Hi everyone...this is the first time I had posted anything on a message board...so many replies!!!  Sara: Why do you say that...have you had experience with a child doing that...with CAH?!?!  I am watching Samantha very closely for any behavior changes, etc.

Well, as for the school thing...I have involved the Administrators...and I know my rights as a parent, and for the IEP laws.  I just get frustrated with ignorant people.  The last 5 years haven’t been at all like this one...I think that the teachers were just a"bad bunch"...they havent ALL been horrid!!  Her tutor for home instruction is a wonderful human being...she has been with us since kindergarten.  She has a masters in teaching, special needs children, and psychology...what more could anyone ask for?!?!  She is my rock when it comes to school...and she has helped Sammie realize her potential.

As for illnesses, and the port...  Well, Sammie has awful winters, and as the stress dosing is needed, a snowball effect happens.  Sammie is a salt-waster, also.  She just dehydrates very quickly.  Her Renin and other levels are good.  She has had testing done with an infectious disease specialist...nothing wrong with immunosupression.  Her Endo is well aware of the port...she doesn’t get IV’s constantly...maybe 3-4 times a year, depending on the winter.  But...the problem lies with her veins.  They are very small and "roll" or "dissappear" or  "blow"  whenever the nurse tries to start an IV normally.  Even blood work got to be a chore. Also, the day we decided to listen to the IV therapist, and get a port...she was in the hospital geting fluids, and she was crying about her arm the IV was in.  It had taken hours to get this vein.  She was getting solu-cortef through the IV.  Finally, we discovered that the solu-cortef was just "leaking out" into the arm..her arm was very "pumped up."  Her veins just could not support the meds.  I am also an insulin-dependent diabetic.  I had a very high risk pregnancy...I’ve always wondered if this has made her have a harder time with illness, also.

Okay..I’ve went on long enough.  Thanks to all for your replies.