Such Is Life

Life is moving around you every second, and within that movement we are moving. You make a left turn instead of a right. You decide to stop for coffee instead of going straight to work. Your alarm doesn't go off on time or you hit snooze. A baby grows in the womb and instead of healthy kidney tissue, cysts are formed. A fraction of an inch and valves don't function as they should. Small, tiny things, but they make the world of difference.

As most of you know, today was our follow up appointment with Corbin's urologist. I thought I already knew the bad news - it was obvious from the tests that the left kidney doesn't work. But, he also was tested for reflux of urine back into the kidney from the bladder. I really wasn't expecting him to have reflux - neither was the doctor, it was just a routine test. But he does have it. He has Grade III reflux which is somewhere in the middle (scale goes to 5 being the worst). This is quite problematic for someone even with normal kidneys - let alone only one. Having urine pass back up into the kidney can cause infection from bacteria. Infections damage kidneys. And my poor baby only has one kidney.

A Grade III reflux condition has a 50% chance of correcting itself in the next year - which is hopeful. Otherwise, once he turns one he'll need a corrective procedure. We were given two options: 1.) a less invasive scope, but it has less success 2.) an open incision surgery. I've already decided on the surgery route if it comes to that. In the meantime, he'll be on antibiotics for the next year. Luckily, we got a new prescription that doesn't require refrigeration - that will be nice!! The other one has to be refilled every 14 days and must be refrigerated. The new medicine we only have to refill once a month.

Now I just have to keep an eye on him for fevers, which could indicate a kidney infection. The urologist instructed me to have his urine test whenever he had a fever. Hopefully, he stays well!!!

But, the good news is - no more tests. At least not for another 6 months - that's his next appointment.

It was hard to hear, but I survived the appointment without getting emotional. I totally felt the tears coming, but there was no way I was going to cry in front of this doctor and this guy who was "observing". So I tried counting to ten in my head and it passed. And that was it. I picked up Hayden from Mark and went home.

And I admittedly am an emotional eater and driver. I took the Toll road home instead of the long way and treated myself to french fries. Oops. Tomorrow is another day for the diet.

Okay, so bleh. All that is out. And life goes on. And I have two beautiful boys. And a wonderful husband. So for all you mothers (or mothers-to-be) say a quick thank you to God for the blessing of health and life of your children. It is a gift, a wonderful gift I am thankful for every day.