Thursday, October 25, 2012

7 weeks, 4 days

I find it difficult to post lately. Not because I don't want to, but because I don't know where to start. I guess I'll just start with the concrete stuff.

My u/s yesterday was everything I hoped it wouldn't be: it provided no answers and no end.
  • We still have a heartbeat. It is on the lower end, but still within normal range at 109bpm. When Dr. D flipped on the sound, I was wholly unprepared. The sound of that little heartbeat made me cry big, rolling tears. It sounded so... strong. So alive. It made me feel insanely guilty that I had gone into the appointment wishing only for silence. 
  • CRL almost doubled from Friday, although still measuring a few days behind. 
  • Yolk sac size reduced only very slightly from 9mm to 8.5mm, which is still in the highly concerning range.
Dr. D recommended that we go see a fetal development specialist. It's never good when your specialist refers you to an even more specialized specialist. She doesn't think that they will be able to give us any additional answers since I'm still so early, but they have more powerful u/s machines so she wants us to at least try. She also wants me to ask them about the Materni T21 test if I make it to 10 weeks. This is the blood test for downs syndrome, trisomy 18, and 13. I scheduled this appointment for next Thursday but I fully expect to have to cancel. My next u/s with Dr. D is Wednesday. I just can't be optimistic enough that we'll make it that far.    

I (politely) forced Dr. D into giving me odds. She said that her best bet is a 75% likelihood of this not working. Which in many respects is much better odds than even last week. She must have read my mind because she quickly followed with, "Do not get excited Tutti, things are still weighted heavily against you". I appreciate her honesty. Even if this baby somehow makes it, what are the chances that it will be a healthy baby? I don't know what to do with that. My head tells me to continue grieving because there is no way this is going to work. But the what-ifs play on my heartstrings when I'm asleep at night. I just can't handle the back and forth. So I tell myself that it is only a matter of time until this pregnancy ends and try to manage this mind-fuck that way. I don't know any other way to do it.

To add insult to injury, my pregnancy symptoms are increasing. As they should, because I'm technically still pregnant. Queasiness, fatigue, vivid dreams, sore boobs, frequent peeing: all symptoms I'm familiar with from previous pregnancies. However the one I'm struggling with most is my sense of smell. It's like someone gave me a bonus super power. The scent of burning frankincense from the church 3 blocks down and through closed windows wakes me up each morning. The smell of the shampoo as my husband takes a shower is entirely overpowering. I smell the dirt when I walk outside and I live in the middle of the fucking city. It's insane really. I feel honored to experience these things, but resentful that it won't result in what I want more than anything in the entire world.

This whole thing is just really, really hard.

11 comments:

  1. Many, many hugs coming your way. Crying with you too.

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  2. I don't think that I can say anything to make you feel any better. Your situation is really, really hard. Please know that we are here for you!!

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  3. Sending you lots and lots of hugs.

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  4. I am at a loss for words. I am so sorry for all of this. Please know that you are in my thoughts.

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  5. I can only imagine. I don't know what to say except that my heart goes out to you and I'm so sorry you're having to face this. Sending you the biggest hug in the world.

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  6. I'm sorry. I was hoping against the odds for a miracle, or at least a clear way forward. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help. I'll be thinking of you.

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  7. I think about you everyday sweetie. I wish I could find a way out of this for you.

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  8. I don't even know what to say, except I'm so sorry this is happening.

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  9. And so it continues ... heartbreakingly so. I hate that you have to go through so much uncertainty and anguish in order to find resolution. I hope the meeting with the specialist brings you this, if it doesn't arrive before. Hugs xxx

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  10. I'm not sure I've ever commented on your blog, but I've been following it. So sorry you're in such a horrible state of limbo.

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  11. Oh my gosh. What a horrible state of limbo...exciting to see a h/b but so hard to see the inconclusive stuff. I hate this for you, this horrible place you're in.

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