Presently: But Wait, There’s More…
We took Nina to an Ear, Nose, Throat specialist this morning — as usual, Melissa beat me to the punch on updates, and I don’t really have the heart to say all this my own way at the moment, so here’s what she wrote:
Today Nina went to see an ear, nose, throat (ENT) specialist in hopes to undercover what has been causing her constant drippy nose. The appointment was definitely needed, but very hard on Daran and I as the list of issues for little Nina continues to grow.
The physician did a couple of tests on Nina to help determine the possible causes for her congestion and drippy nose. He used a scope to look down her nostrils and into her throat (which Nina did not like at all), as well as performed a routine tympanogram to check the fluid levels in her ears (because that’s just what ENTs like to do). The tympanogram did confirm that Nina has fluid in both ears, so a 3-week course of antibiotics was prescribed to help treat the ear infections. The scope procedure uncovered several issues.
Looking down into Nina’s throat, the physician noticed her voice box was red and raw suggesting Nina likely has reflux. Zantac was prescribed to treat that. Looking into her nostrils, it became clear that Nina’s right side is structurally blocked (with extra tissue/cartilage/something) and no air is getting through. This abnormality will require surgery to open the passage and is an inpatient procedure (at least one night in the hospital for recovery, but could be longer). A CT scan of Nina’s face will be performed to confirm the blockage before the surgery is schedule. This is not an urgent/immediate surgical need, but will happen soon (guessing sometime this summer). No specific dates have been discussed as the next step is the CT scan. The physician also stated that this blockage explains why the right side of Nina’s nose is constantly dripping. Since the mucus cannot go backward down the nasal passage, it has no choice but to slowly drip out. Sadly, the fact that her left (unblocked) nostril is also dripping constantly was a cause for concern.
Because of all the mucus present on Nina’s left (unblocked) side, and due to the fact that she has been coughing/choking a lot lately, the physician recommended that we have Nina tested for Cystic Fibrosis (CF). A sweat chloride test will be performed to rule out this diagnosis (and oh how we are praying that the test does rule this out). A referral coordinator at the ENT office will be scheduling both the CT scan and the test for CF. A follow-up appointment with the ENT physician has been scheduled for August 19 to discuss all of the test results and determine next steps.
Prayer requests:
Please pray for quick scheduling of the CT scan and sweat test, and that the results would come back conclusive (no gray areas) and in a timely manner (hoping we don’t have to wait until August 19 to learn results). Please also pray that CF is not the diagnosis for Nina. (I/we are dealing, as best we can, with all the other “treatable” issues, but CF really scares us.) Pray for wisdom and peace for Daran and I; knowing how best to care for Nina and advocate on her behalf with all the various care providers. I specifically pray that none of details of her health issues falls through the cracks, which could negatively affect outcomes of the “bigger” issues. Finally, please pray for big brother Ian–that he would continue to have quality one-on-one time with mom and dad and not feel “left out,” and that he won’t get scared by all the doctor/hospital visits that Nina’s been going to lately. (He has been so great and such a supportive big brother so far.)Blessings to each of you.
I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. Psalm 130:5
