We went to Finn's specialist appointment yesterday. They reviewed his previous ultrasound pictures and confirmed that he does have hydronephrosis in both kidneys. It is deemed minor in the right and mild in the left (or vice versa, I don't remember the scale of severity). They want to keep him on antibiotics and then determine the cause of the reflux (fluid refluxing into the kidney). It can either be due to a kink in the ureters or other such ureter blocker or it could be due to the valves where the ureters enter the bladder. To determine the cause, they are going to do a voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG). This is a procedure where they place a catheter into the bladder and fill it with liquid dye that can be seen in an x-ray or fluorometer. Then, I guess Finn will be monitored over the course of his childhood with ultrasounds to make sure the problem corrects itself. He will have to remain on antibiotics until the issue is resolved. If it does not resolve itself by the time he is 5 years old, then surgery will be considered. I think this is worst case scenario, which it doesn't look like things are that severe. Right now, so long as he remains on antibiotics all is well. The reflux itself is not a problem, but it can cause serious damage to the kidneys if he were to develop a urinary tract infection, hence the antibiotics. We are waiting for them to call and schedule the VCUG and they said that it usually takes up to a month to get in. I feel pretty sad for the little guy to have to go through this. They said that they don't do any anesthesia for the procedure and this bothers me. I don't see why they can't at least do local anesthesia for the catheter. The nurse said the babies don't mind the catheter, they just mind being held down and that it is harder on the parents. Well, it seems to me that they don't know what the baby is experiencing and that is something they just tell the parents. I realize he will not remember this and it needs to be done, but I wish it wouldn't be such a distress on him too. Alas, I will keep you all posted on when his appointment is.
For now, I hope everyone has a fabulous Thanksgiving. It will be Finn's first holiday!
3 comments:
I think I can get a contact or two from other moms whose children have kidney reflux. Would you like me to get some email addresses for you? Becky
Hey Becky, that would be great. Thanks!
Hey Sis; wanted to let you know we are thinking of all 3 of you and love you so much. We continue to pray that Finn is well and all is well. Love Sissy
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