good news today!

Thankful for a relatively positive day! The Maternal-Fetal Specialists called me this afternoon to let me know the second round of amniocentesis results came back very good - which means there are no chromosome issues from the two tests they have run so far! I didn't expect that there would be - but it is always nice to get a phone call with good test results. Here is how the amniocentesis works for those of you who may not understand or have never heard of an amniocentesis before:

Amniocentesis: "A sample of amniotic fluid is collected through a needle that is inserted through the mother's stomach in to the amniotic sac. The procedure takes about 45 minutes (it doesn't really take this long, unless you add me freaking out in the beginning about the needle), although the collection of fluid takes less than five minutes. The amniotic fluid, which contains cells shed by the fetus, is sent to the laboratory for analysis. Results can take anywhere from a few days to a couple weeks to be returned." (This definition is from the American Pregnancy Association Website.) When I went in for my appointment with the Maternal-Fetal Specialists last week they wanted to do this test to check for chromosome issues that may be causing the heart issue with baby Murphy. The test picks up on "chromosome abnormalities (things like Down syndrome or Trisomy 21, neural tube defects (like spina bifida) and genetic disorders (like cystic fibrosis). The first results came back two days after the test for the general chromosome abnormalities, and the second level results came back today - all negative for anything! The third test is for genetic disorders and we will not get these results back for about two weeks (from today!). The pediatric cardiologist wanted them to run the genetic test because there are a few issues that COULD BE related to the heart issue. There are no other markers, but they did want to go ahead and run the test. Prayers that this test comes back negative as well would be much appreciated!

I mentioned that my aunt works in the NICU in a post last week. She has been really supportive through all of this and is keeping up with the whole process and trying to help put my mind at ease as much as possible. She was able to schedule a meeting for us with Dr. Leigh, the Neonatologist (specializes in sick newborns) and Medical Director at Gwinnett Medical. He also works with the NICU's at Barrow, Walton, Newton, Rockdale and John's Creek hospitals! They have worked together for quite awhile and since baby Murphy will most likely have to be in the NICU after he is born, he agreed to sit down with us and explain what care he will be receiving and try to answer any questions we may have. This "meeting" is scheduled for Monday night at 6 PM! This is the same week as our meeting with the surgeon at Egleston and tour of the hospital. I am looking forward to both of these because I am hoping to get a lot of my questions answered and put some parts of my mind at ease - I hope they are ready for my notebook of questions (never can be too prepared)! 

Thank you again for all of your prayers. I figured my last few posts have been pretty down and sad about all of the emotions I am dealing with so I wanted to share the good news phone call we received and also let you know about the upcoming meetings that I am both excited/nervous about! Another thing - baby Murphy has been kicking/moving around like crazy for the past few weeks, but his movements are strong enough now that Josh can feel them. Josh likes to say he is swimming around. Sometimes we just lay there watching my stomach move around as he flips/turns or does gymnastics :) So neat - and a reminder that he is doing just fine in there! 

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27