A Diagnosis

Matt and JP Beale- Missionary companions from Chihuahua

He and his wife fixed us dinner on Tuesday night.

Matt and Bryce watching the World Cup Games

View from our second Hotel!

Gilbert Arizona Temple

Gracie and Emma 

Gracie dressed Emma up and this is what they looked like when we arrived home.

Matt, Bryce and I drove back to Arizona on June 16th. This was somewhat difficult for Bryce, as he had begun his liquid diet for his colon prep. We arrived safely to our hotel in Scottsdale around 7:30 pm. When I checked in, there was a sign on the counter that said, "Welcome Kristin H! You are our guest for the day." We received a small gift basket with drinks and snacks. Bryce then began his drinking solution so he could be ready for his Double Balloon Enteroscopy the following day. The World Cup Games helped keep us entertained.

June 17th, we arrived at the Mayo Hospital in Phoenix for Bryce's scope. They assigned Bryce a number that was displayed on a screen in the waiting room, so that you could tell where he was. The display showed, "In Procedure", "In Surgery" or "In Recovery". Thinking that we would only be there for two to three hours, Matt and I brought some reading material to help pass the time. Following the surgery the Doctor came out to talk with us about their findings. They also took some biopsies of his ulcers and red areas- we are waiting for the results. Bryce checked in at 11:00 and after a nice long nap, he finally woke up at 6:00. Apparently, the nurses could not wake him up after the surgery and let him sleep. After seeing he was "In Recovery" for two hours, I finally asked the receptionist to check on Bryce. His surgery was over by 3:00, so he got in an extra three hours of sleep. When they called us back to get Bryce, he was wide awake, dressed and very much aware of what was going on.

On June 18th we met with Dr Gurudu another GI doctor at the Mayo Clinic, who specializes in Crohn's disease. He spent an hour or more with us going over things and what he would recommend for Bryce's treatment. Unfortunately there are no tests that confirm he has Crohn's disease or not. They actually collect all of the data over a period of time and then make a decision based off the results of his blood work, symptoms and biopsies. Dr Gurudu had another blood test done (TPMT), checking for an enzyme that helps your body break down medicine so that it can be absorbed. Bryce is low in that enzyme, so there are certain medicines he cannot take for his treatment. Dr Gurudu basically told us, "I highly believe that Bryce has Small Bowel Crohn's disease." He sent us home with a prescription for two different medicines. He then ordered another test that would take place over a 24 hour period. We were planning on returning home on the 18th, but found another hotel to stay in for one more night.

We had packed our clothes for the temple, thinking that if we had time, we would go and do a session at the new Gilbert, Arizona Temple. We made it! The Temple is absolutely beautiful and it made us very excited for the Ogden Temple to be finished. The prep that Bryce has to do before his scopes really takes a lot out of him. And although he was lacking in energy, he was a trooper and made it through a session.

We have been reading up on some GI Doctors here in our area and Dr Gurudu recommended that we follow up once a year with Mayo Clinic to make sure Bryce's medicine is balancing with his body. The process of diagnosing Bryce has taken up the remaining time he would have had on his mission. His friends that left around the same time as him, are now returning home. He is so excited to see them all!

This may be my last post for Bryce's updates. It's summer time and we are getting very busy with outside projects and fun. I do want you to know that we are very grateful for the prayers on our behalf. We have been very blessed as we have worked through this challenge and feel that we have been guided every step of the way. Bryce is scheduled to attend classes next fall at Weber State and his scholarship has been reinstated. Thank you to those who have helped watch our girls while we have been running to appointments. We are grateful for each one of you.


Love you all!