I recently "discovered" that Brian had two issues that contributed to his death. One was the severe CHD (Coronary Heart Disease) that that Medical Examiner's office informed me about when they called to give me the results of his autopsy. The other was listed on his death certificate. Specifically he had a Bicuspid Aortic value. Until recently I didn't know what that meant or that it even meant anything. They way they had the cause of death listed made it sound like the heart disease was in the aortic valve... I recently read that a Bicuspid Aortic valve is actually a congenital heart defect. I could not believe that for the last 5 years I have had no idea!! After doing some research, I read that it there is a about a 10-17% chance that the defect will be found in the 1st level relative (child, sibling) of someone who has the defect. It is the most common congenital heart defect, any not usually diagnosed until later in life and in many cases cause no problems. However, for those that have have risk factors (obese, smoking, inactive etc.) it can accelerate the damage done. It's pretty well known that Brian had about all of the risk factors for heart disease, it was just so puzzling that they would be severe enough to kill him at 33. The Bicuspid Aortic valve "discovery" is the missing piece of the puzzle. Here is a pretty good summary that I found on e-medicine:
http://www.emedicine.com/PED/topic2486.htm
Needless to say I called Zack's pediatrician. She said she had never noted a murmur or had any reason to believe that there would be an issue, but suggested that we get an echo cardiogram to make sure. Erik, Zack and I went to the Children's Heart Clinic in St. Paul today. After 30 minutes on the table getting his "heart movie" made and watching Star Wars on the DVD player he was done. The Tech had us wait in the room while he got the Cardiologist. She came in and told us there was no need to keep the second part of the appointment. Zack heart was normal and his aortic values are NORMAL.
I think I had convinced myself that he did have the defect because I was a little surprised by the overwhelming relief I felt. Erik was relieved too, but I think his practical approach to things helps him from worry too much until there is an actual reason to worry. As for Zack, his response was "I told you my heart wasn't sick!" I guess he told us!
I think part of the reason for my response is that since he was born I have had the nagging worry that what happened to Brian would happen to Zack too. Brian's death seem like such a freakish event and I had no idea how to protect my baby from the same thing happening to him. Well I now know that while there are never any guarantees in life, he now has the same shot as any other kid and somehow that cloud has lifted a bit.
YEA ZACK!!!!
I'm off to "study" for my 3 hour glucose test tomorrow. I'll update when I get the chance.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Thursday, September 4, 2008
24 Weeks 4 day
I failed!!! The blood glucose test was today and I bombed. My blood sugar was supposed to be under 150 after 1 hour post sugary orange drink... Mine was 171. So it's off to the three hour test. I had the same issue with Zack but passed the three hour. I go back in next Wednesday. I'll drink the same orange stuff and they'll check my blood sugar once an hour for 3 hours. I guess I'll get to catch up on some reading. I'm not too concerned either way. If I fail the 3 hour and have gestational diabetes, then I'll deal with it. Basically it's just keeping carbs and sugar restricted and monitoring blood sugar....I can do that, no problem. My weight was bad too. She mentioned it, but was not too hard on me about it. She just reminded me that I don't want to be having a 10 pound baby... No I do not. She said that Zack was a tiny baby, but this is a different pregnancy with very different circumstances so I should try to watch it from this point forward.
At our next appointment they will be doing another ultrasound to measure his growth to make sure he is on target. I have 2 weeks left of the prednisone and after that the only meds I'll be on is for blood pressure. My Blood pressure has been great, by the way, 120/74 at this visit.
She also told me that starting at 32 weeks I will be getting weekly biophysical profiles. They are basically a non stress test and fetal ultrasound that measure for specific things. For the non stress test they put a belt over your belly to monitor the heart rate and you have to push a button everything time the baby moves. If I remember correctly form the hundreds that I had with Zack, it's about 20-30 minutes of monitoring. After that they give an ultrasound and they check to see if the baby is practice breathing, accelerating heartbeat with movement and amount of amniotic fluid and a few other things. There is some sort of point system and if you pass, baby gets to gestate another week. If you fail, you get a trip to Labor& Delivery for another evaluation. Zack was induced at 38 weeks due to a failed biophysical profile....
This high risk pregnancy stuff is a blast, no? All kidding aside, I'm so greatful that I have such a cautious and wonderful Doc and I am willing to do whatever it takes to get Stitch here safe and sound. We are getting there.
Next Appointments:
September 10th - 3 hour Gestational Diabetes test
October 2nd 28 weeks - Growth Check Ultrasound
October 16th 30 weeks
October 30 32 weeks - 1st Bio-physical profile
At our next appointment they will be doing another ultrasound to measure his growth to make sure he is on target. I have 2 weeks left of the prednisone and after that the only meds I'll be on is for blood pressure. My Blood pressure has been great, by the way, 120/74 at this visit.
