Results

After almost two weeks and multiple nagging calls to the Pediatrician's office, we finally got Carina's blood work results. The doctor had ordered a battery of tests at her 15 month appointment due to her not gaining weight and generally not wanting to eat.

Everything was normal except her CO2 level was low. Coupled with her lack of growth, the doctor suspects something called Renal Tubular Acidosis. It is a condition in which the kidneys fail to properly acidify urine, resulting in an accumulation of acid in the body. It's rare, but very easily treatable, thank goodness.

What's next? More blood work, a urine sample (which apparently involves taping a bag to her lady parts?), and a kidney ultrasound. The thought of putting her through more tests is making me cry, even though I know it's what's best for her, and necessary. If left untreated, it can lead to growth retardation, rickets, bone disease, kidney stones, and/or eventually renal failure.

What? More tests? :(

At this point I'm not sure for what I am hoping. I obviously don't want anything to be wrong with her, but if this is what she has, it explains the feeding problems and stunted growth we have been experiencing for months now. And according to some of the literature I am reading (I know, I know...I shouldn't have Googled), it is very easily treated with Sodium Bicarbonate and half of the cases even go away on their own before children reach Kindergarten. If the tests come back negative, though, then we're back to square one.

::sigh::

Any prayers or positive thoughts would be much appreciated. I just can't stop crying at the thought of my poor little peanut being sick.