You know you’re in miracle territory when…
In: A Quiet Spirit, Celebrating Our Little One
Our latest doctor visit results for our sweet little baby:
Despite 15 more days of growth since our last ultrasound, baby has only grown about 9 days’ worth. This leads him to think my dates are indeed accurate. I’m 16 weeks 4 days, but baby is only as big as a 13 week 2 day baby. This is very consistent with his diagnosis. Most Trisomy 18 babies born full term are only 3-4 pounds and around 15 inches long.
The baby’s swelling is down a lot, which leads him to think that the Multiple Organ Failure he saw two weeks ago, which led him to tell us we had only a brief amount of time left, has, in his words, “self corrected.” While this is only good news, it doesn’t mean the problem has disappeared – but rather, it means the severity level has decreased somewhat. This means, that while my risk of losing baby anytime is still high – it’s not as probable as it was. He thinks I now could go at least to 21 weeks or so. Maybe longer.
There are still several issues – including the intestinal “hernia” of sorts – called omphalocele.
And the lack of growth and movement in the baby’s arms and legs.
But despite all this – and the fact that he really couldn’t tell us anything worse than we already knew –
There were a few things that made us laugh at this visit. As hard as it is to stomach all this medical stuff, maybe you can catch a little of our joy when the following things were said and heard and seen yesterday… 🙂
You know you’re in miracle territory when:
* Your doctor throws his hands in the air. shakes his head, and says, “This baby might go to term?!”
* He then says, “It still looks like Trisomy 18 or perhaps Trisomy 13. You know, though…..it could just have a whole extra SET of chromosomes!” (I didn’t even know that was possible?!)
* We then all three had to spend a few seconds trying to figure out how many that would actually be. (hint: none of us are mathematicians.)
…and the best of the day. Truly one of the best gifts anyone could ever give me…so good I could hardly lay still and sleep all night…
* He says, “I can’t fix this, but I can give you something. I think ultrasounds are a way you can spend time with your baby. I want you to have every moment you can. No more charges for ultrasounds. Come as many times as you need to. Every day if you want. Bring the girls.”
For the first time in that office, I cried happy tears. I walked out crying happy tears.
I couldn’t believe it – I (basically!) GOT AN ULTRASOUND MACHINE!!!
NOTE: In case you are wondering – having an entire extra set of chromosomes is rather possible. It’s called triploidy. But just to give you an idea of how rare this really is – check out the length of the wikipedia article.
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12 comments
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Amy Streeter
September 5, 2012 at 1:36 pm
Kim, I am also crying happy tears as I read your update. I too am thinking and praying daily usually when I first wake up or go to sleep. What a sweet blessing this little one is to all of us!
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mbabin3@aol.com
September 5, 2012 at 9:01 am
Miracles do happen. And what a blessing your doctor is. What a kind, caring, understanding man. Sending prayers to you, your baby, your family and your doctor.
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Shawn & Cammi Ferguson
September 5, 2012 at 9:15 am
How wonderful Kim! I am so happy you have a great Doctor. I kinda think he wants you to come in so he can watch the miracle on a daily basis 🙂 We are praying for you!!!!
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Carol Gramling
September 5, 2012 at 9:46 am
Praying for you and your little one to be. Enjoy reading your posts.
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Betty Smith
September 5, 2012 at 10:37 am
Kim, your blogs about the baby have been a blessing. I’m praying for you all.
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Fudging Ahead
September 5, 2012 at 3:51 pm
A great doctor…praying that good things continue to happen for you and your family. 🙂
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Denise Stroud
September 6, 2012 at 1:12 pm
Kim, I started reading your blog soon after you feared you were going to miscarry (and went back and read previous posts!) What a blessing you have been to me. Your honesty is refreshing! For those of us who are pro-life, decisions you have been faced with seem like no-brainers…but the reality is none of us know the options we might consider if we found ourselves walking the road you are traveling. The reality of ultrasound images is a wonderful way to see that precious baby God is knitting together in you. Your faith and trust in the face of such uncertainty is a beautiful testimony. This baby is so blessed to have the two of you as parents. It is easy to trust when the path seems straight and well-lit but oh so much harder when it turns and you can’t see what lies ahead. I have been moved to tears over and over reading your posts…and once again I felt the tears today. What a beautiful gift this doctor has given you…may he see Jesus in you and your faith!
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Gifts of giving (because I hear you can be more blessed that way.) | Kim's Kitchen
July 31, 2013 at 8:33 am
[…] Another ironic connection – we also had the same specialist – you know, that super awesome ultrasound-whenever-you-want doctor I had. […]
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Megan
September 5, 2012 at 8:38 am
So happy for you guys! I’m sitting in the hallway before class crying I am so happy! (way to go and mess up my make-up for the day :D) Praying for you all the time. It’s wonderful to see how God has answered prayer so far.
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