Update

As opposed to emailing some, calling some, texting some, etc., you'll forgive me if, for today, I have one means of communication.  It's a busy morning, and I actually need to work on top of everything else.  It keeps me normal, and it keeps me sane (since mom took care of having someone take care of the housework--best gift ever, Mom!). 

I had two appointments this morning. 

First was a pee in a cup, check my blood pressure, chat with Dr. Favor appointment.  Which all went fine, except she did glance at me, and say for me to have Dr. G check my fluid levels (which of course, you can imagine how much this thrilled me).

So after that appointment, off I went to Dr. G's office. 

Here's the update:

1st: the shunt is still in place.  HOWEVER, it's not really in a great place, as the pressure seems to be sort of sucking it in some.  It's hard to tell how much of the end of the shunt is outside of the skin.  His best guess is just a small amount.  That being said, the fluid is virtually gone from the right lung.  He actually said the words, "the right lung is dry." 

The left lung still has a little bit of fluid.  Forgive me, as I was wrong earlier when I said the second shunt was on the left side, it's actually another one on the right side. 

But the left side still doesn't have too much fluid.  The swelling in the skin that had been around the chest cavity has decreased a bit, but the swelling around the head still remains about the same.  Swelling is still not significant enough to diagnose hydrops.

What does all of this mean?

Well, it means he's going to wait a week.  We'll go back next Thursday for him to check the shunt again, and to check the fluid again.  Right now, he wanted to give it a full week of not doing anything in order to have a valid measurement of the fluid increase or decrease.  He did say, however, that the lungs look like they're in good shape, and that he thinks this baby should be able to be born with developed lungs.  They are full size, as opposed to Kathryn's, which were very, very tiny. 

If in a week, fluid continues to increase on the left side, then guess what?

We'll do another shunt placement!  That will be on that left side. 

If it's decreased or stays the same, then we'll probably just continue to watch it. 

One other thing: my amniotic fluid levels are rising.  This is really not what I wanted to hear, but it is what I expected to hear, as over the past week, I've had to move my seat back in the car because my stomach started touching the steering wheel.

You can check out the chart for normals/median/above normal levels HERE. 

Three weeks ago, at 20 weeks, mine measured a 10.

Today, at 23 weeks, it measures 26.

So we're watching that.  And I'm not even going to go to my scary place that tells me I could get to a 72 again like Kathryn. 

In fact, Dr. Gonzales assured me today that he wouldn't let me get to that point. 

We do have to be realistic about a window of time now, though.  In two weeks, doctors officially consider Micah "viable."  Of course, this is not ideal by any means.

In asking him today how far he hoped to get Micah, he said obviously as far as possible, but that a window of 28-34 weeks wouldn't be too far off, from what he may be able to guess. 

We simply don't want him swimming in a ton of fluid causing pressure on all his organs.  This really is all a waiting and guessing game.  I would love to see us get to or pass that 34 week mark, just like Kathryn, but am hesitant to say that, considering what it means for the physical toll on me, and for the stress and toll it takes on my family as well. 

So for today, my patience is as deep as the ocean.
I am very calm, and extremely upbeat. 

This boy's got lungs.
And he's got spunk. 

I took a video last night of him moving around so much in my stomach you could see it from the outside, all at just shy of 23 weeks. 

I can't wait to meet him, but I'll give it some more sweet, sweet time.

Off to work, y'all.