Anara News...

Anara with Dr. Kaefer (Urologist)

Today we received great news. I have been hesitant to post details about Anara's medical condition because we didn't really know what was going on. At our 1st appointment with the urologist, we found out that there was a possibility of kidney damage. This was confirmed after a renal ultrasound. The urologist told us that both of Anara's kidneys were swollen and that there was damage to the tissue of one kidney. Today we had a more detailed renal scan that involved injecting radioactive isotopes into Anara and analyzing kidney function. We found out 15 min. after the study was complete that Anara does not have any kidney damage. This is a huge praise!! Her kidneys are a little swollen, but this will be resolved after her surgery.

About the surgery...
Anara has bladder exstrophy and this has not been corrected. In 2-3 months, she will have a major surgery to rebuild her bladder and put it back in her abdomen. Babies in the US have this corrected within 48hrs. of birth. She did not have this opportunity. Her bladder is small and hard from being exposed. The surgeons will take a piece of her small intestine and add it to her bladder in order to create a larger bladder. She will also have orthopaedic surgery during this operation to close her pubic bones. The surgery will be approx. 12 hrs and her hospital stay 3-4 weeks.

Anara will most likely not have the ability to urinate on her own. She will leak until she is 4 or 5 years old and will then have another surgery to tighten the bladder neck in order to keep her dry. Once this surgery is done, it will be necessary for her to be catheterized in order to empty her bladder. The urologist did not seem to think it would be possible to avoid this since her bladder is 1/3 of the normal size and has been so damaged. Obviously God is capable of making this happen, but we are not intimidated by a long-term care plan of self-catheterizing. During the 2nd surgery, it is likely that her appendix will be used as an outlet for urine. She would have a tiny opening in her side that she will be able to use for catheterizing. Hopefully I explained everything correctly (and without offending too many of you medical people). If you have questions, are curious, or don't understand something just email us.

Today we also saw a developmental pediatrician and an infectious disease MD. The develop. ped. did not suspect cerebral palsy. I don't remember whether or not I posted that the MD we saw in Kazak. at the international clinic was pretty sure Anara had cerebral palsy. The doctors were great and answered all of my questions.

Anara is developing well. She has learned so many new tricks in the 3 weeks we have been home. She interacts well and learns things quickly. Grandma H. got Anara to say, "Seesaw", which is a favorite lapgame. She also got Anara to clap during "Pat-a-cake". We had been working on clapping or bringing hands together and crossing the midline. She also reaches for objects, grasps things, mimics sounds, and babbles. She has gained over 2 lbs. since we got her from the orphanage.

I am sure that there is more to post, but I am tired. Hopefully I will have time to update again soon. I still need to post some birthday party photos from our big party last Saturday (Dad, send me some pics please).