Nov 16 Putman5 Update

Hello Friends,

I am drained. I didn't mean for that to be a pun, but I guess it is... I'll explain. This morning we went in (again =) we're at 5 out of 6 days, tomorrow makes 6 out of 7) for an ultrasound. Both the specialists within this specialty group were there today, and I had an appointment with both of them so they could brainstorm and work together (apparently this is a rare occurrence, God is really looking out for our little one). They decided to go ahead and try to drain fluid out of the cysts that are within the mass. (The mass had enlarged and the swelling in the head is still getting larger).

In this procedure, the baby got sedated (through my skin/uterus), and they drained the cysts using ultrasound guidance. They removed 38 cc of fluid (wow!!) and did a great job. They were able to get to almost all the cysts within the mass. Baby's heartbeat stayed good, and as I type I can feel him/her moving. I feel like our "sprint" is turning into a "marathon", and I pray that we would remain faithful.

I go back tomorrow to see if the cysts have refilled, measure swelling (hydrops), etc. Thank you all for your prayers. We continue to need them and the sustaining grace God is giving through them.

Monday, November 15 Putman5 Update

Not too much new news. The mass is approx. the same size, but has some different characteristics (in case I haven't mentioned it, the mass itself is benign, but the sheer size of it is causing problems with the heart). Fluid in the abdomen is a tiny bit lower, but swelling in the head is a bit more (according to the Dr. that good news/bad news kind of "cancels out").

I go back in tomorrow so that my Doctor can examine again and brainstorm with the other fetal therapy specialist in their practice. Taking fluid out is still a possibility and were it not for the baby's ribs, arm and shoulder blade, would be a relatively easy procedure ;).

We are still thankful that it is not worse, especially given how much it had grown between 11/3 and 11/11. Praise the Lord!

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.