Thursday, February 17, 2011

Hydronephrosis

Last Tuesday Drew had his first BDO. (Big Day Out) Somewhat similar to the ones I use to have.
We have known about Drew's Hydronephrosis since he and I were just this big...
Technically it is known as Antenatal Hydronephrosis, since he was diagnosed during a prenatal ultrasound. Hydronephrosis is a dilation of the kidney(s) that may eventually cause stretching and damage to surrounding organs. Hydronephrosis effects about 2% of babies, most of them being boys. Considering his family history with me having kidney cancer, and my dad having kidney stones I can't say that I was surprised. Drew has had 3 ultrasounds since his big debut in July and has been on an antibiotic to prevent a kidney infection since he was 2 months old. His 6 month ultrasound determined that there was still a slight dilation in the left kidney so we packed our bags and drove up to Primary Children's for further testing.
After checking in the little muffin had sandbags placed on his arms and legs while they inserted a catheter and IV. Spencer and I sat there while he stared at us with an evil glare as if to say, "Why aren't you helping me?!" After the contrast was flushed through the IV Drew had to remain still for 45 minutes, this procedure is known as a Renal Scan. The contrast dye is monitored with a machine that can see the kidneys filtering it through. He did great.
After the Renal Scan was complete we walked to a different part of the hospital for the Voiding Cystourethrogram (VCUG) which would put the catheter to use. The bladder is filled with a solution through the catheter while images are taken with an x-ray-esque machine. Once the bladder is full, images are taken as the bladder is emptied. This part seemed to be the most difficult part of the day. Drew's bladder muscles proved that we won't have problem with potty training.
The tech tried all the tricks he knew- heat lamps, warm water dumped all over Drew, pressure to his bladder, etc. As the doctor walked in the room Drew let loose and sprayed the equipment and the Radiologist. We got the pictures needed and were able to visit with the Pediatric Urologist later in the day. The results showed no need for a surgery or further antibiotics. We will repeat the test in a years time and hope that any dilation of the kidney or ureter has resolved.

21 comments:

Jenna said...

glad baby drew is doing well! its so sad little babies having to go through things like this. you guys are such great and loving parents!

Stacey Salmon said...

Go Drew Go!! Good to hear things are ok. We love and miss you guys.
See you in a few months!

SS

Unknown said...

After all you put him through, spraying the equipment and the doctor was to be expected. :) Actually, if the pictures are any indication it looks like he was a pretty good through the whole ordeal. And yeah for the fact that the test looked good.

mb said...

so glad your sweet boy is doing alright. What a day for him and you!

Whittney and Ryan said...

So glad to hear Drew is doing okay! What a little trooper!

Taylor {Sew Much Love} said...

Oh my gosh poor Drew! And poor mom and dad! That must have been horrible for you guys! I'm so sorry!

What a blessing that he's doing just fine though! Such a sweet little guy!

mj said...

Good to hear that little guy is ok. You're so brave. I can hardly handle looking at the pictures of Drew going into those machines. You're awesome.

Jason and Shannon Salmon said...

Wow! You guys have been through it! You need to be a nurse after all you have been through!! Glad Drew is doing good. He is getting so big. We need to get together!!

US WEEKLY said...

oh Sara, I know Exactly what you are going through, Quinn has had Kidney problems since she was 3 and has had that VCUG done up to 5-6 times.. Not fun! Plus a couple of sting Procedures to fix her issues. The tests suck but Thank heavens for technology! We are always thinking of you guys! xo

Wilkerson Weekly said...

That sounds terrible! I'm glad everything turned out fine.

Come to VA for school so we can hang out!

Jess said...

That was probably really a hard thing - to see your little guy in the hospital. You are a tough woman :)

Love you!!

Diane said...

Sara, you should be a medical journalist. Good blog post. I love that picture of Drew with his pacifier in looking up and just sort of "dealing" with the procedures. Let me know if you are coming up this weekend, Erin's room is available. She is going to St. George with Sam.

Jaime and Matt said...

Glad that so far, so good. Poor little guy! What a tough little man to go through all that:)

Lyssa Beth said...

oh what a day! I hope he's recovering well. That's so hard as a parent to just sit back and watch :(
But so glad he's well and there aren't any complications!

byufish said...

Like some have already said...you know enough to become a nurse. What the heck...I KNOW you LOVE school...you'd ACE the exams!! Start looking for a law/nursing school.

Courtney Bartlett Morris said...

aww.. i hate seeing little Drew getting all those tests:( You are such a good mom. Love you.

Lana Dawn said...

who knew all of this was going on.. but i'm glad to know that Drew doesn't need surgery and further antibiotics for at least a year! Drew is cute. and his mom is too!

Love you!

Blake and Kim said...

Drew is so stinkin' cute! I'm glad he is doing well. We'll keep the little guy in our prayers.

Kay said...

Good news for Drew! Bella had to have VCUG testing every year for a few years-- she has reflux in both kidneys and she had a redundant kidney. We did the antibiotic thing too. However, after the traumatic VCUG at age 3, I said no more and the fact that she hadn't had a uti I said no to all surgical options. I ended up stopping the antibiotics (just started skipping days, etc....) and still no uti. So, if she still has the issue, it's not causing any problems. Hopefully little Drew will continue on that course!!!

A&K said...

I am SO glad Drew is doing so well! I love and miss you!

Shankarabarathi said...

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