Monday, May 18, 2009
Wait and C
After speaking with Dr. Nikki a couple of times this morning it looks like there is no cause for alarm, maybe just some concern (but that's just part of parenting). She spoke with a urologist and they agreed that since he's not in any pain and because the lump isn't always present (and there is no other symptoms) that there's nothing to be done at the moment. So we're just supposed to keep an eye on it and let our doctor know if we see it again. If it gets worse or other symptoms appear, we're supposed to take him back to the pediatric ER. She also said that the urologist confirmed that this is not uncommon and is most likely something that will correct itself with a little time. Thanks, everyone, for your thoughts and prayers! We'll be sure to update if anything changes, but for now he is happy and healthy and we're pretty good with that.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
C's Manhood Saga
A few nights ago, while changing C's diaper, J noticed a lump in C's sac. It didn't seem to be causing him any pain, was about the size of a pea, firm and we were able to move it around a bit. We were really freaked out, but it seemed to have disappeared by his next diaper change. Better safe than sorry, so T called and made an appointment with the pediatrician the following day. Even though we had yet to see or feel the lump again, Dr. Nikki said she definitely felt something. She had a couple of ideas about what it might be, but she was mostly concerned that it could be testicular torsion (where the testes mysteriously flip around on themselves) and that can be very serious, requiring immediate surgery.
So she sent us over to the pediatric ER at Stanford because that was the quickest way to get an ultrasound done. She had hoped there would be a pediatric urologist on duty, because she said it was important we see someone used to dealing with young children, but even without a P.U. on duty Stanford was our best next course of action. We spent about four or five hours there, two of which were in radiology trying to get good images of his baby boy bits. The technician was having a hard time and had to bring in an attending to go over the tests with her, and they basically found nothing; no masses and good blood flow. The ER doc said there was no torsion and, evidently, not masses so since he wasn't in any pain (no swelling or redness even) that this wasn't an emergent situation. She sent us home with instructions to see our pediatrician no later than Monday (this was Friday) and to return to the ER immediately if it became painful, red or swollen. She mentioned the possibility of a hernia, but the whole thing was pretty vague.
Dr. Nikki called us at home today to check up on C, we told her what happened in the ER and that we had seen the lump once more while changing his diaper but that it disappeared again when he started squirming. She had no comment at the mention of a possible hernia, just that it was a relief to find no masses. She told T that if the lump wasn't visible Monday morning that it wasn't any use bringing him in to her office and that she will most likely be referring us to a pediatric urologist (she actually used the word "surgeon's" which really has T freaked out). We have an appointment for Monday morning, but unless its visible at that time, we'll just be calling and getting a referral rather than taking him in to the office.
We'll keep the blog posted with up to the minute information, but at this point we know nothing and are not sure when we'll get in to see the specialist. C is acting completely normal and seems to be in no pain, he's as happy as ever. We're going to the zoo tomorrow and trying not to worry too much about it right now. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers, though, we can certainly use it right now.
So she sent us over to the pediatric ER at Stanford because that was the quickest way to get an ultrasound done. She had hoped there would be a pediatric urologist on duty, because she said it was important we see someone used to dealing with young children, but even without a P.U. on duty Stanford was our best next course of action. We spent about four or five hours there, two of which were in radiology trying to get good images of his baby boy bits. The technician was having a hard time and had to bring in an attending to go over the tests with her, and they basically found nothing; no masses and good blood flow. The ER doc said there was no torsion and, evidently, not masses so since he wasn't in any pain (no swelling or redness even) that this wasn't an emergent situation. She sent us home with instructions to see our pediatrician no later than Monday (this was Friday) and to return to the ER immediately if it became painful, red or swollen. She mentioned the possibility of a hernia, but the whole thing was pretty vague.
Dr. Nikki called us at home today to check up on C, we told her what happened in the ER and that we had seen the lump once more while changing his diaper but that it disappeared again when he started squirming. She had no comment at the mention of a possible hernia, just that it was a relief to find no masses. She told T that if the lump wasn't visible Monday morning that it wasn't any use bringing him in to her office and that she will most likely be referring us to a pediatric urologist (she actually used the word "surgeon's" which really has T freaked out). We have an appointment for Monday morning, but unless its visible at that time, we'll just be calling and getting a referral rather than taking him in to the office.
We'll keep the blog posted with up to the minute information, but at this point we know nothing and are not sure when we'll get in to see the specialist. C is acting completely normal and seems to be in no pain, he's as happy as ever. We're going to the zoo tomorrow and trying not to worry too much about it right now. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers, though, we can certainly use it right now.
