What we originally thought was a stomach virus turned out to be much more. After being dismissed from my first trip to the emergency room, my second trip there turned into a week-long stay at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. In the ER, blood work showed that I had acute kidney injury. At this time, it was believed that dehydration from my stomach virus caused it and I would bounce back after being given IV fluids.
It was serious enough, though, that I was admitted into the hospital. This would be my home for the following week.
Though lots and lots of fluids were coming in, nothing was coming out. Doctors were starting to worry about my very dry diapers. An ultrasound showed swollen kidneys and possible kidney stones at the end of both of my ureters, just as they enter into the bladder. A CT scan was necessary to confirm the kidney stones. My feeding therapist, Miss Christine, offered to take care of Chubs for the night so Daddy could come to the hospital, and she sent him up with my very favorite airplane toy from our therapy sessions. I brought it with me for my CT scan.
The CT scan confirmed that I had kidney stones in each ureter, completing blocking access to my bladder. Toxins in my body were making me feel very sick. I had emergency surgery that night at 1:00am to insert stents into my ureters. It was unsuccessful, though, due to how large the kidney stones were. I waited until the next afternoon to have nephrostomy tubes inserted through my kidneys to allow them to drain.
That surgery was a success and I quickly started feeling more myself again. People from the hospital started bringing me toys to play with in my bed.
Nana and Papa sent a fighter jet balloon.
Mommy’s friend’s son, Quinton, donated two airplanes of his to bring to me because he heard I loved them more than anything.
The nurses were really nice. Whenever something would start beeping in my room, I told Mommy she needed to call the nurse to have them turn it off.
After a few days, I left my room for the first time and headed down the hall to the playroom. I was not feeling strong enough to walk yet, but I finally set upright in a chair for the first time in a while.
People from the hospital kept bringing me toys!
We were all very tired from everything that had gone on.
A therapy dog visited and slept with me on my bed.
I was wheeled up to the radiology department to get another ultrasound. It looked like one or both of the stones may have passed!
The physical therapist wanted me to try standing a little bit. Mommy and Daddy put this cool car toy on a low bed to get me standing.
The last thing I had to do before getting out was a pyelogram to confirm whether or not urine could pass from my kidneys into my bladder. It could! This was really good news!
The nurses capped my nephrostomy tubes and I played with my car toy while waiting to be discharged. This week, Mommy and Daddy will make sure I am peeing in my diaper like old times. Next week, I’ll see my urologist so we can plan to remove the nephrostomy tubes.
Bye, Doernbecher Children’s Hospital! Thank you for making me well again!
