Mason Health Update

It's the end of 2011, so we're squeezing in all of our appointments before we have to fulfill a new deductible. (And because I took some vacation time to spend with the little guy - what a way to spend it, huh?) Today we took Mason to see the urologist. Back in October, I asked for a referral to a urologist to discuss Mason's urine patterns. The past couple months, Mason is not voiding during the day, but then voiding a lot right away when he wakes up. Due to his tonal issues, it could be a variety of things, so we wanted to at least get it checked out.

We saw the urologist in November and he ran an Xray to look at the kidneys and bladder, and discuss his patterns. The Xray showed that Mason was extremely constipated (poor dude) so the doc thought that may have an impact on Mason's being able to void. We decided to increase his Miralax dose to get his pooping under control and then come back to see the urologist in December (today). He wanted this visit to start with an ultrasound to see how the kidneys looked.

The constipation was fairly under control, so we went for the renal ultrasound and then to see the doc. While we were waiting for the urologist appt, we decided to squeeze in the peds doc to have a look at Mason's cough. (He has had a low grade temp since Friday and a nasty cough since Friday night). Anyway - that visit sent us back up to 3rd floor lab for an xray of his chest to check for pneumonia (no pneumonia) and since we were up there, also got a xray of his abdomen again for urology. Phew.

So off track for a bit - Mason's cough is viral, so he's on a steroid and more albuterol with the nebulizer, and hopefully it passes quickly because the cough is really started to bother him and his sleep (and mommy and daddy's sleep).

So back to urology - Mason's ultrasound showed that there is a slight distension in his left kidney. The doc wasn't super concerned, but because it was showing on the ultrasound, he wanted to do a deeper study. The distension is caused from hydronephrosis, which may be due to pressure in his kidney or other things...so basically...we know nothing. The doc even mentioned that he wished he didn't do the ultrasound, because it wasn't what he wanted to see, but he wants to make sure we know what's going on. In January, we will be going to Marshfield for a renal Mag 3 scan. Basically, they put him to sleep, put in an IV and put a glowing liquid through his IV that they can see on a scan. Then they give him Lasix (which makes him produce pee) and watch the pressures in his kidneys and bladder. Oh yeah, and they put a catheter up to test the pressures.


YUCK!

We're hoping this proves its really nothing, but better to be sure than sorry. We're just glad that we asked about this issue to begin with in case it is something. If we did nothing, and this issue progressed, it could lead to kidney failure if the kidneys continue to back up. Kidney stones and lots of other issues could result. No fun.

Tomorrow we are back in Marshfield for new AFO's...because his current ones are leaving pretty red pressure points on both of his feet. So its another 4+ hour visit with the docs, something that Mason is getting pretty used to.

So that's Mason's Tuesday. How was your Tuesday?