Saturday, April 17, 2010

Spina Bifida - Please Don't Let It Be

My DIL Diana called us the other day from Spokane to give us the exciting news that their baby due in September is going to be a boy.  We couldn't be more thrilled.  My wish has already been granted that I have a granddaughter, two of them no less. I wanted Brandon to have a son.  Their daughter, Riley, will be a year old on May 30 and now he'll have his boy. 

Brandon and Dee with newborn Riley about 10 months ago.
Oh, and their dog, Layla

I'm glad that both my sons will experience the thrill, fun and excitement of boys like Bob and I did with them.  And I also want them to experience the trials and tribulations of teenage sons that we also went through with them.  You know, pay backs.  Just kidding!  Kinda (not really).
When Dee told us the news we didn't want to tell anyone except immediate family at the time because Brandon was out on a Survival Training mission and he wouldn't know he was expecting a son until he got home yesterday.
Last night Brandon called us to share his excitement both about his recent training mission and about his new baby.  Along with his excitement, though, was a piece of worrisome news that they just received from the doctor yesterday.
Dee's blood work just came back and it shows elevated levels of AFP - a protein produced by the fetus. This COULD indicate spina bifida. You can read more about this here:


http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/spina-bifida/DS00417

This is rare and does not mean that the baby definitely has spina bifida, but it's an indication that they like to check on further. They don't have Dee scheduled to see a specialist until May 7. Needless to say they are very worried, as now we all are.

I called a very good girlfriend of mine, Cheryl, right away last night.  Cheryl used to be a nurse and worked with her husband, Michael,  when he had his own private OB/GYN practice. He now works for a large hospital out of town and is now a perinatologist (specialist in problem and high risk pregnancies).  Cheryl said it is probably nothing. They get false positive readings on this type of thing all the time.  Dee and Riley are going to be coming home here on the 22nd for two weeks and Michael will be glad to talk to Dee and look at her sonogram DVD while she's here to see if he can determine anything further from it.  Dee's doctor told her she saw nothing indicating on the sonogram at all. Cheryl said that if they were really concerned they would have had her into the specialist immediately instead of setting it for May 7

Brandon said he wished they hadn't even said anything to them, but as Cheryl explained to me, it is much better to know these things ahead of time for a couple of reasons.  When the baby is born the hospital and doctors are well prepared for any immediate action that needs to be taken.  And secondly, it gives the parents and family 4 or 5 months to physically and mentally prepare themselves. 

I think everything is fine, but we will all be concerned until her May 7 appointment.  Regardless of the outcome, one thing is for sure.  This will be a very lucky little baby boy to have the parents he's going to get.

12 comments:

DJan said...

I know nothing about spina bifida, so I'll go check out that link. And I too hope it turns out to be nothing. I'm glad these kinds of things can be determined beforehand, so you have a chance to get prepared, and if it turns out to be for nothing, that's all the better. Prayers to you and yours, Nina.

Anonymous said...

What a stressful time, full of worry for you and your family. I'm so sorry. I will keep all of you in my prayers that the end result is a healthy baby, no Spina Bifida.

I knew a young mom, years ago when my kids were young that was told her baby would have Spina Bifida and she delivered a normal, healthy baby.

Hugs, Marla

Snooty Primadona said...

Omigosh, I sincerely hope that it's just a false reading & there is nothing wrong.

You are now on the top of my prayer list, my friend....

Theresa said...

Lucky baby to have such great, caring Parents AND Grandparents. What a sweet little family! I'll set in to praying for this little baby and for all of you! You'll be on my prayer list until you tell me to quit praying:) Hugs to you my dear friend!

Happy Hour...Somewhere said...

Praying for good news~! I don't do waiting well but what a wonderful support system for everyone. I will be thinking of you and your family.

Rae said...

Your friend is right this test often produces false positives. Many women do not even do the test because it causes too much worry and stress from the false alarms. Hopefully this is just another one of those false positives.

Unknown said...

Nina I am so excited for you and your family about the news of another grandbaby on the way.

I'm praying for the healthiest baby boy ever for Brandon and Dee. I can only imagine how worried the whole family must be.

Valerie said...

It's not good news for you or the parents of the babe-to-be. I sincerely hope it isn't true. But while you believe there may not be anything in it to worry about, worry you will. It's unavoidable. I hope my prayers for the baby will help you get through the next few weeks and more if necessary.

BeautifulDees said...

Oh I will pray for your sweet family. So sorry Nina. If you need to talk my email is dbbpeel@yahoo.com.
Love ya,Debbie

Covnitkepr1 said...

Prayer will help this situation. I'll be checking back to see how God works in this. I'm your newest follower.

Barb said...

Hi Nina,

Our DIL's are due around the same time it sounds like. I am praying for that sweet baby and for your family. Sending that prayer right on up.

big hugs,
Barb

Melissa said...

This is the first time I've read your blog but I ust had to comment to tell you that I will keep you and your family in my prayers!

Congrats on your new grandson!

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