After the appointment today we have even more questions than answers. This will be a short update and I will fill in the rest a little later. The surgery is still tentatively scheduled for January 4Th, however the surgeon in Omaha can only perform a full nephrectomy. A partial nephrectomy for the areas of his infarction would be to complex for the surgeon here. Nothing is for certain until we have all of the scans reread and diagnosis' reconfirmed.

Upon reviewing the ct angiogram the surgeon has reason to believe that there is a possibility that both kidneys are affected. If that is the case we would have to look at transplant and donor options. I just pray that this is not true and we only have to worry about the right kidney infarction. At this point we are waiting for other radiologist to review the scans and also will have a cardiologist review. I have also been told to start looking for studies published in medical journals with his condition, then we will have to contact these surgeons to see if a partial nephrectomy would be an option if they were to perform the surgery.

So at this point we wait again, hopefully we will know more in a week or so. I will update with more details in a day or two. Thank your for all your thoughts and prayers, we need them now more than ever.

Really anxious right now, on my way to pick up Kaleb for the appointment with the surgeon. We need all of the thoughts and prayers we can get right now. I will update with any information we get later. Thank you all for your support!!!

Christi :)

Ok, my accomplishment for the day - I not only updated the blog, but I also figured out how to add music!!! This doesn't sound like a big deal, but I have been trying to add the music player since I started the blog. Funny how easy it is if you just read the "help" section in blogger, who would have guessed, LOL :)

Thankful.....

Let me just start by saying I'm sorry for not updating more. I have resolved to be better about this, everything has just been a little crazy.

We have learned a little bit more regarding his condition. It has been caused by a renal artery embolism. The embolism basically cut off blood flow to the kidney. This caused a infarction of the kidney. In simpler terms, caused the kidney to begin to die due to lack of blood flow. The radiologists involved believe that the infarction presented itself within 2-3 weeks, which is why only the blockage showed up on the MRA. Unfortunately, it was misdiagnosed as narrowing of the artery rather than an embolism blocking the artery.

We will finally be meeting with the Pediatric Urologist who is going to be performing the surgery this wednesday. We have been unable to get any answers from anyone since the diagnosis, so this is a much anticipated appointment. All attempts for second opinions have failed so far so we may have to trust the diagnosis and move forward with the surgery which is tenatively scheduled for January 4Th right now.

Kaleb has been doing really well given the circumstances. He has been really tired though, most likely due to his blood pressure dropping to somewhat normal. And he seems to be catching every cold that is going around. He is not looking forward to the appointment on Wednesday. He is sick of going to all of the appointments and being poked and prodded with all of the needles and IVs. Can't say I blame him, he has been such a brave little boy through all of this.

I am just thankful that the embolism was not in his brain, heart or lungs. I'm just looking forward to the time when he is a healthy happy child again. He deserves to have the innocence of his childhood back. That is something that has been somewhat taken from him at this point. At 4 years old he shouldn't have to be worried about needles everytime he is picked up early from preschool.

I just pray this will go as easily and quickly as it can for him so he can get back to being a little boy. It still doesn't seem real, it sets in a little more each day though. I'm pretty sure it will set in after the appointment with the surgeon. Thank you for all of your thoughts, prayers and support, we need all we can get and really appreciate it!!!

Christi :)