Kaitlyn's prayer warriors :)
At the first of every year, we normally have a host of annual check ups
for our Kaitlyn, with her specialists.
We have recently been to two very important check ups this past week.
First, we went to her ENT apt. to check on her ears. Kaitlyn, is followed by the school audiologist every 2 weeks or so at school. They brought it to our attention that we may want to have her ears checked by the ENT, because they thought she may have fluid on her ear drums, again.
Kaitlyn has struggled with fluid on her ear drums since she was at least a year old. She has had two sets of ear tubes in the past, and up until last month or so, she had been doing well with little to no fluid on her ear drums. She isn't prone to ear infections, in face to my knowledge she's had two in her life. Its just that darn fluid build up.
The ENT found that she did indeed have fluid back in both ears, last week.
She felt that this may be because she has had chronic colds and they are backing up into her ears. I can't say that I am surprised by this, my poor girl gets a cold and it really latches onto her and does not easily let go.
So the plan as for now, is to give her a nasal steroid mist, to be used every night before bed and to sleep with a cool mist humidifier. We will go back in six weeks to see how she is doing and if the fluid is still there. The ENT said that she may need a 3rd set of tubes. I am not thrilled about another set of tubes. With each set, more damage can be done to her little ear drums.
So, I am praying that God would touch her ears and relieve the fluid, without having to go that rout. But, I want what is best for Kaitlyn, our ears are no joking matter. She does have some hearing loss right now, with the fluid being there. So, I would ask that you pray for her little ears and that the fluid would leave. For David and I, for God to give us wisdom when it comes time to decide on a 3rd set of tubes. We thank you so much!
Now, for the 2nd apt. and check up.
I have not let a lot of people know this yet, just our families. But, I feel that it's time to let our prayer warriors know, so that you can help us pray over this very special matter for Kaitlyn.
Without typing out a lot of medical terms, I will explain in the simplest way I can. As most of you know, Kaitlyn had a tethered spinal cord and that it was found in 2012 on her MRI scan and that it was released in surgery in June of 2012. To know more about this, please visit the Tethered Cord tab above. Well, when a child has a tethered spinal cord for any length of time, it puts their little bodies at risk for bladder problems. It would be lengthily to type out the fine medical aspects to all of this. So bare with me :)
When Kaitlyn had her de-tethereing surgery she was only three years old.
Like most three year olds, she was not fully potty trained. But, we would always be working on it. She wanted to be a big girl, and really tried sometimes, but most of the time it was a constant struggle. She wore pull ups throughout the day and diapers at night, at that time.
As she healed up very well from her de-tethering surgery and as time went on. I became more concerned and more determined about her potty training difficulties and really bathed the matter in prayer as to what to do to help her.
When she turned four, I knew it had to be more than just being stubborn and not wanting to potty train. I knew she really wanted to please me and also be a big girl. So, I scheduled a visit to Children's Hospital Urology to see what tests could be done to help us know more.
Within a couple of weeks we were on our way to the Urology apt and started the tests. We had to wait for the results and got them in shortly after. It was found that Kaitlyn has a neurogenic bladder and kidney reflux. She has one kidney that is smaller than the other as well. We were told that the neurogenic bladder is definitely a result of having a tethered spinal cord. She has a smaller kidney, because of the reflux caused by her neurogenic bladder. Thus making one of her kidneys smaller than the other. Her kidneys both function, just unevenly. The larger kidney is working at 70% and the smaller one at 30%. In healthy kidneys each of of them is supposed to working at even shares. 50 / 50 making up the 100%.
Of course, this is just another major hurdle in Kaitlyn's path, and of course we were upset and concerned.
But, we praise the Lord that I went with my gut feeling on the matter and sought help, that the Lord showed us the problem and that we now have help for her.
The Dr. put her on 3 daily medications, to help the reflux and for the bladder. I can't stand giving her a bunch of medications, but taking them is the least evasive form of treatment. She hasn't had any reactions to them and takes them without a fuss. She's our trooper!
She has been fully potty trained and no longer in day time pullups. She no longer has any day time accidents. We credit this to prayer and her medications.
At this last apt. she was retested to see how her kidney relux and bladder were doing, since we started her on the medications 6 months ago.
I have no "bad" news to report or "great" news to report. Things are about the same right now. We are to continue on with her medications and we will go back in 6 months. I am also going to be getting a call from the Dr. this week regarding her medications.
Please pray with us over this new medical finding, as it is a concern.
Pray for her smaller kidney to continue to function at its best. There has been no current talk about kidney removal surgery or transplant... none of that real scary stuff. But, I don't think it can fully be ruled out of her future. But PRAISE the LORD, He knows her future and hold it in His hands!!
Kaitlyn makes her Mama work, God knows my heart.. I wouldn't change her for the world. Pray for David and I, for continued strength and wisdom while we continue the care for Kaitlyn. We need it every day :)
As for now, she's still our happy full of energy Kaitlyn!
Nothing and I mean nothing slows this girl down :) If I can answer any questions regarding anything I've written, please don't hesitate to ask.
Thank you all and God bless you.
Just an update for our praying friends and family.