Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Visit to the GI doctor

Let me start off by saying that I hate going to doctors at Children's. Yes, they are the best in the Dayton area, but the wait is way too long. Our appt. was at 4, so we got there at 3:40 to register. We didn't get back to an exam room until 4:30. Then, we didn't see the doctor until 5:30. Can I just tell you that I am completely worn out after trying to keep a two year old entertained in a tiny room for that long!?!?!

That being said, we do have some small answers. There are 5 numbers that they look at when checking for celiac disease. Emmy had 2 slightly elevated numbers and the ones that were elevated are the most unreliable to test. So, I was given two options: a gene test or a scope. Obviously, I chose the genetic test because it is the least invasive. If she tests negative for the celiac gene, then we won't have to go back for that diagnosis ever again. If she tests positive, it doesn't mean that she will get it, it just means that she has a greater chance of having it later on. Apparently, people with Down syndrome are 10 times more likely to have celiac disease. And because it is a gene test, we won't get the results for 6-8 weeks.

So, now it is a waiting game. Please pray that the gene test will come back negative and that Emmaline will remain the healthy, happy girl that she is. We will have a follow-up appointment in 3 months depending on the test results.

The picture above is Emmaline in the exam room. This was taken about 1/2 way through the visit. She was not this happy at the end, especially after she had to have blood drawn.

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