On Monday, we celebrated Meghan's shunt being 18 months old!  It's hard to believe it's been 18 months since her shunt was placed.  Although we have had a couple scares of a shunt failure along the way (which always turned out to be nothing), we are so thankful Meghan's shunt has not malfunctioned.  Hope it stays that way for a LONG time!!

A couple days ago was Meghan's long awaited Endocrinologist appointment regarding her growth and energy.  To say the least, I was not impressed at all.  Based on a calculation per the computer, Meghan will reach a final height of 5'2 - give or take a couple inches either way.  Okay, thanks, computer, but I won't rely on you for the height she will reach - I'll let her body decide that on it's own.   Basically, what we walked away with is the endo's recommendation of: let her be the guide and let her eat when she wants.  Keep the meal times, but if she's hungry in between meals let her eat!  If she opens up the cupboard and wants to eat - let her.  Well, gee, what a great idea!!!!  But for anyone who truly knows Meghan, knows she will literally eat ALL day long if you let her.  If she had her way, she'd camp out in the food pantry because she knows food is in there!  But how is "just let her eat whenever" going to help our HUGE issue of Meghan freaking out anytime she see's food, or knows food is available?  It's like her body doesn't get the signal that her tummy is full.  She also said to give her a snack before bed.  That's fine...I'm okay with that.  Other than the genius suggestion to let her eat all day, more blood work was done which includes:
metabolic panel - checks kidney function, blood sugar level, blood acid/base balance and electrolytes.
ESR - useful in detecting inflammation in the body that may be caused by infection, some cancers, and certain autoimmune diseases.
IGF-1 - is a hormone and plays an important part in childhood growth. 
IGFBP-3 - used to check for pituitary gland disorders and abnormalities in growth hormone production.
T4 and TSH - checking for thyroid issues
She is also being checked for Celiac disease. 

Meghan's weight.  August 26th she weighed 21.14 pounds.  Last week she was 20.4.  Yesterday she was 19.10.  According to the endo, that is perfectly normal and in her words:  Meghan isn't wasting away.  Wow, thanks for the concern.  As a mom, her weight concerns me.  I do not feel it's "normal" to lose weight especially with the amount of food she intakes daily.  It's hard watching the daycare kids her age and younger run all over the place and be full of energy - and then there's my little girl who *most of the time* prefers to lay low and has a hard time keeping up with her friends.  As far as Meghan's energy - she has no idea why her energy level is low.  Again, thanks for the concern.  I've met many great doctors over the past 18 months who are willing to listen and dig deep for answers.  I've also met some not so great doctors who make you feel like you're wasting their precious time and rush through the appointment unwilling to really listen and look at the big picture.  This doctor almost tops the not so great list.  But, I will continue to fight for answers as that is the least I can do for my little girl.

So, we'll wait for the blood tests to come back and if the tests are all okay, we will go back up in 6 months.  Why???  I have no idea.  Thanks, but I think we'll pass and find someone who cares.