Our Joy in the Journey

Dec 29, 2008

Update on Melinda and Baby Owen

We thought we should give you a little update.

We have recently had some follow-up appointments with doctors since leaving the hospital. On Friday, Melinda went to the hematologist. While she was in the hospital he had lots of blood work ordered, and sent a lot of it off to the Mayo Clinic. We received some news explaining why she has been more prone to getting a clot. Out of 50 or more test that
was ran to see what could be causing her re-occurring clots.... she had only 2 test come back positive. Thank God for His Grace.

She has been diagnosed with a genetic disorder MTHFR. MTHFR is a genetic defect that effects the way the body absorbs B vitamins. Most of the time people are asymptomatic and don't even know they have it but it can lead to problems in pregnancy (blood clots, recurrent pregnancy loss, pre-eclampsia) and cardiovascular problems as we age (including cardiovascular disease and blood clots.) It is usually treated by increasing intake of folic acid, baby aspirin and B vitamins but may require treatment with blood thinners (like lovenox, coumadin, or heparin in special circumstances as in pregnancy or presence of a blood clot. The hematologist drew some more blood to figure out where her hymosistene levels are. This will assist him in giving the exact regiment for her treatment. This is most likely the cause of the miscarriage earlier this year, as miscarriages and multiple ones are a common issue for one with MTHFR. We return to him Jan. 12th, and should know more about her treatment.

The other test that came back positive was so very slightly elevated that it isn't a concern as most of the time you can get positive elevated levels due to pregnancy. The hematologist will retest her later. The test was ANA (Antinuclear Antibody). Not everyone with a positive ANA has a disease. In fact, specificity is low, meaning that many healthy people have a positive result but could be common rheumatic and non-rheumatic diseases associated with a positive ANA. Because many of these conditions are relatively rare, many -- perhaps most-people with a positive ANA have none of them and have no disease or condition related to this test result. The doctor reassured her that it was so slightly elevated that he could say that it is either nothing to worry about, or was strictly positive due to pregnancy. He also made it clear that just because you have a positive ANA does not mean you have lupus or other specific rheumatologic disease. It all depends on your symptoms, your physical examination, other routine test results and why the ANA was checked in the first place.

She will continue to stay on Lovenox until a few days before the delivery to continue to keep the clot from moving. The body has to naturally get rid of the clot. The thinners are to prevent it from getting larger.

We also had a follow up with the OB today. Everything seems to be progressing great with Owen's growth and his heart rate sounds steady and strong. Listening to the heart is Jacob's favorite. We discussed the placement of the Vena Cava filter (aka: Greenfield filter). Melinda has a significant size clot ranging from her groin to just below her knee on the left leg. This is going to take time to go away. The filter placement is very important as she will have to be off of the blood thinners at least 2 days before our scheduled date of having the csection, then for at least 12 hours after the surgery. Then she will be placed back on blood thinner injections, and it will take at least 12 -24 hours to get her blood thin again. The filter will prevent any clots from going to her lungs which could be fatal while she is off of the medication. So we will continue the process of getting the filter placed before delivery, we should know more about the filter surgery and removal after our appointment later in the month with the cardiovascular doctor (Jan 14th). He should give us a date for when the surgery will take place. Last we talked it was a week or less before csection, and then removal would be about 2 weeks after the birth. We were assured today that the little radiation, and contrast that will be given at this time will not effect Owen, as he has now crossed the milestone that he is developed now, and he is just growing! The OB did say he may feel effects of the anesthesia, but just as Melinda will bounce out of it, so will he. It would just make him sluggish for a few hours.

Today we also scheduled the date for the csection. At this time, and as long as everything continues as planned.......Owen should arrive on February 23rd (in about 54 days)

We return to the OB Jan. 13th...we will have an ultrasound then! So as of right now we have an appointment on the 12th (blood), 13th (OB) and 14th (heart)

We just want to thank you very much for remembering us in your prayers, and ask that you continue. The next 11 weeks are going to a bit stressful, but we know that God is in control. We hope that you had a wonderful Christmas, and that the new year will bring many blessings to you!

Dec 26, 2008

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from the Woodys!
Notice Jacob's teeth, he shoved as many M & M's he could in his mouth.

Dec 25, 2008

Merry CHRISTmas!

Dec 19, 2008

Santa Claus

This was the first attempt of the year. Last year Jacob didn't Santa, and cried ever time he saw him. We thought this year was going to be different as he seemed to have interest in him.

