Like Mother Like Daughter

As a small child I regularly experienced inexplicable high fevers, backaches, and general discomfort. After many visits to the doctor's office and even the emergency room, my pediatrician realized what was wrong with my feeble little body. One of my kidneys was not growing as fast as the other one. By the time the doctor realized what was happening I was just weeks away from potential kidney failure and placement on a transplant list. Pretty serious stuff.

Once they discovered the cause of my health issues I was immediately placed on a low dose antibiotic that I had to take every day. Every day from the time I was four until I was about 10. I also had a standing date at my local hospital every three months to have blood drawn and two exams- the renal sonogram and the VCUG.

It was a rather traumatizing part of growing up, but, thankfully, the treatment successfully healed my kidneys. In fact, the treatment gave me kidneys of steel. I have never had a problem since my childhood.

Now you may be wondering why in the world I would share this information with you. Well, EB started acting rather puny last Thursday. We had a friend come over to take professional shots of our little presh-head on Friday afternoon and we got her to muster only one or two smiles. Anyone who has spent five minutes with EB knows she is a smiley face. Chris and I knew something wasn't right, but quickly waved it off as teething. But her temperament did not change over the weekend. I called our pediatrician and took her in Monday morning. She was diagnosed with a UTI. 8 1/2 month olds do not get UTIs. I listened as Dr. L. informed me that she would have to go in for further tests once this infection cleared.

I have mixed feelings about this whole thing. I am thankful that we are working on fixing the UTI. I am also thankful that if she does have the same issues I did as a little girl that we caught it super early and are going to be able to treat it right away. Yet, I am wrecked that my little girl will have to share this particular experience with me. I would much rather share the thrill of our first bike ride together or learning how to bake a cake together. Sharing an illness like this one is not my idea of good mother-daughter bonding.

Please keep us in your prayers over the next couple of weeks as we treat EB's UTI and as she undergoes further tests to check her urinary tract health. She is just not herself right now and it kills me to watch her be puny. I will keep you posted as we learn more.