My Poor Mama's

Incase you don't know who Mama's is its Peyton. She has had that nickname since she was born! She even tells her friends and random strangers to call her Mama's. 

Well a lot of people have been asking me about Peyton and wondering if she is ok. I am happy to say that she is ok as are Cassidy, Max and myself. She has a little medical issue right now that we are working on trying to get it cleared up. It started at the beginning of December when she got diagnosed with a bladder infection. Her doctor immediately put her on antibiotics. After a week on the medicine they wanted to do another urine culture to make sure that the bacteria was going away. Unfortunately that was not the case, the bacteria was still there so her doctor ordered an ultrasound. We went for the ultrasound on Wednesday. I'm glad that Peyton loves to go to the doctors and everything about the doctors office. Before doing the US (ultrasound) the doctor put the warm gel on Peyton's fingers and she said it was hot so the tech wiped it off and put the cold one on! Peyton loved the cold one! Every time the US Tech put more on Peyton kept saying make sure its the cold one I don't like the hot one! So Thursday came and I waited to hear about the results of the ultrasound. Finally the Doctor called me with some worrisome news. The ultrasound showed some dead blood cells in the bottom of her bladder and they are a cause for concern so we had to schedule an appointment to see the doctor today to talk about a VCUG procedure to see if she has VU Reflux.

What is a VCUG ? Don't worry I had the same question. 

A voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) uses a small amount of radiation to make images of a person's urinary system.

After the patient's bladder is filled with a liquid called contrast material, an X-ray machine sends beams of radiation through the abdomen and pelvis, and images are recorded on special film or a computer. These images help doctors see problems in parts of the urinary system, including the bladder, urethra (the tube connecting the bladder with the outside of the body), and the ureters (the tubes connecting the kidneys to the bladder). An X-ray technician or radiologist takes the X-rays using a technique called fluoroscopy. While the contrast material fills your child's bladder, and then while your child empties the bladder, the technician or radiologist watches an onscreen X-ray video of the liquid moving through the urinary system and a series of X-ray films is recorded.

The VCUG  also can show whether the urine is moving in the right direction. Normally, urine flows from the kidneys down to the bladder through the ureters. When urine goes back up toward the kidneys, it's called vesicoureteral (VU) reflux. A VCUG can detect VU reflux. Sometimes VU reflux only occurs while urinating (voiding), which is why the VCUG includes taking X-ray images while the bladder is being emptied. Since VU reflux can cause urinary tract infections (UTIs), this test is sometimes recommended after a child has had a UTI. Although not all kids who have had UTIs have reflux, it's important to find those who do, since the treatment may vary depending on the severity of reflux.

So now we are waiting for our insurance to approve the procedure so we can get it done and see if she has reflux or not. if she does she will go on antibiotics for 6 months to a year and she will have her kidneys monitored to make sure that they are not being damaged. 

I will keep everyone updated.