This is the story about familial hypercholesterolemia of Adam 14-years-old cool guy and his mom Sarah Johnson 38-year-old living in a cozy little town called Greenville in upstate New York.
When my sonAdam was first diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolemia, I felt like my world was collapsing around me. It was a condition that I had never heard of before, and I had no idea what it meant for my little man future. I remember feeling overwhelmed by the information that we were given during our first visit to the cardiologist’s office.
We were told that familial hypercholesterolemia was an inherited condition that caused high levels of cholesterol in the blood. It was something that my son had inherited from me, and I felt a sense of guilt that I had passed it on to him. We were told that without treatment, it could lead to heart disease and other serious health problems.
Diet changes
The first step in treating my son’s condition was to change his diet. We had to eliminate all high-cholesterol foods, including eggs, butter, and cheese. We had to replace them with healthier options like fruits, vegetables, and lean protein. It was a difficult adjustment for my son, who was used to eating whatever he wanted. However, we were determined to stick to the new diet and help him get better.
Apheresis treatments
Despite our best efforts, my son’s cholesterol levels continued to rise. We were referred to a specialist who recommended that he undergo apheresis treatments. Apheresis was a procedure where his blood was filtered to remove cholesterol. During the treatment, Adam’s blood was removed through a needle in his arm, and it passed through a machine that filtered out the cholesterol. The filtered blood was then returned to my son body through another needle. It was a difficult decision to make, but we knew that we had to try everything to help him.
The apheresis treatments were painful and invasive. My son would cry out in pain as the needles were inserted into his arms. Watching him go through this was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do as a mother. We would sit by his side, holding his hand and comforting him as best we could. We had to keep reminding ourselves that it was all for his benefit.
This nightmare lasted for a year. During that time, we spent countless hours in hospitals, sitting by my son’s side as he received treatment. We watched him grow weaker with each passing day, and it was heartbreaking to see him struggle. However, we never gave up hope that he would get better.
Statin therapy
Thankfully, the apheresis treatments worked. My son cholesterol levels improved, and we were overjoyed to see him doing better. However, we still had to continue with other treatments, including a new statin-based therapy with Pravastatin that required careful monitoring and frequent checkups. It was a challenging journey, but we were determined to find a way to help our brave guy.
Along the way, there were many difficult moments. There were times when we felt like giving up, when we wondered if it was all worth it. But we always reminded ourselves that Adam health was the most important thing. We knew that we had to keep going, no matter how difficult it was.
The importance of physical activity
One of the happiest moments along the way was when we discovered the benefits of physical activity to keep cholesterol levels under control I encouraged my son to join a sports team, and it made a world of difference. Not only did it help him stay healthy, but it also boosted his self-esteem and helped him make new friends. He became more confident and outgoing, and it was amazing to see him grow in this way.
The happy end
Today, my Adam is thriving. He’s happy, healthy, and living life to the fullest. We never thought we’d be here, but with a lot of hard work, dedication, and the right medical care, we’ve overcome this disease together.
Looking back on the journey, I’m grateful for the support of our family and friends. We couldn’t have done it without them. I’m also grateful for the medical professionals who helped us along the way. They are now part of our family and Adam visits them often but no longer as a patient.
The apheresis treatments were painful and invasive. My son would cry out in pain as the needles were inserted into his arms. Watching him go through this was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do as a mother. We would sit by his side, holding his hand and comforting him as best we could. We had to keep reminding ourselves that it was all for his benefit.