"I'm sending you on a field trip."

These were the words offered to Jeanine yesterday by Dr. Garber, her perinatologist. On Tuesday she had her 14 week checkup with Dr. Morris, her midwife and then Wednesday her first visit to Dr. Garber who was recommended and referred by Dr. Morris because of the twins. Their ultrasound equipment is a bit higher tech than Dr. Morris (I guess) and they noticed something abnormal. We have pointed out the difference in size between the two babies and also a difference in heart rate. After the ultrasound technician made her report, Dr. Garber came in and told Jeanine that what he suspects is going on is something called "Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome" (TTTS). What it means is one of the twins is "stealing" blood from the other one, leading to abnormally large size for one and abnormally small size for the other, and if left untreated has over 90% chance of losing both babies. Not good, right? So Dr. Garber is sending us on a field trip, and has referred us to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia where the best doctors in the nation work on this sort of thing. You can check out more from their website (www.chop.edu) or from this one (www.fetalhope.org). Both of them give some helpful information about what TTTS is and what to expect in treating it. What sounds like the most likely course of action is to set up an appointment in Philly in the next two weeks and to have the laser surgery (one of three options) done. This form of treatment has the greatest chance of having a healthy pregnancy for one (about 85%) and even for both (about 65%). There is also the slight chance that TTTS is not the case at all and we've been put on alert for nothing. That's only about a 20% chance though. Anyway, we need your prayers. Yesterday was not a good day - in more ways than the baby news - so your thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated. I have been noting lately the effectiveness of many prayers on behalf of others. Many thanks and much love...