Today Carter had what we hope to be his last appointment at Mott's until April, which is amazing news! At Mott's Carter had a bladder and kidney ultrasound as well as a visit with his urologist and we found out a ton of information on how things are going to Carter in the bathroom department. :)
As usual we entered Mott's and explained how we have not left the country or visited West Africa in the last three weeks; it's a fun game I like to play with the people who greet us so I can explain before they even get to the question that, "No we haven't left the country or traveled to West Africa in the last three weeks." At that point they realize that this is not our first rodeo on our visit to Mott's. ;)
We made our way to the 3rd floor, checked in, and waited to be called back for Carter's ultrasound. After we were called back we came into the ultrasound room and got Carter set up in the bed. He was a rockstar, again, and did a great job getting images of his bladder and kidneys. After about 30 minutes of time he was all set and it was time to go to the 4th floor and see his Urologist.
After some time we met Carters urologist and she was very happy with what she saw on the ultrasound. Carter's kidney's are looking fantastic and are almost the exact same size. She also said that they are the perfect shape, she sees no reflux, no stones, and is excited to see such growth with the kidney's too. She then went through his bladder photos with me and told me that it looks as though he is not holding in any urine and is using the bathroom. She asked questions about his diapers and saw herself that Carter is peeing very well on his own ;). She did talk to me though about the size and shape of Carter's bladder. Your typical bladder shape is a circle and with Carter his is a little bit longer, almost like an oval. She did explain that this is not abnormal for children with Spina Bifida and that she isn't concerned about the shape but to keep us informed so in case they need to do tests or check ups in the future we know why. It was nice to have yet another doctor who would walk me through the pictures and explain what they were and what they mean.
While she was looking at Carter and giving him an exam she did notice that Carter might have a hernia... guess it runs in the family since I just underwent my hernia surgery last week. She did say that it's not uncommon for babies to have these and she wasn't concerned about it either. It was explained to us that most hernias in babies fix themselves from the 6-12 month phase in their life. If at that time it hasn't fixed itself he will have to have surgery to fix it but because he is younger the recovery process is much quicker than say, his mom :).
Overall this was a nice appointment and I was happy to hear such good news on how Carter is doing. When it comes to his bladder and using the bathroom, the issues Carter may run into won't happen until he is at an age where potty training begins so we will cross that bridge when we come to it. Until then, Carter does not need to see the urologist for 6 months for another ultrasound and check up, which means that our visits to Mott's are slowly decreasing over time and that puts a smile to my face. For now, Carter is making positive strides and continues to surprise doctors more and more each day which I am elated about. It also means that as long as everything goes well our next visit to Mott's won't be until April when Carter has his neuro check-up!
I am thrilled that my little tough guy is doing so well and is continuing to surprise doctors; it just gives me the strength and motivation to help Carter in every way that I can and to show him just how strong he is.
As usual we entered Mott's and explained how we have not left the country or visited West Africa in the last three weeks; it's a fun game I like to play with the people who greet us so I can explain before they even get to the question that, "No we haven't left the country or traveled to West Africa in the last three weeks." At that point they realize that this is not our first rodeo on our visit to Mott's. ;)
We made our way to the 3rd floor, checked in, and waited to be called back for Carter's ultrasound. After we were called back we came into the ultrasound room and got Carter set up in the bed. He was a rockstar, again, and did a great job getting images of his bladder and kidneys. After about 30 minutes of time he was all set and it was time to go to the 4th floor and see his Urologist.
Thought process...'Not again Mom!'
Showing off those muscles to his ultrasound tech ;)
Being greeted in the building was really nice and the nurse was amazing with Carter. He was weighed and measured to get new information and has grown even more in the last few weeks, which seems to be the theme with him. :) Today he measured at 23.94 inches, almost 2 feet tall, and he weighed in at 15 pounds 13.6 ounces. This means that in the last 19 days Carter has gained 1 pound 11.4 ounces, always such a growing boy! I'm not sure if you can get a baby so young too big, but we are loving his chubby arms and legs. His stomach really isn't big it's more of his arms and legs that look like little trunks.
After some time we met Carters urologist and she was very happy with what she saw on the ultrasound. Carter's kidney's are looking fantastic and are almost the exact same size. She also said that they are the perfect shape, she sees no reflux, no stones, and is excited to see such growth with the kidney's too. She then went through his bladder photos with me and told me that it looks as though he is not holding in any urine and is using the bathroom. She asked questions about his diapers and saw herself that Carter is peeing very well on his own ;). She did talk to me though about the size and shape of Carter's bladder. Your typical bladder shape is a circle and with Carter his is a little bit longer, almost like an oval. She did explain that this is not abnormal for children with Spina Bifida and that she isn't concerned about the shape but to keep us informed so in case they need to do tests or check ups in the future we know why. It was nice to have yet another doctor who would walk me through the pictures and explain what they were and what they mean.
While she was looking at Carter and giving him an exam she did notice that Carter might have a hernia... guess it runs in the family since I just underwent my hernia surgery last week. She did say that it's not uncommon for babies to have these and she wasn't concerned about it either. It was explained to us that most hernias in babies fix themselves from the 6-12 month phase in their life. If at that time it hasn't fixed itself he will have to have surgery to fix it but because he is younger the recovery process is much quicker than say, his mom :).
Overall this was a nice appointment and I was happy to hear such good news on how Carter is doing. When it comes to his bladder and using the bathroom, the issues Carter may run into won't happen until he is at an age where potty training begins so we will cross that bridge when we come to it. Until then, Carter does not need to see the urologist for 6 months for another ultrasound and check up, which means that our visits to Mott's are slowly decreasing over time and that puts a smile to my face. For now, Carter is making positive strides and continues to surprise doctors more and more each day which I am elated about. It also means that as long as everything goes well our next visit to Mott's won't be until April when Carter has his neuro check-up!
I am thrilled that my little tough guy is doing so well and is continuing to surprise doctors; it just gives me the strength and motivation to help Carter in every way that I can and to show him just how strong he is.
Getting in some tummy time post appointment.
Comments
Post a Comment