Introducing Emily Grace Mei Venn

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Test has taken place

Ok, Sometimes you just have to find humor in the challenges that life has given you. Ok, I endured the most bizarre test that I have ever taken when I went in to determine what is going on with me. I am going to tell the details of this test so beware...if you are squeamish then don't proceed :-) I knew that I was having some sort of test called a "Voidance Systogram" or something. I knew that it was at the lab, but they failed to tell me exactly what that meant. The last time that I went in, they placed dye intravenously so that they could follow in detail what my kidney was doing. Although, it hurt, it wasn't too weird. I assumed "this test" would be similar...I was so wrong. When I arrived, they informed that I would be catheterized (tube placed into urethra) then, they proceeded to send dye colored fluid up into my bladder in order to fill it up to see of any of it would shoot up into my kidney. If that wasn't weird enough, the radiologist and myself could watch my bladder fill up like a balloon. They told me that they wanted to put so much fluid in that I would be dying to let it go, but to endure it. What?!! Well, it took almost two bottles to do that (she said that normally most people only need 1/2-1 bottle. So why do I always have to go if I have a super bladder? :-) Anyway, there it was, my bladder filled to the brim on the big screen. Now you know, you, too, would like the privilege to watch your own bladder grow. Who knew how big it really could get? Then the BEST PART came when they informed me that now it was time to let it out. They removed the catheter and showed me a boat shaped bowl with a bag attached and said that they need me to urinate into in front of ALL of THEM and on the monitor. What?!?! They electronically moved the bed from a lying position to a standing position, handed me the bowl/bag thing and said go ahead. SO I place this awkward thing you know where and then with the fullest bladder you can imagine, I tried to go. This is the type of full bladder that most people are crossing their legs to prevent the flow, mind you....it was hurting, but try as I might, I couldn't do it. I had stage fright or something. For goodness sakes, they were staring at me.
Finally, they moved behind my vision and turned on water for me (lol) to get me do something. Talk about losing all modesty. I thought that I lost all of it during the first hospital stay I had. Apparently, I was wrong. I lost it on that day. When it finally began, they rushed back in to tell my not to stop the flow but to physically turn my body to left for x-ray pics, then to the right. I had never tried walking, holding something firmly between my legs and peeing at the same time...all I could do was laugh and pray that the little bag attached to the bowl could hold almost two bottles worth. I couldn't believe what I was doing, but it was the first time that I had any humor about my circumstance. With my bizarre mission complete, I was told it would be 3-7 days before, I would receive the results, I finally called yesterday and was told, that would next week before, they knew anything. I am trying to stay very hopeful. Thank you so much for your thoughts prayers!! I will post as soon as I know!! Finding some humor in this thing gives me a new meaning to the saying "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade"

Monday, September 15, 2008

Test has been scheduled

I will be having the scary test on Thursday morning roughly at 9:15 am. When finished and reported, we should know if I need the surgery on my kidney. This surgery would be to have an implant surgically placed into my kidney to prevent "kidney reflux". From what I understand, this could be a very invasive surgery since I have so much scar tissue on the inside of my body from the various initial surgeries. I keep praying that the test will determine that all is fine and that there is no need for surgery!!! Please Please help me with this prayer!! I have already endured my share and about 10 other people's share of surgeries in past years!! Hopefully my next report will be a great one!!!

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Medical Update

First, let me begin with words of gratitude to ALL of you for your comments, prayers, emails, phone calls, letters and cards!!!!!!!
I appreciate all of it so very much!! It is so nice to know that I have such wonderful family, friends and support. I have finally found a minute to update my blog (not really, I have an amazing baby girl in my lap anxiously waiting to have me play with her in her "kitchen") Nonetheless, I wanted to give an update. I had not posted as of yet, because I didn't have an update to post. Since I last wrote, I learned that my doctor didn't want to proceed with the tests until I actually had my menses. Apparently, the test procedure is very dangerous to a fetus and they don't allow a woman to continue with tests until they are definite that she isn't pregnant. Since we are ALWAYS trying (to no avail) they asked me to wait until we knew for sure. I am assuming that I will have the test this week. I don't know yet when the test will be or how long it will take to receive the results, but I am praying that it will not only report that I do not need surgery, but that their first tests must have been mistaken and that my remaining kidney is very healthy!!!!!
Thank you so much for your continued thoughts, prayers and support!!!! It means the world to me!!!
Amy