Update.

Last Thursday we met with the ENT. He said that Kanyon was a good candidate for tubes. The doctor said that sometimes kids do well during the summer months, so we are going to see how he does. If he gets another infection he will be getting tubes. From December 2, 2011 through today he has had 8!

We met with the urologist today.  He made a better impression today! He told us what we already knew...that Kimber has Grade II Reflux. He ordered some more tests. We will have to go back to WRMC to have them done.  He wants her to start taking a low dose antibiotic daily. This will hopefully prevent future infections and prevent kidney damage. He said that she could be on the antibiotic for years and the reflux may or may not fix itself. He discussed two types of surgery.  The more invasive surgery isn't necessary because it is typically done when a patient has Grade IV or V. The other surgery is called Deflux. It is a relatively simple procedure and has a great success rate. If the surgery was successful she would no longer need antibiotics or yearly ultrasounds and VCUG's. He is sending us a referral to Arkansas Children's Hospital.  We will go down there with all of her test results and consult with one of the pediatric urologists. If they agree and she has the surgery she will have to have another VCUG to make sure the surgery corrected the problem.

I hate that she is going to have to go through more procedures and possibly surgery. The thought of your child under anesthesia is terrifying, but I am thankful that we know what it is and that it is treatable! 

As always, we would appreciate some prayers!

Done.

The VCUG is DONE! I am so thankful it is over!

Only one of us could go back, so Luke went with her. I tend to be a little more emotional than he is. Luke said she cried, but did really well.  She told me it didn't hurt at all. We are so proud of her! Afterwards we took her to Chuck E Cheese. Gammy, Emy, and Grandma Robin got to go with us.

The radiologist explained everything to Luke and he got to watch the whole process. He said everyone there was really nice. Unfortunately, Kimber was diagnosed with Grade II VUR. We won't know a course of treatment until we meet with the urologist on Monday. We are very thankful that it is a lower grade and that we can monitor her from here on out. 

Here is some information from Wikipedia:

Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is an abnormal movement of urine from the bladder into ureters or kidneys. Urine normally travels from the kidneys via the ureters to the bladder. In vesicoureteral reflux the direction of urine flow is reversed (retrograde).

International Classification of Vesicoureteral Reflux

• Grade I – reflux into non-dilated ureter

• Grade II – reflux into the renal pelvis and calyces without dilatation

• Grade III – mild/moderate dilatation of the ureter, renal pelvis and calyces with minimal blunting of the fornices

• Grade IV – dilation of the renal pelvis and calyces with moderate ureteral tortuosity

• Grade V – gross dilatation of the ureter, pelvis and calyces; ureteral tortuosity; loss of papillary impressions

The younger the age of the patient and the lower the grade at presentation the higher the chance of spontaneous resolution. Most (approx. 85%) of grade I & II cases of VUR will resolve spontaneously. Approximately 50% of grade III cases and a lower percentage of higher grades will also resolve spontaneously.

We had so many friends and family pray, call, email and text. We are so thankful for each and every one of you!

Love,

Waving My White Flag.

I surrender!

I am exhausted!

Kanyon has been waking up at night and today he kept grabbing his ear. He can't seem to kick this ear infection. When Kimber got tubes it wasn't because she had a lot of infections, but because of one infection that wouldn't go away. She had four or five rounds of antibiotics. That is where we are at with Kanyon. He just did two 10 day antibiotics back to back and still has fluid on his ear. He has an appointment at the ENT Clinic on April 26th. Hopefully they can help him out!

I picked Kinnison up from school today and she is running a fever. She just finished antibiotics for strep. She just had strep last month. The doctor said that the strep virus can live on the tonsils. If she has it again they are referring her to the ENT Clinic to possibly have her tonsils out. Think we can get a 2 for 1 deal?

The doctor thought that Kimber's UTI last week was a repeat of the one she had in February. She said that sometimes the antibiotics alleviate some of the symptoms, but not completely clear up the infection. Her VCUG is scheduled for Monday at 8AM.

The kids have been sick for a couple months now. It isn't new stuff. It is the same stuff repeating. We have spent a fortune on doctors and prescriptions and it just isn't helping. I hate it. I feel helpless.

I'm praying they all get well soon!

Kimber Update.

We met with the urologist today. He is sending Kimber for a VCUG ( voiding cystourethrogram ). I wasn't real impressed with him, but two other doctors mentioned this procedure, so I guess it is our next step. This procedure tests for VU Reflux. He said that if she had this condition it more than likely isn't serious or they would have seen something on the renal ultrasound. He also said that if she has this condition it is something we want to watch closely because it can cause permanent kidney damage. This condition can be fixed with surgery and medication, but most the time it fixes itself. We just want to make sure that we don't cause any harm to her kidneys.

