The Saga of the Kidney Stone

Well, last I wrote, we were waiting to hear from the doctor about what procedure he recommended for Daniel. He called last Wednesday and said that the sonic blast procedure would work (although sometimes a second blast is needed weeks later if an x-ray shows the stone didn't get completely busted). The next day a girl from his office called to tell me the cost of the procedure... I assume since you are reading this at a computer you are sitting down, if not, please sit now... the cost for one round of "blasting", not including the catheter, follow-up x-rays or the removal of the catheter four to six weeks later is $30,000.00!!!!! Yes, thirty thousand dollars! And he has been sure to mention multiple times that it sometimes takes more than one round of blasting. Needless to say we have been a little beside ourselves for a bit.

Besides the cost, we have also been concerned about the prospect of the procedure itself. They were concerned that Reflux may have been why he had the infections in the first place. Reflux being a back flushing of urine back into the kidney. When they insert the "pigtail" between the kidney and the bladder to keep the tube open to flush the stone out they actually create an artificial reflux and leave it that way for four to six weeks! What possible damage can that cause? Wasn't that what we were concerned about in the first place?

I called Dr. Todd Robinson in Lakeland and spoke with him. He suggested I seek another opinion. Since Daniel's blood work came back clear and he isn't having any infection or trouble at the moment we have some time, but should keep him monitored. He told me to get Daniel on Magnesium and Vitamin B6. I have been doing some research on the Internet and have also started giving him Stone Free by Planetary Herbals and having him drink organic apple cider vinegar mixed with water and raw honey. I hope I'm not over doing it, but I am praying that these things break the stone up and he is able to pass it on his own. Dr. Todd also told me about two websites that I can access to find a doctor here in Arizona that uses nutrition and homeopathic methods.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

The Last Test (we hope ; )

We just got home and I wanted to let you all know how well Daniel's VCUG went today. The techs that performed the procedure told us that there have been grown men that haven't handled it as well as he did. We are very proud of him and thankful for the Lord's comforting hand.

This test was also needed to confirm whether Daniel had reflux (a back flush of urine from the bladder to the kidneys). We are happy to report that he doesn't have reflux. If he did have reflux he would have to have surgery to reconstruct the tube between the kidneys and bladder. Dr. Zuniga will have the report from the test within 24 hours and we should hear from him Monday or Tuesday to confirm which procedure we can take. From what he said the other day and what we saw today, surgery won't be necessary. Praise the Lord!!!

Also, my parents are in Durango, CO. They have had transmission and brake troubles and are staying over a few extra days for repairs. We were expecting them to arrive Saturday, but now it seems they will be here Monday or Tuesday.

We will continue to keep you posted.

Keeping You Up to Date

True to my word, here is the latest news...

Betsy (the young lady who has arranged & coordinated our appointments) scheduled Daniel for the VCUG for the earliest possible date (Sept. 4th). However, Dr. Zuniga told her to see what she could do to get it sooner, that it was VERY IMPORTANT. While arranging another person's procedure, Betsy decided to inquire if they would inform her of any cancellations. Low and behold they had had one. Thank you, Lord! This all happened today! Betsy was also working to find a hospital that had the lowest rates. We are thankful for her work on our behalf. So, Daniel is scheduled for the test on Friday, August 8th at 1:30 pm. The hospital is located over an hour away in the town of Mesa, which is also part of the Phoenix Metro area as we are too, just the other side of it.

Also, my parents left South Dakota this morning and are traveling to Denver, Colorado and then plan to stop in Durango, CO before coming to see us here in Arizona. They will be here for Emilie's birthday on the 15th.

Until next time...

Daniel's Dr. Appointment

We had Daniel's doctor's appointment today. The doctor we saw before doesn't specialize in kidney stones, so he referred us to another doctor in the practice. So today's appointment we met Dr. Zachary V. Zuniga (what a name). He was a very nice man and spent quite a bit of time going over all of our options. Unfortunately, Daniel will have to have another test, a VCUG. Why we didn't just jump to this last test first is the big question? We did find out that the kidney stone is about 1 cm in diameter (about the size of a blueberry). Most likely they can "blast" the stone with sonic waves; an outpatient procedure. I won't go into details, but fortunately it is a least invasive procedure. Unfortunately it is not the least uncomfortable for a little boy (or any human being) to be subjected to. However, we won't know that this is the option we can choose until after the VCUG. Thank you all for praying for Daniel. He was particularly warmed by Uncle Hans' personal message to him. He has handled everything very well so far and I know it is because of the prayer covering. Another answer to prayers is in regard to the cost of the CT scan. We have been told that it usually costs about double what we paid. Praise God! He provides!

