Update on Avery

As most of you know, Avery has been having bowel and bladder problems over the past 10 months. She initially contracted a parasite last Christmas break which seemed to be resolved by the end of spring. Unfortunately, during that time, she began to have some problems staying dry. The problem as become progressively worse since arriving here in Doha.

We found an American trained doctor here who I really like. She ran another stool test which thank goodness came back clean and free of parasites. We have tested for a urinary tract infection (also negative). Avery then had an ultrasound of her bladder, kidneys, colon, etc. We have found that she isn't able to empty her bladder when she pees. She has 50% of her urine left in the bladder after she goes. Therefore, 5 min later she needs to go again. We aren't sure why this has happened and further testing is needed. I spoke with our Florida pediatrician and we will get some testing and a visit with a pediatric urologist while we are they for Christmas.

The ultrasound also showed that she is a bit constipated even though she goes every day so we are working on that now.

To further complicate things, she also is having bladder spasms in which her bladder contracts at times when Avery isn't trying to urinate causing her to scissor her legs and try to prevent the urine from leaking out. She isn't able to because it is like squeezing a water balloon while trying to pinch the end where the water comes out. If you squeeze very hard, water will leak through where you are pinching. She is going through 8-10 pairs of underwear per day because of this leaking. The treatment for this is contraindicated if you also have the bladder emptying problem. We will find out more when we see the specialist in December.

I feel so bad for her because for so long we thought she just wasn't taking the time out from playing to go and we now find out that she has no control over the problems she is having at all.

Despite all this, she is happy and having fun here in Doha. She loves school and is doing pretty well staying dry there if they take her to the bathroom every 30 minutes. (Usually only needs to change once while at school). Love this girl!!!