Awww shucks

Lila had two tests done at Children's yesterday as a follow up to her UTI in May. After they gave her antibiotics I didn't feel that they were working so they gave her a big strong shot of another kind. But she hasn't been herself since then- yelling and throwing her body about in a crazy violent way. But there were no other symptoms. I kept waiting for a fever to indicate another infection. Monday I decided I had to take her to the pediatrician because her behavior was so unlike her. They checked her ears, teeth, and even cathed her and checked her urine. Everything was fine. Dr. Dennis said she was just being grumpy. That didn't make me happy. Well yesterday she had a renal ultrasound and a VCUG (Voiding CystoUrethroGram- which she sobbed pitifully through). In the ultrasound they discovered that she has a congenital kidney defect-her left kidney is bigger than her right kidney-they called it a duplicated collecting system. She said it is sort of rare to have and seems to be hereditary (all future beldo-gulia anklebiters must get these tests around 2 months of age). So that by itself is not terrible but then in the VCUG they found that she has bilateral reflux of both kidneys. So here's why that combo is no good: she is susceptible or prone to infections, then her body refluxes the infected urine up to her kidneys, which damages the kidneys. At least thats what I understand thus far. So she is now on an antibiotic that she has to take everyday, probably for the next few years at least to try to prevent further kidney damage. We are now being sent to a urologist to determine the "grades" and "phases" that her defects/conditions are in, ie; how severe her specific case is, do we need surgery or can we medicate and see if she will grow out of the reflux. I'm sure everything will be good in the end.

I'm anxious to get to the Urologist and get some more specific information. And I have to admit, I also feel a curiosity about a guy who decided to spend his life working with pee and private parts. I guess somebody has to do it. But I have always wondered how that decision comes about. That and proctology. Like when they are in med school and it comes time to decide on what their specialty will be and they announce to their family around the dinner table that it will be the study of the colon, rectum and anus. Undoubtedly someone asks why, and I would love to be around for the answer. It seems like all the doctors I know get hit up for advice all the time, in all sorts of casual and social settings. Do people do this to urologists and proctologists too? Do they dare? I'm sure all conversations start with, "So I have this friend...." I'm dying to meet this guy. I gotta get to the bottom of this. Bottom- ha ha ha...



This little gem in the Children's Harbor is new since we've been there last. At home we often hear Lila pounding away at the piano, perched on her tippy toes planking at whatever keys she can reach. She was ecstatic at this opportunity to play her heart out at a piano that was just her size. And pink no less. I tried to get her to play with different toys but she would have nothing else. Pink piano or bust. It makes her Daddy proud.

Grumpy? Sheesh, who do you think you are calling this kid grumpy?