Life's a Beach on Mother's Day
We spent the Saturday of Mother's Day weekend at the beach in Half Moon Bay, nothing like a little fun in the sun to warm a mother's heart. We were actually hoping it would be a little cooler at the beach, and it was cooler in the parking lot. But by the time we trekked down to the beach we quickly realized that the cliffs blocked the wind and and kept it pretty warm on the beach. It was a fair trade though to have a calm beach experience without wind blowing sand in our faces, the dog does enough kicking up sand to 
keep us on our toes. This was C's first official beach experience and he loved it! He spent the entire time happily playing with the sand and watching B and J build a castle. Well, J was attempting to build a castle and B was taking it down almost as quickly as he could build it. T, the sunscreen goddess, made sure that everyone was lathered down and covered up and well protected...everyone except herself that is. Somehow she managed to completely forget to put sunscreen
on herself and ended up with tomato red arms, neck and chest. And she managed to lose her shoes, so she hobbled back to the car a bit worse for the wear but happy none the less.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
The Six Month Mark
C's been on the planet a whole half a year now (a whole half, how's that for an oxymoron?) and its hard to remember the world without him. He's grown and changed so much in these past six months, its just incredible! We learned at his well-baby appointment that he's almost 16 lbs (15 lbs 14.5 oz) and 25 3/4 
in long (or tall, depending how you look at it). We're looking forward to him doubling his birth weight because that's when B really started giving us a break at night. Although we must keep reminding ourselves that they are different people, and C seems to need the attention that night feedings give him in addition to the nourishment. Dr. Niki was a little concerned at first because he keeps dropping down the growth chart (75th percentile at birth, 50th at four months and now down in the 25th percentile) but once we assured her that it was the same trajectory B took her first year, she said that it looked like he's just falling into the family growth pattern. Ahem...why did she just size us up? Plus, he's just started solids so he could put on weight a little more quickly now. He's eating peas, rice cereal, carrots, and summer veggies. We're trying to do all the vegetables before we introduce fruit. He still prefers milk mixed into his food for the time being.
He's sitting like a champ now and getting very close to crawling. He just started pulling himself up from a seated position to his knees. He's interested in everything and will not give up until he finds a way to investigate it. We just ordered him a new car seat, so his days in the baby carrier are numbered! Lately he's much preferred to see what's happening around him anyway, though, so he's been mostly in the ring sling on T's hip and occasionally in the stroller like a big boy. His favorite toys right now include toy pianos, blocks, board books and anything his sister is playing with at the moment. Recently he's discovered the joy
of Sandra Boynton, hopefully we've got another little book worm on our hands. So far he's only slept in his crib for a few naps, but we're hoping that changes very soon as he's outgrowing his co-sleeper. He's becoming more and more vocal, but he can be intensely quiet for long periods when he's concentrating. He loves to be sung to (especially songs from Yo Gabba Gabba) and adores Rhys (so far its mostly and unrequited love).
*Oh! And he's giving kisses now. How could we have forgotten that sweet development?
in long (or tall, depending how you look at it). We're looking forward to him doubling his birth weight because that's when B really started giving us a break at night. Although we must keep reminding ourselves that they are different people, and C seems to need the attention that night feedings give him in addition to the nourishment. Dr. Niki was a little concerned at first because he keeps dropping down the growth chart (75th percentile at birth, 50th at four months and now down in the 25th percentile) but once we assured her that it was the same trajectory B took her first year, she said that it looked like he's just falling into the family growth pattern. Ahem...why did she just size us up? Plus, he's just started solids so he could put on weight a little more quickly now. He's eating peas, rice cereal, carrots, and summer veggies. We're trying to do all the vegetables before we introduce fruit. He still prefers milk mixed into his food for the time being.He's sitting like a champ now and getting very close to crawling. He just started pulling himself up from a seated position to his knees. He's interested in everything and will not give up until he finds a way to investigate it. We just ordered him a new car seat, so his days in the baby carrier are numbered! Lately he's much preferred to see what's happening around him anyway, though, so he's been mostly in the ring sling on T's hip and occasionally in the stroller like a big boy. His favorite toys right now include toy pianos, blocks, board books and anything his sister is playing with at the moment. Recently he's discovered the joy
of Sandra Boynton, hopefully we've got another little book worm on our hands. So far he's only slept in his crib for a few naps, but we're hoping that changes very soon as he's outgrowing his co-sleeper. He's becoming more and more vocal, but he can be intensely quiet for long periods when he's concentrating. He loves to be sung to (especially songs from Yo Gabba Gabba) and adores Rhys (so far its mostly and unrequited love).*Oh! And he's giving kisses now. How could we have forgotten that sweet development?
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