We spent the majority of our time in Radiology, switching rooms as necessary. (We were at Children's from 10:40 to 3:45 that afternoon.) The 1st part of our "journey" was a renal ultrasound. After having so many of these done over the summer when he was so sick, Judah has decided he doesn't like these anymore. He does NOT appreciate being told just how and where to lay down...until they tell him to lie down on his tummy. That one he doesn't mind. So, I was busy distracting and comforting him for the 30 or so minutes this test takes. Then we had about 15 minutes to cuddle before we moved on to the prep. for Nuclear Medicine.
A Child Life Specialist brought Judah a portable dvd player while we waited, and he had fun watching "Baby Einstein". [Props to the CL Specialists at Children's! Their job, simply put, is to educate and comfort. They make sure to answer any questions the child or parent might have, and then they do whatever they can to make sure the child feels safe, comfortable, and happy. They do a great job! AND I LOVE that they treat Judah with dignity and respect, and as if he were like any other 2 yr. old. All disabilities aside.] Judah needed an IV for the Nuclear Med. test, and I after I emphatically stated that Judah is a horrible stick, the nurse took it upon herself to page a nurse anesthetist. She was able to come down and get the IV in one poke! Always a big deal:)
We then moved on to Nuclear Med. I was anxious about this test, because I knew that Judah would have to have a catheter put in and then get strapped to a board (which I have affectionately termed the baby rotisserie) where he would stay for a solid hour. We took the dvd player along with us, and that worked for awhile; but I knew that Judah was already tired from everything that had gone before, so I turned it off mid-test, gave him his GloWorm, and watched him slowly drift off to sleep. Thankfully, the last 26 minutes of that test were very peaceful for him. He got to say good-bye to the IV when this one was over.
Our last stop in Radiology was for a VCU. Judah had to stay on the baby rotisserie for this one, too. They carried him on it from the Nuc. Med. room to this one. He was on that thing for over an hour-and-a-half! Ugh. This test uses a chalky substance to show the severity of his kidney reflux. The chalk goes through his system - it's pretty wild to see this on screen - and you can see it backwash up into his kidneys...all while they prevent him from urinating. I know it's uncomfortable for him, but I'm not sure what's worse: the chalk and inability to pee, or the baby rotisserie rotating him from side to side. Again, ugh. My main job on this day was to distract, distract, distract. This time I used an Elmo phone. Not super effective, but that's what worked best. At the end of this test he said good-bye to the catheter, and then the rotisserie! We were both so happy! For the first time ever, he got to pick a prize from the big toy box in there! He got a new slinky:)
We finally made it up to the urologist's floor for our appointment around 2:15. We ate a little lunch in the waiting room and just relaxed. It was good to see the doctor again. I hadn't touched base with him since Judah's last hospitalization. His report was mostly good...and all at least "to be expected". Judah's kidneys don't look any better (renal ultrasound), but their function has improved since the procedures from over the summer (Nuclear Med.). His reflux/chronic kidney disease prevents any marked improvement or progress, so that's something that we won't see until sometime down the road...way down the road. His reflux shows very minimal improvement (VCU); as in, he went from a grade 5 to an iffy grade 4 1/2. The dr. is still hopeful, however, that he will make it to age 5 or 6 before he needs to have that repair. The best news is that we don't have to repeat any of these tests for a whole year! The ultrasounds and VCU have been at least every 6 months...although Judah did have 4 or 5 ultrasounds this summer.
We made it home by 4:00. When I came up the steps to my backdoor I saw a box. With my name on it. Just waiting for me at the perfect time. Anyone who knows me - reeeaaally knows me - knows that one of my favorite things in life is packages! I eagerly anticipate the arrival of the mail. Each. Day. Because you just never know what the mailman might bring you! Today he brought a package from 2 of the sweetest girls on the planet who have decided to take me under their wings for a little while...so to speak anyway. They filled this box with things that would spoil me, and they blessed my very soul. Yummy bath stuff, 2 soft scarves, & 2 pairs of fuzzy socks. These girls' gifts were obviously divinely appointed:)
Jared came home a little while later with the 3 older kids and the pair of slippers I had picked out at Target. Again, perfect timing.
It's always such an encouragement to me when I remember - or am so blatantly reminded - that all the time that I am caring for Judah, trying to see to every detail and meet every need, God is caring for me. He sees to every detail and meets every need...and many desires. I really believe that that care package was designed by God, and it & the slippers came at the exact moments that I needed them. God, You are so good.
Judah ended the day with a nice warm bath, and lots of smiles. Naturally.
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