How has Angelman Syndrome Changed Liams Life?
Liam was born approximately six weeks early and was a little on the small side (5lbs, 3 oz). At approximately two months of age, he started throwing up everything he ate (at that time, breast milk). He would eat and then almost immediately vomit everything. After taking him to the hospital (the first of many, many visits), they advised us to switch him to formula, since he was losing weight rapidly and to come back in a week. A week later, he was still losing weight (now down to 4 pounds), and went through several x-rays, upper-GI exams, etc, and was diagnosed with having severe reflux. He went in for surgery for Pyloric Stenosis, basically tightening up the valve at the top of his stomach to attempt to control the vomiting. Shortly after the surgery, Liam was still yo-yoing with his weight, and we were getting (even more) concerned for his health. It was at this time that we were told (subtly) that Liam’s prognosis for a long life might not be a good one. If you’re a parent, you can i
