Nurse: "Well, Mrs. Tait your baby has a double ureter connected to her left kidney."
Me: "I don't know what that means!"
Nurse: "It means you will be spending some time up at Primary Children's with a pediatric urologist."
And so we wait for that visit, which is coming up soon.
Back in October of 2011 (Sienna was 13 months) she ran an outrageously high fever for days, with no other strong symptoms. She was diagnosed with a Urinary Tract Infection, which we later found out was a kidney infection. With the help of anti-biotics, she was healthy once again. And then earlier this spring, she ran another unbreakable high fever - reaching a temp as high as 105. I was so scared. I knew it was another Kidney Infection! Once diagnosed, the anti-biotic made her throw-up any possible liquids I could get in her. She was in the ER overnight, and thanks to modern medicine - we were able to nurse her back to health.
Doctors, Jody and myself knew there must be an underlying problem. Staff at the Radiology Dept. at Primary's did a VCUG. It's a terrible test for anyone to have done...especially if you're 18-months-old. Nurses gave Sienna a catheter, mermaid-tied her legs together, and then injected fluids up into her bladder. The goal was to have her "go to the bathroom", so we could see if her bladder was draining properly. She was hysterical and very upset. When she finally released the liquids; we saw that she has a severe reflux problem. Much of the liquid went back up her ureters (those are the tubes that connect our bladder and kidneys) and into her kidneys. This is called Kidney Reflux. Reflux is rated on a severity level from 1 being fixable and 5 - Severe. She has Level 2 Reflux on her right side and Level 5 on her left. She also has an extra ureter!
Most people have one attached to their right kidney and one attached to their left kidney. She has two on her left side. Click here to read more about Kidney Reflux
My biggest concerns are that she may experience some kidney damage. Her left kidney has retained so much liquid, over time, that it is much larger than her right. This dilation can lead to kidney disease. My other concern is the ongoing pain she has felt. It breaks my heart to know that since the time she was born she has had kidney reflux, and we didn't know. Medical journals indicate that the expansion of the kidney, due to reflux, causes tummy and back pain. I feel so sad that she has never felt 100%. However, I am so thankful we live close to Primary Children's. Their specialists are fantastic, and I know they will have all the answers in regards to surgery and getting her to feel better.
Upon diagnosing her with kidney reflux, doctors put Sienna on a daily anti-biotic she will take for one year, and maybe much longer. This will prevent her from getting any more infections. I am anxious to hear what urologists have to say about surgically removing/blocking off that extra ureter. Sienna will most likely have a VCUG every year now to make sure the reflux is not getting worse.
Sienna is a sweetheart. And we love her. And I am loving that volume in her hair!
And really. Look at her. Does this look like a girl who is going to let an Extra Ureter get her down?!? No way. This little one is just as strong as she is sweet. And as you can see, she thinks it's really funny to run away from me when I'm trying to clean off her face!
