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Since November 1, I have been to the doctor with Ava countless times because of her weight-loss.  As I blogged about before, the day we left for our Thanksgiving cruise her doc told us she "probably" has a UTI and he began treatment immediately with antibiotics.  After we got back and visited him in the office, we took more urine and scheduled a renal ultrasound and VCU because he wanted to rule out the UTI being caused by something structural.  Well, today we went in for the procedures.  The ultrasound showed her kidneys looked perfectly normal (they weren't damaged by any infections).  It was kind of comical seeing my 6 month old getting an ultrasound on her belly!  Didn't think I would see this for another 25+ years when she's pregnant! 

After the ultrasound, waiting on the dreaded VCU. 

The VCU (Voiding cystourethrogram) wasn't as light hearted.  Poor baby had to be catherized and while they assured me it wasn't painful for her, it was very unpleasant.  The radiologist informed us that she does have Vesicoureteral Reflux.  Basically, when her bladder is full, all of the urine does not empty out.  Some of it goes back up where it's not supposed to (very simplified, but you get the picture).  He said the severity ranges from 1-5 (5 being the highest), and she's a 2-3 (moderate). 

V-Reflux is actually quite common, and fortunately it usually fixes itself (in 60% of the cases).  As she grows, it should work itself out.  If not, there are simple procedures we can do to fix it, but that is a ways down the road.  For now, she has to stay on a low dose antibiotic to prevent future UTIs.

I know there are at least 2 more VCU's in our future... at least one more for Ava and 1 for a future baby.  V-Reflux is inherited so there's a 30-40% chance that future children will inherit the backwards AND forwards bladder (my wording, not the MDs). 

It's definitely NO fun to know there's something wrong inside of my sweet girl, but I'm thankful for thorough doctors, modern medicine, and the fact that this is something very minor.  Every year, the St. Jude commericals that say "give thanks for the healthy children in your life" nearly bring me to tears, and that was BEFORE I had my baby.  I am SO thankful for my healthy baby.  She's developing into such a smart, funny, sweet, amazing, INCREDIBLE girl. 

Now we can plow through the rest of the holidays with no big question mark!!