Sat 11/13 Putman5 Update

Hello Friends,

We are so thankful to report from our ultrasound this morning that the adenamatoid (large mass) has shrunk a little bit. Yesterday it measured 4cm x 5cm x 6cm (yes, large for a 1 pound baby!!), but today it measured 4cm x 4.5cm x just under 6 cm. Hooray! This means two things.
First, we are relieved of the stress of feeling "on the edge". If it had gotten any worse, we would have most likely needed intra-utero surgery. Now there is a tiny bit of breathing room (at least it feels like it).
Second, we can take tomorrow "off" as far as going in for an ultrasound. Our Dr. said we could go in if we'd like to (for comfort), but we'll wait until Monday.

Praise the Lord that He is working in visible ways!

This ultrasound picture is a profile shot taken this morning. Probably only the top 1/3 of the adenamatoid (with cysts) is visible. Visually seeing this large mass (as we've gotten better at telling what is "normal" and what is "not normal" on the screen) has probably been the hardest part of this process, emotionally. We are so thankful for the prayer support for we know the Lord has us in His gracious hands.

11/12 Putman5 Update

We had a followup ultrasound and appointment this morning. The Doctor was glad that it hadn't gotten worse overnight and said that's what she was hoping for. If it can stay the same size, and the fluid (hydrops) does not get worse then we will just wait and see what the steroids do. The fluid is currently in the abdomen and swelling in the head, but no fluid around the heart. There is also not "backflow" from vessels around the heart which is another sign of heart problems.

We will go back again for sure on Saturday and Monday (Lord willing not Sunday, but it looks like each appointment will determine the next step).

We are thankful to lean on, and drink from, the rock that is Christ. 'tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to know "thus sayeth the Lord".

We may not post tomorrow unless something changes at that appointment. Thank you for your prayers and support. Sending our love,

Meg (for all of us)

Nov 11 Putman5 Update

This picture was from last week's ultrasound.

We returned from the Parenatologist appointment today (Thursday 11/11) and would ask for continued prayer. The cyst has grown quite a bit and there is a lot of extra fluid in the chest and abdominal area. He/she also has swelling in other areas. This extra fluid shows that the heart is under stress and is working too hard. The doctor described it as the baby is feeling like we would after a workout (except that we know when to stop working too hard, baby does not). On a cross section view of the chest, the cyst now takes up more than 1/2 the area.

They gave Meg a steroid shot which they have found sometimes helps in these situations. They usually do not have to do that this early (23 weeks) but is worth trying. Meg will also see the doctor tomorrow (Friday). At this appointment the doctor will try and remove some of the extra fluid in the cyst to relieve some pressure, and Meg will get another steroid shot.

It is likely that the baby will be monitored more regularly (we were at 1x per week, probably more often now).

We are working through the reality of being unable to "help" our baby but knowing that he/she is in God's infinitely more capable hands. May we be quick to submit to His will. "My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in secret and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth." Ps 139

New Pics & Putman5 Update 11/5/10

Here is the latest on our 3rd child (Putman5).

We had a detailed ultrasound on Wednesday morning. The cyst is quite large (or "impressive" sized). This is not an indicator of good or bad prognosis. Basically one of two things will happen. Either the baby will develop hydrops (extra fluid around the heart from being under stress from the cyst) or not. If the baby does develop hydrops we would either do something drastic (in utero surgery is a possibility) or deliver early (if it's past 32 weeks). If it does not develop hydrops, then the cyst will stop growing and eventually go away. We are so thankful that we are in such a "black and white" situation. On leaving the appointment we thought we were in the lower risk category of developing hydrops, but we are actually in the higher risk. Any ratio above 1.6 is higher risk, are we are at 2.2. Jeremy & I continue to remember to live in the present and think on what is true (not what might be...) and that we can "cast our cares on him who cares for us." (1 Pet 5:7) and "Do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble" (Matt 6:34... I think).

We will go in weekly to check for hydrops.

