The Leavitt's: Test and Results.

Last Tuesday Andrew went in for his annual ultrasound and RNC (radionuclide cystogram) exam. He has to have these done each year because when he was 2 1/2 months old he got a UTI (urinary tract infection). He was further tested after having a UTI because it is really uncommon for boys to get them. With the further testing it was determined that he has vesicoureteral reflux. The worst part was that he was diagnosed with stage 5 VUR, 5 being the most severe case. It has since decreased to stage 4.

To explain VUR: "a child is born with a ureter that did not grow long enough during the child’s development in the womb. The valve formed by the ureter pressing against the bladder wall does not close properly, so urine refluxes from the bladder to the ureter and eventually to the kidney. This type of VUR can get better or disappear as a child gets older. As a child grows, the ureter gets longer and function of the valve improves." (courtesy of http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/vesicoureteralreflux/)

With this condition there is serious possibilities for kidney damage and scarring, this is the reason he has ultrasounds annually, the VCUG test or RNC exams are to determine if the level of severity is going down. So that is what he had done on Tuesday at Mary Bridge Children's Hospital in Tacoma.

I was really worried about him having these tests done again, it is not something you want to see your child go through (just trust me on this one)! The tests are really invasive for a little boy and the last two years he's had them done he's had to be awake and therefore remembers everything. This had led to a fear of doctors, and a fear of laying down in a doctor's facility.

I was hesitant to take him up, but he did GREAT this time around!!! I give a huge hats off to the ultrasound technicians, they were excellent! Andrew was very nervous, but when we walked in, the lady technician had toys for him (a disco ball with colors on it and when you pushed a button it spun -she let him be in charge of letting it spin), she also turned the tv on and let him watch cartoons, and the best part was they allowed him to sit-up for most of the exam. That is such a huge blessing, because he really doesn't do well in a doctor's office laying down. The ultrasound took a little over an hour, but Andrew was a champ. He hardly cried, he only did at the very end when they needed him to lay down to get the last couple pictures. The technician was so sweet and let Andrew touch the part that goes on his belly and also let him squirt the gel onto his belly (he loved that part). After allowing him to squirt the gel onto his belly, he was all smiles. When he was done with that they gave him a new car, stickers, and a pillow, it was a huge success and I am grateful for those two technicians who were extremely patient, kind, and understanding!

After his ultrasound we were taken into another area to wait for his RNC exam. This was the first year he had a RNC exam, the last two years he's had VCUG test, so I didn't know what to expect. One of the biggest (for a mom) differences in this exam is that your child gets to be sedated for the exam, the other difference is this type of exam leads to less radiation he is exposed too. (it also means the exam is not as in depth as the VCUG test, but it does the job) The worst part about this one is he has to have an IV to be sedated. He did great though, we had a little bit of a tough time when he acciently saw the nurse with the needle, but even with seeing it, he was such a little trooper.

Next we waited for the sedation pediatrician (who was running late). The Dr. ended up running about 20 minutes late, but as soon as the sedation Dr. entered the room Andrew was in, Andrew looked at him and screamed "I DON'T WANT IT!!!!" I don't know that Andrew realized who he was, but he was certain that whatever this doctor was going to give him, he didn't want it!

Next Andrew was taken into the exam room, where he was then given the sedation, and the exam proceeded. A couple minor complications in the exam room led for the test having to be completed after Andrew woke up from sedation, but overall they were able to get the pictures they needed and we were finally allowed to go home!

I couldn't be happier or prouder of Andrew, he was such a trooper and did such a phenomenal job with all the testing he had that day!!!

The following day we drove up to Puyallup to see his Urologist and receive the results of his tests. The Dr. explained that while there is no damage on scarring on Andrew Kidney's (blessing), Andrew's condition has not decreased in severity, he is still diagnosed at stage 4. This means, Andrew has to continue taking antibiotics (an even higher dosage) everyday, and he will also have to have these same tests done again next year. It also means, that if Andrew's body does not resolve the problem on his own he will need to have surgery next year to fix it. We are hoping for the best, but know that no matter what the condition will be resolved. Aside from that Andrew is a very active, happy, healthy boy and we LOVE him!