Daniel

I just wanted to let you all know that Daniel had to have two CT scans on Friday, one of them with an Iodine IV. I am sure he is scared, but he did really well. We have an appointment to see the doctor on Monday afternoon. He will tell us the results of the scans and the blood work we had earlier in the week. The ultra sound he had last week told us he has a kidney stone. We hope they will know what caused it and how to deal with it. Unfortunately, I think he is going to have to have surgery. I will keep you all posted as we know. Thanks for all your prayers.

Update...

It has been over a month since my last post. Not much to report. We are still in Arizona, staying with our friends, Travis and Kassie. We had a nasty battle with the stomach virus that lasted over three weeks (we had a reprieve for one week in the middle of it all). It is hot out here, but not unbearable. The main adjustments we have had to make are: never leave crayons or lipstick in a parked car, always put a sunshade in the window of your parked car, carry water with you when you leave the house for several hours (preferably frozen water), and a cooler for cold items you purchase at the store if you are going to go to more than one store in a day.

Just before we left Florida, Daniel had another bladder infection. Dr. Robinson recommended we get him to a Pediatric Urologist as soon as we could for more extensive tests. We took him to one here in Phoenix this past Wednesday. The result is that Daniel has a kidney stone. The doctor has put him on Bactrim to prevent infection from occurring while we have some further tests run. He has an appointment for some blood work tomorrow (July 29th) and then we need to take him back to the Urologist for more tests. Please pray about this situation. Pray for Daniel's healing, that it isn't more serious than it seems at this point and that the stone can be easily remedied.

We have also been making new friends. Thanks to Katie Miller's suggestion, we found a family integrated church through Vision Forum's website. We have only been able to attend three times (with being sick), but have been invited over after church to two different homes. One family, to Sadie's delight, has three girls (14, 13, & 12, I think) that love Henty books (and own many) and have horses. Actually, they breed minis (miniature horses), birds (African greys to name one kind) and also some dogs (I can't remember what kind they were). They are quite a busy family tending to all those animals! They took a love for animals and made a profitable family business out of it. Quite inspiring!

Well, that is what we have been up to lately. Thanks to all of you that wrote comments on our last post and who wrote us privately. We love hearing from you all as well.

On the Road Again

We are traveling again. This time we are headed to Phoenix, Arizona!

Here we are in Texas at the Cadillac Ranch. Yes, those are antique Cadillacs, buried nose first in the middle of a field and covered in spray paint.

No, she's not training to be a gang member

Daniel looking "like, way cool"

We'll save you madam

Peak-a-boo

Surprise!

We left our mark

Did you ever think it would be cute to see your daughter under a cadillac? Ironic ain't it?

"Grass!"

We stayed in Fort Defiance, AZ with my good friend Jolene Keeto and her family for a few days. She works at the local Navajo Nation Zoo. Here is Emilie, Rosa Keeto & Sadie possing with the zoo sign.

Emilie gets a little wind blown

Handsome

Dorf does the zoo. Now you know why I married him.

Daniel, me, Rosa, Sadie & Emilie

Jolene's husband, Dwight, gets caught in the shot!

Interior of a Hogon

These bird nests were way up high on a cliff

The zoo had many native animals and Patrick got some awesome pictures of them

Great Horned Owl

pretty rock formations

Black Bear

Grey Wolf

Bob Cat

The favorite was the porcupine

He likes peaches,

holding hands,

and long walks in the park ; )

His name is Spike. Isn't he cute?

Golden Eagle

Red Fox, not the comedian

Coyote

Mule Deer

eye of the puma

I told you he took awesome pictures!

This cougar was sleeping most of the time

The most vicious animals in the zoo

They're very territorial, keep hands and arms from inside the cages.

Next we went to see the Window Rock at the capital of the Navojo Nation

Daniel, Emilie, Rosa & Sadie

This is us possing in front of the Window Rock in 2002

And this is us in 2008

Daniel reaching new heights

God's wonderful handiwork

We even got to visit with Miss Navajo Nation

We also visited the mission I used to work at in New Mexico.

This is the sight where my house used to stand.

Daniel climbing down a mountain

Daniel sitting a spell, tired from climbing down a mountain

The hills are alive, with the sound of Sadie!

Okay, Emilie too ; )

Daddy's girls

Father and daughter retreat... down the mountain!

Penpals finally meet.

Monica and Sadie

Spanish artifacts at the Navajo Nation Museum (c 1500's)

We left the Navajo Reservation and headed to Phoenix to visit our friends Travis and Kassie Franks.

Emilie getting her kicks on Route 66!

Daniel, afraid the dinosaur will get his kicks...

Okay, so we're all a little goofy ; )

Very goofy

Yes, Mom's goofy too

Sadie and Emilie with Mr. Franks and Kassie in Phoenix
Sadie meets two penpals in one week ; )

Has anyone seen Emilie?

Emilie with Prince Terrion aka Little Boy, aka PT (That's a lot of names for such a little dog ; )

Working at the dog wash

Kassie, Emilie & Sadie giving the dogs a bath