"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Isaiah 41:10
Friday, November 28, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Noah's Team
This morning Kyle and I finally met with the multidisciplinary team of doctors that will be at Noah's birth. We found out some good things and some not so good things. I'm realizing that a lot of my entries go on and on about medical stuff, and I'm sure for some of you that gets exhaustive! I guess I don't know how to summarize everything that's going on without passing on everything the docs are telling me. Sorry!
One of the biggest things I've realized is that the doctors can just prepare for the worst, and for the most part there are just so many unknowns until he's born. To sum it up:
The good stuff:
Noah isn't breech anymore! The doctors were really excited about this news, because from a technical standpoint it makes it much easier on the OBs. Last week I was told that they were going to have to make a vertical cut all the way up my belly if he was breech. Now that he's upside down like he's supposed to be, it's still going to be a huge cut that goes from hip to hip on me, but they anticipate this to be a much easier recovery for me. Of course I don't care about the cosmetic scar, as much as I was dying to get back in to a bikini (lol!), but the docs told me that depending on how Noah's doing at birth, he could be immediately taken to Children's and I would not be able to see him for 2-3 days because I would be recovering from such a traumatic surgery. Please pray that Noah stays upside down!!!
Noah already has hair on his head! We could totally see it on the ultrasound, it was so cute! Also, the ENT docs spent a lot of time looking at his trachea and his larnyx, and they could see his voice box vibrating as he was trying to talk!
The tougher stuff:
Although Noah's tumor didn't grow in a month, in the past two weeks it seems to have grown a centimeter in each direction. It also looks as though there is a new (although very small) cystic pocket that has developed on his upper chest. It looks like some of the fluid from his neck mass just snuck down there. Not a big deal, but I admit I was pretty sad to see this growth after we've had a month of what seemed like nothing was happening with the cyst.
We also found out that if the cyst is not compromising airways or eatingways, they may not remove the cyst for up to a year after he's born. It can still go away completely on its own, too, without surgery. Like I said, and the doctors made very clear, there is still so much that is unknown until he's born. Plus, they have no idea how long his stay at Children's will be. Could be a few days, could be months. Oh! I almost forgot! The scheduled day for his delivery is January 6th. Still has to be confirmed with the rest of the team's schedules but it sounds like that will be the date.
Hope that brings everybody up to speed! The one thing I will ask all my friends & family is that you will PLEASE not stop praying, I know it seems like we've gotten over some major hurdles through prayer already, but I just want to encourage everyone (and myself) that we MUST continue to focus on the Lord, and know that He is in control of this entire situation. I know personally in the past few weeks I have been distracting myself with work, Ella, etc. But I know that I have to continue to be in constant prayer and thankfulness to the LORD over these next 6 weeks (and beyond!). This growth can still shrink, can still stop growing, can still leave room for an airway for Noah breathe.
Oh, and I didn't cry at today's appointment, cool! Emotionally I'm doing surprisingly well, considering everything... Kyle might answer differently hahaha! I feel anxious at times, and the only thing that has seemed to calm me down is sleep, prayer, and reading God's word. Took this off Beckie's blog today: (so appropriate)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6
One of the biggest things I've realized is that the doctors can just prepare for the worst, and for the most part there are just so many unknowns until he's born. To sum it up:
The good stuff:
Noah isn't breech anymore! The doctors were really excited about this news, because from a technical standpoint it makes it much easier on the OBs. Last week I was told that they were going to have to make a vertical cut all the way up my belly if he was breech. Now that he's upside down like he's supposed to be, it's still going to be a huge cut that goes from hip to hip on me, but they anticipate this to be a much easier recovery for me. Of course I don't care about the cosmetic scar, as much as I was dying to get back in to a bikini (lol!), but the docs told me that depending on how Noah's doing at birth, he could be immediately taken to Children's and I would not be able to see him for 2-3 days because I would be recovering from such a traumatic surgery. Please pray that Noah stays upside down!!!
Noah already has hair on his head! We could totally see it on the ultrasound, it was so cute! Also, the ENT docs spent a lot of time looking at his trachea and his larnyx, and they could see his voice box vibrating as he was trying to talk!
The tougher stuff:
Although Noah's tumor didn't grow in a month, in the past two weeks it seems to have grown a centimeter in each direction. It also looks as though there is a new (although very small) cystic pocket that has developed on his upper chest. It looks like some of the fluid from his neck mass just snuck down there. Not a big deal, but I admit I was pretty sad to see this growth after we've had a month of what seemed like nothing was happening with the cyst.
