The Summer of Blessings

 

Just before the end of the 2010/2011 school year, not long before our conference to get him tested for learning disabilities, Donavon went through a few tests to look at his kidneys, bladder and urological functioning.  For those familiar with the testing, he had a VCUG and some ultrasounds.  Since Donavon was still having difficulty with UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections), Donavon’s pediatrician felt it was necessary to look deeper into the problem.  We are very grateful that he did.

He sent us to Riley Children’s Hospital (THE BEST children’s hospital in the world…BARR NONE!) to see a pediatric urologist there and be further tested.  Since we live about 2 hours away from Riley, we began to schedule the trips to Indianapolis, Indiana and make them all day events.  For the kids, it meant getting undivided attention for 2 hours up and 2 hours back.  Games, music, snacks and no distractions!  LoL… ROAD TRIP!!!

What they found on our first 7 hour visit, was that Donavon’s bladder was so full that there were fluid filled sacs on his bladder (kind of like overflow pouches) and that urine was traveling back up the ureters (tubes) into the kidneys.  This was causing infections and damage to the bladder, ureters, and kidneys.  He also had ballooning of his urethra and the opening of his penis was small.  What this all boils down to is Donavon would have to have surgery to correct this issue.  If it went uncorrected, Donavon may have had eventual kidney failure. 

So, in the midst of dealing with the school, we now had a very serious physical condition to bring our attentions to.  The last of the school year was difficult.  We had to “potty train” Donavon to sit a little bit longer and make sure his bladder was completely empty.  We had to make sure that he was going to the bathroom religiously, every two hours.  Plus, we had to make sure that his kidneys were being flushed out frequently.  So we made him drink 6 – 8 oz cups of water, every time he went to the restroom. 

In July, we began to gear up for more trips to Indy.  In the midst of it all, we were able to get Donavon tested, by the school district, to determine eligibility for an IEP or an Individualized Educational Plan/Program.  (I’ve heard it both ways.)  He did great and qualified for exactly what we knew he would.  He is not mentally retarded.  He is simply having difficulty grasping abstract concepts and new material.  At this point, they wanted to schedule his case conference for the week we were in Indianapolis for his surgery.  We politely told them that the date they chose would not be possible and put them on hold until after his surgery. 

**On a personal note, I felt like I was spinning at times.  The financial strain, having the twins with me at all times, and trying to juggle everything, was sometimes overwhelming (understatement of the year).  The ONLY thing that got me through this summer was God’s grace and mercy.  There were times that I seriously thought I was going insane!  I thought I would snap and lose it.  God always had someone there to support me, even if it was a simple encouragement message on Facebook.  Aside from what I have been writing about, there were personal issues, a church split, family issues, and financial issues lingering in the background that not many people were privy to.  BUT through it all, God has kept us, preserved us, and purified us.  We trust Him and know that, even though we’re still not finished, we will come out of it all as pure gold!  (Zechariah 13:9, NKJV)

August was finally upon us.  Registration for school and surgery scheduled for the week before school started.  The hardest part of enduring the summer was, knowing for two and a half months that this surgery was coming and having to just wait for it. 

TO BE CONTINUED…
(Next entry, THE MICACLES!!!)