given.....
1.Ultrasound 12 April 2010 2pm
2.MCU 12 April 3.30pm
3.DMSA 28 April 10am
4. Dr Yap review 27 May 1110am
the nurse called and gave me the above dates and time.
She said the UDS slots are full so hang on... I said... best! if everything all full :P then no need any tests..... The nure must have thought this mummy was mad :P but no, mummy's not mad.... just keep the faith coz our Lord healeths Jerry :)
Please pray for good results as we approach the tests.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Blessed Easter Everyone!
Our family attended our first triduum at Catholic Spiritual Centre over the Good Friday Weekend.
We had the Seder meal on Holy Thursday, attended the Good Friday Mass, and the Easter Mass and party all there!
It's amazing how God has brought us closer to Him through our children. We were first led to Catholic Spiritual Centre (CSC) by Jeremiah, our little one when he was born coz people suggested we take him to the 4th Saturday healing mass at CSC. Then last year 2009, it was announced that they needed altar servers there. Nat was keen and for once, daddy was ready to commit to bringing the boy to the trainings and all that... and so we became more committed to that place. Nat started to serve in more masses and our family started to go there more. God sure works in His own amazing ways!
This Easter, Nat also did his debut serve in Christ the King Church. Nat also told mummy this.....
Nat: Mummy, I don't want to get married next time. I want to be like Father William. I want to train under him and be a good priest like him.
I smiled and said.... PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!
Jerry watches his brother Nat serve mass and start to join his hands and bow and swing whatever he gets on his hands saying he is doing the incensing.... I know this little one can't wait to grow up, stand and walk and serve the Lord.
so we bring him to his Catechesis of the Good Shepherd every Sunday and recently, he is learning the colours
learn it well, Jerry. You're on your way... You'll have no problem when you enter the vestry next time *wink*
We had the Seder meal on Holy Thursday, attended the Good Friday Mass, and the Easter Mass and party all there!
It's amazing how God has brought us closer to Him through our children. We were first led to Catholic Spiritual Centre (CSC) by Jeremiah, our little one when he was born coz people suggested we take him to the 4th Saturday healing mass at CSC. Then last year 2009, it was announced that they needed altar servers there. Nat was keen and for once, daddy was ready to commit to bringing the boy to the trainings and all that... and so we became more committed to that place. Nat started to serve in more masses and our family started to go there more. God sure works in His own amazing ways!
This Easter, Nat also did his debut serve in Christ the King Church. Nat also told mummy this.....
Nat: Mummy, I don't want to get married next time. I want to be like Father William. I want to train under him and be a good priest like him.
I smiled and said.... PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!
Jerry watches his brother Nat serve mass and start to join his hands and bow and swing whatever he gets on his hands saying he is doing the incensing.... I know this little one can't wait to grow up, stand and walk and serve the Lord.
so we bring him to his Catechesis of the Good Shepherd every Sunday and recently, he is learning the colours
learn it well, Jerry. You're on your way... You'll have no problem when you enter the vestry next time *wink*
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Urologist update
Bleah... I was kinda blown over and beaten when I brought little Jere for his check up on the 25th March. The dear dr Y decided to throw me all the tests and what nots yet again! Standard procedure I suppose.
Our appointment was 1140am and we reached there on time. but waited till 1pm still not Jere's turn. I then asked the nurse if Jere needed any routine urine test. Staff R then said ok she will go ask the dr. The minutes were ticking by and I knew I had to chase them as Nat was waiting for me in school. Though I had forewarned him that I was going to be late, I did not want to be too too late. The nurse came out soon after and said yes but asked me to wait.
I said...can I do it myself?
She said no... no.
I said ok, please hurry then, my older boy is waiting for me to fetch him from school.
Soon after, I was asked to go into the treatment room and they got ready to catheter Jere's urine out for the test.
The staff and nurse manager talking among themselves: we send for 2 la ah?
Me: what test are u going to send for? the usual standard FEME?
Staff: Probaly FEME and culture
Me: FEME can liao la. FEME results come out, normal blood count want to do culture for what?
Staff: er... mummy, we gotta ask dr first
Dr came in....
Dr: wah... mummy you bully my nurse ah? you can do the Clean Intermittent Catheter (CIC) yourself right?
Me:(almost dumbfounded) Well, I offered. Your nurse want to do herself, what can I do?
I thought it was rather strange for the Dr to greet me that way. The hospital has signs to protect their staff saying that people cannot abuse them verbally. What about the other way round?
Dr: Ok, mummy, we gotta do all the tests again. It's been about 1 year since we did any tests.
Me: errrrrr.... what tests?
Dr: (flipping thru the thick file) Ultrasound, MCU, UDS, DMSA. I will order them all for you. You make a date with my nurses ok?
Me: Must we do all of them? Can we just do the basics? Like just the ultrasound?
Dr: No, mummy. These are all the basics.
and so.....
Lined up....
1.Ultrasound
A renal ultrasound is a safe and painless test that uses sound waves to make images of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder.
The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs located toward the back of the abdominal cavity, just above the waist. They remove waste products from the blood and produce urine. The ureters are thin tubes that carry the urine to the bladder.
During the examination, an ultrasound machine sends sound waves into the kidney area and images are recorded on a computer. The black-and-white images show the internal structure of the kidneys and related organs.
Why It's Done
Doctors order renal ultrasounds when there's a concern about certain types of kidney or bladder problems. In Jerry's case, a neurogenic bladder.
Renal ultrasound tests can show:
•the size of the kidneys
•signs of injury to the kidneys
•abnormalities present since birth
•the presence of blockages or kidney stones
•complications of a urinary tract infection (UTI)
•cysts or tumors
2.MCU
[1] The MCU remains essential and a primary tool for the diagnosis and evaluation of infants and young children with many genitourinary disorders, and this procedure is used to obtain specific diagnostic information not already provided by other imaging modalities. The MCU demonstrates anatomy of both the bladder and urethra and the presence or absence of vesicouretral reflux (VUR); it also provides information about the function and co-ordination of the bladder and urethral sphincter. [2] It remains the investigation of choice for delineating the anatomy and determining the function of the lower urogenital tract.
Simply said, Jere is having an MCU to find out if he has problems with his bladder or urethra or a condition called urinary reflux. An MCU is an x-ray test of the bladder as it fills and empties. We've done this a couple of times and everytime we do this, jerry comes out in tears and traumatised. This is what they do.
He is made to lie in the "space shuttle" and gently restrained by some velcro belts.
a nurse or doctor will clean the area around the opening of the urethra (the tube from which urine passes out of the bladder) with a mild antiseptic and then insert a catheter (a soft thin plastic tube) up through the urethra and into the bladder
the catheter connects to a bottle of contrast (dye)
the bladder is slowly filled with the dye
the dye allows the bladder to be seen on x-rays
the doctor, or x-ray technologist, will take x-ray pictures while Jerry is weeing
the doctor checks these; if they are okay the catheter is removed
the solution is washed off before a final x-ray
3.UDS
A urodynamics study is a series of tests that gives the doctor a detailed look at the function of the bladder and urethra. These tests can help the doctor evaluate any problems with storing urine or voiding (eliminating) urine from the body.
The lower part of the urinary tract includes the bladder (which stores urine until you’re ready to release it) and the urethra (the canal that carries urine from the bladder out of the body). Signals from the brain tell the sphincter (muscles around the opening of the bladder) when to relax and the bladder when to contract to let urine flow out of the body.
