3 out of 4

Tyler's actually 4 out of 4. The title is about something else.

While we were excited to learn we were pregnant with Tyler it soon turned to nervousness for the first 16 weeks until we learned whether or not he had hydronephrosis. We were greatly relieved to learned he was clean! Phew! The first pregnancy we didn't lose, or think we were going to lose, a baby. Even though we had a bumpy spot or two Tyler was born healthy with no complications. Or so we thought.

Five weeks ago I took Andrew and Tyler to Red Rock Radiology so both could have an ultrasound on their kidneys- Andrew for a routine follow-up and Tyler so the urologist could take a look at his kidneys now that he was out of the womb. Of course I wasn't worried because if there was a problem it would have been detected in one of the numerous ultrasounds I had during pregnancy. The reason I had so many is because of being high risk; the first thing that was always checked was the kidneys and the amniotic fluid and it was always normal.

When I arrived at the doctor's office the following week I had no worries about learning the results of either test until the nurse made a comment about Tyler not receiving an "A+" on his test. "What? Tyler????" I said. She is a very happy, friendly, and fun nurse so I wasn't sure if she was just joking or being serious. When she realized what she'd said she quickly said, "Oh, you know" and moved on to other things. "Oh, well. Whatever. I'll find out soon enough," I thought.

After I learned that Andrew's right ureter is still constricted and will need further work (no surprise) she moved on to Tyler. She said his left kidney is normal but the right is interesting. Rather than just one 'drain' he has two. Each one has a ureter that begins toward the bladder but the top one joins the bottom ureter so it looks like a Y. The top drain is incomplete and has some backup into the kidney. Since then he has been on an antibiotic to ensure that no infection forms.

This morning I took Tyler to the hospital for a MAG3 test. I couldn't remember the directions but I was pretty sure from 3 years ago when Andrew had the same test that he couldn't eat for 8 hours before. We fed him only 4 hours before the test though since he is on a liquid diet anyway. Once I got there I learned I could've fed him right up until the test. Wish I'd known that- all that crying and me feeling guilty for nothing! First, they tried putting an IV in him but found no good veins so they called down a transport nurse who is highly trained on IV's in pediatrics. She put in the IV on Tyler while I held him. His next tough thing was the catheter. I never enjoy having one put in me but at least I understand what and why it's being done. He was miserable and very mad. He was not happy to be strapped down either. Once his arms and legs were constricted he screamed, cried, and tried kicking and moving his way out. Poor Tyler! He finally cried himself to sleep.

I was much braver this time around then three years ago when Andrew had the same test at about the same age. It's okay for the mom (or dad or both) to be there next to the bed the entire time. When Andrew had his I remember it was difficult for me to see him cry so hard from having an IV in that I was finally excused from the room and told to go to the waiting area down the hall. At first I was afraid a similar thing would happen this time but I managed to keep my emotions stable and was able to be there to comfort Tyler and make it easier. In fact, I even got a picture on my cell phone of him smiling- after having an IV and catheter put in and being strapped down!

Well, after learning that Tyler is not completely free from kidney problems I realized that 3 out of my 4 children have, or had, hydronephrosis. Rachel had it the worst and lived for only a short time. We thought we were going to lose Andrew too but he is a miracle and lives a normal life although he's had surgeries, tests, stints, ultrasounds and isn't done yet. And Tyler now has it but really minor. Aaron managed to skate by somehow and is the lucky one. We've become a little familiar with hydronephrosis and our pediatric urologist, Dr. Close (who is THE best!) has become very familiar with us!