Child Shares Parents’ Bed for 8 Years Until Doctor Discovers True Circumstances

Stocky Little Legs She thought she was seeing things because she was exhausted. In the early hours of the morning, she was fast asleep when she felt something hard impact her side. Seeing her husband fast asleep, she turned to find that it wasn't him. Her son stood beside her. It didn't occur to her before, but his legs seemed a bit stocky as they sprawled across hers. What could she do? Mean Kids Pexels Besides playing with his toys and running around the house, five-year-old Bryan McCullen enjoyed snacking on sugary treats. Andrew and Lisa noticed something odd about the boy as he turned five. After some time, his mother also realized something else was gravely wrong, despite her repeated proclamations, "he's still growing into his body." There were some other children who called him fat at the park. Growing Boy Pexels It began a couple of weeks ago. He just seemed like a normal growing boy to Lisa. It was common for him to do too much of everything. His body was overwhelmed by the amount of water he was drinking and the amount of food he was eating. It was just a matter of his healthy appetite, according to his mother. However, when she noticed how his body was changing, she realized there was more to it than just what he was eating. The size of his belly was increasing every day. It wasn't because the food was digesting. Enjoyment Pexels Paterson, New Jersey is where the couple lived, and they were already big eaters. Aside from snacks, chips, and chocolates, they had a lot of food around the house. Despite their new baby, they still enjoyed themselves and socialized, and found it difficult to stop. Could this have affected the child? Initially, they thought Bryan was just eating too much sweets. He was encouraged to play outdoors more and limit his sugar intake, but his belly continued to grow. Sweet Tooth Pexels There was nothing brighter than Bryan's smile. It was his favorite thing to play alongside his friends and eat as many sweets as he could. He was fussy due to his problem. As his belly grew, Andrew and Lisa became concerned. It was initially thought Bryan's sweet tooth was to blame, but as days passed, the belly continued to grow. The phase didn't pass quickly. There could be worse consequences if they didn't take it seriously. Worried Pexels The article said that it could simply be bloating, it's normal, we should give him gripe water," Lisa read quickly online. Andrew looked at her questionably and said, “That is the seventh tip you’ve read online today; you shouldn’t trust everything the internet says, you know that.” As he approached his wife, he put his arm around her. Despite knowing she was insane, Lisa smiled sheepishly. Different Approach Pexels Bryan joined the couple for breakfast the next morning. He was seated in his chair and given a plastic plate to eat from. There was a tendency for him to throw food at them. Lisa cooed, "Look at that good boy, a little oatmeal for mommy!" After taking a bite, he spat it out immediately. There was no way Lisa could add sugar or milk, but she had to provide him with roughage. If she couldn't get her baby to eat sugar-free foods, what else could she do? Baby Clinic Pexels A few brochures were brought home by Andrew the next day after work. As he looked at her, he said, "I've been researching and found a baby clinic we could take him to." Despite not liking Western medicine, Lisa knew she had no other choice at this stage. “Let’s go have a look,” her husband tried to convince her. As Lisa nodded slowly, "Okay, just to see, it wouldn't hurt." Worsening Condition Pexels The clinic was fully booked when Andrew contacted them. There was a waiting list of three months to see the doctor. The worsening condition of their son caused Andrew and Lisa to become increasingly stressed. Once again, they tried to change his diet by limiting the amount of sugary treats he consumed, but nothing worked. It became increasingly apparent that Bryan's belly needed medical attention as it continued to swell. Diagnosis Pexels Lisa and Andrew decided one day that they couldn't wait for the High Care Clinic any longer. To get checked out, Bryan was taken to a community clinic doctor. Upon hearing that his kidneys were swollen and that steroids would be needed to reduce the swelling, they were devastated. Bryan was diagnosed with severe disease after undergoing some tests. Medical Problems Pexels The doctor ran a series of tests while the anxious parents waited. What was really wrong with their little boy? Was there a cure for this disease? The results were devastating. Bryan had a severe syndrome, a condition that caused his kidneys to swell, leading to the accumulation of fluids in his body. It was already in its late stages and they had to act fast. It Was Serious Pexels Andrew and Lisa were in shock. They had never heard of such a condition before and didn't know what to do. The doctor explained that Bryan needed immediate treatment, including steroid medication to help reduce the swelling. It was a scary moment for the parents, but they were willing to do whatever it took to help their son. They knew they were in for a tough time. Too Little Too Late Pexels Andrew and Lisa were stressed beyond belief. They didn't know what to do or how to help their son. They spent countless hours researching the syndrome, trying to understand what was happening to Bryan's body. It was complicated. Lisa cried at the thought of her little boy going through such heartache. Would they be able to treat him in time? The Road Ahead Pexels The couple had to prepare for their son’s treatments. They met so many doctors, it was all too confusing. The next few weeks were a blur for Andrew and Lisa. They spent countless hours at the hospital, watching Bryan undergo treatments and tests. They were worried sick about their little boy and prayed for his recovery. They felt like they were bad parents and didn’t see his problem in time. Piling Up Pexels Andrew was becoming despondent. “We're not going to be able to make the credit card payment this month.” Lisa looked at him and her face went pale, “And the insurance?” she asked. He shook his head and ruffled through the paperwork. They also had to adjust their schedules to accommodate Bryan's