improving her social behaviors.

I feel like a horrible Mom bc I never forced the issue with the pediatrician. I may have saved her from so many problems had I done something. Now all we can do is help her live her life to her fullest abilities.