If you are new to this website, you may want to go to “What’s Wrong with Bella” at the top of this page for a summary and context.
Dr. Adam in Houston is not so certain that the mass has stopped growing. It’s not that easy to measure this thing because it’s 3 dimensional and the sonogram only shows 1 dimensional. It shifts and moves around in Bella’s chest. So, according to what she has observed, she does not notice that it is looking smaller (as it should be because Bella is growing). The good news is that it is not causing hydrops as of now. If it continues to grow, there is a higher likelihood that it will cause problems. So, obviously, we need you folks to continue praying for the mass to stop growing as you did before.
Also, we are not certain of Bella’s due date. An important measurement was not taken during the early sonogram, so it makes her gestational age uncertain for now. This is good news and bad news. The good side is that she may not be experiencing growth restriction like we have been thinking. The bad side of it is that if she is younger than we thought, she is still in the danger zone of the typical growth period for the mass. So all this is to say, please continue to pray that this mass would stop growing to keep her out of danger.
I have been put on bed rest for a different reason now. Before, it was to help Bella grow. Now, the doctor is concerned about these contractions that I’m having frequently. She said that it is probably due to the high volume of amniotic fluid that I have. This may be because Bella is having trouble swallowing the amniotic fluid because this large mass is pressing against her esophagus and stomach. If the mass stops growing and she keeps growing, then she will outpace the mass and that’s the best case scenario. Actually the best case scenario is that this mass would shrink. They shrink in about 10-20% of the cases. Sometimes the doctor can’t even find them on the sonogram later in the pregnancy.
I have a sonogram again on Tuesday here in Dallas. If there are no signs of hydrops while being monitored here in Dallas, I do not go back to Houston until the end of next week. So, we are grateful for one more day without hydrops. God has provided for our every need throughout this difficult time and He continues to do so. He has given us enough grace for each day.
Please continue praying for God to spare this little life so that she can come and grow up in our family. God will be glorified in whatever the circumstances.
4 comments
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October 1, 2007 at 3:06 pm
Cindy
As always prayers continue. May God continue to grant you peace and reassurance of His sovereignty. Patience for you, Christy, on bedrest as I know that can’t be easy. Patience for you, Patrick, as you support her in ways you probably never thought you’d be asked to. Grace for Shamus and Savannah as they wait for their little sister. And for Bella that God will grant mercy and healing to your precious little one.
Love to you all.
October 2, 2007 at 5:38 pm
Mark Mathews
Christy and Patrick,
Today I was in Durham cathedral as I had about 1/2 hour before I had to meet my doctoral supervisor. The cathedral is breathtaking and HUGE! It was relatively quiet while I was there with only a few people around. As I sat and read a few prayers from the Book of Common Prayer, the Holy Spirit brought to mind your precious unborn child Bella. I prayed for her and for the both of you and lit a candle for little Bella. May the Lord bless all of you during this difficult time. Although we never had the chance to really get to know one another while Aimee and I were in Dallas, the Lord strangely keeps you on my mind. As he does, I pray. Please do not be discouraged and as our wonderful Savior said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.”
October 3, 2007 at 7:06 pm
Julie Hickman
Continuing in prayer for you day by day. My reading in the book of Matthew chapter 2 this week about the coming of the Christ child and all the chaos that surrounded His birth could be an encouraging word for you in these days as you wait upon the Lord. The Lord is really showing me how much His protection and provision sustained Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus upon conception, and particularly through His early years. Chapter 2 in its entirity shows Mary and Joseph fleeing to Egypt, waiting, returning and finally settling in Nazareth instead of Bethlehem because the King in Jerusalem was the son of Herod who had taken the lives of the young Jewish boys. I suppose that I never really realized the chaos of the story before, always thinking of a quiet little scene in Bethlehem there in the manger, but truly, it was not that way. And yet, as Mary and Joseph obeyed the Lord, He provided for them and protected them every step of the way. I cannot help but think of you both and little Bella when reading Mt. 2. There are so many uncertainties for you, just as for them. Yet, you both seek faithful obedience to our Father in heaven. And He is providing for you day by day. Be encouraged, dear ones, that He will not leave you. Remember in your heaviest moments that He is with you – Immanuel. And, that His protection and provision will keep you.
Praying still,
Julie
October 9, 2007 at 1:05 pm
sethandkristen
Hi there,
We have been keeping up with the blog and with praying. Anything new? We are anxious to know how little Bella is doing…and how the rest of you are holding up during such an emotionally intense season of life. Keep us posted. Love you all!
Kristen