Nicole's procedure for Laryngotracheal stenosis was a success, and after it was over Dr. Scott Harnsberger did and ultrasound to check on the babies. I spoke at length with Dr. Hunt after the operation and while no one wanted to perform the proceedure while Nicole was pregnant, there was simply no choice. As he said, we were painted into a corner because the condition is life threatening. This is the second dilation in the last two months, which raises red flags. The flags point to a high likelyhood that the condition will recur. Dr. Hunt will be satisfied if we can make it two months between other passage dilations, however, if the pace of the closing quickens, he will most likely have to resort to a tracheotomy for the duration of the pregnancy. Dr. Harnsberger told us to prepare for that outcome. However, we are not there now and Lord willing, will not have to be.
Because the babies are only 12 weeks old, they were not able to monitor them during the time that Nicole was "under" and when she awoke and no one could tell her of their condition, she did break into sobs. There was no way for us to find peace not knowing if our twins had pulled through Okay so I contacted Tabitha and Scott Harnsberger and he amazingly and graciously came in on his holiday to perform an ultrasound and take us under his wing by becoming Nicole's doctor today! We are so grateful! The babies are both growing well and both registered a 150 BPM heartrate. We even saw one wave at the camera (so to speak).
However, things are quite complicated. The condition with Nicole's trachea appears to be persistent. Not only is Nicole's air passageway an ongoing concern, but there is will most likely be a need for a permant fix after the twins are born by surgically removing the affected part of the trachea. This proceedure will be performed at Vanderbilt. That said, there are concerns about the pregnancy as well aside from the potential complications of having twins. Dr. Harnsberger is about 90% sure that the babies share one placenta (identical) which increases the risk, and the placenta is resting directly upon the cervix (Placenta Praevia) which can be dangerous as well, especially as the babies grow and their weight and mass increases. However, there is good reason to believe that the position of the placenta in the uterus will change as the uterus expands. Dr. Harnsberger is hoping we can make it to 32 weeks which will be a delivery in May. Our due date in around July 10th. Though he told us to be prepared for a delivery as early as April. We were fortunate to have Dr. Tachenko as our anesthesiologist, Karen (Carter) Hughes was our discharge nurse, and Dr. Harnsberger our gifted OB. We were not only in the hands of the Lord, we were in the hands of his people! So the prayers are for slow growth in the scar tissue that blocks her trachea, movement of the placenta away from the cervix (though the place that the organ attaches does not alter, its position can change as things grow), at least 32 weeks gestation and that both babies will recieve the nutritional suppliment they need to grow rather than one receiving the lion's share leaving the other stunted and weak (which is not common, thank goodness).
This day had highs and lows. Hugs, laughter and tears. And while things stimulate fear, we are able to put those fears before the author of all life and rest in the assurance of His love for Nicole and our twins. We not only have the many church brothers and sisters that prayed, our friends connected to us hear on Facebook that prayed, those who provided care to us today, but to our family, especially my Mom and Martha who took all seven kids all day (though Ryon spent the day at Kelly's house with Cousin Meg) on a moments notice. Love is amazingly empowering!
