Thursday, April 1, 2010

Poor Babycakes

Well MRI results weren't the greatest new. We went in on Monday to find out the results and the doctor decided he needed to to a cystoscopy. So Wednesday we went in at 5:30am! ah! this time I wasn't allowed in at all. They did anesthesia again but this time they had to do a breathing tube in her throat ... but I didn't get to see any of this. The procedure was about an hour long total.

Results were not so fun either. BOTH of Clover's ureters are tortuous. The left kidney is still working at about 78% so it's not our primary focus right now but it could be an issue in the future. Each kidney is supposed to do 50/50. The right kidney is doing 22% and since its doing more than 10% they always try to save it. But this kidney is almost half the size of the left and the kinks in the ureter are so bad that he couldn't even stick the dye up into it.

He gave us 3 options.

Option 1: Do a ureterostomy which would involve taking the ureter and making an artificial opening on her lower abdomen which will allow the kidney to constantly be draining directly into her diaper. Thus, giving her kidney a rest and chance to heal. It could heal fast ... or it could take up to two years to heal. We will be doing ultrasounds every couple of weeks/months to watch it. And once it is healed they will reattach it to her bladder. The doctor recommends this one, and we are going to go ahead with this plan at the end of April.

Option 2: Try to straighten out the ureter and then reattach it right away. But it wouldn't give the kidney a rest, so it wouldn't necessarily help the problem.

Option 3: Take the kidney out. They don't recommend this because the other kidney isn't in the best shape. If it was then yeah that could be the answer ... but its not.

I don't know if many of you knew, but we were planning on moving back to Georgia in the fall so that we could attend our church in Georgia, Faith Community Church where Brian would eventually become the youth pastor. We can no longer do that with Clover's health and so we will be staying in California for as long as it takes for Clover to heal. And because of that Brian will be staying in The Masters Seminary to get his Th.M.

Please keep us in our prayers. It's hard to watch this all happening to my baby girl and not get overwhelmed. I just want to fall asleep and wake up to realize its a dream and the results came back that shes fine. But the Lord is faithful and I do know that. Here are some verses I've been meditated to keep my mind set on the things above and not on the things of the earth.

Hebrews 12:5b-6 "My Son do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by Him; for those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives."

Psalm 27:13-14 "I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord."

Isaiah 41:10 "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

I've also been reading the book Damsels in Distress by Martha Peace. very encouraging.

thank you.

8 comments:

  1. so sorry to hear this kenz.....we love you guys and little clover! You are in our prayers tonight. Let us know of any changes.

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  2. Mackenzie...know that many are praying for you. Know that many of us understand what you are going through and it is amazing to watch how the Lord is sanctifying you both during this difficult process. He loves you SO much that He wants to draw you closer to Him during this time. He knows exactly where you are supposed to be this fall...He has something wonderful in mind! Becky B.

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  3. Hey, Kenzie. I knew that your beautiful girl was having UTI trouble, but I had no idea how complicated it was till I saw your FB post tonight. I praise God for your trust in Him as your heart aches for your baby. You're all in my prayers.

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  4. OH Mackenzie, I had no idea you guys were going through all of this. We will be praying for her, the doctors and for your precious hearts as you trust her in the Father's care.
    love,
    Hayley

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  5. I'm so sorry all this is happening to you guys. We will be praying for you!!

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  6. Just know that ya'll are in prayers. And just keep your strong faith in God. I know it can be so hard to stay so strong, both of you are amazing. Just know God has wonderful things in store for you and Clover,too.

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  7. Brian will remember me I doubt you will. I am his friend Trey's mom. I had something very similar when I was an infant. My Mom told the doctors that I was always wet. They would not belive her, told her she was a fussy first time mom. I was eventually diagnosed after multiple kidney infections (not bladder infections)at age 3. My ureters would reflux or allow backwash into my kidneys carrying the infection with it. They had to reposition my ureters surgically. My kidneys did wind up scarred some but they still filter and function at 75% or better and that is after I took serious poisons in chemotherapy treatments six years ago which my kidneys had to handle (I had breast cancer). I am 51 now and still doing great. I know it is very scary when a little one is ill (especially one to small to tell you where it hurts). I know it is scary to see them wired up with all the tubes. I pray God to give you peace. I believe she will come through fine. As a side note I like the idea of the urostomy short term. I wound up having to live with a catheter for months at a time (try keeping a 3-5 year old from hurting herself with a catheter). Y'all caught it much earlier than they did for me. Hopefully she will be well and fine before she is walking much.

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  8. cranberry juice is a wonderful natural protectant of the kidneys. Full strength is probably too strog but talk to her doctor and try diluting it down some.

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