Specialist Apt #2

Here is our little man at 27 1/2 weeks. We are so close to the third trimester...

Today was the second time we had an appointment with the specialist for baby boy's kidneys. All in all, it was a good appointment. We left feeling like they didn't tell us anything new, but that they were able to put a more positive spin on it.

We had a different doctor this time and Chuck and I really liked him a lot. Not that we didn't like the last doctor, we just felt that Dr. Thorpe - being older and more experienced - was much more confident in what he was telling us. The last doctor gave us all the scenarios - good and bad - which at the time we thought was important for us to know, but after meeting with Dr. Thorpe today, maybe it wasn't so important for us to know all the options as he is confident this is minor. And to be honest - he "coined" Chuck while in the appointment so he immediately won Chuck's approval. (It's a fighter pilot thing...)

Here is the low down on the appointment...

My fluid levels are really good - proving that Mr. Man is peeing. Also meaning that we didn't have to force a baby to come at 27 weeks. (If at anytime my fluid levels get low, they will take the baby - which is one of my biggest concerns.) All of his other organs look good - which during the ultrasound Chuck and I were worried as the tech spent a lot of time around his heart. (Luckily turned out we were worried for nothing.) The left kidney has stayed the same size, 14 mm, however the right one has grown to 13 mm. Dr. Thorpe believes that rather than the tubes from the kidneys the bladder being too narrow, the actual problem is that the valves leading in and out of these tubes have "malfunctioned" and are not working properly.

Some of the best news from today is that Dr. Thorpe believes that a transplant is almost certainly is out of the question. Our last doctor didn't think he would need a transplant either, but was not as adamant about it as Dr. Thorpe was. We were also told today that the baby will almost definitely need to have some sort of procedure after he is born BUT this procedure will be minimally invasive and can be done laproscopically. (not sure how to spell that and spell check didn't bring it up - sorry!) And the baby will more than likely not have to be in the hospital for weeks like we were previously told. Dr. Thorpe is also confident this is a "one and done" kind of thing. Meaning once the procedure is done, baby boy will be good to go.

His weight today is about 2 pounds, 12 ounces. Also very good news. Because now - if he is forced to come early - we will be able to have him here in Panama City rather than Pensacola. Panama City's hospitals are not equipped to handle premature babies under 2 pounds and we would be forced to go to Pensacola if he is under 2 pounds.

Over the next couple of months we will be doing some research on our possible options for neo-natal urologists. We have heard there is a good one in Pensacola, but that there is also one in Panama City. However, we have also heard the one in Panama City is NOT board certified. UM, NO THANKS! We have to work with our insurance company to make sure that our little man can have his procedure in Pensacola if the information about the Panama City doctor happens to be true. The thought of dealing with the insurance company on this is a little overwhelming as they tend to be, like most insurance companies, hard to deal with.

Also, baby boy is currently breech. Not something I am going to worry about too much at this point. Addison sat transverse until nearly the end and ended up turning herself. Hope this little one does the same. Luckily there is plenty of time for him to correct himself. But this would explain why every night it feels like he is using my bladder as a stage for his disco - because he literally is "dancing" on my bladder.

So overall, I think we are both feeling much better after today's appointment. Is the issue still there? Yes, but it isn't the dire situation we were led to believe that it was going to turn out to be. Again, we just have to wait it out and see what happens. And I feel very strongly that he will be just fine once he gets here. If he has to have surgery - we will deal. Right now, it is just important for me to stay healthy and rested. (Proving so hard to do with a very active 3 year old.)

Next regular appointment is July 12th. Next appointment with specialist is July 27th.

PS - How can tomorrow all ready be July 1st???????????