Would you think of Em on Tuesday?

[PaulaScott]

Emily is going to Cardinal Glennon on Tuesday for a barium enema. The GI thinks that it is possible that she may have a vaginal-rectal fistula, It's basically a rare connector between the vagina and the rectum. We've been having trouble for sometime where it appears that when Em has a BM, she poops from both areas. We are not sure if the BM is being forced into the vagina from the outside due to the explosive nature of her movements, or if whether it is actually coming from the inside. It appears to be quite painful and it doesn't always happen (seems to depend upon her position at the time of the BM). So we are doing the barium enema to find out what is going on.

I have to work the night until midnight before and she has to be there at 8 am, so I'm not sure if I will be taking her or if dh will. I know that if dh does, he'll forget something. I think I'll take her.

I'm not even sure what to hope for. I'd really like this resolved. Every dirty diaper is miserable.

Thank you!

[Guitarmom]

I sure hope you can get answers! The prep for this can be tough for an adult so I am sure it will be hard for her (and you) Best wishes as you go!!


Praying that you get to the answers with this!

Ginny

[mumtosarahlou]

My goodness, these kiddos keep us hopping! I hope there is no fistula and that things go smoothly on tuesday.

[Nick,Brian,andJon'sMom]

Sending prayers up for Em.

Marcie

[MikesMom]

Wishing everybody a good day on Tuesday - that Emily is able to tolerate the tests, that the medical staff are caring, patient, knowledgeable and kind, and that you get some answers and peace of mind.
Jeanette

[PaulaScott]

Thank you all very, very much.

The procedure was nasty, literally, but the results were that she is normal and no fistula, so no surgery, thank goodness. Of course, it still leaves us with the problem that she is getting poop in places that poop should not go, but there is nothing wrong with her.

PSA, should your child ever need a barium enema, take an extra set of clothing for yourself. 'Nuff said.

[mybaboo]

Well, I'm glad the results were normal....sorry it was so nasty!

Molly has had similar issues to the point that the nurses at her special needs daycare called us about it twice last week. We're pretty sure that its related to how she's sitting and that the poop kinda works its way into her vagina from the outside. Especially since the episodes they called about were not when they changed the poopy diaper, but the next diaper. I also suspect that some of the aids just aren't cleaning her well.

[kathleenandjoe]

Glad all went well overall.

Yuck though. Sorry.

[PaulaScott]

Especially since the episodes they called about were not when they changed the poopy diaper, but the next diaper. I also suspect that some of the aids just aren't cleaning her well.

See, what made me wonder if it wasn't something internal is that I knew that I *was* cleaning her well, and still it happened later. I've actually seen stuff pour from her vagina after I'd cleaned her up. I just didn't know how it got there. Now it seem that it is working it's way in from the outside. I don't know how to fix this problem without putting her in danger of being constipated.

Oh, I forgot to mention that when we got to the hospital, we found that our appointment had been canceled with no explanation and rescheduled for tomorrow. While I'm running various rescheduling ideas in my head (my husband had taken the day off to care for Mary while I rearranged my schedule so I didn't have to work tonight), the lady at the desk looked for a while, then said "I don't know who did this or why, so we're going to do it anyway!" And so we did. Yeah for people who do understand what we go through to deal with all this.

[wheeliebird]

Glad it went well but poor Em, she must be so miserable!!! Sending her some {{{HUGS}}}!!!

[RathyKay]

Glad to hear there's no fistula! Sorry for the unfun experience though. Glad you're home and in fresh clothes. (Shower, too?;))

[Donna Thomson]

Hi Paula,

I know this is a very dramatic thought and maybe completely unthinkable/ridiculous, etc. but what about doing colonic irrigation, sort of like some people choose to have so they never actually have to worry about bms? You would just keep Em "irrigated", I gather these things get the contents of your intestines from quite high up. Alternatively, what about some kind of shield for the vagina? Perhaps people who deal with actual fistula have something they use? Foeces in the vagina is not healthy and I'm thinking could cause infection.

I know a doctor (family friend) who does a lot of work on fistula for women in Africa. Want me to ask him?

Thanks, Donna