Jere is said to Need a Urodynamics Study to assess the neurogenic bladder as he's a spina bifida baby and these children are believed to not empty their bladder completely since their urine stream seems weak and intermittent. According to the drs at his birth, the spincter is not opening when it should to release the urine
4.DMSA
A DMSA renal scan is a diagnostic imaging procedure that is used to evaluate the anatomy and physiology of the kidneys. Some radiopharmaceutical called Technetium-99m DMSA will be injected into the child's veins. After the injection, the child will be free to leave the department and will be given a time to return for imaging, typically three to four hours after the injection. This delay allows the kidneys to absorb the radiopharmaceutical. When you return, you/your child will be asked to void and imaging will begin. Imaging will be approximately 30-60 minutes. It is important that the child remain as still as possible to allow for the best possible images. Thus in a case like Jere, he gotta be put to sleep! which i do not like at all... in other words, he will be put on GA if the medicine to knock him out does not work. And of course, the child may experience the discomfort associated with the insertion of the intravenous needle. I do remember the drs could not locate Jere's vein and ended up poking him at his feet and hands all. Once the radiopharmaceutical is injected, the needle is withdrawn and a gauze bandage with adhesive tape is placed over the site of the injection. The area where the injection was given may be a little sore or rather very sore for a little child.
Came home and talked to Tim. I did not like the DMSA at all. I remember doing it when Jerry was barely one and this procedure involved injecting a nuclear medicine in and putting him in the "space shuttle". Of course, the MCU also involves the darn space shuttle too. The ultrasound is the least invasive and I really don't feel like doing anything except for the basic basic ultrasound.
Yikes!
Lord, please guide me and tim to make the best decisions for Jeremiah. We know You got plans for Jeremiah Lord. Plans to prosper, not to destroy.
Please pray for us that we will listen to God's prompting and make God-led decisions.
Our appointment was 1140am and we reached there on time. but waited till 1pm still not Jere's turn. I then asked the nurse if Jere needed any routine urine test. Staff R then said ok she will go ask the dr. The minutes were ticking by and I knew I had to chase them as Nat was waiting for me in school. Though I had forewarned him that I was going to be late, I did not want to be too too late. The nurse came out soon after and said yes but asked me to wait.
I said...can I do it myself?
She said no... no.
I said ok, please hurry then, my older boy is waiting for me to fetch him from school.
Soon after, I was asked to go into the treatment room and they got ready to catheter Jere's urine out for the test.
The staff and nurse manager talking among themselves: we send for 2 la ah?
Me: what test are u going to send for? the usual standard FEME?
Staff: Probaly FEME and culture
Me: FEME can liao la. FEME results come out, normal blood count want to do culture for what?
Staff: er... mummy, we gotta ask dr first
Dr came in....
Dr: wah... mummy you bully my nurse ah? you can do the Clean Intermittent Catheter (CIC) yourself right?
Me:(almost dumbfounded) Well, I offered. Your nurse want to do herself, what can I do?
I thought it was rather strange for the Dr to greet me that way. The hospital has signs to protect their staff saying that people cannot abuse them verbally. What about the other way round?
Dr: Ok, mummy, we gotta do all the tests again. It's been about 1 year since we did any tests.
Me: errrrrr.... what tests?
Dr: (flipping thru the thick file) Ultrasound, MCU, UDS, DMSA. I will order them all for you. You make a date with my nurses ok?
Me: Must we do all of them? Can we just do the basics? Like just the ultrasound?
Dr: No, mummy. These are all the basics.
and so.....
Lined up....
1.Ultrasound
A renal ultrasound is a safe and painless test that uses sound waves to make images of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder.
The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs located toward the back of the abdominal cavity, just above the waist. They remove waste products from the blood and produce urine. The ureters are thin tubes that carry the urine to the bladder.
During the examination, an ultrasound machine sends sound waves into the kidney area and images are recorded on a computer. The black-and-white images show the internal structure of the kidneys and related organs.
Why It's Done
Doctors order renal ultrasounds when there's a concern about certain types of kidney or bladder problems. In Jerry's case, a neurogenic bladder.
Renal ultrasound tests can show:
•the size of the kidneys
•signs of injury to the kidneys
•abnormalities present since birth
•the presence of blockages or kidney stones
•complications of a urinary tract infection (UTI)
•cysts or tumors
2.MCU
[1] The MCU remains essential and a primary tool for the diagnosis and evaluation of infants and young children with many genitourinary disorders, and this procedure is used to obtain specific diagnostic information not already provided by other imaging modalities. The MCU demonstrates anatomy of both the bladder and urethra and the presence or absence of vesicouretral reflux (VUR); it also provides information about the function and co-ordination of the bladder and urethral sphincter. [2] It remains the investigation of choice for delineating the anatomy and determining the function of the lower urogenital tract.
Simply said, Jere is having an MCU to find out if he has problems with his bladder or urethra or a condition called urinary reflux. An MCU is an x-ray test of the bladder as it fills and empties. We've done this a couple of times and everytime we do this, jerry comes out in tears and traumatised. This is what they do.
He is made to lie in the "space shuttle" and gently restrained by some velcro belts.
a nurse or doctor will clean the area around the opening of the urethra (the tube from which urine passes out of the bladder) with a mild antiseptic and then insert a catheter (a soft thin plastic tube) up through the urethra and into the bladder
the catheter connects to a bottle of contrast (dye)
the bladder is slowly filled with the dye
the dye allows the bladder to be seen on x-rays
the doctor, or x-ray technologist, will take x-ray pictures while Jerry is weeing
the doctor checks these; if they are okay the catheter is removed
the solution is washed off before a final x-ray
3.UDS
A urodynamics study is a series of tests that gives the doctor a detailed look at the function of the bladder and urethra. These tests can help the doctor evaluate any problems with storing urine or voiding (eliminating) urine from the body.
The lower part of the urinary tract includes the bladder (which stores urine until you’re ready to release it) and the urethra (the canal that carries urine from the bladder out of the body). Signals from the brain tell the sphincter (muscles around the opening of the bladder) when to relax and the bladder when to contract to let urine flow out of the body.
Jere is said to Need a Urodynamics Study to assess the neurogenic bladder as he's a spina bifida baby and these children are believed to not empty their bladder completely since their urine stream seems weak and intermittent. According to the drs at his birth, the spincter is not opening when it should to release the urine
4.DMSA
A DMSA renal scan is a diagnostic imaging procedure that is used to evaluate the anatomy and physiology of the kidneys. Some radiopharmaceutical called Technetium-99m DMSA will be injected into the child's veins. After the injection, the child will be free to leave the department and will be given a time to return for imaging, typically three to four hours after the injection. This delay allows the kidneys to absorb the radiopharmaceutical. When you return, you/your child will be asked to void and imaging will begin. Imaging will be approximately 30-60 minutes. It is important that the child remain as still as possible to allow for the best possible images. Thus in a case like Jere, he gotta be put to sleep! which i do not like at all... in other words, he will be put on GA if the medicine to knock him out does not work. And of course, the child may experience the discomfort associated with the insertion of the intravenous needle. I do remember the drs could not locate Jere's vein and ended up poking him at his feet and hands all. Once the radiopharmaceutical is injected, the needle is withdrawn and a gauze bandage with adhesive tape is placed over the site of the injection. The area where the injection was given may be a little sore or rather very sore for a little child.
Came home and talked to Tim. I did not like the DMSA at all. I remember doing it when Jerry was barely one and this procedure involved injecting a nuclear medicine in and putting him in the "space shuttle". Of course, the MCU also involves the darn space shuttle too. The ultrasound is the least invasive and I really don't feel like doing anything except for the basic basic ultrasound.
Yikes!
Lord, please guide me and tim to make the best decisions for Jeremiah. We know You got plans for Jeremiah Lord. Plans to prosper, not to destroy.
Please pray for us that we will listen to God's prompting and make God-led decisions.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Stuff we use for Jerry's Skin
We have tried and tested so many products for Jerry's skin. What worked for one need not work for another. This is just a record of what we have used.
Medicines:
1.Hydrocortisone
2.Foban
3.Bactroban
4.Elomet
5.Elidel
6.Dermanol
Organic and Naturals
1. Akin
2. Jericho's sea Mud and salts and body butter
3. Perfect Potion Calendula infused oil
4. Natralia Nourish Eczema and Psoriasis Cream
5. Hero stick
6. Baby Balm
7. Earth Mama, Angel baby
8. California Baby's Calendula, Aloe Vera
Off the Shelf stuff
1. Body Shop Shea Body Butter
2. Boots Baby Bath, shampoo and lotion (from Bangkok)
3. Palmer's Olive Butter
4. Palmer's cocoa butter
Our conclusion: Boots baby products works well for little jerry so if any of you are going bangkok, do us this big favour to bring it back and we will come pick it from you at the airport and even fetch u home :)
We have stopped all steroidal stuff for Jerry and using the Boots baby stuff and organic calendula oil when the skin is really dry and Natralia when it's red.
Thank you Lord for bringing us the right things :)
Medicines:
1.Hydrocortisone
2.Foban
3.Bactroban
4.Elomet
5.Elidel
6.Dermanol
Organic and Naturals
1. Akin
2. Jericho's sea Mud and salts and body butter
3. Perfect Potion Calendula infused oil
4. Natralia Nourish Eczema and Psoriasis Cream
5. Hero stick
6. Baby Balm
7. Earth Mama, Angel baby
8. California Baby's Calendula, Aloe Vera
Off the Shelf stuff
1. Body Shop Shea Body Butter
2. Boots Baby Bath, shampoo and lotion (from Bangkok)
3. Palmer's Olive Butter
4. Palmer's cocoa butter
Our conclusion: Boots baby products works well for little jerry so if any of you are going bangkok, do us this big favour to bring it back and we will come pick it from you at the airport and even fetch u home :)
We have stopped all steroidal stuff for Jerry and using the Boots baby stuff and organic calendula oil when the skin is really dry and Natralia when it's red.
Thank you Lord for bringing us the right things :)
Friday, March 19, 2010
Jerry's skin is healed :)
Praise the Lord! Jerry's skin is healed.
Thank you Lord for leading us to the various things that helped Jerry's skin to get better.
From the last post in January, we watched Jerry's diet real close, making sure that there was no milk products to trigger anything. We told him he cannot kneel on the church floor as the dust would trigger his eczema. Hence, we put him on the seat to kneel.
We realised what were the products to use for cleaning him. Boots baby products worked really well for him. Gentle enough for him and yet he smell good. By right, for these sensitive skin, they are supposed to use fragrance free products but .... :P then we use the e.excel antibacterial wash when it gets really red to wash away the bacteria and we apply the natralia eczema cream.
Also, we used some homeopathic drops to help him to build up his resistance to dairy products and dust. We also started to give him fish oil to help give his skin more oil? :P He's looking great now :) Here's a pic of him this march holidays while he was playing sand at Tioman
Thank you Lord for leading us to the various things that helped Jerry's skin to get better.
From the last post in January, we watched Jerry's diet real close, making sure that there was no milk products to trigger anything. We told him he cannot kneel on the church floor as the dust would trigger his eczema. Hence, we put him on the seat to kneel.
We realised what were the products to use for cleaning him. Boots baby products worked really well for him. Gentle enough for him and yet he smell good. By right, for these sensitive skin, they are supposed to use fragrance free products but .... :P then we use the e.excel antibacterial wash when it gets really red to wash away the bacteria and we apply the natralia eczema cream.
Also, we used some homeopathic drops to help him to build up his resistance to dairy products and dust. We also started to give him fish oil to help give his skin more oil? :P He's looking great now :) Here's a pic of him this march holidays while he was playing sand at Tioman
Friday, January 29, 2010
Eczema strikes again!
Started from the 21st with little red dots at the thigh.
What triggered it? We weren't sure. Maybe it was the diet? Coz Mummy added so little scallop bits in the brocolli to try. Before we could nap the culprit, Jerry's whole body kinda flared in the next few days.
What triggered?
Only conclusion.... DUST MITES! Daddy allowed him to kneel in church and he probably got the allergy of dust mites triggered.
RED AND ANGRY Jerry's whole body became!
