Thursday, January 19, 2012

Twin to Twin Transfusion

Thank you for checkin in on us, it means alot! We got some really hard news at our perinatal visit this morning. Our girls were diagnosed with Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome. One is 1/2 the size of the other at this point. Neither one is in a healthy place; the bigger one is way bigger than she should be and has so much fluid around her that she is at risk for heart failure, the other is very small and has low blood flow and is developing alot slower. The doctor let us know about 3 treatment options from least risky to most aggressive, and because our TTTS is so severe they are wanting to do the most risky and aggressive treatment, which is Laser Ablation Surgery. They will make an incision into the uterus with a fetoscope and laser the arteries between the girls allowing them to grow independently. This is risky because of increased risk for infection, breaking membranes, and the trauma of the surgery can cause one/both to immediately pass away. If I do not do this, it is likely that neither will make it, or I will have preterm labor and likely have 2 disabled children. With this surgery, there is a 70% chance that I will give birth to 2 babies. This syndrome also puts me at higher risk for preterm labor, and the doctors will be happy if I can get to 32 weeks.

If the surgery is successful and the rest of the pregnancy goes well, the babies should be healthy and normal. But, if they are really premature, there is a good chance for some kind of abnormalities, etc.

 I think we will go ahead and do the surgery, which will be in Houston next Wednesday. I have 1 more appointment monday morning. They will double check that Im safe to travel, and also see if there have been any positive changes over the weekend. If so, then I may not have to go, but they told me i should probably plan to go.

Ryan and I spent the morning in tears and confusion and anger and exhaustion. I haven't totally wrapped my mind around it, but im scared and sad.

Even if you are not a praying person, will you please pray for all of us? Im really scared, but know the Lord is good and with me even if the worst happens.

please pray:
1- that by monday there is a miracle and the girls have less of a weight gap between them
2- the surgery goes well and we all come out alive
3- i have a normal pregnancy the rest the time and do not have preterm labor


to watch an informational video on TTTS and laser ablation surgery click here




Thank you so much for you love, prayers, and support!

stay tuned all next week, as we will put up updates of the latest news on this blog

9 comments:

  1. Hi Laura. We will be praying for you both and your little girls.

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  2. Wow.
    We love you guys and are certainly praying. This is hard, we want to be there for you in any way possible.

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  3. Ryan and Laura - in prayer for you and your sweet girls.

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  4. Praying for you and your girls! We don't know each other but we know Garrett Gastil and he shared this link with those of us at his home church. We are pregnant too with our 2nd little girl but were pregnant with twins and lost one of our twins at an early stage of pregnancy. I pray that God will keep you all close and safe and everything with your little girls will turn out miraculously wonderful. Love, The Braults

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  5. James and I are praying for you, for your girls, for your family. Our hearts are with you guys. Nelly V. Miner

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  6. Laura, My prayers for you, your husband and your little girls have begun. I am so sorry this is happening to you all. I cannot imagine how difficult this is. I pray for God to comfort you and cover you with his love and compassion. I was deeply touched reading about you and Ryan comforting your girls with your voices and words, I imagine they sensed your deep love for them and sensed your compassion and love as well. Shalom, Sharai Rudolphi

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  7. PRAYING FOR YOU FRIEND!!!! Sarah & Lee Wright

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