Update 9-16-08

Things are fairly normal here in Dallas. We got a late start to the day, due to being up so late with Annabel. I thought she looked better than the days before so it was such beautiful, cool weather I thought we would venture out to the outlet malls so the older girls could hang out. We had lunch at our favorite, La Madelines!
Off to the outlet mall. Annabel ate her lunch well and then I began to feed her with her tube and she increasing became uncomfortable. By 4 p.m. she didn't want to be held and was very sore and had a huge belly. I called Dr. Prause out pediatrician. Can you believe through all that is going on in Beaumont, he answers personally. I explained what was going on with her and we both thought it could be an obstruction or blockage of some sort. After all, just last week she had a UTI infection and was on her second antibiotic with in 8 days. Of course, it couldn't be that!
Well after some xrays, urine test and some lab work, they found that she has a very ugly UTI (that is what the dr. called it). They said the xrays showed her to have a very distended bladder (funny since she had wet two diapers in ER waiting room and has wet the xray and the table prior to taking the xray). I thought that is crazy that is could be so distended. After four different people thinking that they could get blood, they resorted to drawing out of her finger. Of course, I asked this after the second person tried to get blood out of her arms, foot etc. They said no, had to be out of vein. She showed to be anemic and has some other levels off and we need to have these address as soon as we return home.
The dr. gave her a big shot of Rocephin. This shot has always worked great by the next day when given to her at the hospital. Also, Dr. Prause gives it to her to keep her out if possible. We will now get a 3rd antibiotic in 9 days tomorrow morning.
All this said, I started wondering if we were going to be able to continue the potty. She is obviously not emptying her bladder when going on the potty. We have been told that her bladder is so stretched out from never being able to totally empty it and that what doesn't empty is a breeding ground for infection.
I don't mind cathing her, but she is always so proud of herself when she potty's. I loved how happy it makes her and she knew she was doing something really good! For now, I will have to go back to cathing on a very regular basis. It is really not good for her tissue to continue to do this. The other option is the surgery that they put her tube to just drain out constantly in her diaper. She would never be able to potty train. I guess since I know she has that potential, it breaks my heart to consider that option.
This was so long, just to say UTi infection again!
As of today, we don't know when we will have power. Entergy is showing an estimate that all of our town should be restored by 10/6/08. After Rita, we were the very last to be turned on, don't know if that will be the same. I guess it is where your grid is located. It is easy to be patient, when we know if we return we just stop the progress for everyone. Knowing that the water is no safe is enought to stay away with Annabel. All the older kids are doing great and of course, excited about no school.
Saying thank you to all of the workers, emergency personel, national guard and all others working each and everyday to bring us back as quickly as possible. Praying for all who had much damage, especially the ones who were displaced by Rita and again have to be displaced!