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From: KeithB
Date: Wed Jun 29 23:25:47 MST 2005
Subject: Anna

Responses
KeithB: Update (6/30/05)

derek: fond memories (7/1/05)
KeithB: More update (7/1/05)

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KeithB: More update (7/1/05)
derek: fond memories (7/1/05)
KeithB: Update (6/30/05)

Julie and I want to let folks know about a medical "unknown" in Anna's life at the moment.
As many of you know, several months ago Anna was found to be iron deficient. A round of iron supplements seemingly fixed the problem in January 05, but recent blood work showed that the problem has recurred. Her pediatrician conducted further lab tests and has found that Anna is bleeding from an unknown source internally.
Anna saw a pediatric gastroenterologist last week. He said that indications are the blood source is most likely in the upper GI tract (stomach or upper part of small intestine). However, the only way to know for sure is to take a look inside. He therefore scheduled Anna for an upper GI scope procedure to try and find the problem.
THIS IS SCHEDULED FOR TOMORROW, THURSDAY, JUNE 30 @ 1:00pm.
This is the "scope down the throat" version... If they don't find what they're looking for in this procedure, they'll have to schedule her for the colonoscopy version another time... We're hoping for them to find something tomorrow!!!
Anna will be under general anesthesia (probably using gas, although there is a very small chance that she will require IV drugs instead due to her size) and the actual scope procedure will take just 5 or 10 minutes.
Please hold Anna, her parents and her doctors up in prayer. Specifically, pray for healing of the tear or cut or whatever is causing the bleeding. Also, that she will do well during the procedure -- and the same for her doctors!
Keith & Julie

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From: KeithB
Date: Thu Jun 30 16:04:58 MST 2005
Subject: Update

Anna's test went well this afternoon. She is now (3:15pm) taking a nap and is intent on playing with Kelly later this afternoon.
The doctor says he confirmed that Anna has gastritis, an inflammation in the tissues of her stomach wall and upper small intestine. There are also lesions around the inflammation caused by acid, which irritates the gastritis and prevents it from healing. The gastritis may be caused by bacteria, which would be treatable by antibiotics. The doc sent a specimen to the lab to check for that. He also put Anna on Prevacid to try and get rid of the acid, which will in turn (hopefully) provide an opportunity for healing.
The doctor also said that the lesions are probably the cause of the bleeding -- even though it could very well be a microscopic amount of bleeding, if it's happening 24 hrs per day it eventually adds up...
This is good news! While there is a chance that there are more problems elsewhere in Anna's GI tract, we're hoping that treating this gastritis will clear her up. Thanks for those who said a prayer on her behalf.
Kb

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From: derek
Date: Thu Jun 30 20:22:13 MST 2005
Subject: fond memories

Ah, yes, the memories. The best part of that test, besides having to do it twice "just to be sure," was I wasn't properly medicated. Nothing like a tube shoved down your throat while feeling the whole thing. . . Anyway, how is Anna doing with all of this? Seems like it could be upsetting for her. Good to hear they have some leads. I think maybe some ice cream could help with the recovery process. . . It's just my personal medical opinion.

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From: KeithB
Date: Thu Jun 30 22:05:27 MST 2005
Subject: More update

Yeah, we had the same idea -- we stopped on the way home and got two gallons of ice cream... It is being consumed as I type...
We prepped Anna pretty well for the whole thing -- minus the small detail of having a tube down her throat -- and she handled it quite well. We figured since she was going to be asleep for the tube, there was no good purpose in adding a reason for her to stress out... She was a bit shy at first about talking with the nurse that was tending to her, but the stuffed turtle and numerous Dora stickers took care of that right quickly. Of course, the anesthesiologist comes in and blows it all to hell... He was this 60+ grandpa who took excruciating pains to assure us of the safety of the procedure... He explained to Anna she might have a sore throat from the tube. She didn't bat an eye, though, and was in good spirits when she went back with them.
Afterward she had a squad of nurses surrounding her calling her "princess" and "beautiful" (sort of like I do all the time) and trying to get her to wake up. She came around, and said "it felt like nothing happened!" then demanded ice cream. So ice cream there was. She laid down on our bed when we got home and ended up napping for at least an hour and a half. Kelly came over to hang out and help Anna get back to normal. She brought a stuffed kitty to assist in the matter. It worked, and all is well.......
Thanks for asking.
Kb

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