Coming Up With a Plan

After much discussion, prayer and online research, we decided we still had many unanswered questions and we couldn't wait three weeks to get answers. So, yesterday we saw the perinatologist for a consult only, to ask him our questions and maybe gain a better understanding of our situation. We went in with about twenty detailed questions about where we stand and where we should go from here. The doctor was very understanding and devoted a large amount of time to us despite a bulging waiting room. Although he did not paint a rosier picture, we were able to gain clarification on possible outcomes, treatment options, and our upcoming schedule of visits. He agreed to move our next appointment up a week, and although that will be only the beginning of our 26th week, so still too early to do anything, we decided it would be better for our peace of mind. We will see him on Friday the 23rd. He also agreed to increase Randi's dose of blood thinners in hopes that it will improve blood flow to Pooh.

We also contacted the OB about setting up a consult with a neonatalogist and a pediatrician to make sure we understand more about their role and the level of treatment in the NICU. We would also like more information from them about potential outcomes for the babies. At the end of the day, not a whole lot has changed, but we do feel better having spent additional time with the perinatologist and having our questions answered.

We have been overwhelmed by the level of support and prayer we have received from each of you that read this blog. We know that God hears your prayers! Thank you.

Back To The Fun Stuff

Here are our best pictures from the week 24 ultrasound. There some good ones of their profiles. They were very active during this last ultrasound, and it was funny because the technician was getting frustrated with baby B, Tigger, when she was trying to take a doppler reading of his heartbeat. The first two are profiles of each Pooh and Tigger. The third of a straight away view of Tigger smiling and the last one is, well, you know. Ha Ha !!

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I wanted to post tonight quickly about our week 24 appointment with the perinatalogist today. No funny pictures; no ultrasounds. The situation for baby A, Pooh, is trending further downhill. Thankfully, he is continuing to grow; however, he is a more that a week behind in gestational age and is weighing 1 pound, 1 ounce, while baby B, Tigger, is actually half a week ahead of his gestational age and weighing 1 pound, 8 ounces. Although this may not sound like much of a discrepancy, it is considerable. The main problem lies in the amount of blood flow reaching Pooh on every heartbeat. He is now in absent-end diastolic flow, where no blood is flowing into the placenta, and baby, while the heart is at rest. This is causing his heart to work extra hard for the blood that he actually receives. We are praying that this condition will improve over the next three weeks or that the little guy can hold on. Unfortunately, at this point, there is little we can do medically.

The scenarios that we are foreseeing appear bleak. It has been hard on us today coming to grips with this realization. We can only wait until our next appointment with the perinatalogist. At that point, we will have to start making decisions about which course to traverse. From then on, we will probably be seeing the doctor weekly for more frequent updates on their well-being. It will be extremely risky for both babies to come this early. We hope and pray that we have two fighters. I personally feel this is harder to struggle through with them in the womb than if they were already here. At least then, we could try to comfort them. Right now they are still perfect and unblemished.

On the positive side, Randi is doing very well, except for some swelling and carpal tunnel coming on. She has gained precisely 24 pounds in 24 weeks; our goal. She does not appear to be having increased contractions or showing signs of a shortening cervix. Also, Tigger, is progressing along extremely well. The blood flow problems do not appear to be affecting him at all. We will post more ultrasounds early next week and we will be having a 3D/4D ultrasound in a couple of weeks. Hopefully, we will get some eye-opening views of the two boys. In the meantime, please keep Pooh in your prayers.

POST SCRIPT:
Although we have heard much doom and gloom recently, we give thanks to people like the Bolline family for their inspiring story.
www.thebollines.blogspot.com

Share And Share Alike

Being a liberated man, I have decided to take some of the burden off of my wife. As you can see, she is letting me carry one of the babies down the home stretch, so that everything is even between us. The only way that Randi would let me take a picture of her is if I agreed to let her take a picture of me with my expanding waist line. Like her's, mine will only be temporary. At 21 weeks, 6 days, Randi has gained approximately 18 pounds, well on her way to the goal of 24 pounds in 24 weeks. As my wife can do everything better than I can, she is ahead of me on the overall weight gain chart and my gestation date is uncertain (sarcasm implied).


This weekend we will be one of our last travel weekends with showers on Saturday and Sunday in Georgia. Please pray for us as we are on the roads. Randi returns to the OB next Tuesday, and, hopefully, we will have a pleasant update for everyone.