and the results are in...

It was worth it, that agonizing, scary, huge needle! The Amnio came back 100% normal, no missing chromosomes, no extra chromosomes...just normal, whatever that is :) I am so glad that I chose to do it, for some reason I just knew that if I decided to go through with it everything would be fine but if I waited and chose to do the genetic profile after he was born something would be wrong.

Stress, Pregnancy and Nerves do not go together!

 Today I spoke with Katrina our insurance coordinator, she reads the doctors notes and then calls me to follow up, make sure I'm doing okay and to let me know that everything is set for delivery. After speaking with her I am a little more nervous about the baby's heart, she read to me the list (I'm not kidding) of heart problems our son has... when I was there it seemed to only be the CoA that was an issue however in the notes there are comments about a Hypoplastic valve, a larger side, the Aortic valve being an issue and it seemed like the list went on forever with terms that I do not understand. I am starting to worry that this is something larger than the cardiologist wants to inform me about. At my appointment with Dr. Rose she also mentioned that this is not a 'textbook' heart problem and he doesn't have a specific diagnosis. I guess more and more I am nervous that this problem is larger than the doctors wish for me to know at this point. I keep asking 'will I be induced?' and if so 'when?' it seems that there is not an answer for this, not all the doctors are on the same page. I am scared to death that I will go into labor and there will not be a doctor at the U that has seen this before or someone who doesn't know how to start the line to his umbilical cord or I don't know the list of everything that can go wrong. I have an appointment on October 30 and I hope to have an induction date at that time, wouldn't 11-10-09 be a cool birthday?
Something else that has got to me lately (as I'm sure other heart parents can concur) people almost act like this isn't happening or 'it's no big deal'. I keep being asked about Thanksgiving and Christmas and all I can say is 'I'm not going to be involved in either this year, just count us out' I feel guilty but that's all I can do right now. My son will be in the hospital possibly for both holidays and HE is the most important HE is the one who needs me and his father. There will be many more christmas and thanksgiving hoilidays. My son will be fighting for his life, my son! Or other expecting parents that are so concerned about the child's room or what outfit will be worn home from the hospital - While us heart parents wonder when that wonderful trip home will even be? Who cares what he wears just let him come home with us! Our baby's room isn't even near done everytime I look at it I think when will he get to see it? how old will he be? Does it really matter if the curtains match?
I guess I feel a little better after that vent, I apologize for any feelings that have been hurt. I love you all and appreciate your concern. With that being said though, please please do not worry about our family on Thanksgiving or Christmas we will make it the best holiday we can, even if it is just the four of us. :)

Amnio Friday - Party Saturday

Friday I had my Amniocentesis scheduled, I was so scared! I had seen this procedure done on TV and knew how long the needle was ahhhh! My mom and Ben came with me for support, while they were searching for a pockets of fluid I was so scared I just cried! Once they put the needle in it was really just a small pain and then I felt like I was going to pass out.. seriously I think I said it 3 or 4 times my arms went limp and everyone's voice seemed really far away. I didn't pass out and they hooked me to the monitors for 15 minutes to be sure the baby was okay. We will have the results in 10-14 days.

Saturday we had planned Gracie's Dr. Seuss Birthday Party! Along with moving and all the doctor appointments I was not prepared at all yesterday we were up at 8 and didn't sit down once. Gracie means so much to Ben and I, I am glad that we could give her this gift!

Good news and Bad news...

Last weeks cardiologist appointment was both good and bad. My mom went with me as Ben is trying not to miss to much work so that when the baby comes his sick days have accrued as much as possible. The Echo took SO long...they had got a new machine and the tech was trying to learn all the new keys. So after laying there in misery for over an hour we went into the room to discuss with the doctor what was found. Our son's Aortic arch at first appeared to have a coarctation of the Aorta or a small narrowing at the aortic arch, it now appears that the entire arch is narrow (I am not sure if this is still diagnosed as CoA) and will require surgery through his chest at about 3 days old. They will cut the arch and sew on a patch of a cadavered heart this is good news because it will still grow with the baby has he grows into an adult, which means that as long as the patch holds he should not require another surgery in his life. The good news is the bottom of the Aorta is looking large enough that it should not require surgery. I am so glad to hear it has grown this means that they will not have to actually open up his heart, just his chest to repair the arch.

It's been a couple weeks so here goes...

Not sure where to start, the last few weeks have been fairly un-eventful...I had a doctor appointment on Wednesday and everything is the same I suppose. Although it wasn't an echo-that's next week- so all they can tell it that the heart appears abnormal, seriously!, I do not have gestational diabetes woot! woot!, and she thinks I might have something I'm not sure of the name whatever it is it I itch ALOT - I"m talking all over all the time constant itching - anyway I'm supposed to take some benedryl every night, Great!
I have been having sooo many contractions! I'm getting nervous he won't be able to stay in my belly until November, for now I'll just keep hoping the contractions stay irregular!
and last but not least...we got the keys to our house and have started moving! Yeah! I'm glad that this is happening now, how could I do it with 2 kids? eekkk?
I also went through some old photographs...look at the similarities...

Me 18 months    -   Grace 10 months

and of course we have to show the messy faces! Both about 9 months: