Can't Judge a Kidney By Its Cover

So here's our little punkin yesterday at Lenox Hill Hospital, where she underwent her second renal scan since she was born. A renal scan is a test that measures the function of the kidneys. The nurse inserts an IV and then injects a radioactive dye that can be watched on a computer as it travels through the kidneys. After about 25 minutes a diuretic is issued so that the bladder can be observed emptying as well. Technologically speaking, it is pretty cool. From a mommy standpoint, it is not so cool to watch your wittle baby get stuck with a needle.

Susannah was a total champ though, as always. She cried some while the nurse got the needle in her hand (not nearly as bad as two weeks ago when they took some from a vein in the crook of her arm and I had to hold her down while she screamed her head off--that's another story). But she fell right asleep during the test and acted like she was having a nice nap.

The results that we got from this test are very, very positive. Susannah's kidneys have been a bit of a conundrum since she was diagnosed with bilateral hydronephrosis during a 20-week sonogram in utero. Many subsequent sonograms have shown that the area where the urine collects before it drains and her ureters are much more dilated than they should be, indicating a blockage somewhere, which could be a real problem down the road. However she has always looked and acted like a very healthy baby, peeing and pooping and gaining weight and showing no signs of distress. And sonograms aren't the best diagnostic tool; results can vary based on how much someone has had to eat or drink, for example.

The head of Nuclear Medicine at Lenox Hill was present for Susannah's scan yesterday and he was really pleased with what he saw. He seems to think that what we are seeing is congenital abnormality--this is just the way her kidneys and ureters are shaped right now. They appeared to function and drain just fine. The blood work from that awful needle experience two weeks ago revealed more good news: her creatinine levels are very low, which also indicates that her kidneys are not in distress.

So all in all, Susannah's in great shape inside and out. The whole situation has been mysterious and complicated since the beginning, so if you are feeling a little confused, don't worry, so are we. The good news is that surgery won't be necessary for a while. If Susannah could speak she probably could have told us that herself.

Here's a happy picture to end on. How bout them thighs?!