Tuesday, May 19, 2009

UPDATE

Okay, this is my first post on this blog and it’s hardly how I pictured it. But it could be a lot worse. Here’s the update as of 9:59 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2009.

Brooke is still waiting for a room at St. Peters Hospital in New Bruswick. She’s in a room in their “P.E.T.” section but I have no idea what that acronym stands for. All I know is, that is the section of the hospital where they keep pregnant women who have medial issues (sort of an emergency room for expectant moms). They tell me that there’s a room waiting for her, but a this rate, it will be next week before she’s in it.

Today we had an ultrasound and saw, once again, that all the babies are healthy and active. We got more beautiful pictures of Baby A and Baby C, but B was too excited to settle down for long enough to take a good pic. Fortunately, yesterday’s ultrasound gave us possibly our best baby pic, and that was a pic of Baby B.

The ultrasound confirmed how short Brooke’s cervix has gotten, despite two weeks of bedrest. It was measuring at 1.2- 1.3 cm, which is way too short (I’ve learned more than I ever wanted to know about cervixes, vaginas, etc). Baby A’s (the boy) head is right up against it, pushing on the cervix and not exactly helping things out too much.

Here’s my VERY LIMITED understanding of things. If Brooke’s cervix keeps shortening at the rate it currently is shortening, she will go into labor in two weeks. The babies would only be 22 weeks and there would be no chance any of them would survive. Brooke’s OB told us to “wait and see.” Maybe the shortening would subside, she said. But if it didn’t subside on its own, we would lose the babies. Needless to say, this is just not good enough.

So off to St. Peters Hospital we went, knowing that they’re one of the top hospitals in the area for high-risk pregnancies. There we met Dr. Houlihan, who is a really nice, really proactive OB/MFM doc who was all for trying to stop the shortening before it gets worse. Doing so means it’s time for a cerclage (this is how I’m told it’s spelled, but it just looks wrong to me. The word is pronounced CIRC—LODGE).

Dr. Houlihan drew out a very helpful picture to explain to me what putting in a cerclage means. Basically, this will push the amniotic sack back up the cervix and then stitch the cervix so that it doesn’t shorten any more. But this is surgery, so there is a risk. There is a 5% chance that the sack will rupture during surgery and we will lose the babies. We decided that the 5% chance was worth the risk, since the alternative to do nothing would most likely have bad results.

We don’t know exactly when the surgery will take place because they will basically have to squeeze us in between planned surgeries and emergencies. Hopefully, it will be early on Wednesday. Brooke will have to be in the hospital for a couple days afterward, and then on pretty strict bed rest for the duration of the pregnancy, especially for the next two weeks. But if it gives our babies a chance….

A lot of people have contacted us via text, email, facebook, etc. to ask about how we’re doing and what’s the latest. To all of you, thank you. Your concern and your thoughts, prayers, wishes, hugs, and good vibes have been truly appreciated. Please keep them coming. I will post again tomorrow night to update everyone on how the surgery goes and how we make out.

Thank you everyone!

PS: If you need to impress someone, use the work salpingooverectomy. While I’m sure I’m spelling it wrong, it is pronounced SAL-PING-O-UUVER-ECTOMY. It is the doctor term for the removal of an ovary. It’s an unpleasant act but a damn fun word to say!

17 comments:

Unknown said...

I hope everything goes well. I will be praying for y'all and your babies. I am praying that they mature more quickly than expected and that the cerclage (yes, you spelled it correctly!) is successful!

Unknown said...

Praying, praying, praying . . . I've been thinking about you guys all day long and came on here in hopes of seeing good news . . . I'm taking the cerclage happening as good news for now, it sounds so much better than "wait and see." Love you both, thoughts and prayers of me and my family are with you. Colleen

Tiffany said...

Thank you for posting an update. Our prayers are with you.

Amy (charlatti) said...

Lots of prayers coming for all of you. I'm glad you found a doctor who will help!

Lauren said...

More prayers than you should know what to do with. :) We love all five of you and are sending you all the positive energy we can!!

Kittybits said...

prayers & good vibes to both of you! I know of someone who had a cerclage with twins and was fine. hoping you have the same outcome and 3 healthy babies!

Sarah - The Home Cook said...

Lots and lots of thoughts, prayers and vibes coming your way!! Thank you so much for posting an update...a lot of people are thinking about you guys and hoping for the very best outcome. You know if you need anything (another mac & cheese, perhaps?) I'm right there.

Jade said...

Joe and Brooke, I am glad that you got a second opinion. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the babies.

#1SAHM said...

Hi Joe:
thanks for updating us on Brooke. I hope she can get that surgery done sooner rather than later...my T&P are with you guys and your babies. I don't remember where you're located so don't know how feasible this is...but if you can't get the surgery done soon enough, etc. might want to consider going to Mayo (I'm a little biased though...). Just a thought. I'll keep praying! (hugs) to Brooke!

nicole said...

you, brooke and your babies are in my thoughts!

Colleen said...

Still thinking about you all lots and sending tons of prayers your way. Brooke, I know you can get through this since you have been through so much already! <3

Anonymous said...

Prayers - thoughts - vibes - it's all out there for you. Hang in there and everything will be just fine. You have to believe that...
I love you guys.
All My Love Always, Auntie :)
xxoxoxo

Travis said...

You two have been through so much. Laura and I hope it all works out for you both. My friend's wife had a similar issue with her baby that her cervix was shortening and they did the same procedure and she has been on bedrest too. His baby is due next month and it seems like it worked out well. We hope the same for you two. We will continue to pray for both of you. Hang in there!

Anonymous said...

thank you for the update.. i agree with mommy shay, i think the cerclage seems much better than waiting and seeing. praying that everything went well. we miss you in school, we all send our love and positive thoughts!
hugs,
nikki

Stephanie said...

You are in my thoughts and prayers!

Unknown said...

Brooke and DiGi.. I've been praying all day for you and the babies! Hoping everything is getting better!

Sending good vibes and love, because you can never have enough!!!

Anonymous said...

You have so many people thinking of you and praying for the best! Best of luck to you and the babies.