Stress after KD
Stress after KD
Hello, I was wondering if any other KD parents could offer me some advice about managing stress following KD. My daughter was diagnosed with “probable KD” this past spring, (though I feel certain it was KD) when she was between 6 & 7 months old. Children under age 1 present symptoms even less consistently than older children so they never were certain in the diagnosis, but 3 hospital admissions, extensive testing, and the telltale hand & foot peeling had us (and the docs) fairly certain. She’s now 10 months old and is a very happy, growing baby. Thankfully, all of her follow-up echos to date have been normal. Still, I can’t seem to stop stressing about the fact that this happened and her future health. I can’t even think of a time in the future (the way I assume moms normally think of their babies in the future, going to school, growing up) without stopping and telling myself that we can only hope to get there one day. It’s a dark feeling and I worry about her so much. The stress is taking a toll on me physically. Can anyone share what helped them cope with stress after KD?
Re: Stress after KD
Hi
My son's pediatric cardiologist had very helpful "words of wisdom" that helped me
When the acute phase was over, he told me to relax and let him do anything and everything he wanted to in
terms of physical activity (He was 7 yrs old). He said the children whose parents don't recover along with their
child and continue to worry and restrict them unnecessarily will cause problems for their child later.
My son quickly returned to his soccer team and swimming lessons. He went on to play competitive and school soccer
all through school. He also played basketball and lacrosse. He was always the fittest member of his high school soccer team and was the varsity Captain.
Now at age 23 yrs, he runs 10 miles per day, every single day, all year round and has done so for the past 5 years.
Relax and enjoy your daughter's childhood
best
Nancy
My son's pediatric cardiologist had very helpful "words of wisdom" that helped me
When the acute phase was over, he told me to relax and let him do anything and everything he wanted to in
terms of physical activity (He was 7 yrs old). He said the children whose parents don't recover along with their
child and continue to worry and restrict them unnecessarily will cause problems for their child later.
My son quickly returned to his soccer team and swimming lessons. He went on to play competitive and school soccer
all through school. He also played basketball and lacrosse. He was always the fittest member of his high school soccer team and was the varsity Captain.
Now at age 23 yrs, he runs 10 miles per day, every single day, all year round and has done so for the past 5 years.
Relax and enjoy your daughter's childhood
best
Nancy
Re: Stress after KD
Thank you so much, Nancy. This is comforting and is a reminder that worrying does no good. I appreciate you taking the time to reply and share your KD story. Warmly, MM