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!