She also told me that starting at 32 weeks I will be getting weekly biophysical profiles. They are basically a non stress test and fetal ultrasound that measure for specific things. For the non stress test they put a belt over your belly to monitor the heart rate and you have to push a button everything time the baby moves. If I remember correctly form the hundreds that I had with Zack, it's about 20-30 minutes of monitoring. After that they give an ultrasound and they check to see if the baby is practice breathing, accelerating heartbeat with movement and amount of amniotic fluid and a few other things. There is some sort of point system and if you pass, baby gets to gestate another week. If you fail, you get a trip to Labor& Delivery for another evaluation. Zack was induced at 38 weeks due to a failed biophysical profile....
This high risk pregnancy stuff is a blast, no? All kidding aside, I'm so greatful that I have such a cautious and wonderful Doc and I am willing to do whatever it takes to get Stitch here safe and sound. We are getting there.
Next Appointments:
September 10th - 3 hour Gestational Diabetes test
October 2nd 28 weeks - Growth Check Ultrasound
October 16th 30 weeks
October 30 32 weeks - 1st Bio-physical profile
Monday, August 25, 2008
23 Weeks 1 day
We had out follow up appointment at the North Memorial Perinatal Center today. It took over an hour, but Stitch finally decided to roll over and give up the goods. We finally got all of the heart measurements they want to see and everything looked good. He was measuring at about 1 lb. 3 oz. I'm not sure how accurate they are at this stage of the pregnancy. I know that they are NOT at all accurate with measurements at the end. I had an Ultrasound the day I delivered Zack and they said 5 lbs 8 oz. HA! He was 4lbs. 4 oz. Not even close. So next step is Dr. Baker on Sept. 4th. I get my 1 hour screen for gestational diabetes and I have a bad feeling that I'm going to failing... I failed the 1 hour with Zack and just barely passed the 3 hour.... Goodbye Ben & Jerry's... Not a bad idea either way since I have already gained almost 20 lbs. I'm going to blame the prednisone... Ben and Jerry are WAY too nice (and delicious) to be responsible for such a travesty.
The other exciting development is that we have crossed into viability territory. Technically babies can survive if they are born at 23 weeks. Of course no one wants this to happen as the survival rate is only around 50% (depending on what statistics you look at) and the rate of disability is quite high. I have had no signs of preterm labor and have no history either, so I'm guessing this won't be an issue, but it's nice to know that if it did, the baby would have at least a chance.
Next Appoinments:
September 4th - 24 Weeks
October 2nd 28 weeks
After 28 weeks we will be seen every other week instead of once a month.
After 36 weeks we will bee seen weekly until delivery!
The other exciting development is that we have crossed into viability territory. Technically babies can survive if they are born at 23 weeks. Of course no one wants this to happen as the survival rate is only around 50% (depending on what statistics you look at) and the rate of disability is quite high. I have had no signs of preterm labor and have no history either, so I'm guessing this won't be an issue, but it's nice to know that if it did, the baby would have at least a chance.
Next Appoinments:
September 4th - 24 Weeks
October 2nd 28 weeks
After 28 weeks we will be seen every other week instead of once a month.
After 36 weeks we will bee seen weekly until delivery!
Friday, August 15, 2008
Saturday, August 9, 2008
20 weeks 6 days
There is not much going on...Which is good! Zack has decided to call this baby Stitch, so I said that was as good a name as any until we pick out a real name. He suggested that we call the baby Stitch until he is 4 and then call him Zack... I guess if George Foreman can do it, so can we! I have a feeling this baby will be Stitch right up until delivery as Erik is not know for his speedy decision making. We are working on a list now, but I'm feeling it will be slow going.
Baby Stitch is moving a lot, flipping and kicking like crazy. It's not quite enough for anyone else to see or feel yet, but I'm sure it will be in a few weeks. Zack is really into talking to him and giving kisses, so I'm sure he'll be excited when he can feel some kicking. He is working on his "big boy: patience, but it says it's "taking soooo long!!" He can be pretty entertaining.
