This little kidney went to market, this little kidney stayed home

It's probably wrong to make some sort of play on words about this, right?  Humor will see me through, possibly, and at least I didn't ask if you were kidneying me.  Badumpbum.

So I had my third Level II ultrasound yesterday, followed by a consult with some sort of OB/GYN ultrasound reading specialist who was able to give me every bit of non-case particular information that Dr. Google gave me while I was in panic mode on Thursday night. 

The good news is that my baby girl has two fully formed kidneys, and truthfully that is the best way to start.  The worst case scenario in my mind was to hear that one hadn't really formed and then I would forever have to listen to the terribly non-comforting advice that I'd already been hearing for five days: that people live all the time on one kidney.  (And really, I know it was said in ways meant to provide comfort (by more than ten but less than seven thousand people) but thinking about my baby girl starting her little life with only one of a Particularly Useful Organ was quite scary, and we do not often say to people with one leg that at least they've still got the other.  So of course I'd already begun thinking of ways to store her umbilical cord blood or give her one of my kidneys, wrapped in a pretty pink polka dot bow.)  (And then, OH GOD, my brain went all Steel Magnolias where M'Lynn did give one of hers and then poor Shelby with the new cute haircut didn't make it after all, oh my precious daughter.)

(Moving on, I'm getting weepy again.)

(Here, hit this!  We'll make t-shirts!  They'll say Take a whack at Ouizer!)

The bad news is that one of those two fully formed kidneys is not functioning properly.  The bad kidney is approximately ten times the size of the good one, full of fluid that it refuses to release.  The doctor we visited with yesterday was unable to tell what the exact problem was, whether it was some sort of obstruction or something else, but he said that this was something that would be fully assessed within the first twenty-four hours after her birth, and whether it would result in surgery and/or something else will remain a mystery until she arrives.

I was also instructed to consult with the pediatrician that will be present at her birth since he or she will be the one assessing along with whatever pediatric urologist is brought on board.  This part of the conversation sort of sent my brain into a tailspin, since our current pediatric office does not have privileges at the hospital I was set to deliver at.  We went this very same route with Jack, who had no issues with any of his organs, and I hated the on-call doctor who saw him for those first four days.  He was very pushy, very know-it-all, and very insistent that it was his way or the highway.  (Threaten me to get my baby to eat so much or have him put on a feeding tube my ass, fool.)  That, of course, does not mean we will get the same doctor for Marin, but the possibility does exist that we could get him or someone like him, who is not such a believer of intelligent, intuitive parents making decisions in the best interest of their children. 

(Don't get me started there, I could go on ALL DAMN DAY.)

So in wracking my brain yesterday afternoon, I realized that if I simply changed hospitals, changed pediatricians, changed everything with my insurance company, got my OB to finally set a c-section date in stone and looked up my own urologist, this situation would be much more work-able in my mind.  (Easy peasy, right?) 

Back when KJ was born we had a wonderful pediatrician who worked closely with the other hospital my OB delivers at.  Unfortunately, she had left the practice when KJ was three and we ended up picking a new doctor for the boys.  Fortunately, I heard about a year ago that she'd returned to that practice and should now be waiting with open arms to assess my new baby and send her to the best kidney doctor Chicago has to offer, should we return to her. 

And we will.  Because I did call every hospital and doctor and their brothers this morning, rearranged everything with my insurance company and set everything up so that someone I know and trust can look at my baby.  Ends of the Earth I tell you, this child will be fine.  I realize that I have very little control over what is happening within my womb right now, but I do have choices about what will happen once Marin is born and the ball begins rolling, and I am thankful for that. 

That, and for the miracle of modern medicine where we can see an issue before we even see the baby, and be ready and waiting to fix it.

I see my OB next week for my thirty-four week visit where he WILL set my date with me, sohelpme.  And then I will go on researching pediatric urologists like I'm starring in the latest medical reality tv show, except instead of the terribly charming, ultra romantic hot and steamy Bachelor, I'll be gunning for The Urologist.  You don't have to tell me how I'm grabbing the interest of television networks everywhere.  I know.

Comments

[SSU]

Glad the kidney exists and you figured out the pediatrician thing! Praying that it all fixes itself before she is born. If that doesn't happen, then praying that they can fix it easily after she is born.

[SJ]

I'm glad to hear that you are prepared, and educated and doing what you need to do now to get things taken care of as soon as little Marin is born.

And really, I wouldn't expect anything different out of you! You're a gem of a Mom.

I'll be thinking about you and your womb and sending good kidney vibes until the next step occurs.

[Christina]

Way to go super proactive Mom on that kidney! I am so sorry that you are having to deal with this at all, I wish you luck with your nerves for the next few weeks.

[BetteJo]

I have no doubt that with your considerable will and organizing skills you will have everything ready and in order when Marin arrives. If sheer determination could protect her - nothing would ever go wrong with you as her Mommy.