We also found out that if the cyst is not compromising airways or eatingways, they may not remove the cyst for up to a year after he's born. It can still go away completely on its own, too, without surgery. Like I said, and the doctors made very clear, there is still so much that is unknown until he's born. Plus, they have no idea how long his stay at Children's will be. Could be a few days, could be months. Oh! I almost forgot! The scheduled day for his delivery is January 6th. Still has to be confirmed with the rest of the team's schedules but it sounds like that will be the date.
Hope that brings everybody up to speed! The one thing I will ask all my friends & family is that you will PLEASE not stop praying, I know it seems like we've gotten over some major hurdles through prayer already, but I just want to encourage everyone (and myself) that we MUST continue to focus on the Lord, and know that He is in control of this entire situation. I know personally in the past few weeks I have been distracting myself with work, Ella, etc. But I know that I have to continue to be in constant prayer and thankfulness to the LORD over these next 6 weeks (and beyond!). This growth can still shrink, can still stop growing, can still leave room for an airway for Noah breathe.
Oh, and I didn't cry at today's appointment, cool! Emotionally I'm doing surprisingly well, considering everything... Kyle might answer differently hahaha! I feel anxious at times, and the only thing that has seemed to calm me down is sleep, prayer, and reading God's word. Took this off Beckie's blog today: (so appropriate)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
It's not a Tooma!
Noah and I had our first MRI on monday at UW. I don't know why everyone complains about them, it was great and I got a much needed 1 hr. nap! Dr. Peterson (my other high-risk OB) called me Wednesday with the results, but I've been busy working and haven't had the chance to update my blog. Sorry Beckie! lolFor those of you who didn't pick up on the Kindergarten Cop reference, my title means it's not a tumor!!!
The MRI revealed that there are no solid components in the mass, and that it is completely cystic. At this point, they are now calling it a cystic lymphangioma... supposedly meaning that this lymph node didn't develop correctly. The doctors said this isn't necessarily better or worse news, but we're taking it as GREAT news. The biggest concern they have at this point is that the MRI revealed his tongue may be involved (which makes no sense to me, because if it's cystic it is all water...?). I've learned though that there are so many things we won't know until his birthday, even when the doctors are confident about something, it really doesn't mean MUCH. I am trusting in them with mine and my baby's life, but they too are only human. The great physician still has 8 weeks to get rid of this sucker. Some cases of lymphangioma have even been resolved while in utero. Amazing! Usually it happens before the 20th week, but seriously, God knows no calender but His own.
When I was on the phone with the doctor, I was seriously running up and down the hall, praising the Lord, and then I literally fell to my knees in praise. Don't laugh! I felt like such a dork, I've never done anything like that! But it was absolutely necessary considering the circumstances!
Because it's not a teratoma, it isn't putting any pressure on his trachea or esophagus. It can still cause respiratory problems, but nothing compared to what a teratoma is capable of doing. It's still dangerous, but the doctors have actually given me a small chance that I may even be able to deliver vaginally. They said the chances are small, and of course I'm not going to do anything stupid, if the c-section is necessary to be safe, we'll go through with it. But it's just amazing to me that the doctors were so certain that this was a cervical teratoma, there was not a question in their minds... and now we are dealing with a completely different diagnosis. Who's not to say that it was a teratoma, and God has completely removed all solid masses. I am putting nothing past Him at this point!
Dr. Peterson wanted to pow-wow with the ear-nose-throat doctors at Children's (who will be removing the mass and present at Noah's birth) before she gave me any more information, and I should hear back from her either today or Monday. I'm not sure if I'll still be delivering early, I imagine so because of the driving over the pass issue, but I'll know more next week after talking with the ENT docs.
Even more encouraging news is that the cyst is the same size, and has not grown in 4 weeks. Yeehaw! Still swallowing lots of fluid, his tongue going all the way back in his mouth. I am just in constant praise to the Lord, thank you for healing our sweet baby. We know this cyst is not of YOU!
*For those of you wondering about the house, we are trying to buy a home that is a "short-sale", pre-foreclosure, so we are dealing with and waiting on the bank to appraise the home and accept our offer. These are notoriously NOT short at ALL, and can take months, but we absolutely love the house and are willing to wait for it. It's an awesome historic home that used to be a church, with lots of room for our growing family. Please pray for patience among Kyle, me, my mom, and her husband Bob as we get on each other's nerves living together for 6 weeks now!!! LOL!
*The quilt in the picture was sent to us from Kyle's aunt Patti, whose friend Yvonne had her church quilt ministry make it for Noah. It absolutely warms my heart to look at this blanket. If you look closely, it is made from different Noah's Arc prints, and has a super cozy flannel backing. It is beautiful. Here is the label on the back side:
Thank you so much for lifting us up in prayer, and thank you for this priceless gift Aunt Patti and all the ladies who knit it together for sweet Noah!
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