Not the News We Were Hoping/Praying For

Yesterday we met with both the OB and the Cardiologist. I am now just about 4 1/2 weeks away from delivery. So, from this point on we will be going in every week.

We didn't have a lot of time at the Cardiologist's office because Mike had some mandatory training yesterday afternoon, but they did an u/s of Jethro's heart, and the Cardiologist told us that she is seeing some fluid beginning to accumulate around his heart. This was not there a month ago when we had the last u/s done. She wanted to know if the OB was keeping an eye on the rest of his growth, etc., with u/s and we told her, "no". It has been about a month and a half since our last general u/s.

The concern with the fluid starting to build around his heart, is that there is also fluid build-up in other areas of his body, so next week when we go back, we'll have 2 u/s. A general one to check up on how he's doing overall, and another heart u/s to see what is happening with his little heart.

She was encouraged that there is blood flow going through the Pulmonary Valve ~ even though it's going the wrong way. The hope is that once he's born and the lung tissue is relaxed then that lower chamber will be able to pump effectively enough for the blood to go the correct way. She also said that she is seeing lung tissue which is a good sign ~ often babies with Ebstein's because of the enlargement of the upper chamber of the heart, their lungs don't develop properly. (REALLY badly structured sentence!! Sorry!)

Ultimately what it all comes down to is that if it looks like he is beginning to not do very well, we'll have to evaluate whether or not to take on the increased risk of rupture and induce for early delivery or whether he might need to be born via c-sec.

It would also appear that the little stinker was transverse yesterday...the u/s tech couldn't say for sure because she is just used to looking at the heart, but I was pretty sure he had changed position, and it did feel like he was lying sideways. :-/

Here are our prayer requests for this week:

• Wisdom. There are so many variables. The Drs. would all like for us to be in Spokane for a week to 10 days before the delivery. The fact that we live an hour out has them all very nervous. I feel the need to be at home for the other children until Jethro is born. The little ones especially, need some level of normalcy for as long as I can provide it.
• That the fluid around Jethro's heart would disappear.
• That his overall health would be good and obvious with the u/s next week.
• For a natural delivery. My c-sec was one of the most horrific experiences in my life, and I have no desire to repeat it. If anything, having had one has made me even more scared of having one that when it was a complete unknown.
• That Jethro would be a good baby and turn head down once again.
• For God's will. This is truly the desire of our hearts ~ even knowing that it could be deep, difficult waters to get through. Please also pray that we would have the faith, grace and strength to keep our eyes on our Heavenly Father whatever His will is. Our desire is to glorify Him, no matter the path He places our feet upon.

I wanted to close this with a praise. Mike has been at his new job for a little over 2 weeks. It was beginning to get a little discouraging for him, because he hadn't had any sales. Over the weekend, he sold 3 1/2 rigs! The 1/2 is he made initial contact and then another salesman closed the deal ~ but he still makes some commission off of it. I thank God for a husband who always gets out and does his best. He is such a blessing to me. He was able to take yesterday off and be at the dr appts with me, and he reminded me that even if he doesn't say much, he has my six. :-)