Whatever comes - you will deal with and everything will turn out wonderfully. I believe that.

[Stacey]

Ditto to the comments above me. Sending prayers and well wishes to you and baby Marin!

[Cindy]

Hey Moll~

Sorry I have been out of the loop with the kideny issue. I sure hope things work themselves out before she is born.
I am glad to see that you are doing your research now. you will be so prepared for when she finally arrives!

We are in NJ and fighting our own battles with Carson. She has had a temp of 104 (without meds) and 102 (with meds) for 4 days now. Not sure whats going on with her. We just know she is sick.

We are somewhat racing against the clock. She needs to be healthy for 2 weeks prior to surgery. UGH!!!

Stress , stress, and more stress!

[crookedeyebrow]

I have been thinking about you and Marlin for days. Something tells me you, Marlin and the boys will handle what ever comes your way.

You are all in my thoughts.

[Megryansmom]

Sending prayers for Marin (I love that name)

[Frema]

OK, first I have to say that Shelby's new hair cut was not cute AT ALL, and it's a damn shame her hottie (yet selfish for wanting her to carry a baby) husband had to see her that way in the last few months of her life.

Also, I love you more than my luggage.

I am very glad to hear Marin is two for two in the kidney department and that you lined up medical care you are happy with.

Maybe you can enjoy a pedicure at Truvy's sometime before the baby is born?

[ann]

Gotta agree with Frema. Shelby's husband was a jackass!

How great is technology that you are able to learn this before Marin's birth and line up the necessary doctors to help her. I hope everything works out just fine.

[Deb]

Honey, my niece had a problem with her kidney when she was born but we didn't find out until she was 11 mo old, at least you are going in knowing there is a possible issue and will get it taken care of right away. With my niece, one of her kidneys had two ureters (the little tubes that come off of the kidney and take the urine out) and while it is not uncommon for people to have two of them on one kidney, hers were twisted together which was causing the blockage. She is a happy, healthy 7 year old now so try not to worry! It will be OK! (((hugs)))

[Parsing Nonsense]

You go, girl! I love your attitude and willingness to do what it takes to help your little girl. Good luck!

[Becky]

Knowledge is empowering! Look at teh bright side.. you found out know there may be a problem and you are able to move heaven and earth to make sure the RIGHT doctors are at your side when you deliver her and she can get the top rate care she deserved immediately. Saying a prayer that maybe it is just a kidney stone and it will have passed by the time she is born! Wouldn't that be nice! Just remember everything happens for a reason.. we just don't always know what it is right away...

[erica]

Sending {{hugs}} prayers, good mojo and thoughts your way. Sounds like you are moving heaven and earth to be prepared for little Marins arrival. I'd say you have 3 very lucky kiddos!

[Rachel]

Glad to hear that she has both and they are fully formed. I am also so (again) amazed by you. You seem so calm and on top of this. How could Marin be anything but ok, with mommy gunning for nothing but the best possible care!

I will be thinking and praying for you all and cannot wait to hear when the big day is!

[HollowSquirrel]

You do this all with two active boys. You're an amazing woman and your children (inside and out) are incredibly lucky. LOVE YOU and will keep my Health Kidney prayers going for baby Marin!

[liz]

what stacy just said.

i so admire your no nonsense approach to everything. while i would likely spend days (weeks? months?) on the couch woe-is-me'ing, you've already done the research, contacted/dealt with insurance companies and found new care providers. damn, girl. PLEASE BOTTLE SOME OF THIS GUMPTION.

sending love and more healthy kidney prayers for you and baby marin...

[Hilary]

I was thinking about Steel Magnolias when you were "joking" about this in your title. Remember when they joke about it before they go to the hospital and they are playing Go Fish and someone asks M'Lynn for all her kidneys and it pisses the dad off. So, they ask him if he wants to watch a movie, "A Tale of Two Kidneys".
Okay, enough.
The best thing I can tell you is that you are in my prayers....an you are, all of you.

[Amy W]

I'm glad you were able to get the doctor and hospital and everything else worked out.

And from now until your soon to be scheduled C-section, I will be saying an extra prayer for Baby Marin.

[Jen L.]

Yay, 2 kidneys! Kidneys hit home hard in my family, as my mom and I both have polycystic kidney disease, so I'm glad Miss Marin has 2 and they will be able to fix her up once she's outta you. Lots of prayers going your way.
Now fix yourself some cuppa-cuppa-cuppa and relax. (You and Frema used all my favorite references, so that's what was left.;) )

[CPA Mom]

Dang, I've missed a lot. I just caught up (last read your stroller post) and I just wanted to say you are in my prayers Molly, you and baby Marin. You continue to knock my socks off with your composure, your courage and your grace under fire. If this happened to me, I'd be running around like a chicken with my head cut off. (((hugs))) to you. And if Baby Marin needs a kidney, I'm O negative. Yes, I'm serious (but not sure if babies can take adult kidneys?)