Results: Upside--His kidneys and bladder pressures are good. He bladder actually held a ton more liquid this time than his last study. His kidneys are safe and his bladder is wonderfully shaped for a child with SB. Dr. Ross said she doesn't plan on repeating this study unless he begins to develop infections or he is interested in being dry.
Downside--Although the bladder is healthy and can hold lots of liquid, it doesn't squeeze it all out at one time. His sphincter muscle, which is suppose to be tight and hold in your urine, is weak so he can't hold a full bladder from leaking. Therefore it is unlikely that he will be able to be potty trained. Catheterizing will take out all the urine but as the bladder begins to fill back up, the sphincter will continuously allow it to leak. Therefore he will not be dry between catheterizing. Catheterization will not be beneficial for him right now because of the weak sphincter muscle. Dr. Ross said as he gets older we might try it and see what happens. She mentioned different ways to keep him dry-a urinary sling, an artificial urinary sphincter or catheterizing through a mitrofanoff-but these are things we will discuss further when he is older. (all surgical procedures) She also mentioned trying physical therapy to strengthen the sphincter when he gets old enough to understand. Then maybe he could get by with cathing and a pad instead of a diaper. So for now we are going to continue in diapers. Which is just fine with us. Although he can't use the bathroom like other people, it certainly doesn't make him any LESS of a person. He is God's masterpiece. He is fearfully and wonderfully made and we love him just the perfect way he is!!
