My nephew

[paula1961]

My Mom called me a couple of hours ago. My older brother's little 10 year old son has been admitted to Cabell Huntington hospital in WV. He has a mass on his colon. I really don't know alot of details about what is going on. He has lost 17 pounds in a month:eek:They had started eating heathier and didn't think anything of the weight loss. Then he started having a problem with his bowels. He would have accidents on himself and not even realize it. I only found all this out today! I am so worried about him. Right now he is having a cat scan. Please pray for him. If any of you have prayer chains. Please start one for him. His name is Lucas. My brother is suppose to let me know something as soon as he does. They were told that they would know tonight what is wrong. He is a very sweet child. I hope it's not anything really bad!!!

[Lindsey]

I am praying that they will find out exactly what the problem is! Poor kid! I hope it's nothing too bad :(

[lynne b]

sending prayers to Lucas and his family and also you . hope they are able to find out what is going on and its an easy fix and he will be happy and health again.

[gja1000]

Oh Paula! I am so sorry to hear this. I have never heard of a colon mass on a young child, but then I don't work in pediatrics. I hope it is nothing or easily fixed!!! I will keep him in my thoughts.

[JJJ]

I'm so sorry. I know someone that works in pediatrics if you need me to ask questions.

I will send all the positive energy I can to your family.

[paula1961]

This is what they were told last night. The mass is a ball of feces that has set up like concrete in his colon:eek: The dr said that his colon is stretched really big and they don't know if it will ever return to normal. He has to drink some terrible tasting liquid (don't know the name) to try and dissolve it. Oh yeah and they said it was the size of a baseball:eek:

I will update later today. This is terrible but everyone including the dr thought for sure that the little guy had cancer at first so........this is really wonderful news. They are still running tests.

Thank you all so much for your prayers!!!

[judy]

Poor kid! That must be awfully painful! Thank goodness it's not cancer though.

I will be praying for him!

[Janet]

I will certainly keep Lucas in my prayers. So upsetting when these young ones have to go through something like this.

[Blueyes]

That sounds so painful. Bless his heart! Will pray!

[DianaB]

Oh my goodness!!! Poor little Lucas!! I'll be praying for him!!! Thank goodness the news wasn't cancer!! I hope that all of this is an easy fix and with him being so young I hope they're wrong about the bowel going back to it's regular size. Keep us posted!!!

[paula1961]

They said if the colon went back to it's normal size that it would take six months to a year. But it may not shrink back. It is twice as big as it should be. I talked to him just a little while ago. They are letting him go home:eek: I'll try and find out more after while. My sister is there now...so I'm sure she will call and tell me something. Has anyone heard of this happening before to someone? I sure haven't.

[gja1000]

I have heard of this sort of thing, but I don't know anything about it. I have heard of it but had to go to the internet and search. I looked for "fecal impaction" which is the closest thing to what I think he had. Here's what I found. It calls it constipation - but it is a severe form.

Constipation in childhood is usually caused by the child’s diet. Excessive milk ingestion, insufficient amount of fluids and inadequate intake of bulk-forming foods are common causes of constipation in children. (1) Other potential causes include poor bowel habits, laxative misuse or underlying medical conditions. (1)

Medical conditions that may cause constipation include; Hypothyroidism, Celiac Disease, Hirschsprung Disease, muscle disorders, endocrine disorders such as Hypothyroidism or Diabetes mellitus, and medication side effects. (2) Medications that are commonly associated with constipation include; analgesics, anticholinergics, calcium channel blockers and stomach preparations containing Aluminum.

In some cases a child can develop constipation due to an anatomical defect such as rectal stenosis. Rectal stenosis is a condition that occurs when a child’s rectal openining is too tight or too small. Because the opening is so small it is very difficult to pass stools and as a result the child becomes constipated. Rectal stenosis can be confirmed by digital examination by a health care professional. (1)

Pelvic Floor Dyssynergia is another potential cause of constipation in children. This occurs when a child fails to learn to properly coordinate the muscle contractions necessary to pass a stool. When a child experiences Pelvic Floor Dyssynergia, the anal sphincter does not contract properly or in some cases, involuntary spasms occur during a bowel movement. This abnormal contraction prevents the stool from being expelled from the body. Signs of Pelvic Floor Dyssynergia include hard stools, fecal impaction, feelings of anal blockage, severe straining, and the need for digital maneuvers. (3)

[judy]

I have heard of this, once in a friend with polio, and once on TLC I think, involving a child.

Have they figured out what caused this? I hope it's not anything too serious.

[paula1961]

That's what I've been wandering Judy. What caused it?

The dr told my sil to call this morning to make an appt to go over everything. I don't know when that will be yet.

Gayle thank you for posting all of that info. I'm going to do a little research on my own just out of curiosity.

Lucas called my parents this morning and said he was feeling much better. And btw my poor Dad is back in the hospital too. He has alot of fluid built up and can't seem to lose any of it. So please say a prayer for him too. He is just sooo weak. I'm going down there tomorrow. He's in Lexington at St Joesph hospital.

