"Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be." - Shel Silverstein

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Kidney Day Part II

The bad news : Marissa will need surgery to correct her kidney reflux.

The good news : It is not urgent.

The question : When will she have it done?

We found out quite a lot today, some stuff we already knew but had forgotten. She actually has reflux into both kidneys, but we knew that already and forgot. We feel silly that we forgot and thought she only had reflux into her right kidney. Oops! Maybe mommy and daddy denial?

Anyway, kidney reflux is graded 1 - 5 (1 being best, 5 being worst). In March both kidneys were grade 4. Today her left kidney is still 4 and her right kidney is 3.5, so no real improvement. The chance that a grade 4 will resolve itself in five years is about 10%. Not good odds. She is on prophylactic antibiotics to prevent infection and damage, but this presents its own problem. It is widely known that the overuse of antibiotics can cause viruses and bacteria to build up resistance to drugs. So obviously we should get this procedure done sooner rather than later.

The surgery would take between 2 1/2 and 3 hours, so it is pretty intense and invasive. She would be in the hospital for 2-3 days after the procedure. The good news is that it has a 99% success rate in clearing up the reflux. So, at this point, we are going to talk to her pediatrician and then we will be scheduling the surgery. The urologist is actually from Denver and holds a clinic once a month here in the Springs. He said with enough notice he would be able to do it down here. He said he is already scheduling surgery down here into the new year, so it will be a few months before we do this.

Not what we were hoping and praying for, but we all know that God answers our prayers in His own way, in His own time.


After thought: The more I let this sink in, the more it saddens me that our little girl has to have another major surgery. I am sad that she is now old enough to fully understand the pain that will come in recovery. I am sad that she will have one more scar on her beautiful little body. I am sad that recovery from the surgery will set her back in things like therapy and development. I get upset when she gets sick and it takes a couple of weeks to get her back to her pre-sickie level with her therapies. Please pray that we will find peace in light of these latest developments. Thanks.

O.K. , this is too heavy. Time for some fun! Here are a few videos we shot recently of our sweet Rissa Roo. Enjoy!!




5 comments:

Nana and PaPa said...

See Alicia! Your email reminder worked! I'm the first one to post a comment! HA!!!
Well, if Marissa HAS to have surgery, then just get it done as soon as possible and get it behind her and you all. She's a strong little sprite and has overcome many obstacles and will get through this one too. Like you and all of us have said, God has a plan...we may not know quite what the plan is, but we trust in Him anyway. But this is where I'm tempted to tell God, OK..We'll let you be in control...but could you at least let us put our fingers on the steering wheel...just to help a bit? HA HA HA...yea..right! On to the videos....I sit here and laugh and giggle EVERY time I watch her on video. She is SO expressive and it's just down right funny! Thanks for sharing with all of us this wonderful unique and funny little spirit! Love to all..Nana & PaPa

Anonymous said...

Did I hear a little "yea" in both the first and the last video?!?! She even shook her head yes appropriately!! I like that she is getting excited to go outside now! Are you going to take her out when it snows?!?! Too fun!

Love you and I will see you Saturday. (Bright and early on my day off, but anything for you guys!)

It will all work out some how. Let go and let God.

Love you tons!
Michelle

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry that she has to have surgery yet again. But it will make her that much better. Marissa looks great, she has grown so much over the past few months.
You are in our thoughts and prayers. Let us know if we can do ANYTHING. Love Uncle Norm and Aunt Teri

Faith said...

Alicia and Jeremy- I am so sorry to hear about this...I think I misread your last post...I didn't realize things were this bad. We are here for you guys. If you need anything just let us know. Even if it's a hand to hold in the waiting room, we are here.
Lots of love,
Jen

Janay said...

Hi guys :0) Sorry to hear that Marissa has to have surgery, that's a bummer. Please let us know when surgery will be, I'd would love to come down and lend any support we can to you guys. I still have a few connections in surgery down there too, that can't hurt! Please let me know if there is anything that I can help you with and you will be in my prayers!

Hang In There,
Janay