Urology Appointment UPDATE

**Note** I forgot to mention that Ellaree will be on antibiotics for the next 6 months. They usually use Sulpha but since her body is already susceptible to it we had to go with Cephalexin. This is also used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections. She is on this to 1 make sure that there is no bacterial infections before her procedure and then also so that with the help of her antibiotic maybe she will be able to grow out of this quicker. Her little body might become susceptible to this drug also, at that time we would need to reevaluate and give her a different kind. But for now we will see. Cephalexin has to be refrigerated and is only good for 14 days at a time, so Harry will be making many trips into the pharmacy for this. Also, the pharmacist asked if she should flavor the medicine "YES PLEEEEEASE!" So we will see how that goes and hopefully it is enough for Ellaree to take every day. It is going to be a challenge for me as she will not want to take it but we will get through it....hopefully!

I also found this on a website about the procedure that they are performing and thought maybe you all would be interested in it. I am sure this explains it better then what I did.

What is a Voiding Cystourethrogram? A children's (pediatric) voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) is an x-ray examination of a child's bladder and lower urinary tract that uses a special form of x-ray called fluoroscopy and a contrast material.

An x-ray (radiograph) is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions. Imaging with x-rays involves exposing a part of the body to a small dose of ionizing radiation to produce pictures of the inside of the body. X-rays are the oldest and most frequently used form of medical imaging.

Fluoroscopy makes it possible to see internal organs in motion. When the bladder is filled with and then emptied of a water-soluble contrast material, the radiologist is able to view and assess the anatomy and function of the bladder and lower urinary tract.

What are some common uses of the procedure? A voiding cystourethrogram enables a radiologist, a physician specifically trained to supervise and interpret radiology examinations, to detect abnormalities in the flow of urine through the urinary tract.

This examination is often recommended after a urinary tract infection to check for a condition known as vesicoureteral (VU) reflux.

About VU Reflux
Urine is produced in the kidneys and flows through the ureter, the tube that carries urine from each kidney to the bladder. A valve mechanism prevents urine from backing up into the kidneys as the bladder gets full. Urine leaves the bladder through the urethra and is eliminated from the body during urination.

In some children, an abnormality in the valve or the ureters allows urine to flow backwards, a condition called VU reflux. In mild cases urine backs up into the lower ureter. In severe cases it can back up into a swollen kidney. Usually, children with this condition are born with it. Other causes include:

~blockage to the bladder
~abnormal urination with very high pressure within the bladder
~incomplete emptying of the bladder
~urinary tract infections.
~Urinary tract infection may be the only symptom of the problem.

How does the procedure work? X-rays are a form of radiation like light or radio waves. X-rays pass through most objects, including the body. Once it is carefully aimed at the part of the body being examined, an x-ray machine produces a small burst of radiation that passes through the body, recording an image on photographic film or a special digital image recording plate.

Fluoroscopy uses a continuous or pulsed x-ray beam to create a sequence of images that are projected onto a fluorescent screen, or television-like monitor. When used with an oral contrast material, which clearly defines the area being examined by making it appear bright white, this special x-ray technique makes it possible for the physician to view internal organs in motion. Still images are also captured and stored either on film or electronically on a computer.

Until recently, x-ray images were maintained as hard film copy (much like a photographic negative). Today, most images are digital files that are stored electronically. These stored images are easily accessible and are frequently compared to current x-ray images for diagnosis and disease management.

A voiding cystourethrogram is usually completed within 30 minutes.

Urology Appointment

Ellaree had her urology appointment today. Thankfully Harry was able to have today off and he was able to go with. Dr. Radamacher was great with Ellaree even though she played the shy game and would not talk to him at all. You could tell he had already read through her chart and was quick and to the point as to what the game plan was going to be. Harry and I really appreciated this approach.

Game plan is that Thursday, October 14th we will be going in for two ultrasounds. The first ultrasound is on the back and no big deal. Then after that we will be taken to peds in the hospital where they will put a catheter in and then take her back to ultrasound where they will shoot dye up to see if it is working correctly. This will not be as pleasant as she can not be sedated.

What is going on on with Ellaree? When the bladder becomes full, then Ellaree empties her bladder. But for some the reflux is not there, therefore some of the urine goes back up into the kidneys. After she empties the bladder the urine from the kidneys goes back into the bladder causing an infection. More then likely she will grow out of this but they want to make sure therefore why we are doing the ultrasound.

Ellaree's Pumpkin Patch

Ellaree made her own pumpkin patch! She loves crafts. It was lots of fun to watch her see it growing in her expressions.

25 Weeks

25 weeks today or 104 days left...but remember c-section so we won't make it that long.

Nascar Racing - Lorelai Style

A typical day in our kitchen. :)

Kwik Trip

It was not even a week after Harry started with Kwik Trip and the September newsletter came out with Harry's picture on the front page.

This is only one kind of truck that he drives. I believe he said this was a Freightliner. They also drive Peterbilts (his favorite) and Macs.

Saturday Harry was in Rosemount, MN (Erica I will let you know next time he is up your way and you can stop in to say hi at like 7 AM) and Sunday was in Waterloo, IA. Saturday was his first day without a trainer and he had detours going through MN due to the flooding. Plus it took him a little longer then it would usually due to trying to remember everything but he was still home by 4:45. Which I don't think is too bad. Monday & Tuesday he will be back with a trainer in case he has any questions and then Wednesday he will have off. Which is a blessing from God because he can go to Ellaree's urology appointment with me. God is sooo good to us.

Horse & Colt Show

Yesterday was the 80th Annual Horse & Colt Show in Viola. Of course the girls and I were going to go or bust. Harry had to work and so he was not able to go. Lisa was able to go with us which was lots of fun. It was a full day event and by the end of the day I was going home with Lisa driving and having contractions but we are just fine...just over did it a little tiny bit.

Uncle Jerod took Ellaree in the tractor to smooth out the track for the tractor pull. All Ellaree could talk about was how there was a seat just for her in the cab. I think she will be trying to talk daddy into a tractor like this soon. She would have stayed in there all day long had Uncle Jerod let her.

After the parade we did rides with cousin Maddie. Of course I had to do some recruiting as I could not go on rides. Aunt Jen & Uncle Nick had a blast taking the girls. When the ride started the look on Ellaree's face made me wonder if she would make it through the ride without crying but after a couple twirls and then the smiles started.

Maddie & Ellaree felt like princesses as they were in the Belle princess teacups.

Grapa & Grama brought their RV down so we had a place to hang out if needed. This was great to feed Lorelai here. The poor little girl didn't like trying to fall asleep in the stroller as she likes her bed and so it was a little challenging at times for her. But we all survived the day.

All week Ellaree only talked about going on the farris wheel. She actually got to go on it twice as Uncle Jerod also took her. Big smiles for this ride.

Unfortunately all the pictures of Uncle Jerod and Kassy taking Ellaree on rides are up in my head as Lorelai stayed in the RV with Grama the 2nd round of rides and therefore I did not take the stroller and the camera was in the stroller. I am kicking myself now. Uncle Jerod and Kassy took Ellaree on the slide, train, Farris wheel and tilt-a-whirl.

And don't forget the hour long parade where we got lots of candy. No pictures as I was either holding the candy bag or a baby trying to go to sleep.