[DianaB]

I hope that the dr. finds something to help Lucas from having this happen again. I'm glad to hear that he's better.

I'm sorry to hear about your Dad. I'll be praying for him. :hug:

[paula1961]

Awww thanks so much Diana. You are so sweet!

They are giving my Dad something through his iv for the fluid. I can't remember the name of it. They had been giving him lasix (sp?) but it hasn't helped at all to get rid of any fluid. Normally that's what he takes for fluid buildup. They are going to leave the drip on for 8 hrs and after that every 12 hrs. I am worried about his kidneys. When he went in his creatnine count was 4.0 now it's like 3.8 but for him that isn't terribly bad. Will update later or tomorrow after I get back from the hospital.

[gja1000]

The main thing, Paula, is to determine what caused this and prevent it from happening again. I also read that seeds can cause this type of problem. Watermelon seeds, sunflower seeds, etc. Who knew!!!

I'm sorry to hear about your dad. Congestive heart failure (at least I think that's what I remember he has) is very difficult to control as people get older. I hope they can get some fluid off because it is so hard on them to be in fluid overload.

[judy]

How wonderful that Lucas is feeling better! I hope it never comes back!

I'm sorry that your Dad is sick. I'll be praying that he gets back to normal fluid levels and stays well.

[JJJ]

What I'm curious about is what dangers is there with his colon being stretched. If that's more dangerous than a simple operation; I would just opt to repair his colon. I know his very young but a stretch colon might damage the little fellow. I hope the doctor gave him a big percent of returning back to normal.

[paula1961]

Jessica they didn't say what percentage of it coming back. As far as I know anyway. I will make some calls today and try to get hold of my sil and find out when they go to the dr.

I am going to see my Dad today. Hopefully he lost some fluid last night. And yes Gayle...you remembered right he does have congestive heart failure. I'll see what I can find out today and let you all know something more later...if there is anything new.

[Lindsey]

The main thing, Paula, is to determine what caused this and prevent it from happening again. I also read that seeds can cause this type of problem. Watermelon seeds, sunflower seeds, etc. Who knew!!!

I'm sorry to hear about your dad. Congestive heart failure (at least I think that's what I remember he has) is very difficult to control as people get older. I hope they can get some fluid off because it is so hard on them to be in fluid overload.

Gayle, that reminds me, my uncle can not eat seeds and I think it's for this same reason. He can't eat buns with sesame seeds, any fruit with seeds, even small seeds like on strawberries.

[gja1000]

The no seeds for your uncle is probably due to diverticulitis - and I don't think that's what Lucas has. As I was reading about extreme constipation in kids, it seems that seeds can cause it, whereas seeds will cause a flare up or infection in diverticulities in adults.

[Lindsey]

The no seeds for your uncle is probably due to diverticulitis - and I don't think that's what Lucas has. As I was reading about extreme constipation in kids, it seems that seeds can cause it, whereas seeds will cause a flare up or infection in diverticulities in adults.

Ohhhh okay

[paula1961]

My Dad is still in the hospital. They have him on a heprun(sp?) drip to get rid of fluid. Yesterday medtronics(maker of his defiberlator) came in and set it to pace his heart at 70. He had a few problems with that for several hours but now he says he is feeling some better. He had lost about 3 lbs of fluid as of yesterday. Bless his heart. He has been sick for sooo long. Please continue to keep him in your prayers.

I still don't know anymore about what caused Lucas's problem either. I will let you know as soon as I hear something. He just says he feels better now.

[gja1000]

Hmmm... Heparin is a blood thinner - it doesn't get rid of fluid. They use Heparin when someone has a blood clot. I'm wondering if the pacemaker was too slow, which can cause the potential for a clot to form in the heart and then travel to the lungs or brain.

Usually they use Lasix or Demadex to draw off the fluid. Heparin is just a blood thinner. Perhaps though, if the blood is thinner, then it is easier for Lasix or Demadex to work to get the fluid off.

[Blueyes]

You are right Gayle. Mike uses Demadex, and that stuff is strong. The heparin has to be for something heart related.

I'm sorry your family is having such a hard time, Paula. Keep us posted!

[DianaB]

I know that Glen's Dad used to go back to the doctor at least once a year with his pacemaker and would get a "tune up". He had a hard time getting it regulated at first but they eventually got him up and running.

I hope they have your Dad "all tuned up" and ready to go!!! Bless his heart!!!! Hugs to you and all your family!!!!

[paula1961]

I swear you all.......they give him so much stuff. I just can't remember what is given for what lol. He was paced at 63 and they changed it to 70. Maybe that's why they gave him the heparun. They do have him on lasix. He has taken that for years for fluid retention. I'll be calling to check on him in a few minutes. We'll just see if there are any changes.

Thank you all so much for your prayers and words of encouragment. I love you all!!!

[JJJ]

I'm sorry to hear abput your dad too. All I can say is never keep your eyes off him. XOXO

[judy]

I hope he stabilizes soon Paula!