Mara's test results!

Yesterday we took Mara to the hospital for two different test on her Urinary Tract. The VCUG she has had before which test for reflux. The second test was a radioactive test called DSMA to she how much scaring has been done to her kidneys. Mara did great throughout the day. For the DSMA test they used contrast with isotopes that given through an IV and had to been given for 1.5 hours before the test could be done. Mara fell asleep in her bed waiting for the contrast to run through. They sedated her at about 12:00 and finished the test around 1:00. It took her awhile to wake up and she did not like it. She had not eaten since 8:00 the night before and was starving.

Mara after her VCUG...Waiting to get the IV for the next test...She is such a trooper.

Mark got in his workout yesterday...walking the halls with Jama...Dad and Jama were super

Mara after her IV waiting for the contrast meds to go through her system...as you can see she still had her sense of humor sticking her tongue out at the camera...she did not cry once while get ting her IV in...She thought that it was great that she got to lay in bed and watch TV all day...now that's a treat!

We meet with the doctor after, received the test results, discussed option, and devised a plan.

Praise...her right kidney system is perfect...right size...no scaring...and the reflux that was stage 2 is gone. This is what this test showed. The reflux could come back but if it did it could be fixed with deflux.

Pray...Her left kidney system is another issue...this is where she has the dual collection system...it is almost twice the size it's suppose to be...it is now over a grade 4 reflux...there is three place that have been scared but the good thing it has only caused 5% damage...there is now a hernia where the ureter connects to the bladder.

Dr. Broecker gave us three options to think about...

Deflux...probably will not work for the degree of issues she has. It is a less evasive procedure but no guarantee to work and may still have to have surgery.

Surgery where they slit the top of her bladder and reattach the ureters and fix the hernia...which is what we are doing...it should only be about a two day hospital stay.

Surgery where they have to cut her bladder open and reattach ureter and fix hernia...4 to 6 day hospital stay with lots of serious complication that could arise. This would be our last option but is the backup plan if they get in and things are not what they thought thru the testing.

Please keep her in your prayers and thanks to all of you who have been diligently praying for her. Especially thanks to MOM IN TOUCH for your specific prayers.