My name is William Graves.  I am fifteen; yet I look much older.  I say this because even though I'm not even an adult, I tower over them (I am approximately 6' 10" tall, and am still growing!), and I weigh over 330 pounds.  I am a big kid!

I have a condition known as giantism, which simply means I'm bigger than the average person.  It is rather rare; I don't know of very many people who have what I do.  For a while, I thought I'd never grow:  until I was twelve-thirteen, I was a rather small kid, almost to the point of being runty.

Then, at twelve-and-a-half, it hit.  Oh, boy, did it ever!!  I not only grew; I shot up until I was well over five feet seven!  I was soon taller than my classmates, even some of the teachers!  I was huge!!

Now, I'm nearly seven feet tall, and when I reach adulthood in three/four years, I could easily be past the seven foot, five inch mark if I keep going at the rate I am.  Surgery has been discussed, but so far, we haven't made the decision whether to pursue it.

If we do, then I would no longer have to worry about growing so much!

My health hasn't been too bad, but I do have a low thyroid.  It causes me to feel tired a lot of the time, even weak; I have to take shots every month to help stave off anemia or other potential problems.  I sometimes get headaches or sweat uncontrollably, especially if it's hot out. 

My acromegaly was diagnosed by an MRI when all of this growth started.  They think it was a tumor; they can't be too sure yet.  Just in case, I have been having radiation treatments once a month; it's caused my hair to fall out, so I'm balder than a cue ball, and have no hair on my body.  I sometimes get sick as a result of the treatments, but if it can get rid of any tumors that may be inside of me, then it will be worth it!

Besides the radiation treatments, I can also have surgery; if I do, then my growth hormones will be normal, and all of this crazy growing will stop within a period of several years. 

I have a susceptibility to hypoglycemia.  If my blood sugar levels get too low, I could pass out or get sick if I don't eat something fast.  It's the opposite of being diabetic.  That's another thing that could happen to me if I don't keep my blood sugar levels in check; I have to be so careful.

Other than my health issues (and being so damned tall!), I'm like any other kid.  I just happen to be bigger than most, and I have to watch what I do or eat, so I don't get into any trouble.  I do hate being so tall:  it's hard to find clothes that fit me right (unless I go to a tall or big man's clothing store), and it's hard for me to fit in tight or smaller spaces.  I'm always having to duck or risk ramming my head into something, which is a daily occurance with me.  It's really annoying!

Because I'm so big, other kids call me "Gorilla".  I don't much care for it, but it could be a lot worse.  At least I'm not hairy!  LOL 

Well, I have to go.  Classes are about to end; I have to go to the cafeteria, so I can eat.  I'm starting to get a bit shaky, and I'm getting that headache that tells me I'm getting low, I need to eat as soon as possible.  I will write in here again soon; until then, this is William (aka "Gorilla") signing off!  God bless!

~"Gorilla" Graves.  :)

~To be continued.~