Home again, home again...

We have arrived safely back home once again. After a marathon of tests, we walked out the hospital doors at 4:30 this afternoon and through our door at 7:15. Lots of Jersey traffic on the way home. So what did we find out? A few things, but also not some things, if that makes any sense. Of course, we went with the worst possible in mind after hearing last week Friday that we had "early severe TTTS". We had a gathering of pray-ers last night and we prayed and sang for an hour. Out the door at 6:15 this morning, to the hospital by 8:45 AM and the tests began at 9:30. As I indicated in the previous post, two people doing one loooooong ultrasound that lasted altogether until about 12:15. We grabbed some lunch downstairs, and then on to the cardiologist at 1:15 until 2:15 or so. Then a brief 20 minutes before being called in for our consultation with "the team" headed by Dr. Johnson, who can be seen on the video about TTTS on the CHOP website, just in case you're really curious. He spoke first about what they're looking for, what constitutes TTTS, and various treatments for it. And then he told us that our babies DO NOT have TTTS...yet. I took that as a positive based on our mindset (see above). There is still a 42% discrepancy in size and he is presently attributing that to their inability to share the placenta. "Twin A" is having "Thanksgiving every day" as he puts it, and Twin B isn't getting much. But that discrepancy number has not changed in the last week. Anyway, after an hour of conversation he said that in the next couple of weeks it will become clear if the current situation will develop into TTTS - which he said is likely - or if it will develop into more severe "placenta insufficiency", or if things will remain the same or improve. Basically, what they told us on the phone last week...it's too early to tell. But...he wouldn't call it TTTS at this point, and certainly wouldn't call it early and severe TTTS. And so for that positive news, we are giving thanks to God!

So what now? For the forseeable future we'll be making weekly trips to Philly. The main thing they'll be checking is the heart function of each of the babies. If the stress on the hearts increases - there is a slight bit of it presently - then that's the most telltale indicator of TTTS. Another thing they'll look for is the kidney function of "Twin B" who has the small amount of amniotic fluid. If the level decreases then there's another indicator. Of course, this is all in pastor layman's language. And in the meantime Jeanine will continue her new bedrest and protein shake routine.

Needless to say, it's shaping up to be a long journey. Weekly trips to Philadelphia for what they've described as about a 30 minute to an hour checkup sounds a bit heavy. 5 months of bedrest for Jeanine sounds that way too. But like I said, we're so grateful that a miracle has begun and we're so grateful for all your prayers. I'll update at least before and after each visit to Philly. If anything else comes up, I'll put it up. Love to all, and keep storming the throne of grace!