Lacy is headed to the hospital....

Please join us in praying for Lacy.

I wish I had been able to post updates along the way so this would not be so long, but things have just been to busy to do so! And, it’s really, really long…to be fully informed, you need to get to the end…sorry. I am sure I will re-read this and end up changing or adding something later, but for now, this is what I have.

I will start back to when we potty trained Lacy. Which started on January 13, a month ago now. So, I knew that I was pumping Lacy will fluids on purpose to give her many opportunities to learn how to use the potty. AND, it’s much worse for a girl to go extended periods NOT urinating, than to go frequently (although this too can cause damage over time, weakening the bladder and then literally losing the ability to ‘hold it’) SO, short term increase in fluids, JUST FINE:).

So we removed the extra yummy fluids and rewards after each potty trip after the 5th day as Lacy was ‘trained’ by day 2. But on that day, something awful happened. Lacy got another Urinary Track Infection! If you are wondering how I knew, this is how. Lacy will SCREAM, cry, and shake when she urinates. Then after that painful episode, she REFUSED to go and attempted to hold it completely. But, what happened is off and on, some would leak out, as she physically could not hold it and would scream “NOOOOOO!” , crying and shaking. Just hurt so much. I was thankful we were able to get right into the doctor. Although, bribing Lacy with candy we literally only got 4 drops, but the test came back flaming! UTI indeed.

This was Lacy’s 2nd UTI(that we knew of!). Thankfully it did not seem to make Lacy regress. She had one accident the next day, but she was still in pain, so I do not count that. I started rewarding her again with candy to reinforce her, and all seemed well after the second day of antibiotics. On the last and 7th day of her meds, she had reoccurring symptoms! We were able to take her right into the doctor(not her doctor) and this time she did not have a UTI, but she did have concentrated urine which causes the same symptoms but without an infection. The bladder is irritated which makes you feel like you have to go constantly and then causes pain when it is released. Why this happened is unclear. (yes, she was very hydrated)

This was quite the experience getting a sample this go around. Of course Lacy HAD to go wee right before we left for the doctor, and so she was empty while we were there. We got enough of a sample for the UTI test, but not enough for a urine culture analysis. We were trying to leave to go to Portland, but had to come home with a hat and I was able to pump Lacy with fluids and a while later collect a sample, go BACK to the doctor, drop it off, then come home and get loaded up to head to Portland. The tests came back a few days later and we waited to discuss the results with Lacy's follow-up appointment.

About a week later we met with Lacy’s doctor to discuss all her symptoms. Which would be 2 UTI’s, 2 definite concentrated urine episodes, and very frequent bathroom trips. I should mention our trip home from Portland back to our house, which is about an hour and 15 minutes, Lacy went to the bathroom FIVE times. Not exactly easy when you are trying to drive somewhere! But, my little munchkin stayed dry and I was so proud of her! Lacy will go as much as every 20-30 minutes, sometimes even more, sometimes less. She goes very OFTEN.

With all of this going on, my doctor felt is was necessary to look further into her problems and will have Lacy undergo a VCUG and ultrasound. Now, the VCUG is a little invasive and with a little prep a child can do ok with these. However, the difficulty is in Lacy’s age. This makes the test VERY tricky. Lacy must show up to the hospital on an empty stomach, which, for Lacy, often means a seriously cranky child. Then for the ultrasound, she needs to have a full bladder. Well considering she is urinating all the time and is only 2, this is obviously going to tricky for sure.

Then, let’s chat VCUG. This is where continuous X-ray photos will be taken. I do need to mention that Lacy’s mommy is PREGNANT and therefore can NOT be in the room when the X-rays are taken!!!! For this test, she will need an empty bladder. This is because a catheter will be inserted, then a contrast will fill her bladder and it will probably feel much fuller than she is used to having it(aka uncomfortable). Tricky part is we need Lacy to HOLD it. So pictures can be taken and the bladder needs to be quite full for the next step. Lacy will then release and while she is urinating, the continuous X-ray photos will be taken to see where the urine is traveling and if all the valves are working properly(or finding anything else going on).

I am not sure if you are already seeing the many difficulties within that test for a 2 year old who will not fully understand what is going on, if she knows how or literally is able to 'hold it', and know how to handle any discomfort. This is where God has totally blessed us with taking care of so many details of the tests.

First our great friends and neighbors two doors down are more than familiar with VCUGs. Their youngest daughter and Lacy’s GREAT babysitter has had, I think they said about 12 VCUGs throughout her lifetime, due to reflux! I remember Chris talking about Emily having some scary kidney infections, but I forgot the actual cause. Talk about a family that KNOWS VCUGs! First, they said NOT to go locally-she needed to go somewhere that could handle a little toddler. Emily had definitely been through some that were not a good experience and we chatted and chatted about how to avoid that. The best part is they had friends who’s daughter just had a VCUG done at Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland and raved at how well the test was administered. What a HUGE help.

Then, an old friend I went to elementary school through high school graduation with, has reconnected with me as we both are now in the mommy stage of our lives. We keep updated as we both are bloggers and on Facebook. I had mentioned on Facebook that Lacy was having UTI issues and would you believe that she told me she taught kids and parents about this exam, along with providing procedural support for this test to children for 3 years while working in NY!! Talk about an expert! Ok, from there, Erin went above and beyond to make me feel better and to help us in our journey. She was always quick to email me answering any questions, had me call her and she went through the entire procedure and what we could do to help set Lacy up for success, what I should be bold in asking the hospital to provide for Lacy….and get this…she contacted Emanuel for us with a contact she has in the Childlife program so we can get a support staff member to physically be there while Lacy has her test to make it as comfortable as possible! Rolling out the red carpet for sure! Erin has been a huge blessing, with wonderful information, leads, as well as emotional support. THANK YOU ERIN! Click HERE to visit Erin's blog and check out her adorable little guy!

On top of Erin helping, our friends passing on a great hospital for little ones, there are a couple other things that will happen to ease Lacy’s tests. First, Emanuel will administer a slight sedative to relax her and help with anxiety. Since Lacy has to hold in the contrast and release, this means she must be awake for the test. Next best thing in my book, is being awake but drugged! Then, as I will not be able to stay with Lacy for the entire time, my mom is also coming and will be able to stay throughout the entire test. How sweet is this, my dad is coming so I will not have to be alone when I have to leave Lacy’s side(that has been REALLY hard for me!!) It is so great having my parents so close, on top of them being so loving and helpful. I also made a book for Lacy with photos of herself and of things she will see when we go in for the test, that will explain in words she can understand of what will be happening and how to cope. Another way I am prepping her is teaching her a calming breathing technique. Anytime she feels me tug on a tangle in her hair, or I bump a ‘boo-boo’ of hers, I have her practice deep breathing to relax. I fight between wanting to laugh at how ADORABLE she looks while doing so, and then crying because she really is trying to cope and that makes me so proud. Being pregnant and hormonal, usually it is the tears I am fighting.

So, we do not have a date for the test yet as everything is still being finalized. Legacy Emanuel of course was not a hospital that was ‘in-network’ for our insurance, so we had to do a couple things and once those are taken care of we should have our appointment by Monday or Tuesday. I should mention if nothing is found in these tests, my doctor will then want to do a blood glucose test, checking to rule out diabetes as well. We would love for you to join with us in prayer for a pain-free hospital experience, an anxiety-free Lacy, and either a clear minor cause of her problems or nothing at all!!

There you have it.