It's been a struggle for months now to get my younger daughter, Michaela Byrd, to eat. We follow all the "rules," offer nutritious options, and all that jazz.
I finally made an appointment with the pediatrician last Friday to chat about her weight and her refusal to eat anything except for fruit, yogurt, snackie stuff, MILK, and the occassional handful of green beans, cheese slices, or chicken nuggets.
Our pediatrician ordered some bloodwork and a urinalysis, which revealed a urinary tract infection. Ick.
Following standard procedure, I took Michaela Byrd in for an ultrasound on Friday morning, which revealed gallstones in my 21 month old!!
I saw them myself during the test, but didn't want to believe it until the pediatrician called me with the news on Friday afternoon. Now we have to wait for her doctor to set up an appointment with a specialist, and wouldn't you know there are NO pediatric gastroenterologists in our area.
My hope and prayer is that they'll leave her be for now, as she's shown no pain or discomfort. With the exception of our woes at mealtime, she is very healthy. The gallstones were only detected because of the ultrasound they did for the UTI. It appears to be hereditary. I had my gallbladder out when I was 26 (perhaps I'd had the stones for years and they went undetected), and my grandmother and her mother had gallstones as well.
Open surgery or even laparoscopic surgery is not something I want to go through with her, especially during the holidays.
If you have a moment, please say a prayer for my little one today. It's been a rather depressing weekend around here. No one likes to hear bad news, especially about their babies.
One thing that has brightened a few moments for me this weekend is getting a glimpse of the items I won in Holly's recent giveaway.
Holly, I was so excited when your package arrived in the mail, and the hand-written note was such a nice touch. I have some plans for the silverware, and the "Boo!" towel went straight to my Kitchen. I am saving the chalkboard for my dining room, and I am in love with the milkglass planter. The pattern is so pretty!
I love giveaways, especially when they are so fun like this. Holly, thank you for making a difficult week more bearable.
{Blessings to you all today!}
Consider a little prayer said. I suppose it is always better to know than not. Take care and try not to get too down.
ReplyDeleteFleur
xxx
I'll say a prayer for your little one, I hope they can just wait and see if she is showing no other signs of discomfort, the foods she eats sounds pretty typical of a toddler, they can be pretty picky sometimes!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on winning Holly's giveaway, that was a really good one!
Awww, poor MB; I will say a prayer for her that y'all will know how to treat this in a non-agressive way. Hopefully it won't be a problem .....and so nice that you could receive a Happy Mail Day package this week to cheer you!
ReplyDeleteTake care!
suzanne
I have just said a prayer and will continue to do so. Please know that God has put an army of prayer warriors for you and daughter. I'm a single mom of 2 teen kids. They both has minor stomach problems that requires them to see a pediatric gastroenterologist. Please know that my heart and prayer will continue on for your family.
ReplyDeleteGod's graces be with you!
Yoli
I will def be praying for your little one.
ReplyDeleteGoodness gracious, I had no idea that a small child could get gallstones. Poor little thing! I hope that the specialist will be the key to solving her eating problems and that she won't have to have invasive surgery.
ReplyDeletePoor baby! I will pray.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad the package arrived safely; it's funny to see it all at your house. It sat on my counter for several weeks!
I'm sorry. I know how hard it is to know that there's somethin goin on with your little one. However your post has inspired me to have a chat with Lydia's pediatrician, because she HATES to eat. Every once in a while she'll pig out, but the rest of the time, she picks. And picks. And then stops. So...
ReplyDeleteYou guys are definitely in my prayers.
Amanda, prayers comin' at ya and your sweet little one. I wonder if it is hereditary, you did have them..seems to me these could not cause problems for years, but then again when they do, it will most certainly be before a vacay or whatever...Might make you feel better when you see a pediatric gastroenterologist and get their opinion..either way prayers for your little one..
ReplyDeleteOh, your poor sweet baby! I'm so sorry! Gall stones? Really?
ReplyDeleteIndy had a really bad UTI when he was little and stopped eating very much (and this kid would-and still does-eat ANYTHING). Did you know that kids can catch a UTI from Mr.Bubble bubble bath? Read the label, on the caution section it mentions a possibility of UTI! I don't know if this is true for all bath bubbles, but Indy stopped taking bubble baths every night and we did just plain bath water. After his UTI cleared up, we let him have bubbles once a week or so, but not every night. Of course now that he's all of 7 he prefers a shower. They grow too fast!
Many hugs to you and Michaela Bird!
Amanda, I'm so sorry to hear about your precious Michaela Byrd. I know that was such a shock to discover the gallstones. I hope the specialist can put your mind at ease and treat her with non-invasive remedies. I will remember her in my prayers, and will look forward to hearing good news after you meet with the specialist.
ReplyDeleteBless her heart {and yours!}. It's so good that she's not having any "attacks" {as I referred to them when I had mine 18 years ago}.
ReplyDeletePraying for supernatural healing in little Michaela's body. I pray God's hand move upon her little body & restore FULL health to her. Bless you guys, please let me know if I can do anything for you.
ReplyDeleteAw, bless her little heart! I'll definitely be praying for you guys. *hugs*
ReplyDeleteI'm praying! I know it's hard when our little ones have medical issues ...
ReplyDeleteI'm saying a prayer for your sweet baby girl right this minute! Poor little thing. I've never heard of gallstones in a child that young! I'm thinking of you, friend.
ReplyDeleteLove
~Amanda
So sorry to hear about your sweet girl:(
ReplyDeleteI will say a prayer for her and your family. Thanks for sharing.
Tamera@doubledelight
Hi Amanda, I know you live in VA and are hoping to get your daughter to a specialist in Richmond. I don't know where you live, but I live 25 mins from downtown Richmond. So if you need a place to stay or even someone to talk to while going to dr visits or ANYTHING, just let me know. I'd love to help out any way that I can. Hope all is well for you.
ReplyDeleteLinda
amanda, i just read this and was wondering what happened at the dr.'s office. i don't know much about gallstones, but i do know that surgery sounds scary for a little one. i will be praying for healing for michaela byrd and for peace for you.
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