31.5 week update

Sending greetings from St. Louis (Let's go Cards!). Preston and I made the temporary move up to St. Louis last Sunday and are so appreciative for the couple that are letting us stay at their home. We had two appointments this week. I had an appointment to establish prenatal care in St. Louis with Dr. Vlastos Monday. Good news the beginning of this week was that my cervix remained unchanged (compared to last week). Then we had another ultrasound and MRI (which should give more detailed imaging of the mass - including where the blood supply is coming from, what other structures are involved, and if there is any airway compromise due to the mass). I was waiting to send out my update because I was hoping to get results back from the MRI. But seeing that it is 4:30 on a Friday. I think we will have to wait until next week. I guess, no news is good news at this point. Otherwise, we did find out that the fluid levels continue to remain stable. And there aren't any extreme markers showing anemia or heart enlargement which would lead you to believe that the mass is stealing too much blood from Baby A. This week, it didn't appear that the mass had grown as much so again that is good news. The babies will get 'weighed' again next week and hopefully we will get some more information from the MRI. 

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. You all are AMAZING!!

Love,
Liz

30.5 week update

Hello to all! Well Preston and I will be heading up to St. Louis to stay. Yep...with this world series going on, we couldn't stay away : ) JK, actually the pregnancy is advancing (some cervical changes were noted this week - it is starting to shorten) so our doctor felt like it would be best for us to be closer to St. Louis in the event I went into labor (as it is VERY important that we are in St. Louis to deliver). So one of mom's friends has been gracious enough to let us stay with her. We will head up Sunday. Luckily, I am not yet on complete bedrest. Dr. Vlastos called it 'modified bedrest.' Today was my last day at work.

The babies were still trucking along...just getting a little anxious to get out apparently : ) The baby's fluid levels are remaining stable (meaning Baby A is still able to swallow). Baby A was 3 lb 9 oz and Baby B was 3 lb 7 oz - which are both about average size at this point. We also had an echocardiogram, which showed normal heart function for both. Baby A's heart walls were slightly thickened (due to having to work extra hard supplying blood for the mass and his own self) however they weren't too concerned with this. They thought that this should resolve after birth.

So, as the time draws nearer, we just asked for continued prayers for the delivery process. First, the best case scenario is that the whole procedure is planned and secondly, that they are able to secure an airway on Baby A (before Baby B starts showing any signs of stress) otherwise Baby A's health and life is placed in jeporady.

We so appreciate the support and prayers!

Love,
~Liz

29 week update

I meant to email our weekly update earlier but this week has been pretty busy. We went to Cape Girardeau this past Tuesday to see Dr. Vlastos. News was about the same...the mass had grown a little but Baby A is still able to swallow and blood flow levels look good. Both babies continue to grow and their heart and brain function look good! The fluid levels were still stable...so again that is good news! We wait until next week when we will follow up in St. Louis.

Thank you all for the continued prayers!!

Love
Liz and Preston

28.5 week update

We had our appointment in St. Louis yesterday afternoon...On the positive side (as I'm really trying to stay positive right now) both Baby A and Baby B are growing well. Baby A was 2 lb 15 oz and Baby B was 3 lb. Both continue to develop well. The heart and lungs are developing well and the mass does not appear to be affecting Baby A's ability to swallow or the airway. All blood flow levels also look good. We got some pretty cute pictures of them today : )

On the down side, the mass continues to grow at a very rapid pace which is a little concerning to the physicians as well. We know that it was being fed by one of the carotid arteries but now looks like it may have tapped into the opposite carotid as well (meaning it is getting even better blood supply). The size of it now is making it hard to get a full picture of what exactly is being affected. So, keep the prayers coming and we will just wait to see what God has in store for us.

The goal is still to make it to 36 weeks (the end of November) but of course it is still a waiting game at this point. Preston and I can NOT tell you how much your support and prayers mean to us!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

The other bit of exciting news...we found out the sex of the babies!!!! Scroll down if you want to know what these two stinkers are : )






















We are having two little BOYS!!!!!!

cutest bellies in the universe

Here are a couple of pictures of Carolyn and Liz from Liz's shower this weekend!

26.5 week update

So I am 26 1/2 weeks along now...we had another appointment today in St. Louis. We were a little disheartened because the mass had grown a considerable amount...so keep the prayers coming for the blood supply to the mass to be interrupted and the mass to stop growing!

The good news is that the mass has not greatly affected the esophagus or trachea at this time. Baby A is still able to swallow and the lung development looked fairly normal. There is a fair discrepancy in the fluid levels again but both babies seem to be getting good blood supply so right now we will just keep watching this. Baby A was 1lb 14 oz and Baby B was 2lbs 9 oz : ) Both heartbeats were strong!! So the plan right now is still just continue to wait and watch. I think that is the worst part for Preston and me. 36 weeks is still the goal!!

We follow up next week in Cape Girardeau and then the following week in St. Louis.

Thank you so much for all the prayers!

Love,
Liz, Preston and babies

24 week update

Just wanted to give everyone the weekly update from today's visit.

It was fairly good news...the first answer to prayer was that the amniotic fluid level in both sacs were very similar and right in the middle of the normal range. So, they were not as concerned with twin to twin transfusion syndrome. The other thing is that Baby A's (the one with the mass) fluid level had decreased so another sign that he/she is still able to swallow and 'recycle' the fluid. The mass on Baby A's neck had grown slightly but not as much as the week before and the trachea and esophagus are not being affected at this point. So I think the doctor's were pleased as well because we do not have to follow up again until two weeks from now (September 22).

Both are still growing and very active (they already like to kick and punch each other - must be boys : )! Baby A was 1 lb 9 oz. and Baby B was 1 lb 12 oz.

Dr. Vlastos said he would put our 'energy' (aka prayers) towards having the mass stop growing or reducing in size. This is what I continue to prayer for...a complete miracle!!!!

Thank you all, again, for all the prayers! It means so much to Preston and me!!

Love to all!

~Liz