A Whirlwind of News

April was a whirlwind of dates and news for us. In between Tom's frequent trips to MN for work and my track meets and practices, we took Robby with us to see the ultrasound of the new baby! It was one week later that we received news that the baby's pictures showed some areas of concern.

The second ultrasound and amnio test proved positive that the baby indeed had spina bifida - an opening in the baby's back which did not form over the spine. The opening is created within the first month of the baby developing. An average person's body is formed similarly to a zipper over the spine. For some reason, our baby's back did not close entirely. We left Maternal Fetal Medicine with heavy hearts but reassurance that everything would be okay.

May brought us more appointments with MFM, a nuerologist, and neo-natal doctors along with my monthly checks on the baby at MMPC. Once again our baby proved to be a true combination of Mathews and McWilliams as he/she stubbornly refused to let us see its back - it was sitting breech with its back against the wall. An hour and a half later (I refused to leave until they would tell us where the opening was) and two doctors later, they think the opening is at L3. L stands for lumbar (the lower poriton of the back) and 3 is the third vertebra down. Typically this area has nerves that connect to the baby's lower legs, knees, ankles, feet, bladdar, and bowel. Dr. Foody, the nuerologist, explained that we truly will not know the capabilities or limitations the baby will have until after it is delivered. He has seen cases of total limitation to using a wheelchair to some children running and playing soccer; we are hoping for the 2nd.

As of now, we do know that the baby will be delivered by C-section (as was Robby). Shortly after arriving it will be taken to NICU for stabiliation and prepped for surgery. The closure of the back is supposed to be done w/in 24 hours. One side affect that is very common is for the baby's head to swell with fluid "water" on the brain. If this occurs, the baby will need to have a shunt surgery. While we hope this isn't the case, only time will tell.

June brought on a mixture of events as well. I was introduced to several other parents of children with spina bifida (which have been wonderful in helping to answer questions about everyday life w/ kids w/ SB), exams, leaving school knowing that everything will be different from now on, etc.

Yes, life has been a whirlwind of events during the last several months. Having always been known for being prepared and organized, God has reassured us that maybe it's time for us to slow down a bit and enjoy each day as it happens. Please keep our family in your prayers.