We should be getting a call today or tomorrow to get the procedure scheduled. The procedure is scary and uncomfortable...especially for a four year old. Please keep praying for Kimber. She has been through a lot. I hate that she has to go through this. I would give anything to be able to take her place!

Thanks!

Better.

I am pretty sure that I have the most wonderful children in the world. They are smart, sweet and adorable. They can be rotten, but most the time they are pretty fabulous.

Kinnison graduates from Kindergarten in four weeks! She loves everything about school. She is reading really well. She can already do addition and subtraction. We are working on money now.

Kimber can count to 20 now. Sometimes she skips one or two numbers, but she is doing great. She can write her name if she has it to look at. If she doesn't have anything to look at she writes KIM.

They are both fantastic big sisters. Kanyon is a lucky boy! They are a huge help to me. I seriously don't know what I would do without them!

Kanyon is all over the place. He loves water. He loves bath time. He climbs in the shower and plays in Tater's water dish. I can't wait until we take him to the beach! He keeps me busy. I actually wake up in the morning sore from wrestling him the day before. He is eating solid foods really well. He loves green beans and mashed potatoes.

Luke bought a John Deere tractor on Friday. He is going to pick it up on Monday. He deserves it. He works really hard to provide for our family. We are very lucky to have him. This tractor will make his work around the house go so much faster. We have cleared a lot of land this year and we will need it to brush hog. We also need it to push around rocks and trees and to blade the drive.

Today we finished up the last of the antibiotics! YAY! Everyone seems to be doing well. We still need prayers for Monday!

Worry.

I am always worrying about something. Most the time it is my kiddos. Last week Kimber was sent for an ultrasound. They wanted to check everything out since she has had a few urinary tract infections. I was worried they might find something wrong, but I assumed they wouldn't find anything. I was shocked when I got the results yesterday. Kimber has what they call "thickening of the bladder wall". We don't know much more than that. All we were told is that it could be something or it could be absolutely nothing. We were referred to a urologist. We have an appointment on Monday. This is the hardest part of being a parent. The worry. The fear. I've been praying hard for Kimber. She is one tough little girl, so if this turns out to be something I am certain she can beat it. She has a Momma and a Daddy that love her more than anything in this world and would go to the ends of the earth for her. She has to be OK. There isn't any other option. We would appreciate some prayers!

Here are some Easter pictures:

Happy Easter!

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

More Bad News.

Kinnison started running a fever and complaining of a sore throat lastnight. I took her to the doctor today and she has strep! If she gets it again this year she will be sent to an ENT to have her tonsils removed. While at the doctor I had Kanyon rechecked. He only has two days of antibiotics left and he is still not feeling well. He has a bad cough, green runny nose and is still a little cranky. Dr. Grear gave him a new antibiotic. I bet he is on meds until his surgery.

Grandma went to the doctor yesterday because her heart went into a fib. She saw her cardiologist today and they are going to try to fix it by adjusting her meds.

I am sorry that so many posts have been about sick kids and prayer requests, but I want to document this time in my life. I'm afraid I will block it out. Having three young kids can be very difficult at times, but I know that I will look back and miss this.

Please say a prayer that Kimber's ultrasound goes well tomorrow!

Random Update.

We celebrated Easter with Luke's family on Monday. The kids had a blast. It was 86 degrees. I am pretty sure that is the hottest egg hunt I have ever been to. This was Kanyon's first egg hunt. He chewed on the eggs and kept stealing candy out of the baskets and trying to eat it.

Kanyon is back on antibiotics for another ear infection. We have been referred to an ENT. It looks like he is going to have tubes like Kimber. Kimber went back to the doctor today for another UTI. We aren't sure if she has another one or if the other one never completely went away. She was really, really sick last time. Lindsay scheduled her for an ultrasound on Friday. They are going to check out he kidneys, bladder, ect. to make sure everything is OK. If she has another infection they are going to send her for a more invasive test. This is her second UTI, but it has only been a month since the last one. I really hope that it is the same infection and there isn't something more serious going on.

Kinnison had Rise and Shine on Monday morning. Her class got to perform on stage in front of the whole school. They did an awesome job. She only has 6 weeks of school left. We get a couple months off for summer and then she will start FIRST GRADE!

I've started planning Kanyon's 1st birthday party. How is that even possible?

We would appreciate some prayers for Kimber and Kanyon (and momma). Thanks!

Here are some random pictures...