ttts

Yesterday we went to our fetal specialist for what was hopefully a routine follow up.  while there it was determined that our girls have twin to twin transfusion syndrome.  this is a serious syndrome that puts one or both babies at risk depending on what stage you are.  we are currently a stage 1 where there is a large discrepancy in amniotic fluid in each of the babies sacs.  base line of normal is 8 cm of fluid in one sac to 2cm of fluid in the other sac.  our girls are at 8.5 and 1.4.  this causes baby b (eden) to become stuck because she doesn't have a lot of fluid to move around in.  it causes smaller growth size, potential bladder shut down, and urine production, and possibly death.  for baby a (piper) the excess fluid could become a problem too.  it can put too much strain on her heart and cause her heart to work super hard causing heart failure.  we were sent to a fetal surgeon who specializes in doing a laser surgery to disconnect the shared blood vessels between the babies hopefully stopping the problem.  it doesn't mean that eden would get more fluid, but it would stop piper from taking all the nutrients from eden.  after a three hour appointment with the fetal interventionist it was determined that we are not candidates for the surgery at this time.  but it things progress to more serious stages we would then be deciding to have the surgery or not.  problem is they only perform the surgery until 26 weeks gestation.  i am now 24.5 weeks.  so we have 1 week left to perform the surgery.  if things progress after 26 weeks and it becomes more serious we can do an amnioreduction to reduce piper's fluid.  that doesn't necessarily fix the problem either.  we were given several options for different scenarios.  after 25 weeks the babies have a 70% chance of surviving outside the womb, so our game now is to wait and see how long it is safer in the womb than trying the outside world.  the fetal surgeon said it would be a great success if we make it to 28 weeks.  i know this is a lot of information and in my muddled brain it's not even making much sense.  so i will be posting a link to a website that has a video of an educational video about ttts.  needless to say yesterday and today have been pretty trying for us emotionally.  it was a shock to find this out yesterday and not have all the answers that we want given to us.  so we are putting our trust in the Lord.  we know that whatever the outcome it will be the Lord's will.  I was given a blessing by Nick that i'll be comforted and have peace during this time.  i know things are going to be difficult for the next little while, but am putting my faith in the plan of salvation and pleading with the Lord for our righteous desires to be recognized.  we have felt so much love from family and are so thankful for our knowledge of the gospel.  we have some great friends down here who have already done so much to help us.  we know this is why we are in houston.  we are being treated by the worlds best doctors in this field.  we are thankful for modern medicine and the hope it gives among all the unknowns.  i am so thankful for a strong faithful husband who is an eternal optimist.  i am thankful for sydney and sawyer and they joy they bring into my life always.  i love being a mom.  i am so thankful for my divine nature and the opportunity i have to create life and raise choice spirits from heaven.  i am so thankful for a loving Heavenly Father who doesn't leave me comfortless.  i have felt His love and know that whatever the outcome we will be blessed.  i am thankful for all the blessings in my life.  here is the link to the video.  it's about 30 minutes long, but very good information.

http://www.texaschildrens.org/CareCenters/FetalSurgery/ttts/index.html