Frogger Report April 15th

Back to OSU medical today for an ultrasound and to hear the results of the MRI. We are getting very acquainted with the drive! The ultrasound went pretty well. Had an OSU medical student practice on Kate. I don't think she had much experience with babies that move around a lot...like Frogger tends to do.

We met with Dr. O' Shaughnessy in his office. He told us that the heart rate, MCA, and embryonic fluid were the same...which is good. We don't want to see any strain on the heart or any more of the fluid...excess fluid could equal early birth.

The MRI revealed that the teratoma is mostly external which is a great thing. It also showed that there wouldn't be any damage to the spinal cord itself which is an awesome thing!

After this went went on an emotional ride. Dr. O told us that he measured the teratoma and he believed that it had grown since Thursday. He thought it gone from 9cm by 9cm by 9cm to 12 by 9 by 9.(Note: a teratoma is an odd shaped tumor that is hard to measure due to it being irregular)  He said that was major concern and that he could have us in Philadelphia by the the end of the week. He said that they could monitor us and if they had to do the prenatal surgery they would be ready. If everything went well and we didnt have to have the surgery we could come home. We asked how long we would have to stay in PA. He said until week 32 which would be 2 months!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!  

We asked him a few questions about the MRI and he got to looking closer at it. He said "wait a second...this MRI shows that on Friday the teratoma was 12 x 9 x 9".

Kate responded "So...there hasn't been any change in size since last week". He looked at us and said "Yep...it appears now that there hasn't been any change in the size." His measurement Thursday was apparently off by 3cm or so. So everything is the same as it was last week. That's the news that we wanted!

He told us to come in Wednesday and then again on Monday of next week and they will do the ultrasounds again. He has a method of measuring the teratoma now and says that we are starting to see some trends. (So far the trend is that there is no change). If he sees any trend that points to the "deteriorating state" of our baby then we will have to go to Philadelphia.

So minus the false alarm of a growing tumor, today was a good report. We are praying still that God will shrink that tumor and make it so we don't have to go to Philadelphia. Kate's family that lives in New Jersey has graciously offered their home for us to stay if we end up having to go. But Kate's uncle is a Michigan and a Yankees fan...so...we pray we don't have to go to Phili. (Love ya Uncle Tim!)

We are in good spirits and know who's on our side. We heard God of Angel Armies by Chris Tomlin on the way to and the way home from the hospital: "I know who goes before me, I know who stands behind. The God of angel armies is always by my side. The God who reigns forever, He is a friend of mine. The God of angel armies is always by my side!" Amen.