Advice please! Adopting a thal major baby

Hi everyone,

I just want some advice. I am looking to adopt a child. I applied for adoption in the UK with my husband. We were matched with a baby 4 months but the baby has beta thal major and I dont know if I am strong enough to care for a child with such a serious health issue.

A part of me wants to adopt this baby and not give up on him but I am sooo worried and scared. I have read so many mixed opinions about Thal. I am most scared of the treatment not working and the child dies, which would break my heart.

I havnt made a decision yet but I am due to meet with the little ones specialist at the hospital to discuss his diagnosis in detail.

Ill be very grateful for any help & advice please anyone, is Thal manageable as a parent especially with such a young baby? Can he have a normal ( ish) life? Do Thals have shorter life spans?

Thanks all

Sajeda x

Sajeda,

If you would like to be put into contact with mothers who have adopted thal major children, I can connect you with some on Facebook. It would be best to talk to others who have done it.

Oh Thank you Andy ,

that would be ever so helpful.
The only thing is I dont have a facebook account.
But I could create one if need be. Otherwise could I write/ contact someone via email?

Sajeda x

Sajeda,

I'll see if I can find someone to contact you.

Hello Missy123,

Thanks a lot for thinking about to adopt the baby.

Where parents who have one child with thal major or intermedia and who have not taken baby for the thal issue, there your such attempt is really great..

Don't worry.If you adopt the baby and feel that its your baby then everything will be so easy and manageable...

Best wishes..

Sajeda,

I am sending you a message with contact info for a mom who had adopted thal major children. She can put you in tocuh with other moms, as well.

Missy123,

My friend, thal children are smart, kind and wise beyond their years.  If given proper treatment they do very very well.  Send me a personal message, I will show you pictures of my son growing up.  You cannot tell whether he has thal or not.  He is a bright student, athletic and energetic. I understand your fear, but management is not impossible, especially with all of the new treatments available.  There is a good chance your baby will be cured before he begins school. 

Please feel free to contact me,

Sharmin

Thank you all for the messages.

I am feeling very positive about this now and am very grateful for the support on here. Initially I was having doubts and fears but reading through the forums on this site has raised my awareness and educated me about Thalassemia and how manageable life can be.

Andy and Sharmim thanks I have PM'd both of you.

Missy123,

I am glad you you are feeling positive.  You have every reason to.  The little guy in my profile picture is my son - this picture is from years ago.  He is now a young man.  This is him playing ice hockey - one of the many sports he plays.  In fact, most young thals who have been well managed are doing remarkably well.  They can do everything that other kids do. 

Best,

Sharmin

Hello Sharmin,

As I have no idea so I want to know if a thal child always hyper and making noise out of control or your son who gives a lot of energy in play,is it effect to HB or for that RBC break early?

Hello Lokkhi maa,

I don't think being hyper or making out of control noises is associated with thalassemia. I have not noticed this behaviour with any of the thal children that I know or have heard of.

Every child is different though, and they each have their own personalities. If you do have a concern though you can discuss this with your physician. Sudden outbursts and noise are sometimes associated with Tourette's Syndrome - but I do not want to imply that because being noisy and energetic can also be normal toddler behavior. 

Hi all

I just want to thank you all for the feedback and messages and the help you have given me in making my decision. I have read numerous post in all the forums which have been invaluable to me.

I had a meeting with little ones doctor and he is doing well. He had a blood transfusion a few weeks ago but since then he has maintained good Haemoglobin levels ( I will learn what all this means now). The doctor said it was 106. Which was good.

Anyway I have decided that I want to go ahead with the adopting him and will learn as I go. can't wait to meet him. I know I will fight tooth and nail for his health and development.

Wish me luck I hope I can be good enough to take care of him and help him with his thal treatments.
Sajeda xx

Sajeda,

Congratulations!!  I am so happy for you and very happy for the little boy who will have you for a mother 

We will be here to guide you. 

Love,

Sharmin

May your little angel bring loads of love, joy, and smiles in your lives.

Heartiest congratulations to the new parents; enjoy parenting!

 

I am very happy to learn that you are going to give this child a home. We will be here whenever you need advice.