A Tale Of Four Kidneys

As many of you know, Mr. Brady suffers from a kidney condition; one that we’ve been dealing with since before he was born.  You can find his full story with this post and his most recent scans and outcome with this post. 

Since this is an outgoing issue with him, our visits to his specialists are ongoing as well.  We had a couple of appointments over the last two weeks so I wanted to provide an update for everyone.  Brady had a routine ultrasound on his kidneys, ureters, and bladder.  This was followed up with an appointment with his nephrologist and a trip to the lab for some blood work. 

Brady was inconsolable during the ultrasound but luckily it went fairly quickly.  Our appointment with the nephrologist was nothing short of agonizing.  The nurses had a horrible time taking his blood pressure, resulting in undesirable numbers each time.  Sometimes this can be blamed on the age of the child, recent activity, or restlessness; all making it uneasy for accurate results.  However, he was fairly still (thanks to tons of bubbles, toys, music, etc.).  Blood pressure is a major concern with children like Brady as it is a side effect of his condition.  Needless to say, the numbers were worrisome for us and the nurses.  They had different staff attempt, using both automated and manual cuffs that all retrieved the same or nearly the same result (as automated and manual cuffs will vary regardless).  We ended up waiting nearly two hours and his blood pressure was retaken.  At this point he was happier and obviously calmer.  The blood pressure read where it should.  However, we will be more cognizant about monitoring his pressure at home here and there as follow-up.

During the interim of the blood pressure fiasco, we met with the nephrologist and received the results of the ultrasound.  They were as we suspected; there was no change in his condition.  Anymore I take no additional news as great news regardless of the outcome. 

Next up was a trip to the lab as we always have blood work taken to measure his creatinine and some other blood factors.  All four of us went into the kid’s blood drawing room where the exam table is a giant rhinoceros; sort of cute, sort of scary.  I guess I should say that we attempted to all walk into the room.  David went first, followed by Tess and then myself.  Mr. Brady peaked his little head around the corner and then said no, no, no and started running back down the hall.  This was heart-wrenching.  I know people constantly tell me that Brady won’t remember any of this when his is older.  Although I do understand that this statement is true, I also know that he does remember now.  He remembers that stupid rhinoceros and the pain he felt while he was there each time before.  He remembers the jelly on his belly during all his ultrasounds and the catheters that he has had one too many times.  The little man can walk into a hospital and immediately knows the something is going to happen.  As the parent, you get a really awful feeling in your chest but just do the best to console them as they look up at you with their big brown eyes and wonder why.  Ugh…

Anyway,  I immediately realized I would take Tess back out to the waiting room as it is hard enough for me to watch a blood draw on Brady’s tiny veins.   We listened to him from the waiting room and only minutes later we were done.  The whole series of appointments lasted nearly the entire work day; talk about exhausting for all of us! 

Thankfully, we should be done with appointments for Mr. Brady until the fall (fingers crossed).

Now, the title of this post is a tale of four kidneys so here is part two of this little story.  Brady’s kidney issues are genetic.  It isn’t common for it to “skip” a child so there has always been concern from multiple specialists that Tessa may suffer from the same issues that Brady does.  She has not had any kidney infections that we are aware of, although often the symptoms are masked by symptoms of other common illnesses.  That being said, we have been waiting to get all her paperwork through and billing completed so she can be examined as well.  Lord help us.  Tessa’s ultrasound was a week after Brady’s.  David was out of town so I called in for some assistance and my mom drove down for the day.  We got Tessa registered (she loved the hospital bracelet) and soon she was called back into the room.  Mom carried Brady back and I carried Tess.  The moment we stepped into the room, Brady went hysterical.  I’m certain the little man thought he would be poked and prodded again.  Mom immediately took him back out to the waiting room and distracted him with toys.  It was at that moment when Tess realized that we were not at the hospital for her brother.  She clung onto me like a starfish and I found myself lying on the exam table with her on my belly as she refused to let go.  She cried and laid her head on my chest and they took images from her back first.  When it was all said and done, Tessa did an amazing job.  She was really brave and the staff divulged stickers of every character imaginable (which were shortly everywhere in my car, our clothes, and all over the house that night); what a hit!  We received Tessa’s results that day and are extremely relieved and happy to report that she has two perfectly functioning kidneys, ureters, and one awesome bladder.  Oh, the things that thrill me, right?

I think that’s enough talk about organs for one day.  I hope you all had great weekends!