My son graduated from high school today.
It was 19 years ago that I found out I was pregnant. I have such great memories…the visit to the doctor confirming pregnancy, telling family, following the babies growth and experiencing every aspect of the pregnancy.
At 19 weeks the ultra sound showed that there were problems “severe hydronephrosis” surrounding the right and left kidneys. The problems continued to grow and the case became very complex. Dr. Linda Millard referred me to the University Hospital in Columbia, Mo. We went for ultra-sounds every 2 weeks and each week the news was worse. I was so scared. I remember at Christmas, 2 months before Alex was due, crying inconsolably on our couch, in front of our Christmas tree with Jim about the latest news from our doctor. Our doctor connected us with Dr. Lynn Teague, pediatric urologist at the University of MO. He was so gracious and interested in our case. He began receiving every ultra-sound tape and followed the case intensely. We saw him soon after birth. He performed several surgeries on Alex. At the time, one of the procedures was only performed there a few times each year – it was rare. We were so frightened. Did everything he said. He had a large family of his own and I remember once speaking with him on the phone at home and hearing his dog barking in the background intermingled with the sound of kids. I knew I was dealing with a doctor who was pro-life/family oriented. It gave me great relief knowing this. Alex’s condition caused him to need a “Vesicostomy” at 7 weeks. At the time this was unusual. Alex’s reflux was a 5 on the right and a 4 on the left…5 was the worse. The reflux was causing serious damage to his kidneys.
A vesicostomy was a hole made in the stomach that allowed the bladder to drain into the diaper directly. A nurse in the pediatric ICU say the tube coming from his stomach following surgery along with other apparatus and said, “I’ve got to read the chart on this one – not seen anything like that before.”
Alex could not be submerged in water for the first 2 years of life – no swimming, no baths. If the hole was too large the bladder could fall out. So the surgery was performed twice to insure the hole was the right size. Obviously he required special care.
Below is an article about Dr. Teague’s treatment for Alex that ran in the MU newsletter during that time.
At 18 weeks old, Alex’s ureter’s were severed and then reattached at a different spot on the bladder to force them to function properly. The vesicostomy was closed too. The procedure was 4 hours long. Jim and I were beside ourselves. When my sister, BK (Alex’s Godmother) arrived I jumped up and hugged her tight. Alex had a few bumps in the road but progressed well after the surgery.
Had Alex’s very severe reflux not been caught, he would have experienced Kidney failure before puberty.
Alex with Dr. Teague at his last visit.
Because of Dr. Teague’s very radical treatment. Alex after 18 years of seeing a kidney specialist (nephrologist and urologist), will see his last specialist this June. He’s being released because…
He’s fine.
His kidney function is not normal but it is stabilized at around 50% and has made it through the most risky time (puberty) where it was thought he may lose so much it may require intervention with dialysis or other sooner than later. Not the case.
Alex graduated from high school today.
Alex (on the right) after graduation with his friend Earl.
He is in the top third of his class and will be starting at a very competitive university this fall.
Dr. Linda Millard ordered the ultra sound, Dr. Hess took on the case and followed it in-utero and Dr. Lynn Teague fearlessly did things that were not considered the norm to make the difference in Alex’s life.
Thanks Dr. Lynn Teague who now resides in Greenville, SC. He’s the best and we are eternally grateful to him.
This week I’ve had to come to terms with the fact that Alex is grown and will be leaving home soon – taking care of himself. It’s been hard to let go – really struggled with it. Thanks to Dr. Teague though, I have a son to let go of and release into the world where I know he will change it for the better.
My son is my biggest blessing
It was divine providence that brought Dr. Teague into our lives and we’ll never forget him.
