First I will meet with a pediatric otolaryngologist (a really specialized ENT doctor) to discuss the scoping of Handsome's airway to check for structural abnormalities. We don't think this is a problem, but we need to cover this base just in case.Next we will be scheduled at the hospital for all the testing to take place at once under anesthesia. He will be scoped (a camera) by the otolaryngologist. Then a GI surgeon will do an endoscopy (a different kind of camera) down his esophagus and into his tummy--checking for inflammation, thickening, and other abnormalities. The GI surgeon also will take some biopsies (teeny tiny ones--as small as a pinhead) of Handsome's tummy.
He'll also place a pH probe down Handsome's nose and into his esophagus. Handsome will wear this probe for 24 hours (and be attached to a small portable computer) while it records his reflux incidents. Typically the probe is placed fairly far down the esophagus, but with Handsome it will be put much higher up because with him the really big concern is how often the reflux is coming up to the point where he can aspirate it into his lungs.
Finally he'll have a 40 minute MRI without contrast done of his brain. This will be done to (hopefully!) rule out the possibility of Chiari Malformation.
After all of this (which will be about 3 hours under anesthesia), Handsome and I will stay in the hospital for 24 hours while the pH probe is taking place. Mainly we'll be there in case he pulls the probe out--other than that, there really isn't a medical reason for us to be in the hospital.All of this should be completed in the next four weeks, hopefully less. They're moving him up the MRI list quite a bit because of the possibility of Chiari. Getting all of this testing done will, we hope, give us a direction to go in with Handsome's treatment. There are a lot of possibilities for what is going on with him. Chiari (especially in light of his swallowing problems) is a possibility. It's also possible that he has a severe allergy to something he's eating and his body is trying to get rid of it--we'll be able to tell that via the biopsies and by the endoscopy.
Another possibility is fundoplication surgery. This is when part of the upper part of the stomach is wrapped around the lower part of the esophagus--it tightens up the end of the esophagus so that food can still get through, but reflux can't come up.
So, there is a LOT going on here. Even though I don't have answers yet, I do like having a plan in place.
6 comments:
It probably does feel so good to have a plan. I'm glad your appt went well. Let us know when he is going in to have all these tests and we will be praying!
I wish you the best of luck! I hope you are able to find some answers after this is all done. My prayers will be with you both.
So many prayers that the tests offer answers !
I came by from No Time for Flash Cards - the link to your puzzle post. (Great idea!)
You have a beautiful blog, and wonderful ideas! This post immediately caught my attention because we have spent a LOT of time in the GI ward of our Children's hospital in the past 2 years with our now 26 month old. Totally different reasons & conditions, but still... I know the kind of place you are talking about! I pray that your son's results will lead to a simple explanation with simple solutions! :)
Oh, I hope that they are able to find out what is making your son not feel so well! When our son was younger, he was really sick, and our pediatrician and Children's Hospital ran so many (scary!) tests. When it was all over, we knew he needed his tonsils and adenoids removed, and that he was lactose intolerant. It is amazing that being lactose intolerant could make him THAT sick, but boy, we were relieved it wasn't something devastating! I am praying that it will be something "simple" and very manageable for you and your family! I know how scary it can be when your child is sick. :( You are truly in my thoughts and prayers!
I hope that you receive some answers from the tests. I will be praying for you. :)
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