Powering Through Pompe – a Column by Keara Engle

My 5-year-old son, Cayden, recently had a swallow study done for the first time since he was 3. Although he cooperated much better this time, we still didn’t get the desired results. When he was younger, Cayden required many swallow studies due to his infantile-onset Pompe disease. Because…

My 5-year-old son, Cayden, had a blast in preschool this year and made lots of new friends. I was nervous he wouldn’t make any because he’s a bit different from the other children in his class. However, I quickly realized I had nothing to worry about. Cayden has…

Having two young children has already been quite an experience. They depend on me every single day, though, thankfully, they’re pretty easygoing. I’d been a little nervous about their almost five-year age gap, but the way they’ve formed a bond has been amazing to witness. It’s so sweet to watch…

I wrote a column this spring about my 5-year-old son, Cayden, needing to see an orthopedic specialist again. Well, we finally had that appointment late last month, with a doctor he hadn’t seen before. It didn’t go as well as I’d hoped. When Cayden’s metabolic specialist sent the…

Last week, we had our first pool day of the summer. I got pool passes for myself and my 5-year-old son, Cayden, who really enjoyed it last year. In fact, he’s been consistently asking to go again. But here in Pennsylvania, summer is the only time it’s warm enough to…

Last week, my 5-year-old son, Cayden, had his annual checkup with the gastroenterologist. It’s been over a year since we last saw her, but he’s been doing so well with GI issues that she told us we no longer have to come back! This was great news that I…

Like much of the East Coast, we’ve been experiencing poor air quality here in Pennsylvania due to smoke from Canadian wildfires. In my 21 years, I don’t think I can remember a time when our air quality was this bad. Fortunately, we’re in the south-central part of Pennsylvania, so…

Last week, both of my children ended up sick. It started off on Memorial Day when my 5-month-old son, Kyree, developed pink eye. The doctor’s office was closed on the holiday, but I got him seen the next day. Aside from the pink eye, he was acting completely normal and…

Last February, my 5-year-old son, Cayden, started a preschool program at one of the local elementary schools. The program would prepare him for kindergarten, which he’ll start this fall. So far, preschool has been amazing for him. A nurse has to accompany Cayden to preschool for several reasons. First,…

Last week, my 5-year-old son, Cayden, had his annual well-child check with his pediatrician. He wasn’t due for any vaccines, and for the most part, the visit was fairly uneventful. We try to see the same doctor for these appointments, as she’s familiar with Cayden and all of his…