Baby Stitch is moving a lot, flipping and kicking like crazy. It's not quite enough for anyone else to see or feel yet, but I'm sure it will be in a few weeks. Zack is really into talking to him and giving kisses, so I'm sure he'll be excited when he can feel some kicking. He is working on his "big boy: patience, but it says it's "taking soooo long!!" He can be pretty entertaining.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
20 weeks 2 days
Zack found out about the baby last night. At first I think he was a little confused. His first response was "but our baby died." Then Erik explained that this was a new baby that would be coming to live at our house. I told him it would be a baby brother. He said "I need to go draw something" and went to his toy room for about 5 minutes. He came back with two little pieces of paper. He told us they were light sabers, one for him and one for the baby. The baby can have the green one and he will have the red one, Darth Vader's color. Once we told him the baby was actually in my tummy, then he really got excited. He was kissing my tummy and talking to the baby. Even this morning he was standing next to me and said "besos" (Spanish for kisses, learned from cousin Ezra) and kissed my tummy a few times. We then got to Day care and he walked through the hall loudly proclaiming "I'm having a baby!" When we got his class, he told his teacher Ms. Melissa "My mom's tummy is reallllly big." She didn't know quite what to say to that! I told him to tell her why my tummy was so big. He said "Because I'm going to be a big brother!" They were so sweet, telling him congratulations and that he will be the best brother ever. I just love the teachers at his school.
Of course this morning, about 12 hours after we told him, he was complaining that it was taking way too long to get the baby here and wanted to know why he couldn’t see the baby now. It’s hard to be patient when you are 4! It’s going to a long 4 months for him. I told him it would be after Thanksgiving and he didn’t think that was a good idea at all. Of course he wanted to know who would be eating the baby’s share of turkey for Thanksgiving…
We met with our regular OB this morning. She was pleased with the outcome of the ultrasound and was not at all concerned about the follow-up. She said that it was very unlikely there would be anything wrong as there would be some other indication. She also said that they are just so small at this point (average about 10 ½ oz. and 6 ½ inches) that it can be hard to see everything. A few weeks growth will make a difference. Plus there is really not much you can do to get them to move. In order to get the profile shots (which I will post later) the tech had me roll over so that I was almost on my stomach, because he was not cooperating. At that time he was holding both of his feet in his hands, folded like a clam. She is having me step down again with the prednisone from 15 mg to 10mg. I’m hoping I don’t lose my sense of smell, but I’m prepared. I was nice being able to smell after 2 years of not being able to. Darn sinus polyps.
Next Appointments:
August 25th – Follow up Level 2 Ultrasound
September 4th – 24 week checkup
October 2nd – 28 week checkup
Of course this morning, about 12 hours after we told him, he was complaining that it was taking way too long to get the baby here and wanted to know why he couldn’t see the baby now. It’s hard to be patient when you are 4! It’s going to a long 4 months for him. I told him it would be after Thanksgiving and he didn’t think that was a good idea at all. Of course he wanted to know who would be eating the baby’s share of turkey for Thanksgiving…
We met with our regular OB this morning. She was pleased with the outcome of the ultrasound and was not at all concerned about the follow-up. She said that it was very unlikely there would be anything wrong as there would be some other indication. She also said that they are just so small at this point (average about 10 ½ oz. and 6 ½ inches) that it can be hard to see everything. A few weeks growth will make a difference. Plus there is really not much you can do to get them to move. In order to get the profile shots (which I will post later) the tech had me roll over so that I was almost on my stomach, because he was not cooperating. At that time he was holding both of his feet in his hands, folded like a clam. She is having me step down again with the prednisone from 15 mg to 10mg. I’m hoping I don’t lose my sense of smell, but I’m prepared. I was nice being able to smell after 2 years of not being able to. Darn sinus polyps.
Next Appointments:
August 25th – Follow up Level 2 Ultrasound
September 4th – 24 week checkup
October 2nd – 28 week checkup
Monday, August 4, 2008
It's a BOY
We had out Level 2 ultrasound today. Everything looked good. They do want us to come back in three weeks for a follow-up US as the baby was holding his arm in a position that prevented them for getting all of the heart measurement they wanted. She reiterated several times that they did not see anything wrong, just wanted to make sure everything was all right, and they couldn’t do that with the way he was positioned. So, we go back on August 25th. I was a little disappointed as I wanted to get a 100% "everything is great." She said she would give me a 95% "everything is great" which will have to do for now. I know there is nothing to worry about, but I don't think I'll be full at ease until we get the 100%...Of course I won't REALLY be fully at ease until he is born safely. And then comes the REST of the worrying...Who am I kidding, the lifetime of worry has just begun!!
We didn't care one way or the other about the gender of the baby, so we are excited to have another little boy in our house. Zack will have plenty of time to adjust to the idea of a baby brother. We'll probably tell him a brother will be much more likely to join him in light saber fights, albeit a few years down the road... We are going to tell him tonight.
We didn't care one way or the other about the gender of the baby, so we are excited to have another little boy in our house. Zack will have plenty of time to adjust to the idea of a baby brother. We'll probably tell him a brother will be much more likely to join him in light saber fights, albeit a few years down the road... We are going to tell him tonight.
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