"MURDER" took place the next few nights and days whenever he slept. His bed sheets would be covered with blood. Not little spots but whole big patches! His neck was scratched till all bloody and raw. He can't even hold his violin up with his neck. He screamed everytime we take him to the bath as if it was chickens to the slaughter. Poor baby!
Lord, I pray for healing and wholeness for Jeremiah. I pray that sickness and infirmity will have no place or power in his life. I pray for protection against any disease coming into his body. Whenever there's sickness , disease or infirmity in his body, Lord I pray that you would just touch him with Your healing power and restore him to perfect health. Deliver him from any destruction or injury that would come upon him. Specifically Lord, now i ask You to heal Jeremiah of his eczema. Thank You Lord. I lay claim to the heritage of healing which You have promised in Your Word. Your Word in Psalm 107:20 says, "He sent His word and healed them and delivered them from their destruction". Lord I look to You for a life of health, healing and wholeness for my child. This I ask in the mighty name of Jesus. AMEN!
What triggered it? We weren't sure. Maybe it was the diet? Coz Mummy added so little scallop bits in the brocolli to try. Before we could nap the culprit, Jerry's whole body kinda flared in the next few days.
What triggered?
Only conclusion.... DUST MITES! Daddy allowed him to kneel in church and he probably got the allergy of dust mites triggered.
RED AND ANGRY Jerry's whole body became!
"MURDER" took place the next few nights and days whenever he slept. His bed sheets would be covered with blood. Not little spots but whole big patches! His neck was scratched till all bloody and raw. He can't even hold his violin up with his neck. He screamed everytime we take him to the bath as if it was chickens to the slaughter. Poor baby!
Lord, I pray for healing and wholeness for Jeremiah. I pray that sickness and infirmity will have no place or power in his life. I pray for protection against any disease coming into his body. Whenever there's sickness , disease or infirmity in his body, Lord I pray that you would just touch him with Your healing power and restore him to perfect health. Deliver him from any destruction or injury that would come upon him. Specifically Lord, now i ask You to heal Jeremiah of his eczema. Thank You Lord. I lay claim to the heritage of healing which You have promised in Your Word. Your Word in Psalm 107:20 says, "He sent His word and healed them and delivered them from their destruction". Lord I look to You for a life of health, healing and wholeness for my child. This I ask in the mighty name of Jesus. AMEN!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Blessed New Year!
It's the 6th day of the New Year and before I start,
A BLESSED NEW YEAR TO ALL! WORK HARD! PLAY HARD! LOVE HARD! SEIZE THE DAY! XOXOXO
Thank You Lord for bringing me thru 2009 and helping me to see 2010 with a new light!
We started our new year at Catholic Spiritual Centre, celebrating mass at 10.30pm, counting down and fellowship with nice warm porridge. Jeremiah came home saying," Mummy, I like the salty porridge at CSC." :P No, it wasn't salty at all... in fact, it was really quite yummy....coz we never put salt or msg in the food we cook especially for Jere and maybe jere's vocab is quite limited :P We came home at almost 1.30am. We had a great time and what other Beautiful way to kick start yet another year abundant full of blessings.... :)
Dare to dream. Live that dream. Together we will scale greater heights!
God bless!
A BLESSED NEW YEAR TO ALL! WORK HARD! PLAY HARD! LOVE HARD! SEIZE THE DAY! XOXOXO
Thank You Lord for bringing me thru 2009 and helping me to see 2010 with a new light!
We started our new year at Catholic Spiritual Centre, celebrating mass at 10.30pm, counting down and fellowship with nice warm porridge. Jeremiah came home saying," Mummy, I like the salty porridge at CSC." :P No, it wasn't salty at all... in fact, it was really quite yummy....coz we never put salt or msg in the food we cook especially for Jere and maybe jere's vocab is quite limited :P We came home at almost 1.30am. We had a great time and what other Beautiful way to kick start yet another year abundant full of blessings.... :)
Dare to dream. Live that dream. Together we will scale greater heights!
God bless!
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