When the neo-natal unit took our babies bloods before he left the ward, we thought nothing of it. We were just so excited to finally bring our little boy home with us and start our new life together as a family of three.
At 7 weeks old, just a few days later from his bronchiolitis recovery, we received a phone call from a genetic specialist trying to arrange an appointment to see us. We tried to carry on but the appointment was always at the back of our minds. We knew our son had his bloods taken, so we did not know what might possibly show up. We thought maybe they just want to review our son after his recent discharge from hospital. You always find yourself thinking about the worst case scenario though. But we just didnāt know what could be wrong. We spent the days leading up to the appointment thinking the worst. It just felt like one thing after another. Hasnāt he been through enough in his little life already?
At the appointment, the genetic specialist told us that we needed to listen very carefully as it is all a lot to take in.
The genetic specialist explained that our son’s blood tests were sent off for genetic testing for a suspected chromosomal abnormality because of his small head circumference. The results found that he has a rare chromosomal abnormality called Chromosome XQ28 Duplicated Syndrome. We had no idea what he was talking about. It felt like he was just throwing letters and numbers at us. It was the most daunting experience of our lives. He told us that it is extremely rare and there is no cure or medication. All they could do for us is offer support and yearly observations to watch Joshuaās development.
As if we hadnāt already been told enough bad news, the genetic specialist told us that it is likely that he will never be able to sit, crawl, walk or talk. He suggested that we prepared ourselves for the worse. One specialist even told us that the life expectancy for Chromosomal XQ28 Duplicated Syndrome is 12 years old. Our hearts shattered into a thousand pieces and we did not understand how life could be so cruel to our Joshua.
The genetic specialist told us that Chromosome XQ28 Duplicated Syndrome affects mainly men as it is the X chromosome affected. The reasons for this is because females have two X chromosomes so the non-faulty X chromosome takes control. Therefore, females usually become just a carrier. As males only have one X chromosome, boys will usually be effected.
Our son currently has asthma, absent seizures, irregular fits, traits of ASD and Autism.
Our son has overcome many milestones that specialist told us he would never.
We were over the moon when he turned over for the first time at just 5 months oldā¦
He continuously amazes us every day and at 7 months old, he even sat up for the first timeā¦
He crawled for the first time at 10 months old whilst following his daddy into the bedroom. We couldnāt believe itā¦
Tears strolled down our eyes when he walked for the first time at 15 month old…
We still don’t know what his diagnosis is fully going to mean for his future, but we do know that our son is the most sensitive, caring, compassionate and loving little boy in the world. He could not be more perfect in our eyes. I can guarantee that we are going to have many more obstacles thrown in our way. But we are ready to face them as a family when the time comes.
I’m so glad this post ended with triumphant photos š
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Thank you X
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Way to go Joshua! Proving those doctors wrong and being so strong! šš Keep on amazing others your whole life, little one!
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it’s amazing what can happen when children get diagnosis like this. I hope he continues to prove stronger than the harsh warning given and lives life to his fullest!
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What a rollercoaster. He is such a gorgeous boy X Hope he keeps on defying the drs expectations.
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Such a rollercoaster already in his little life. Thank you so much!! X
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This is incredible. Joshua is a blessed little boy to have such a loving family, your photos are absolutely beautiful. xxx
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Aw what lovely things to say. Thank you so so much!! X
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What a sweet little boy! š I wish Joshua all the best in the world and of course you and your hubby. May he grew stronger each and everyday!
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Thank you so much!!! X
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This is such a fabulous example that experts can make their best predictions but they can be oh so incorrect. I’m so happy for all of you. Joshua seems like a little rebel. Haha. Not doing what medical science expected but doing what he himself expected. Go Joshua. It might have something to do with his parents positive outlook. š¤
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That means so much. Thank you so so much for your lovely comment!! X
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What a difficult and scary time that must have been getting his diagnosis. I’m so pleased that Joshua is defying your doctors! Thats awesome and I will follow his story with interest and care.
PS hello Sophie, I’m also Sophie and I’m also a teacher of SEN in a mainstream school! š
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Hello Sophie, lovely to meet you- such a rewarding career choice isn’t it!! Thank you, he is so brave and continuously makes us prouder every day. Thank you for commenting and I look forward to reading your posts, from what I have seen they are just as interesting. Look forward to hearing more from you! X
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Absolutely, Sophie. X
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This brought a tear to my eye š he seems to be doing fantastically!
