On Monday I called our point nurse to let her know I wanted to schedule the amniocentesis. My doctor had said that if I decided to do it that she would like to do it by 26 weeks, because after that there is a little bit more of a risk for the baby and premature labor. Since I was already on week 26 I knew it was 'now or never'. The nurse scheduled me to come in Wednesday at 4:00.
We got an unexpected day off from school that day due to the extreme cold temperatures. I was supposed to go in Thursday morning for my regular OB appointment so I called their office to see if they could squeeze me in since I was already off work and they said they could. I took Luke to school and kept Ben home with me that day.
When I dropped Luke off his teacher (who we've been keeping updated on Ally) asked if there was any new information. She said the other day at prayer request time Luke raised his hand and said "We need to pray for Ally for the needle in her head to help her head get better because it's really big and it's NOT funny."
I can't even begin to express how I felt when she told me that. I was so proud of Luke for wanting to pray about it, being (somewhat) knowledgeable about what was happening (I'm not sure where he got the idea of a needle, that's the second time I've heard him say that...maybe he thinks surgery is a needle?), and so happy that he's already become so protective of his little sister. I explained to her about the hydrocephalus and the surgery to place the shunt. I am so blessed by my Luke.
As I left Luke at school, I drank my glucose drink in the car on the way home. I was supposed to go in at 10:15, so I finished the drink at 9:17. I ran home, got some toys to entertain Ben at the office, and then drove to the doctor.
Everything at the appointment went well (including Ben's behavior!). I was not a gestational diabetic (blood sugar was 92, high is 140) and my iron levels were good too. I actually met with one of the doctors instead of Terry and we were able to discuss the diagnosis of Ally and the likely possibility of a c-section. Since nothing is for sure right now we weren't really able to discuss much else, though I did say I thought the delivery would be scheduled around 39 weeks unless something else came up. I made my next appointment for 4 weeks (February 5th) and went home.
I had a relaxing few hours at home with Ben. At 2:30 I woke him from his nap, went to pick up Luke from school, drove them to Russell's parents house, and drove to MFM, barely making it before 3:50. Russell was already there waiting for me.
A different sonogram tech took us back this time. She did a preliminary sonogram to make sure fluid levels looked good and to find out where the placenta was (so they would try to avoid having to put the needle through it) and to scope out the best place for the needle placement.
Then we waited. And waited. She came back in and said she was sorry, our doctor was backed up with patients. I knew it was because she took her time with them (as she has with us) so I didn't mind waiting...except it gave me time to think about what we were about to do and get nervous. Luckily, I had brought some knitting with me, so I had something to keep my hands and mind busy. Our sonogram tech was a knitter too, and her mom was a math teacher, so we had a lot to talk about and she kept us preoccupied. One of the lab techs (who is a former student! She was actually the one who drew my blood for the blood test in December. I'm sure she enjoyed being able to say she needled her high school geometry teacher.) came in with the supplies and went over what I should expect after the procedure, as well as what I should look out for and avoid for the next 24 hours or so.
Finally the doctor and our point nurse came in. She asked if I had any other questions, and then they laid me back to prep me. The whole procedure took about 5 minutes from start to finish. Since I was laying flat it was hard for me to see (which was good, I didn't want to see anything, my eyes were closed the whole time) but I did get a glimpse of the needle just before. I had imagined it was going to be kinda thick, but I was relieved to see that it didn't look any different from a needle to draw blood, only longer. It also didn't hurt as much as I was expecting (in my head I was giving myself a pep talk, saying you've had 2 babies with no drugs, this is going to be nothing!) and was over sooner than I expected. Afterwards they checked everything out by sonogram (which of course they also had going during the procedure to help guide them) to make sure Ally still was moving and seemed ok. Then I was taken to another room where I was hooked up to the fetal monitor for 20 minutes to make sure her heartbeat seemed normal and there was no distress. Both the doctor and nurse said that her heart rhythms looked fantastic, especially with as far along as I was and having the amniocentesis done this late. We talked with the nurse for awhile about some more questions that we had (you know how you get talking about something, and it makes you think of more questions? That's how we get every time we go to an appointment there). We scheduled my next appointment for the 22nd and they are going to work on getting us an appointment for a fetal MRI and to tour and talk with NICU staff as well as an appointment with the neurosurgeon to discuss the placement of the shunt, because right now that's where the majority of my questions stem from (that I can get solid, real answers to).
Since I had met Russell at MFM, I drove myself home and he went to pick up Ben from his parents' house. His Dad had taken Luke to Cubbies and would bring him to our house when it was over. I got home, took my shower, and warmed up some leftovers for dinner. Russell was very concerned about me for the next day because I was supposed to kinda take it easy (they said I didn't have to be on bed rest or anything, but of course with teaching you are walking around and moving a lot) and not lift anything above 25 lbs. for a day- which included Ben. I determined how to minimally lift him (out of the crib the next morning, and then in and out of the car- he could walk everywhere else) and told Russell not to worry about it (I was NOT going to take a day off just for that! I need to be careful with my time off to make sure I have enough for my maternity leave along with all the appointments I have to have now.)
I had no ill effects from the amniocentesis. I didn't have additional cramping or soreness, no bleeding or fluid leakage or anything else to be concerned about. I have to watch for signs of infection for the next week (flu-like symptoms) but otherwise it has been fine.
Now we wait for the results of the testing and the ultrasound from our next appointment in 2 weeks. They are running 3 tests: the infection study, which should come back within about a week or so and should (hopefully) have the same results as the blood test from the 12th; the chromosomal study for Downs, Trisomy 18, and Trisomy 13 which again should (hopefully) have the same results as the blood test; and the SNP Array, which will look at pieces of individual chromosomes and hopefully give us more answers about what genetics may have 'caused' the Dandy-Walker and if there are any other concerns that can't be seen by ultrasound (and rule out some possibilities as well). This test will take 2 - 3 weeks, depending on the contents of the fluid. If they have to grow Ally's cells from the fluid, it will take longer, but if cells/tissue is already in the fluid, they won't have to take the time to grow her cells and can start the analysis sooner.
This is my first post since the initial 'reveal' of Ally's condition to most of you and the 9 original blog posts. We just wanted to take the time to say thanks for all of your prayers, comments, and concerns for us. We appreciate the love you have poured out for us. We want you to know that we are doing ok by the grace of God, especially as we find out more information we are better able to prepare for life with 3, one of which may have some special needs. Everything has brought us closer in our marriage (I feel) and we are taking things one day/appointment/tidbit at a time. We would appreciate your continued prayers, and other than that the only thing that we 'need' right now is your friendship & support- for those of you who are local, we would love to see and hear from you more, especially if your children are friends with our boys. One of the great things about this situation is it has reminded us of the many friends we have, though we may not see often, from our many phases of life: high school, RC, Colonial Avenue, Spotswood, New Century, Mt. Pleasant, various workplaces (Member One, Staunton River, William Fleming, & Franklin County), and of course our family, and how thankful we are for those people and how they supported us in those seasons and now together in this one. It is like looking at a great tapestry of our lives, and we are so grateful that each of you are a part of it.
Love you guys!!
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