Kay June Blog 1

Kay recently had an appointment with hematology after some results from her annual bloodwork raised a few questions. Whenever additional testing or specialist appointments come up, it can be a little nerve wracking. Even when you know there is likely a reasonable explanation, it is hard not to let your mind wander while you wait for answers.

One thing many people may not realize is that individuals with Down syndrome have an increased risk of developing certain blood disorders and leukemias during childhood. The risk is highest during the early years, particularly before age 5, and decreases significantly as children get older. Because of this, Kay’s medical team pays close attention to her bloodwork and takes any unusual findings seriously.

As a parent, I am incredibly grateful for that level of care. I would much rather have a team that investigates something and finds out everything is fine than one that overlooks something important. Over the years, we have learned that proactive healthcare is one of the greatest gifts we can give Kay.

Thankfully, today’s appointment brought good news. After additional testing and evaluation, everything looked reassuring. The conclusion seems to be that some of Kay’s lab values have established a new normal since her Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis. While that may not sound exciting, it is actually a huge relief. Sometimes our kids’ bodies simply have their own unique baseline, and learning what is normal for them is an important part of their care.

With the recent blood draw, and after one arm did not cooperate, they had to try the other. Most adults would not be thrilled about that experience, and honestly, neither was she. But she got through it. She was brave. She was strong. She did what needed to be done, even when it was uncomfortable.

Those moments may seem small to others, but they never feel small to me. They are reminders of just how much she handles at such a young age. They are reminders of her resilience, her determination, and her ability to keep moving forward.

Today was a good day. We got answers. We got reassurance. We were reminded once again how fortunate we are to have a medical team that is thorough and attentive. Most importantly, we got to leave knowing that our brave, strong girl is doing just fine. And that is always worth celebrating.