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He is doing brilliantly, we couldn’t be prouder. Thank you for commenting X
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Joshua couldn’t be cuter if he tried! What a fantastic smile! Thank you for sharing his story and his triumphs (so far) with us. His story reminds me of when my grandmother’s doctor delivered my mother. He tossed her on the bottom of the bed and told my grandmother that she would not live. Three years later my grandmother was walking with my mom in town and saw him. My grandmother was delighted to point out how wrong the doctor had been. And my mother lived to be 80 years old! I think Joshua may be like Mama and decide to show the doctors how wrong they are about him!
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Aw, what lovely words. His smile is amazing. Thank you for sharing that beautiful story. Positivity and determined is so important. I am so glad for both your grandmother and mother for having such amazing strength. Definitely a story i will remember for a very long time.Thank you for commenting and I can’t wait to read your posts X
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Doctors can be wrong. Faith is strongerš
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It certainly is! X
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He’s doing such a great job! Way too go! I’ll be praying for great health for Joshua ! Wish you all the best! You have a forever reader here!
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Aw thank you so much X
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Thank you so much for sharing your precious baby with us! Blessings on all of you as you all work together with your perfect little boy! I pray your life will be filled with many amazing milestones!
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Such a lovely comment. Thank you so so much! X
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What a precious little guy!! Congrats!!!
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Thank you!! X
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Your so welcome honey!! I raised 3 little guys, they grow up so fast!
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I can’t believe he’s nearly 2 already!! It certainly does fly!! X
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Time goes by so very fast. Enjoy every moment! You could always have another!
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Such a wonderful and inspiring story!š
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Thank you so much X
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What a cutie pie. I think love makes a huge difference in any child’s potential. What a cutie! I love his smile. š ā¤
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Aw, it certainly does!! Thank you so much, he has the cheekiest smile š X
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His name is so befitting! What a miracle you have with you every second of everyday! I look forward to following you blog to see his high school graduation photos! š Go Joshua!
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Aw thats so lovely. Thank you so much! He is one happy, strong little boy. We all know he has the strength to get through anything X
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š
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Having parents like you, little Joshua will fine. He has already made great strides. Doctors are not always correct and little ones can grow out of predicted weaknesses. Thank you for following BrewNSpew.
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My neighbor had a boy three months after my daughter was born. They said he would not live through the night. He had water on the brain and the doctors missed it. Only one-fourth of his brain developed and only one eye formed. He had a cleft lip and a cleft palate. Surgery fixed the last two items. Both he and my daughter will turn 30 this year. Doctor’s practice medicine. They don’t know everything. Your son will go as far as he wants. Never give up!
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Hi Sophie, Teah here.. I am a family physician and I must admit I had never heard of the condition that Josh has. Wishing you and your family all the best and ask you to enjoy and cherish each milestone.. much love
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Well done Joshua for being such a strong soul… Well done mummy for supporting his development! … Nobody knows what the future holds so just enjoy every moment we are given… I can’t wait to hear more about your journey… ā¤
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He is so cute! I wish you guys all the best and i hope Joshua continues reaching more milestones!
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Well done mommy and Joshua! You guys are doing an amazing job and I wish you all the best for whatever might come your way. Keep on doing what you’re doing! xx
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Thank you so much!! X
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Such a positive uplifting post! Way to go Joshua and may you continue to amaze your parents and prove the doctors wrong. Sending lots of good vibes to your family. Am so glad I read it.
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Thank you so much for reading and I am glad you enjoyed. Positivity is the best thing. Thank you for sharing your thoughts X
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I’m sorry that I am commenting so late as I don’t use the site that much and I recently followed you so I’m discovering your posts and definitely enjoyed reading them. While I was reading this post, my 3 year old nephew came and sat next to me and asked me what I was reading. So I basically shared your blog post with him in easy words and how some doctors thought that your child will have difficulty walking, crawling and sitting. He didn’t understand and said, “but he seems fine to me” and I’m like yeah but thats what the doctors think. So we are looking at your baby’s photos and I am reading the captions, and my nephew suddenly goes, “I think the doctors are crazy. Look at this kid, he can walk, crawl and play just like me!” So yeah, a 3 year child believes in someone’s potential way more than a doctor.
Btw, lovely photos. So happy for him!! š
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