Hi All,
My 7y/o has been complaining of leg pain (near his right ankle on shin bone) for years, basically since he could talk! I talked with his pediatrician several times throughout the last couple years (in the beginning he was too small for x-rays, they dont like to expose the little ones to that, I get that) and the consenses was it was growing pains. I recently changed his doctor and just flat out said I wanted it x-rayed! So they did. A few days later doctor called me and said they got the results back and she was not sure what it was but it just 'didn't look normal' and she referred me to an orthopedic specialist. Yesterday we went and were told that he needs an MRI and that basically "something" is pushing up against his tibia bone. He said the MRI will tell us exactly what it is but that he is thinking it is a tumor! ***Scary Word to Hear***
He asked if I was exaggerating the length of time he has complained about it and I said NO, to which he said that is a good sign, b/c if he has had it for years and it was the scary kind it would have spread, so this is good news! I am just SO scared and nervous! He said, most likely it is benign and can just be removed and biopsyed, just in case.
I feel like a horrible mother right now! I knew in my heart something wasn't right about it but it was just so sporadic, like he would complain at night after spending the day jumping off the fireplace, or when he joined cross country at his school or when we went to Portland, Or and spent the day walking all around...but on most days he was just fine...just about a couple dozen times of complaining in 5 years. I should have demanded an X-ray sooner and I know that, Darn it! I hope he is OK! This is just SO very scary and nerve racking! Has anyone on here gone through anything like this??
Oh, so scary!
But from everything I know, the fact that the his symptoms seem isolated to this one spot and that they've been consistent, that's a really, really, really good sign.
And, you didn't miss this, and you didn't let it go. His former doctor did! The doctor is to blame. You are NOT.
Take care, and take it one day at a time.
Mira
When i was a small baby like 23 years ago when i was 9 months old i had surgery for the brain tumor menigioma.i am fine now.I know its scary but i will pray for you and your son and also family to be all right.
Not 23 like 40
My son has had leg pain off an on his entire life, and he's 19. I've always been told "growing pains."
Don't beat yourself up. And I do agree with the doctor that if it were something terrible you most likely would have known by now (since it's been going on for a long time).
Stay positive. <<hugs>>
Well, heck, now I'm worried. My GD also complains about pain in her ankle but like your son, usually after a day of a lot of exercise/activity. Now I'm thinking I should schedule an appt. to have her ankle x-rayed! Hmmmm.....
please don't beat yourself up! you followed through! So now you just need to get the answers.
Tumors CAN be begnin!! Think positive!!
I'm sorry - but thankful - I've not gone through this. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Good luck!
You are not a horrible mom. You brought concerns to your ped just as any good mama would do.
Ugh. I hope he is ok! You just can't out think everything.
You took him to the doc. You don't have 8 yrs of medical training, he did.
Good for you for insisting on an XRay. Hopefully, everything will turn out well and he will be fine. You will be much smarter and a great advocate for your children. I have prayed for his healing.
How scary momma, I haven't been through anything like that and pray that I never do. I hope that your little fella is fine and this is a quick fix. Don't beat yourself up over it though. He will be fine. And yes if it was the scary kind it wouldn't be hurting for years without it spreading.
You told your son's pediatrician and he didn't think it warranted an X-ray.
You did your best, please do not beat yourself up over this.
I will say a prayer for your son. I have to agree it is a good sign that he has had this for so long without any major consequences. Please let us know though. (Hugs and hang in there).
My little brother is a bone cancer (osteosarcoma) survivor. The doctor is right, the fact that your son has complained about it for so long is a good thing, because those kinds of tumors spread quickly, which means your son would have had worsening symptoms long ago. My little brother's leg pain progressed from mild to severe in just a couple of months (and when he went in, they realized he had a bone fracture where the tumor was because it had weakened his bone so much).
Try not to worry, you did everything you could have done. I'm sure this will be nothing to worry about. Keep us posted though!
