Going to the doctors:(

Yes, she was 9 when she started & is now 10. This IS very young, but that was no surprise to me. She has what is called 'pubercent puberty' & started breast development at age 2. By the time she was 3, I would no longer accept the pediatricians explanation that her little boobies were fatty tissue and I insisted on a referral to a specialist. Well.....she was in stage 4 of 5 stages of breast development & I was advised that some women never even reach stage 5. So.....the testing began. After a bit of time, it was discovered that she had a brain tumor. I know that this sounds very scary......but it's not so scary this many years later because I have all the details & the details are that she is OK & not going to die from this. Plus, when you spend a lot of time in childern hospitals....you really count your blessings because you see some really sad things.

So, the tumor was tested & tested & we saw neurological opthimologists, brain surgeons, endocronologists.....it was quite overwhelming until we learned that the only problem that the tumor was causing was puberty. Although it sucks that she has the tumor....how lucky that the only symptom is puberty. See, the tumor is touching her petuitary gland, which sets off the hormones.

So, from age 4 to age 8, she was treated with a monthly injection to counteract the hormones. When she was off the medicine, at my request, I was advised that she would start in about a year, maybe less. Well, it was a bit over a year & she started.

It was scary for her, but she was very well informed. I had to teach her the ins & outs of the whole ordeal when she started her medicine at age 4 because sometimes when the medicine is started, it causes a period. In our case, it did not.

Wow, this is a long post. I guess I'm just in the mood for sharing today!!

[Willow]

My sister is going to an endocrinologist for early puberty too but she is seven and it just started for her at age six (growing breasts, not the period) but she is on medication now to curb it?

I am glad that your daughter had a good docter and that she is ok. And it is awesome that you keep your daughter informed!

[Janet]

I am so sorry your sweet little girl (and you) had to go through all this and at such a young age. From a mother's point of view, I think it would have taken a toll on me. You must be a very strong woman and a great mom.

I'm relieved to know that all is going to be fine with your daughter. I do hope this has not affected her in a negative way about becoming a woman. We complain and all, but it's not so bad. We definitely have a place in the circle of life.

God bless you and your daughter...

Originally Posted by Janet

I am so sorry your sweet little girl (and you) had to go through all this and at such a young age. From a mother's point of view, I think it would have taken a toll on me. You must be a very strong woman and a great mom.

I'm relieved to know that all is going to be fine with your daughter. I do hope this has not affected her in a negative way about becoming a woman. We complain and all, but it's not so bad. We definitely have a place in the circle of life.

God bless you and your daughter...

Thanks Janet. It did take a toll on me for awhile.... a lot of time spent in doctors offices that were an hour away & not really knowing what was going on. At the time, my mother lived nearby & was with us every step. I probably would have cracked if it weren't for my mom. BUT..... a lot of time has passed & I know that she's ok. It still makes me worry everytime she has a headache or says 'her eyes are dizzy' (which is how she describes how she feels when she has a fever). But in my heart, I know she's o.k.

I try not to let her have a negative view about being a woman due to her past medical issues. She has said that its all because of her stupid tumor & I'm quick to explain that EVERY woman gets her period for a time in their life......its just nature. Now, I haven't explained the 'how' in how to make a baby, but I have told her that having her period will allow her to have a baby in the future & tell her that THAT is a beautiful thing.

Willow,
I'm glad that your sister is being checked on. Sometimes, there is no found reason for girls to start so young, but you don't know unless you check.

The only long term effect I was advised of from early puberty (provided its not a symptom of another condition) is that sometimes the girls end up being rather 'petite'. I was told that my daughter will probably not reach 5' in height, but that she would be proportioned. This is because puberty also has an effect on the rate of bone plate growth.

It is scary for a child to undergoo any type of testing & I found that talking to my daughter (almost like she was an adult) helped her. After all, it was HER body that all the doctors were discussing.

I'd be interested in knowing what you are told about your sister. I will keep her in my prayers.

[Janet]

Tiger Lily, I had never heard of this before, which goes to show that this site is also a place of learning. The only thing that I've heard, that is only remotely close is at our school there is a set of triplets (2 girls, one boy). One of the girls was very, very small compared to her siblings. Her mother did tell me that she was on some medicine to help her grow. It must have worked, because now she is about the same size, just a smaller frame.

I'm so glad that there is the knowledge out there to help our children.

Originally Posted by Janet

Tiger Lily, I had never heard of this before, which goes to show that this site is also a place of learning. The only thing that I've heard, that is only remotely close is at our school there is a set of triplets (2 girls, one boy). One of the girls was very, very small compared to her siblings. Her mother did tell me that she was on some medicine to help her grow. It must have worked, because now she is about the same size, just a smaller frame.

I'm so glad that there is the knowledge out there to help our children.

Ahhhh.....the power of women sharing their experiences & minds!!

[Janet]

Originally Posted by Tiger Lily

Ahhhh.....the power of women sharing their experiences & minds!!

It's why we all need each other so much, don't ya think? More so than men, we can share our total feelings of joy or desperation with each other and celebrate all of life's milestones.