Results....

While waiting we read up on Celiac's Disease. I can now tell you anything you want to know about it. David and I had decided that if this is what Ava has, our whole family will go gluten free. If she has to have something, why not this. It's a diet change, no medication. About a week after the traumatizing (for me, not Ava) blood work, Dr. T (GI) finally called with the results. All Ava's labs were negative...blood, urine and stool. I was stunned! Really she's a classic case. This had to be the answer. I was now extremely frustrated, I thought this was it. We could tackle the problem, not that it would be easy but we had an answer. After getting over the shock of it, I then also did have a moment of relief. We just crossed something off the list of what she didn't have. That's a good thing, right? There was still the chance she was fine, just small.

A few days later Dr. B (Endo) called with the x ray results. As he expected Ava's bones are under age. Her wrist is measuring at 2.6 years and her actual age is 4.4 years. Well finally someone confirmed what we knew all along, she is the size of a two year old. The rest of the labs were not in yet. Depending on what they say Ava is more then likely going to have to under go hormone therapy at some point. This was upsetting but fixable, Okay we can deal with this. We are finally getting answers. But what he said next threw me for a loop. "I also found something unexpected, she has a displaced hip." What?? Did I hear him right? I just asked the doctor not to long ago if she walked funny. He said she was fine. How can this be happening?? He went on to explain that he can not give me more information based on his x rays but we needed to contact an Pediatric Orthopedist immediately. This can not wait. This can not be happening! But it is....

I was at work when I received this news. First thing I did was call David to tell him about the results. Needless to say he was as stunned as me. As soon as I was finished with my client (thankfully she was my last for the day) I headed straight home to find a pediatric orthopedist in our insurance plan. I found two, one in Newark and one in New Brunswick. I called both and give them the information I have. Apparently the way this specialist works is the evaluate the information then call you back with an appointment. The one in Newark said she needed to consult with the doctor but would call me back within 24 hours. The one in New Brunswick asked me to have the pediatrician fax the findings over, then they would make the appointment. In the mean time the pediatrician called saying he received the x ray results and had talked to Dr. B and he recommended the orthopedist in New Brunswick. My response was "I called both, whoever calls back first is who we're going with." Sorry but I don't exactly have faith in his judgement. New Brunswick called first (in fact Newark never returned my call) and our appointment was set for March 23...3 weeks away.

Few days after that Dr. B called again with the rest of Ava's lab results. Ava's hormone level was low, this is why she is not growing at the proper rate. He went on to explain the hormone level is a very weight dependent number and if we could get a few lbs on her this number could rise. Fortunately Ava's levels are on the high of the low side. Normal range is 75-201 (not sure why there is such a range) and Ava's level is 52. The next step is to find out why this level is low. To do this she will need an MRI on her pituitary gland, for this she will have to be sedated. We will do a follow up visit at the end of May and any further testing will be put on hold until after we take care of the hip dysplasia. Also keep our follow up with Dr. T and the nutritionist and work to get Ava's weight up.

Before getting off the phone I remembered to ask "can you tell me which hip was displace?" (I was so stunned last time I forgot to ask.) His response was " I'm sorry I was not more clear, it's both." Are you kidding me??? No wonder my daughter is Jekyll and Hyde and complains of leg pain so often!! How did my doctor miss this!! Anger can't even describe what I was feeling!!