Our Growth Hormone Stimulation Test Experience at SickKids
Updated: Aug 13
July 2026
When Ellie was diagnosed with Septo-Optic Dysplasia (SOD), we knew there would be many appointments and tests along the way. One of those was her Growth Hormone Stimulation Test at SickKids in Toronto.
Before we went, I spent hours searching online trying to find out what the day would actually look like. I found lots of information explaining what a stimulation test was, but very little about what families actually experience. Every hospital is different, but I hope sharing our experience helps another family feel a little more prepared.
The Drive to Toronto
Living several hours away meant this wasn’t simply an early morning appointment.
We decided to drive down the day before and stay overnight in Toronto. I spent days planning every detail packing comfort items, sensory toys, snacks for before the fasting period, extra clothes, and probably overthinking just about everything.
The drive actually went much better than we expected. We made one stop along the way so Ellie could stretch her legs before finishing the trip into Toronto.
Hotel Adventures
One thing I didn’t expect was how much fun Ellie would have at the hotel.
She explored every inch of the room, laughed, wandered around, and completely forgot why we were there. Watching her enjoy herself helped us forget, even for a little while, why we had made the trip. She had us laughing all evening.
The difficult part came later that night.
Because of the test, Ellie wasn’t allowed to have her usual bedtime medication. We knew sleep would probably be difficult, and it definitely was. She happily explored the hotel until finally deciding it was time for bed around 3:00 a.m.
The next morning she was understandably exhausted and spent most of the walk into SickKids sleeping on Dad’s shoulder before we reached the endocrinology department.
Arriving at SickKids
When we arrived, we were brought into a large room where several other families were waiting for their own stimulation tests. IEven without many words being spoken, you could tell every family understood why they were there.
From the moment we arrived, the staff were incredibly kind.
Before our appointment, I had requested a Child Life Specialist, and I am so thankful I did.
One thing that stood out throughout the entire day was that the staff didn’t just focus on the medical side of things. They kept asking,
“What can we do to make this the best experience possible for Ellie?”
The IV
When it was Ellie’s turn, we moved into another room with the Child Life Specialist where there was a little more space.
I was able to lie comfortably on the hospital bed with Ellie resting on top of me the entire time. Justin stood beside us playing Ellie’s favourite song on his phone while the nurses prepared everything. It was such a simple thing, but it helped make the room feel calm.
To give Ellie the best chance of only needing one poke, the nurses first used an ultrasound machine to locate the best vein before placing the IV. Once they found it, they marked the exact spot on her arm. They also used a Buzzy Bee to help distract her during the poke.
The IV was a little more uncomfortable than a regular blood draw, but because of the preparation and skill of the team, it was placed quickly on the very first attempt.
Afterward, they carefully wrapped and protected the IV so Ellie couldn’t accidentally bend her arm too much or pull on it. This also made the blood draws throughout the day quick and easy because the IV stayed in the perfect position.
Even though everything went exactly as we had hoped…
I still cried.
Not because anything went wrong, but because I was the one helping hold Ellie still. Hearing your child cry while you’re trying to comfort them is one of the hardest feelings as a parent. My mom heart hurt.
Thankfully, within moments, she had settled back into my arms, and we returned to the family room to begin the test.
The Stimulation Test
Once we returned to the family room, Ellie was given clonidine to begin the Growth Hormone Stimulation Test.
One thing I really appreciated was that I didn’t have to sit in a chair all day. I was able to stay in the hospital bed with Ellie as long as needed.
Every 30 minutes, the nurses would quietly come in, connect to her IV, collect a blood sample, flush the line, close everything back up, and leave.
Because everything was done through the IV, Ellie only needed that one initial poke.
The clonidine made her very sleepy, and she slept through almost the entire test, only waking briefly here and there before drifting right back to sleep in my arms.
We also kept white noise playing on Ellie’s tablet throughout the test. Since the nurses came in every 30 minutes to collect blood, it helped mask some of the sounds of people coming and going and made it easier for her to stay asleep.
Around 1:00 p.m., the testing was complete, but we stayed for another hour while the nurses monitored her blood pressure and blood sugar to make sure everything had returned to normal before removing the IV.
After receiving the all-clear, we packed up and headed home around 2:00 p.m.
Looking Back
If I’m being honest, the anticipation was far worse than the test itself.
The weeks of planning.
The worrying.
The wondering how Ellie would handle fasting.
The fear of the IV.
The long drive.
All of it weighed on us so heavily before we even arrived.
Was it emotional? Absolutely.
Did I cry? Yes.
Would I still be nervous if we ever had to do it again? Of course.
But SickKids made what could have been a very scary experience feel calm, organized, and incredibly compassionate.
Every single staff member treated Ellie like she mattered. They involved us in every step, asked what would make her most comfortable, and truly wanted this to be a positive experience for her.
As parents, that’s all you can ask for.
Now comes the hardest part…
Waiting for the results.
Tips for Other Families
If you’re reading this because your child has a Growth Hormone Stimulation Test coming up, here are a few things that helped us.
Timeline
7:45 a.m. – Checked in.
8:30-9 am IV placement and preparation.
Blood samples taken every 30 minutes through the IV.
Test completed around 1:00 p.m.
One additional hour of monitoring.
Left the hospital around 2:00 p.m.
What I’d Recommend Bringing
For your child:
Comfortable clothes or pajamas.
A favourite blanket or stuffed animal.
Quiet toys or activities, especially if your child doesn’t nap.
A tablet or phone with downloaded shows or favourite songs.
Snacks and drinks for immediately after the test. ( Sick kids provided juice and cookies ) We brought Milk for Ellie as it’s a comfort for her and some apple sauce pouches as they can and need to eat right after the test)
For parents:
A phone charger.
Headphones.
A book, Kindle
Water
A Few Things That Helped Us
Ask for a Child Life Specialist if you think your child would benefit.
If your child has difficult veins, ask whether ultrasound-guided IV placement is available.
Water was allowed throughout Ellie’s fasting period and during the test (always follow your own hospital’s instructions, as this may vary).
White noise on a tablet or phone was incredibly helpful since nurses came in and out of the room every 30 minutes.
The IV meant Ellie only needed one poke, and every blood sample afterward was taken through that IV.
I was able to stay with Ellie the entire time and even lie in the hospital bed with her throughout the test.
The nurses secured the IV so well that Ellie couldn’t accidentally bend her arm too much or pull it out, making every blood draw afterward quick and easy.
Most importantly…
The fear beforehand was much bigger than the day itself.
If you’re reading this while preparing for your own child’s stimulation test, I hope our experience has taken away even a small piece of that fear.
To every nurse, doctor, Child Life Specialist, and staff member who cared for Ellie that day—thank you. Your kindness, compassion, and patience meant more to our family than you’ll ever know.
To the SickKids team—thank you.
Thank you for treating Ellie as more than just another patient. Thank you for taking the time to ask what would make the day easier for her, for us, and for making a scary experience feel as calm and compassionate as possible. We will never forget your kindness.
And to everyone who checked in, sent messages, prayed, and thought about our little girl throughout this journey thank you.
One more step forward on Ellie’s Journey. 💜
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