Below are some pictures we snuck out to get at the park. This is 3 years now we've gotten the purposeful Fall Leaf pictures... thanks God for the great weather!

We enjoyed a wonderful Oct 31 with our good friends, the Walls. Their little boy (6 mos) Benjamin was a moose, and Sarah and Connor LOVED getting candy from the stores at the outlet mall. Sarah is almost 2 1/2, and she and Connor are pretty good buddies.

What is the probability of both shirt and pants being backwards? (Actually, being a former math teacher I can tell you) 25%. Way to go, Connor!

We just love their spunk! (And they love their baths)

Putman5 Prognosis and Update

We went to our ultrasound follow up today and had a more detailed ultrasound. Found out more details about "Putman5" (our 3rd child, currently in utero). The cyst in the lung is large or "impressive" sized. Thankfully it is currently not putting stress on the heart. We will be monitored every 2 weeks to watch for stress on the heart. As far as good prognosis vs. bad prognosis, even though the cyst is quite large, the doctor said we have a lot more good indicators than bad, so she is "cautiously optimistic". We continue to pray that God would choose to heal and remove the cyst complete, but trust His provision regardless. Thanks for your prayers and support.

Bonus of this ultrasound was some great 3D pics of Putman5! Hopefully Jeremy can take it to work to get a good scan, and we'll post them in the near future.

Updates on the 3 kiddos

Hello friends and family,

Update on the kids from youngest to oldest:

1) We just had our 20 week ultrasound on who we affectionately call "Putman5" or "Baby3". We aren't finding out the gender, so stay tuned! However, we did get a closer due date, Mar 12 so I will probably have the c-section around Mar 5.

We also found out what God has known all along, that our little baby's left lung is malformed. He/she has a condition called Congenital "something that begins with an A, and I can't find it on the search engine or WebMD!" Malformation Type 1. There is a medium/large cyst that is blocking the formation of the left lung. The heart and right lung are slightly "squished" but are formed correctly and are the correct size, so we are thankful. Some more complications could arise, but we are living in the truth of the present, not the speculations of the future. Please be praying that above all God will be glorified as we have more opportunities to testify to His artistry in forming our baby in future "high-risk" ultrasounds, etc. Also pray that, if it is His will, He would heal our baby. Sometimes this does "reverse" (i.e. God heals!)

2) Katie - she is working on eating with fork and spoons, and at the "big table" (meaning no tray. Definitely still a plate and plastic placemat!) She can stab and scoop and looks like she's more skillful with her left hand. She loves to read, we'll often find her on the floor next to her or Connor's bookshelf, flipping through a book.

3) Connor - he continues to be a joy. We're potty training TOMORROW (yes, we'd love prayer support!). He is full of suggestions and good ideas. The other day it was "let's blow bubbles outside". Or, often, "let's do a project." (meaning stickers or cutting something out or coloring). My favorite recent quote (which I jotted down to write in his journal) is from this morning. I am working on being content with the weather so I say "look at the fog! Isn't it pretty?" He responded. "Yes, like Mommy. Pretty like Mommy." I can't appreciate his discernment (I was still in PJs) but definitely appreciate his heart!

Thanks for your support and prayers. We are so thankful for the relationships God has given us.

4 new posts

Hello all. Below you will see why I have not posted in a while and what we've done this past month. A total of 2 trips and 2 sets of visitors. It has been super fun! Enjoy.

Here's a quick children update:

*Connor moved to "big bed" last night and slept great. We're planning to potty train next Thursday (yes, prayers would be appreciated - we need much grace!)

*Katie responds "good" if you ask how she is or how someone (like her dolly) is. She also spontaneously said "wuv you" to Mommy a week ago at breakfast. She is walking everywhere, can catch "air" on the trampoline (almost can jump from the ground) and continues to love her "brober" best of all.

*They both continue to LOVE brushing their teeth and flossing and many other things.

*Putman5 is active and growing (or Meg is growing enough for the both of them). Ultrasound is next week, but we've decided to not find out gender until the delivery (why not, right?)