Tuesday, September 6, 2011

urology update

Today was Grey's annual urodynamics/VCUG/renal ultrasound day. Not really something that we look forward to around here. (My SB friends will surely agree). Basically, this is a big 'ol test to check on Grey's bladder and kidneys. Last year, the results of this test were awful. His bladder was thick, super bumpy, and and the weirdest shape ever. (your bladder should look like a balloon...smooth, round, and thin) He had grade 4, out of 5, reflux (reflux=bad and should be at 0). This is the test that proved that we needed to start Grey on a cathing schedule, and the test that left me with one of my biggest worries. Since we started cathing Grey, he has been UTI free and doing pretty great in this department...or so we thought. 4 months ago Grey had another renal ultrasound that showed that his bladder wall was still crazy thick and his bladder looked like a piece of popcorn. Not good. So...we started on ditropan. Ditropan is a medication used to relax the bladder. To me, this was terrible news. I have heard terrible things about ditropan and this is the last thing that I wanted to be giving my little guy. But, I knew that it was what was best for his kidneys so we started it. The only side effect that he seems to be having is the overhearting (but it has also been a pretty hot summer) and we can totally deal with this.

Back to today...today, Grey's bladder was SMOOTH, THIN, and kinda ROUND (still looks more like an oval) AND HIS REFLUX IS TOTALLY GONE! Yes, you heard me right...he no longer has reflux...AT ALL!! Last year I cried because I was so sad about the news we had heard and this year I cried because I was so so grateful.

I know that Grey's bladder and kidneys may not always look this way, but for now they do. :) As the parent of a child with spina bifida, I tend to always expect something. If it's an orthopedic appointment, I know that she is going to tell me what areas need to be stretched more, what muscles are lacking, and what more we need to be doing to help strengthen what he does have. If it's a neurosurgery appointment I know that he is going to give me the run down of what symptoms to keep an eye on for tethered cord. And, if it's urology, I know that I am going to hear all about reflux, and how thick his bladder wall is. and that it may be time to up his dose of ditropan. But today, today was so so different. We left with not just "ok" news...we left with amazing news. News that I can't stop smiling about and news that I can't stop giving thanks for. I couldn't wait to come and give you all, Grey's prayer warriors and biggest cheerleaders, this amazing news too! God is so good!



Love to all,
Leigh, Andy, and Grey

PS don't forget. :)

21 comments:

Michelle said...

that's great guys!! xoxo Phew! So nice to hear that I bet!

Katie from ABC&123: A Learning Cooperative said...

yay! yay! So glad to hear this great news. I am sure you were crazy relieved. Katie (I think I'm logged in to the wrong google account...)

Kelly said...

That is such great news!! It surely is such a good feeling when you go in expecting one thing and are surprised with good news!!

Missy said...

Yay! I am so happy for you all, especially Grey!!!

Nechama said...

I'm sooo happy for you! As you know mussia is having hers tomorrow and I've literally been having nightmares about it! Your post is encouraging me that it will be okay (maybe?) lol. But if it's not, it will get there. Im so happy for you! Good news literally makes you flying on a cloud :)

Joanna said...

Gosh. You made me cry too and I wasn't even there! I am so relieved and thankful with you. We face our battles one day at a time - and every victory is a reason to celebrate. This is a huge blessing and victory! Love you guys. We go for our urology appt in November and clinic in December. Dreading it - but praying and not letting it overwhelm me...yet. lol. Hoping for as positive of an appt as our buddy Grey! GOOOO GREYSON!!

The Evenstar News said...

that's awesome!

Nate and Emily said...

oh my gosh! AMAZING! I am so so happy (and relieved because i was holding my breath through the whole first paragraph)!
Congratulations!

Our family said...

Great news! We're so happy for Grey and you guys :) God is good! XO

Jessica said...

Awesome, you are such great mommy

Selina said...

Hooray!!! SO happy for such great news!

Jamie said...

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

ainemc said...

Woop! Great news! :)

Jo-Anne said...

Wonderful news!!! Hooray! =)

Coleman and Lauren said...

I'm with Emily... I was holding my breath through the first paragraph too! But it's awesome news! I'm crying happy tears with you!

KeicherMom said...

That is AWESOME! What a turn around. Kidney and bladder worries are so stressful. I am so thrilled the reflux is gone - that is HUGE news!

Holli said...

Soooooo awesome. ALWAYS nice to get GOOD news at these appts.

krousehouse said...

Wonderful news! Nice to get a test behind you and feel so great about the result! Oh, and Grey is the cutest!

Sarah Hull said...

This is so exciting! I am so happy for you guys! God is good!!
This is just like our story and we are still reflux free years later! Hooray!

HennHouse said...

Awesome news!! So grateful and saying a prayer of THANKS!!

John said...

That's a relief - good news :-)