medical needs. They had to take him to the doctor regularly for check-ups and make sure he took his medication on time. Not Much More Pexels As Bryan's belly continued to grow, Andrew and Lisa felt helpless. The treatment was taking time to kick in. People were starting to ask questions about the little boy’s disappearance. They watched as their son struggled to move around and play like he used to. It was heartbreaking to see their once-active and playful son become so lethargic and tired. Support Group Pexels Lisa had no choice but to tell her close friends and family about her son’s sickness. Everyone was concerned for the little boy and Lisa’s mother Marie started a GoFundMe page to try and help with all the extra expenses. Despite all the stress and worry, Andrew and Lisa remained strong for their son. They were determined to do whatever it took to help him get better. People Care Pexels While they were preoccupied with Bryan's treatment, their little boy was gaining fame online. People started to donate more when they heard about the struggle of the little chap. The grateful parents sent out heartfelt thanks to all the people who cared. They made sure Bryan ate a healthy diet and got plenty of rest. They also tried to keep his spirits up by playing games with him and reading him his favorite books. It was now a waiting game. Signs Of Hope Pexels With continuous treatment, Bryan slowly started taking to the medication. His body started reacting to his treatment and things were looking positive. But the road to recovery was not easy. Bryan's steroids caused him to have mood swings and made him more susceptible to infections. Andrew and Lisa had to be extra careful to keep him healthy and safe. Tough Toddler Pexels Bryan was a trooper through it all. He endured the needles, the medication, and the endless rounds of tests, all with a smile on his face. Andrew and Lisa were amazed by his resilience and bravery. It was the first time she had ever heard of nephrotic syndrome, and it had to be her son that went through it. She felt like she was thrown in the deep end, and she couldn’t find the water's edge. Better Days Pexels As Bryan's treatment progressed, the swelling in his belly slowly began to subside. Andrew and Lisa were overjoyed to see their son starting to recover, but they knew they had a long road ahead of them. They had to continue monitoring his progress and making sure he was getting the best possible care. Would the parents be able to maintain a strict diet for their son? Trust In The Doctor Pexels Despite all the challenges, Bryan's condition slowly started to improve. His belly began to shrink, and he regained his energy and playful spirit. Andrew and Lisa were overjoyed to see their son getting better. They were grateful for the support of their family and friends and the medical professionals who helped them along the way. Everyday Work Pexels Despite the challenges they faced, Andrew and Lisa never lost hope. They knew that Bryan was a fighter and that they had to be strong for him. They kept a positive attitude and never let their fears get the best of them. In a few weeks, the doctor would tell them whether the treatment was successful and if they would have to continue. After The Treatment Pexels As Bryan continued to recover, Andrew and Lisa made a vow to cherish every moment they had with him and to never take his health for granted again. They knew that life was fragile and that anything could happen at any moment, but they were determined to be there for their son through it all. Good News Pexels One day, several weeks after Bryan's diagnosis, the doctor gave Andrew and Lisa some good news. Bryan's condition had improved significantly, and he was responding well to the treatment. The swelling in his belly had gone down, and his kidneys were functioning properly. ”Thank you, Doctor,” they said in unison and hugged each other. Innocent Child Pexels Little Bryan was just sitting quietly playing with his toys. He didn’t know what a great feat he had just accomplished. Andrew and Lisa were overjoyed. They knew that their little boy still had a long road to recovery, but they were grateful for the progress he had made. They thanked the doctor and nurses who had cared for Bryan and left the hospital feeling hopeful. Growing Stronger Pexels Over the next few months, Bryan continued to make progress. He grew stronger and healthier with each passing day. Andrew and Lisa were overjoyed to see their son getting back to his old self, playing with his friends, and eating the occasional sweet treat. Their friends and family started coming over again to play with Bryan and cheer the little boy up. Life was starting to feel normal for the family of three. Faithful Parents Pexels Bryan's recovery was not without its challenges. He had to continue taking medication and had regular check-ups with the doctor. Andrew and Lisa had to be vigilant, making sure that their son was getting the best possible care and that he was staying healthy. Through it all, Andrew and Lisa never lost sight of their love for Bryan. They were willing to do whatever it took to help their son recover, and their dedication and commitment paid off. Worth It Pexels Years later, as Bryan grew up into a healthy, happy young man, Andrew, and Lisa looked back on those difficult days with gratitude. Bryan was never sick again and lived an active life. He looked like a normal young man. They knew that their experience had taught them the value of hope, perseverance, and love. And they were grateful for the lessons they had learned along the way. Embracing The Challenge Pexels In the end, Bryan's experience with nephrotic syndrome brought their family closer together. Although the ordeal was traumatic, they managed to stick together and save their little boy’s life. It taught them to appreciate the little things in life and to never take their health for granted. They were appreciative of everything they had and the love they shared as a family. Disclaimer: To protect the privacy of those depicted, some names, locations, and identifying characteristics have been changed and are products of the author's imagination. Any resemblances to actual events, places, or persons, living or dead, are entirely coincidental.

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