Q&A Time

(Originally posted on 1/30/13)

Q&A

First here is a picture of Elliot.  If you rock and read the whole blog there will be another one at the bottom 🙂

It’s been way to long since an update!! There are a few questions we always get asked so I thought it would be a good idea to post them here.

Has Elliot grown?

We had our last ultrasound on Wednesday January 30^th and Elliot had grown but is now measuring 8 weeks behind.  He is estimated to be about 2lbs 12oz.  At this point, according to babycenter.com, he should be around 5lbs.

What is the birth plan?

This is unfortunately up in the air.  Right now it is up to nature. They have talked about whether or not inducing me a week early would give us a higher chance of spending time with him alive so, that’s a possibility.  They will also induce me if I go two weeks over. The only thing we know for sure is I will not have a C-section. Because of Elliot’s size a C-section would have to be performed with a vertical incision. That would cause a lot more damage to me and also require me to always deliver via C-section.

Will this affect our future children?

From the beginning we have been told the chances of this happening again are around 2%. However because I never had an amniocenteses we don’t know if the underlying issue or cause of Elliot’s CDH is a chromosome abnormality.  We will have Elliot’s DNA tested after he is born. If it comes back positive Jordan and I can then decide if we want to test our DNA. Those tests will give us a more accurate answer to this question.

Did we get a second opinion?

The great thing about the practice we go to is how many doctors they employ. We have meet with two neonatologist, three high-risk OB’s, loads of nurses, a pediatric cardiologist, four ultrasound techs, and a few others. The crazy thing is we haven’t even met with half of the doctors in the practice. Every Thursday these doctors meet together and discuss their patients. We know that we have been mentioned several times and we know they all agreed comfort care is the best option for Elliot.  I don’t know how many doctors are at these meetings but since they serve the entire Phoenix area I imagine it’s a lot.

Also, the main reason comfort care is the best option is because of his weight. The machines they use to save these babies lives have a weight requirement of 5lbs. Even if we traveled to Philadelphia, San Francisco or half way around the world this requirement would be the same and so would Elliot’s size.

Jordan here: One person asked me why we didn’t go to another practice for a second opinion and the short answer is that we really feel comfortable with the set-up of this practice. There isn’t one doctor who has the final say, and we know that they disagree sometimes because we have seen it first hand. The beauty is that even though they sometimes disagree initially they have that Thursday meeting and some up with a solution.

They then let us know how the meeting went and even have explained some of the other doctor’s opinions on our treatment and why they came to the group’s decision.

How are we doing?

This depends on the day. We have good days and bad days. We feel blessed to have all this knowledge so we can prepare for the worst but at the same time how do you prepare for this? At times we can’t wait to get it over with and then we feel guilty for feeling that way.  We are anxious, scared, and heartbroken but we continue to count our many blessings.  We are so grateful for all the love and support we have received.  We cannot thank you enough.

With love,

Jordan, Casey and Elliot