Well, maybe if the man behind the beard would have shaved his other beard it would have worked!

Second attempt went much smoother. He sat on Santa's lap, told him what he wanted and everything. Must have been the real Santa.

He even sat there while Mommy had to walk away to take a picture of him. When we left he just told Santa bye bye, and waved.

Christmas time survey...

1. Egg nog or Hot Chocolate?
Andrew: Both, but if I have to choose Hot Chocolate!
Melinda: Definitely Hot Chocolate with whipped topping

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
Andrew & Melinda: Santa Wraps

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
Andrew & Melinda: White Lights with some color

4. Do you hang mistletoe?
Andrew & Melinda: We did our very first Christmas married, but have not since!

5. When do you put your decorations up?
Andrew & Melinda: Usually after Thanksgiving.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
Andrew: Scalloped Potatoes
Melinda: Mashed Potatoes

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child?
Andrew: One year "us" kids tried to catch Santa so, we slept by the tree. Somehow how he got passed us with all the presents.

Melinda: My favorite holiday memory was the year I got a horse for Christmas. Mom & Dad had tied a string to the front door all the way to the barn. Mom and dad made that year so special...
Also..Each year, Chandell and I would wait for mom and dad to leave...and we would sneak in their closet to find our gifts, then argue which one was whose~I know Mom knew we did that!

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
Andrew: We were at Grandma Woody's and I think it was around Easter. Mom said we needed to go to bed for the Easter bunny to come! I informed her there was no such thing as the Easter Bunny...and mom was taken back. Then I promptly told her that Santa was not real either, and it was simply her and dad. I think she cried! When I was young I would always taunt mom while we were in KMart pointing out the toy I had just received for Christmas saying" O look Mom this must be where Santa got my toy" wink wink!

Melinda: One Easter I remember it so clearly...Mom was cooking dream whip topping, and I was probably about 9 and I said...Mom, there is no Santa or Easter bunny is there...she said...what do you think...I said I don't think so...I will never forget her reply though..."if that is what you think...what do you believe" and to this day....I sill believe in Santa!

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
Andrew: I recall opening one gift or a few, but for the most part we waited until the morning!

Melinda: Growing up, my grandparents made their 'rounds to all the grandkid's houses. We were allowed to open those gifts from my grandparents, but the rest waited until Christmas morning!

10. How do you decorate you Christmas tree?
Andrew & Melinda: lights, red & gold bulbs, and a few other special bulbs...like 1st Christmas ones...ribbon, etc!

11. Can you ice skate?
Andrew: "MUSTANG ON ICE!!!" Refer to Andrew's scared face!

Melinda: Nope, well never tried...I would like to though!

12. Do you remember your favorite gift?
Andrew: Without question #2: the year Jeremy got me the the 25 cal Raven (gun) and #1 Christmas 1994 when I got my first guitar ( just think if it weren't for that I would probably have a good job and money)

Melinda: As a child my favorite gift was the year I got Teddy Ruxpin, and then the other favorite gift was the year Andrew got me a necklace and matching earrings; however, the Best gift ever was last year finding out we were pregnant with Jacob!

13. What is the most important thing about the holidays for you?
Andrew & Melinda: Reflecting on the fundamentals of our life. Forgetting all the "crap" we get wrapped up in...and focusing on what truly matters in life!

14. What is your favorite holiday dessert?
Andrew: Pumpkin Roll....Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip cookies, German Choc. Cake....etc
Melinda: 7 up Salad, (not Seven Layer Salad) the 7 up dessert that is a family tradition among my family!

15. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Andrew & Melinda: We are so excited and look forward to creating traditions with our children.

16. What tops your tree?
Andrew & Melinda: a star...

17. Which do you prefer giving or receiving?
Andrew: Definitely, giving!
Melinda: Definitely, giving!

18. What is your favorite Christmas song?
Andrew: Silent Night
Melinda: Silent Night

19. Candy canes! Yuk or Yum?
Andrew: Yuk
Melinda: Yuk!

20. Do you go shopping the day after Christmas?
Andrew & Melinda: Never have..usually a few days after cause that when the sales really are/

21. Real tree or artificial?
Andrew: I love a beautiful real tree, but I get aggravated with all the needles
Melinda: As a child we ALWAYS had a real tree. Then our first year married we got a real tree, and Andrew hated it. Pine needles were everywhere. I think I have him convinced that next year we get a real tree, a blue spruce...it won't loose as many needles!