Yep, I Licked Her

Last week I took Natalie in for a weight check while we were at the doctor's office getting Brook that lovely Junior High booster shot.  She had gained 8 ounces, but still only weighed 18 lb. 15 oz.  

Later that day, I got a call from the nurse informing me that Natalie's doctor wanted her to get a sweat test to see if she had Cystic Fibrosis, some blood drawn to see if she had Celiac, and check into a Failure to Thrive Clinic to see if we could improve her weight gain.  I was a little taken aback, but made the appointment for all three events.

Thus started the worry.  I could handle Celiac.  It would stink to have to buy gluten free everything, but my little girl would have a pretty normal life.  Cystic Fibrosis on the other hand was another story.  The average life expectancy for a person with CF is 37.  Not to mention all the medical difficulties a person with CF has to endure throughout his/her life.

I started reading up on the CF and discovered that a sweat test is is administered to determine if a person has an abnormal amount of salt in their sweat.  Having more than average is a sign that a person has CF.  I also read that a person with CF has salty tasting skin.  Yep, I licked her like a lollipop on her back.  No salt taste was detected.  I calmed down.  Silly, I know.

We were scheduled for our tests at Primary Children's Hospital last Friday.  The sweat test was quite weird.  They hooked her up with four pieces of gauze then attached copper conductors on the gauze and then finally hooked her up to a machine that sent electrical pulses onto her skin to heat it up.  This went on for 5 minutes and it scared her a little.  When we were done with that, they cooled the skin and then put a new piece of sterilized gauze on the site and wrapped both of her arms in a Saran Wrap like substance and then bandaged her up.  We then had to keep her really warm and make her sweat for 30 minutes.  Finally, they took the gauze to the lab and determined that we had enough sweat to perform the test.  

Next, was the blood test.  She was so interested in the guy and what he was doing that she didn't even cry when he drew blood.  Future nurse or doctor?

So, we have been on pins and needles about the results and I am happy to report that she has neither condition.  They doctor thinks she will be just fine with a little more calories in her.  To say we feel truly blessed is an understatement.  We are thankful for the opportunity Natalie has to grow up in a healthy body.