Prayers for my other DD

[Cookin4Love]

My oldest DD is pregnant and expecting a baby girl December 6. Because of some prior surgery, her doctor wanted her to have a cervical ultrasound at this stage. When she went in today, she saw the same ultrasound tech that she has seen the other two times. Both times, the tech has been chatty and friendly, and left the ultrasound screen in full view. Tonight, halfway through the ultrasound, she turned the screen so DD and DSIL could not see it, had nothing to say, then left the room. When she came back, she said, "It looks like we need to go ahead and do the translabial ultrasound, too." DD was concerned, but didn't press the issue. When they were leaving, DSIL said, "No surprises, right?" The tech just looked at him and didn't say a word. He continued, "There's still only one, right? She hasn't grown any strange parts or anything, right?" The tech just said, 'You'll just need to talk to your doctor."

This just doesn't sound good. Baby is still moving enthusiastically. We're hoping it's "just" a thinning cervix or a problem with the placenta (which the same US tech told her was a bit too low at the last visit, but her doctor hasn't mentioned since.) Please keep her in your prayers tonight. It's going to be a long watch until she can call her doctor tomorrow morning.

[Peggy]

Your poor family! :( Haven't you had enough things to worry about already??? I will keep you and both of your DD's in my prayers.

(((Hugs)))

Peggy

[jmarie]

I will pray for this precious little person and am hoping that it is just new protocol that the tech was folowing. Sure doesn't make you worry any less. When will she get to see the Doctor?
Joyce

[newtricks]

Prayers coming your way. I hope you got some sleep last night and get good news this morning.

[Jazzmatazz49]

Just remember that techs are not allowed to say anything to the patients. He could have been a bit more tactful, but I'm betting it's all going to be fine.

[Robyn1007]

They are in my prayers!

[Terri_A]

I will certainly pray that all is well, but wanted to mention that if it was something severe, I'm certain a Radiologist (MD) would have been called in to read the US immediately. It is usually policy that the techs are not to allow the patient to see the screen or discuss anything that they see. It sounds like this tech has been freewheeling with the info and may have gotten his/her hand slapped for it. Hopefully, that's all it was!

[krhm]

Please let us know as soon as you hear anything!

[lindrusso]

It sounds like this tech has been freewheeling with the info and may have gotten his/her hand slapped for it. Hopefully, that's all it was!

That's what I'll be praying for.

[Cookin4Love]

Certainly, we're hoping that the tech has just been "spanked" for revealing too much. The mid-ultrasound screen turn and dramatic change from the last appointment are what's really unsettling, but I'm hopeful that it's just protocol. Doesn't hurt to wish really hard, does it? I also keep reminding my other DD that this is why women get prenatal care--so problems can be found in time to fix or mitigate them. I'm just on pins on needles until I hear from her.

[patissac]

I am sending hugs your way and praying for your family.

Pat

[Beth]

Oh, Cookin', you were on my mind last night and this morning. I wanted to know how your other daughter is doing. I hope she is progressing well.

Yes, the turn of the screen and sudden change in demeanor would seem to indicate that the tech saw something they had a question about. They really aren't allowed to say anything at that point, but you'd think they'd try to not alarm parents. I think Terri's point that a radiologist would have been called in if it was something severe is well taken. You also said the baby is active. That is good. There are reasons to believe this is a question and not a big problem.

When I was pregnant with my second son, we had an amnio since it was offered. I was a high risk pregnancy and both DS and I had serious complications post partum. We just felt a need to know whatever we could. We were totally unprepared to go into the doctor's office and hear that all the amnio results were fine -- but -- there were some cysts in his brain. They couldn't 'tell us exactly what they meant because the technology had changed so rapidly that they hadn't been able to see things like this and track them enough. They did tell us that the probablility seemed to be that they would resolve on their own and all would be fine. They offered to do another ultrasound at that point so we could see what was happening.

We did another ultrasound. There were 3 cysts (I thought there were only 2 initially) and they were larger. I had done some research and found that if these cysts did not resolve, they would likely result in hydocephalis (sp?) -- with a high probablility of stillbirth or severe retardation and death by age 2. A third ultrasound was scheduled at the last point at which we could have an election to terminate the pregnancy -- which was not without heartache or significant risk for me. We decided that if the cycts were larger, we would terminate, but we hoped and prayed they would at least be smaller. All we wanted was some change. They were the same.

We decided that was change enough to take a leap of faith -- they had stopped growing. It would be too late to go back, but the genetics staff offered another ultrasound so that we could either have peace of mind or prepare ourselves. I will always remember that ultrasound more than any other. I ws laying in that rather compromising position with a full audience and sobbing -- the cysts were completely resolved.

I'm telling you all this because the tech might have seen something like this and not known what it was. It could be a question and not a problem. I know so well how gut-wrenching it is in the meantime, and I understand completely that you, more than most of us, would be prepared to hear the worst. You can't help that, but we'll help you hope and pray for the best. Hang in there! ((( )))

[Cookin4Love]

Oh, Cookin', you were on my mind last night and this morning. I wanted to know how your other daughter is doing. I hope she is progressing well.

Beth, she's actually having some concerns, as well. She saw our PCP this week because of severely swollen lymph nodes in her neck, especially near her incision. She is also running a fever. She has a hard lump under part of her incision, which the PCP feels should have resolved. He is certain she has infection there. She is seeing her surgeon this week, and the PCP has written up his findings for the surgeon. He told her if the surgeon doesn't schedule a CT to determine what's going on with the incision and possible infection, to come back and he will do it. So, we still have concerns there. Thank you for sharing your pregnancy story. It is a good reminder that even the bleakest outlook doesn't always have to end in tears.

[newtricks]

I agree with Terri. I've had two "bad" pg ultrasound experiences. Not only did they bring in the radiologist but they got my obgyn on the phone so I could talk to her right then and there.

And Beth, wow, what a story :)

[Cookin4Love]

DD spoke with her doctor this afternoon. He told her that the preliminary report did not raise any areas of concern, and the radiologist typically would call, even after hours, if there was a problem. Thank God! Thanks for your prayers.

[Terri_A]

Yippee!!! So glad to hear everything is okay!

[Beth]

OK, glad that situation is better, but get your other daughter in. Sounds like they need to do some bloodwork and get her on some antibiotics.

If I tell you my saga when I know what's going on, can we go laugh and cry over some margaritas? ;) Hang in there!

[Cookin4Love]

If I tell you my saga when I know what's going on, can we go laugh and cry over some margaritas? ;) Hang in there!

I'm absolutely thinking this is a good time to take up drinking! ;) Add it to the 15-hour work days, and I'm about done in. I'd love to hear your saga--finished or not. I'm more than willing to lend an ear, a shoulder, or even a margarita. :D

The other one is seeing the doctor this week. The PCP already has her on some potent antibiotics; I'm concerned the neurosurgeon will be dismissive. If so, we'll work with our PCP. I think they need to do a needle biopsy of the area and culture that bad boy! Right now, though, I'm grateful for each piece of good news.

[newtricks]

So glad to hear your good news. :)

[Beth]

My son had a similar lymph node infection after some illness. His doctor put him on some potent antibitics for 2 weeks and said to come back if we were at all unsure whether they were gone. I was still feeling something, so we went back at the end of the 2 weeks. She said they were okay, but apparently that is something that is slow to completely resolve. I also got the sense that it is something they take pretty seriously, which is why I said something. Sounds like you've got it all under control.