Test Day

Julia had her anorectal manometry test this morning.  Let me just say it is about as fun as it sounds. Let's just say all this did not stay on the tray.

Julia was a wonderful sport about the whole thing.  She happily went off to the hospital this morning.  We talked on the way there about what was going to happen.  The nurse, Candice, that did the test was great with her.  She didn't have any anxiety about the procedure.  They did a variety of tests to test pressures and muscle tone using sensors, air pressure, and saline.  The read out on the computer looks something like an EKG.  From what we were seeing on the screen it appears she has some level of sensation which is a good sign.  Julia had her pack of dogs along to keep her company... 

And when we needed some distraction, the two men hanging on the windows did the trick.  I never thought about it before, but the windows need to be washed somehow.

Julia was a wonderful patient and cooperated with everything asked of her.  She could not have been better.  Candice brought her a prize from the treasure box and apparently she knows her well already.  Animals are definitely the way to this girl's heart. She adores her new mommy and baby sheep!

The study will now be reviewed by one of the GI motility doctors and he will tell us what all the results mean and what needs to be done next.  I had to call after we left to make an appointment with them.  The conversation was interesting because Julia has not been seen by these doctors already which isn't the way this usually happens.  After some back and forth, she was given an appointment on September 23rd.  It seems far away, but with a typical six month wait for these docs, 25 days isn't too long in the grand scheme of things.  So in the meantime we will continue winging it and doing what we can to help her along.  We are continuing to pray for healing.  We have seen some small glimmers of hope the past few days that made us wonder if she wasn't gaining some control- possibly? a tiny bit? It is very hard to tell.  At this point any step, no matter how small is an answered prayer. So now we wait until Thursday for her next two appointments.

Thank you all for the continued prayers for our family.  It truly carries us.  We have felt it from the very first moments of this cancer journey.  When our situation is being covered in the prayers of many, we feel a peace that cannot be explained and a sense of calm in the eye of the storm.  We know the battles are raging on around us, but we are enjoying this moment to catch our breath.