This Friday the 28th, I have to drive my little boy Alec (2 1/2 yrs. old) down to Salt Lake (1.5 hr. drive) to see his Pediatric Urologist at Primary Children’s Hospital. Alec was born with a condition called Hydronephrosis (HN), which means enlarged kidneys. His is a result of reflux from when his bladder gets full, the fluid then travels back up the ureter to his kidney, which causes them to swell. We’ve been following this condition since he was in utero and was diagnosed at 21 wks. gestation, so, it’s not something new or overwhelming.
The test he has to have done this Friday will give us the results we need to determine if he will have to proceed to surgery in order to reallign the ureter from his left kidney into his bladder. At our last visit when he was 18 mo. old, the test showed and rated that his reflux on his left side was still a grade 3 on a scale of 5 being worst and 1 being minimal, and on his right side, it showed he had improved since the first testing from a grade 2 to a grade 1.
After he has an ultrasound, he will then have a test called a VCUG. To do this they insert a catheter into his urethra to the opening of his bladder. They will fill his bladder with a dyed liquid, and when his bladder is full, they will take a series of x-rays to assess the process of reflux, if there is any. It’s a relatively quick procedure if they have no problems placing the catheter, but it is still painful nonetheless. They do not administer any pain meds. for this procedure, and if they were to, then Alec would have to recieve an injection into is you know what, so why bother, it’s either going to hurt from the injection, or it will sting from placing the catheter. Last time when he had this done, he didn’t seem to mind once the catheter was in, but during the insertion of it, he wasn’t comfortable at all.
What is great to know, is that 60% of kids can outgrow this condition, so our prayers are that Alec is among that 60%, and that God has healed his left side so that surgery wouldn’t be necessary. I just pray that the procedure would go quickly and without pain, by knowledgable and experienced staff. I pray that Alec would feel comforted by me being there, and that if Mike goes, that Mike can keep his emotions under control so that Alec can see daddy being strong too. ; )
I also pray that we will recieve quick diagnostic answers from the specialist and that the test results will indeed show that Alec has been healed and grown out of this condition, with no further testing needed. I also pray that God would use this opportunity to fill my husband Mike with a boldness to step out and lift prayers to God, and to have the Spirit quicken his heart to hear God’s heart, as well as to witness God’s supernatural healing in Jesus Christ. I would also pray that you let the Spirit quicken you to pray as He leads you for us, and I pray for blessings to be poured out in abundance to you in return, for being intercessors for us!!!! Thank you so much!!! I will post an update on how everything went when the time comes! I trust fully in God to lead us and to hear our prayers!


6 comments
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May 24, 2004 at 3:02 pm
Marla
Prayers going up for you guys!
May 24, 2004 at 4:37 pm
Boo
Praying.
May 24, 2004 at 11:08 pm
Michelle
Oh boy – prayers for you and the little one! It’s so hard to see our kids in pain, discomfort or facing things like this.
May 25, 2004 at 3:21 am
nomad
God, I pray for Alec. I pray that he has grown out of this condition and it is no longer a concern for him. I pray that you would keep his parents strong and help them to have peace about the decisions they need to make.
May 25, 2004 at 11:15 am
Lesa
Monica–I don’t know you at all, but I came across your blog today and have been so touched by your words of wisdom! I am so glad to read about what the Lord is doing in your life! I will be praying for your family as you travel along this rough stretch of the road…thank you for sharing your wisdom with the world in this way! Praise the Lord for people like you!
May 25, 2004 at 2:01 pm
Monica
Thank you ALL SO very much! I’m comforted to know that this is in God’s care, and I feel His guiding hand.