Spina bifida

Children with spina bifida may have health problems because of their condition.

1.) They may be paralyzed (not able to move their legs) or have decreased movement of their legs or experiences changes or loss of feeling in their legs.

2.) They may also have problems with their bladder and bowel function.

Bladder problems

With spina bifida, the nerves that tell the bladder to empty and release urine (pee) are often weak or not working. This means you may have to help your baby to pee and empty their bladder.

Bowel problems

Sometimes the nerves that make the bowels move are weak or not working.

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CHLOE's CONDITION

1.) Chloe's legs are showing improvements. Though her legs' movements are very weak, her surgeon said that it's a good sign. We were also told that her nerves maybe slowly recovering after her operation.

2.) She was able to pee on her own for three weeks.The itermittent catheterization is still being done but we consistently collect less than 10cc of urine.

Given these signs, we are skeptical whether to continue with Chloe's vesicostomy since she can already pee on her own?

1. Is it possible that her nerves are connected with her bladder movements making it possible for Chloe to pee without the help of a catherter? In case our assumptions are wrong and we delay the operation, there is a big chance for het kidneys to be severely damaged.

2. Should we stop using catheter (intermittent catheterization (catheterization can really cause UTI)? Should we stop the intermittent catheterization and observe because she can now pee on her own?

3.Should we allow the doctor to proceed with the operation?

Based on the video urodynamic (VUD) done to Chloe, her bladders are overactive, her bladders direct her urine back to her kidneys which causes her urine to be stucked. *SOMETIMES* it works, most of the times it doesnt - but this is no longer the case for three consecutive weeks.

We have the option to let Chloe undergo another video urodynamic (VUD) But that would cost us Php30K ($600). It's a huge amount of money, especially that we have already spent around Php600,000 ($12K) for her previous operations.