Maddie's Update

After Maddie's sickness a couple weeks ago and many tests and doctor visits later, Maddie has been diagnosed with Stage 4 VUR (Vesicoureteral reflux). Basically, her ureters allow urine to go back up into her kidneys. This causes UTI's, which also causes kidney damage.

Most kids grow out of it, but with Maddie being stage 4, borderline 5, she has a lower chance of growing out of it. She will be on antibiotics for a number of years (to prevent UTI's), and if she doesn't grow out of it, she will have surgery to fix the condition permanently. The surgery is 98% effective, so Maddie will be just fine long term. It's a good thing that we found it so early, so we can prevent any kidney damage or infections from occurring. One fever of 104.5 was one too many - and we don't want any more!

We have been referred to the University of Michigan Pediatric Urology department - one of the best in the country. Our first appointment is May 16th, where they will let us know what treatment options are available until we see if she grows out of it. If not, they will do the surgery in a few years in Ann Arbor.

You can bet she will be wearing her Penn State outfits for the visits.

:-)