Love amidst Imperfection ...

(TRH test, CRH test, GnRH test and GHRH test)

    The youth nowadays is the main focus of innovation; not only from the modernization of the society, here comes also the change in beliefs and ways of living. These modifications also affect the perception of the teenage population about LOVE.

     The questions here are: Who can live without love? Is love can be measured by just feeling happy or by just seeing things the right way? Or, it can't be, 'cause you believe that love should be given unconditionally?

     I guess, nobody really understand the true meaning of love unless they experience it. Yes. Many of us, youth today, rely on the visible characteristics a person has, not minding the personality and the goodness he or she may possess. Ika nga ng iba, "di bale ng bobo at dragonesa, basta maganda o gwapo pwede na."

I want you to focus on this story which encompasses love, sacrifice and acceptance.

She may be the face I can't forget…

     I am Vanessa. When I was a kid, I used to be bullied not only by my classmates, but as well as my teachers and other people. That's because I'm limp, skinny, weak, not so intelligent and the most, UGLY. I really don't have friends, that's because, I guess, is about my physical appearance. Each day seemed to be like God didn't want me to live. I kept on asking my parents, "What did you do to me? Why am I so ugly and limp? Why my hands are so deformed and can't seem to have future in studying? WHY?!?"

     My mom explained that I have cretinism that started when I was a baby, so it's congenital. I can't seem to know about it. We went to the physician and he stated my clinical history. He said that my mom did not eat iodine rich foods while she's pregnant that's why I became like this. I was delivered at home so my parents thought I was normal. It's just late that they found out that I'm not growing well.  

     They sent me to the hospital and series of tests were done. One of the test that confirmed my sickness is Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone Test. This test is used to know if my hormones in the pituitary gland are stimulated by my hypothalamic hormones upon injection of the TRH. The doctor said that if my Thyroid Stimulating Hormone is activated and is increased, I'm normal. But sadly, it didn't. I have a dysfunctional hypothalamus.

They also said that I'm already 18 years old but my body is like that of a grade schooler. My physique has not changed. Meaning, I did not yet exhibit my secondary sexual characteristics. I'm delayed to puberty. These were known by a test known as Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Test. They evaluated the levels of my sex hormones. My results are abnormally low.

     So much questions pop up my mind each time I wake up. After spending the night crying, I stood out of the bed and prepared for today's school. I tried motivating myself in front of the mirror and went to school so brave. 

     At school, I can see Mica's group from afar and I think they're looking at me. The nerve of that girl! I walked pass them and unexpectedly she shouted "Limpy!" and she tripped me off. I hit the ground and they walked away laughing. I was about to cry when I heard a voice from nowhere.  A so unfamiliar guy helped me stand and he introduced his self. "Hi! I'm Vince. I'm a transferee, are you alright?" Mesmerized, I can't seem to talk. "Yes, I'm ok now. Thanks! I'm Vanessa by the way."

     From then, Vince and I became friends. He took care of me and protected me from people who are fond of criticism.

     One day, he took me to their house. I met his parents and siblings. Among his two sisters, one of them is his favorite. She is Monique, his little angel. Vince love him so much and he takes care of her like she's a precious thing. Vince told me that Monique is sick. I felt sad because I know what it feels to be like one. She has Cushing's Syndrome. "Monique", Vince said, "Of all people to acquire that sickness, why could it be you?"

     I've read about cushing's syndrome myself. I've found out that it is diagnosed by the use of Dexamethasone. This is used to know if the person tested will have normal to elevated cortisol hormones if that steroidal compound is not suppressed by low doses, but is suppressed by high doses in the body. MRI will confirm the result. Oh God, please help us.

     After years of friendship, Vince told me that he loves me. I don't want to believe at first but he suddenly hugged me like he don't want to let go. So I said, I loved him too, since the day we first met. (hihi)

     Vince and I got married last January 18 2009. I know most of the people around us will think that we can't have a child, but yes. They are correct. We decided to adopt a child and found out that he's also sick. OH GOD. haha.

     He has growth hormone releasing hormone deficiency. He undergone Growth Hormone Stimulation Test. This test measures the ability of the GHRH to stimulate the Growth hormone. This is by the use of Arginine injection. If the level of the growth homone elevated or normalized, there is no deficiency. Our adopted child, Joshua, was not able to normalize his levels. *sigh*

     To top it all, whatever the imperfection of my family, as long as there's love everything will follow. :)

May God Bless and Normalize us. haha. :D

Sincerely yours,

Vanessa Midget

- From the mind bulk of EmptyCan


References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cushing%27s_syndrome
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cretinism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TRH_test