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.

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.

(update since this was written: went late wednesday afternoon for a sono, and no sign of hydrops!! Bella was wiggling around so much they could hardly do the sono… the doctor said this is a happy baby and she would not be wiggling and moving around so much if she did not feel good… another good day to thank the Lord for) 

There is nothing “routine” about these sonograms. They are quite stressful. We ask that you pray for us tomorrow as we go for yet another sonogram at the medical university here in Dallas. We are asking for the continued prayers that you have all been praying with us… no hydrops, physical growth, the hole in her heart to close, for the amniotic fluid to not be too high. Let you know how it goes. Especially pray for me (Christy), because I tend to get quite anxious before these tests. Please remember to pray for energy, patience and stamina for Patrick since he is taking up all the slack since I’m on bedrest now. He’s doing a fabulous job!!

And a special thank you to all of those who have brought meals to us during my bedrest, it’s helped more than you can imagine. Our new chef, Patrick, really appreciates it!

If everything goes well and there are no changes and no sign of hydrops, then we will not go back to Houston until next week.

Christy and I will likely drive to Houston this evening in preparation for an early morning analysis Friday at Texas Children’s Hospital’s Fetal Care Center.  Christy spoke with the lead physician of the facility yesterday.  They’ll do a number of scans that can’t be done here in Dallas.  To all who have already sent encouragements and prayers, we thank you.