A More Detailed Update

Hello My Friends,
I wanted to let you know that we received news I did not
want to hear yesterday. I must admit discouragement today. I
know that God's grace is sufficient and we will make it, but
for today, I am weary.

Urology:
It seems that Ellie's bladder is working too hard when it empties.
While she does void without assistance, this extra pressure
puts too much pressure on her one and only kidney. The good
news is that there is no kidney damage at this time. The
difficult for mama to swallow news is this:

Ellie will start taking medication to relax her bladder.
THis will allow her bladder to fill, but she will no longer
be able to urinate; therefore, we must start using a
straight cath up to 5 times a day. While this is common in children and adults with spina bifida, and I knew it might happen some day, I suppose I was not prepared for this news yesterday. I really thought there may be and trial and error period with the medication and timed voiding. I was surprised, I guess, that we would go immediately to cahting.

Stan and I had to learn
to do that yesterday. It was NOT< NOT< NOT fun. I had to
"practice" a medical procedure with my 4 year old child as our
dummy. I learned that she does have much more sensation that
we first realized, so she was in pain as Stan and I poked
and prodded while learning how to insert a catheter. Now, we
come home to do this, without a nurse to guide the way. AND, I
have to instruct a school staff member to do this as well,
because she will need to cath at least once a day while she
is in school.

Yes, the news could be worse. Yes, she will learn to do it
herself one day. Yes, one day it will just be second nature,
like putting on socks, or just going to the bathroom...but
for now I am down.

I know that God's grace is sufficient. I know that I can do all things because Christ gives me strength. I know that Ellie was fearfully and wonderfully made. I know this news is about Ellie, not about me.I know that God entrusted her to us!! I know that God placed me in the family of God so that we could support one another. Thank you for the prayers you've already prayed. Please keep them coming!