Day at Children's

9/7/11-We spent the day at Children's Hospital seeing neurosurgery, neurodevelopment and to take a VCUG to check for kidney reflux. The neuro team increased the pressure in his head by adjusting his shunt. Tucker has a shunt that's valve is controlled by a magnet. It was adjusted from the lowest setting .5, meaning the valve is virtually completely open, to the first step up 1.0 which will force him to circulate some of the spinal fluid on his own. They said he shouldn't notice the difference and that we should only be able to tell by noticing his fontanels a bit more full. 

Dr. Walker with neurodevelopment has seen Tucker since he was in the NICU.  He checked out Tucker and was very pleased with his progress. We let him know about him peeing on his own and us not needing to cath him but only twice a day. He informed us that he actually isn't voiding on his own, but that he is leaking. He explained that all sb kids are either leakers, or blockers.  Blockers are those that must be catheterized because they are unable to release urine on their own, and leakers meaning they release when they need to but are unable to control their voiding or even know that they are going. We were hoping there was a slim chance that he was voiding on his own, but he was certain that Tucker is a leaker. He said that this is the better of the two because Tucker will be able to manage his diet and take medication to help manage his bowel and bladder.  He was very happy with the movement in his legs and is predicting he will need some right foot/ankle support with a brace of some sort. But he said that walking will be his way of moving around.

Tucker took a VCUG to see if he has kidney reflux. Kidney reflux is where urine gets backed up in your bladder and makes its way up to your kidney causing things like infections. This is common in people with sb. The results were great, he does not have kidney reflux! One less thing to worry about. Overall, everyone was thrilled with Tuckers progress. He impressed everyone with his abilities and his striking good looks.