Results

The doctor's office called with the results of all the testing done on Friday. Everything looks good! We are now confirmed to have an appointment with the Spina Bifida clinic on August 10 (all the testing has to be done beforehand).

Home from testing.

We are home from the children's hospital. Andy had an ultrasound of his bladder and kidneys (the tech wasn't allowed to tell me any results, but I saw him type in "left kidney" and "right kidney", so I am assuming that Bubba has both kidneys! Good news!) The ultrasound tech was great and Andy did well but tried to push buttons on the machine!

He also had an xray to check for scoliosis, this went well but he was wiggly so the xray tech had to call for help, so he could hold him while someone else pushed the buttons.

Then they did the urodynamics. He had a cath inserted, then they filled his bladder with contrast dye and took lots of xrays while his bladder was filling, when it was filled, then more xrays while his bladder was emptying. Bubba was very upset that he had to potty without a diaper or a potty chair. He kept trying to hold his urine, which I think is a good sign, that he has some control there. He cried a lot during this procedure. This tech told me that they weren't allowed to tell me any results (that doctor will call our doctor who will call me...) BUT he did say that he could tell me that Bubba's lungs work VERY WELL! Several other people in the hallways also told me this...

We are glad to be home. We had lots of rain today due to ex-hurricane Alex, and the drive took a lot longer than it should have.

More tests

Andy and I heading to the hospital tomorrow for more tests. On the schedule: xrays to check for congenital scoliosis, ultrasound of bladder and kidneys, and urodynamics testing to check bladder function. These are more baseline tests needed before we go to the spina bifida clinic next month.

I don't have any instructions other than to make sure he drinks a lot beforehand. Milk isn't allowed, but clear liquids are.

Neurosurgeon Appointment

Since Andy has spina bifida, our new pediatrician thought it would be a good idea to have a MRI done, and to get him an appointment at the Spina Bifida Clinic at the local children's hospital.

The MRI was last week. He did really well, and Geoff, our nurse, was wonderful. Evie had a good time with Nana and Papa in the waiting room while I got to stay with Andy the whole time. (did you know that MRI machines are LOUD? I had to wear earplugs, and so did Bubba!)

Our doctor got us a referral to the neurosurgeon, who rushed us in for an appointment right away. We were worried that she saw something very wrong and that's why she wanted to see us right away.

Nope! She thinks that Andy is doing really well, and not having any problems with his SB currently. She ordered a couple tests, got us an appointment with the SB Clinic, and basically told us that we just need to wait and watch him for any issues that might come up. She also confirmed that his diagnosis from China was correct, and he has the meningocele form of SB instead of the more severe myelomeningocele form. We are so blessed, this is wonderful news!

Next step: SB Clinic, August 10, 7 am.

Em's first day at her new school

She is going from a small, private middle school with maybe 100 students to a very large public middle school in our new town.

As tradition, a first day of school photo:

Andy and Evie, digging in the dirt!

There is a nice shady spot behind our shed. The kids like to dig back there and make castles.












They were a bit dusty after they were done digging, so I popped them in the tub. This is the aftermath!

Three Months with Andy

We met him Jan 31, 2010. He has been our son "officially" since Feb. 1, 2010.
Andy sitting on a chair, and dancing on the patio at our new house: