It was made clear very quickly that we aren't in Nashville anymore :( Our doctors office has never dealt with someone following this prenatal surgery. Mary - my angel in Nashville, also known as the nurse coordinator who keeps the team running smoothly up there, had assured me that she had been in contact with them and that they would have my records prior to my arrival - which they did. She had also provided me with a sheet to give them to fill out with all of the ultrasound information that she needs on a weekly basis until delivery. I showed up prepared!
The lady who did the ultrasound was nice enough, just immediately to me did not seem as thorough as the stenographers had in Nashville. After the number of ultrasounds I have had already I'm becoming quite good and knowing what I'm looking at so I noted as she checked the ventricle size, attempted to determine if I could still see increased fluid around the cerebellum (which would be a good thing), watched as she measured leg and arm bones and then down to check the spine. As she was spanning down the spine I saw something that didn't look right - it looked like a bubble right at the sight of the corrected spina bifida defect. When I stated my concern out loud she said she wasn't sure what it was but would make sure the doctor looked at it. At that, off she went to get the doctor.
The doctor came in and immediately I voiced my concern. He looked at several pictures, measured the apparent cyst like finding and essentially said to Stephen and I that he had "No idea what it was but that it appeared to be fluid filled." After much pushing he did say that he would send those pictures specifically to Vanderbilt to have them review them. I also had to push relatively hard for them to actually measure my fluid levels - I knew that Mary would not be happy with a check mark stating that it appeared normal :)
We were able to determine that the ventricle size had not changed significantly (a good thing) and that my fluid level still appeared to be well within the normal range.
A few minutes later the appointment was over and off Stephen and I headed. I immediately called Mary! I told her I had not been impressed with how they seemed very nonchalant about the entire experience - including this scary looking bubble that has appeared on my son's back after we just underwent major abdominal, prenatal surgery to have a bubble on his back corrected!! She assured me that she would call them and remind them how important the measurements and numbers were, and reminded me that this is a learning curve for them since they have never dealt with a patient that has had this surgery. I mentioned our panic about the bubble and she assured me that as soon as she got the pictures she would take them over to Dr. Tulipan for review and to not panic about it yet. Needing some additional reassurance I also got a hold of Dr. Carroll (one of the MFM's who completed the surgery). She had given me her cell number and said to text her with questions, concerns or even just to say hi! I indicated via text message that I was panicking and gave her a quick run down. She called me back several minutes later and said that she would contact my OB here in Jacksonville and see if they could digitally send the pictures so they could get them over to Dr. Tulipan today. She also said it may very well just be some swelling they are seeing as baby boy heals from surgery. She also instructed us not to panic and said she would be in touch a soon as possible.
I say all of this to say two things -
1. Vanderbilt did and continues to amaze me. The people that I have dealt with have been so amazing every single step of the way. There are not many doctors who give patient's their personal cell number and instruct them to text anytime they need anything - and then return a call moments after a text is sent stating that she has stopped everything that she is doing in attempt to get digital pictures from my OB in Jacksonville to help calm this pregnant girls mind!! AMAZING!! Mary also when I talked to her was very reassuring and and indicated that she would also be in contact with my OB. Love that place!!
2. Prayers please! I have been told by two people much smarter than I not to panic yet - and I am trying hard to follow their instructions. At this point, Stephen and I have NO idea what it is that we saw today but it just didn't seem like something that was supposed to be there. I know that God's got this - just like He has handled every single other detail and mountain we have had to climb to get to this place.
Please pray for peace and calming for both Stephen and I and cooperation quickly from my OB to get images up to Nashville so that Dr. Tulipan can take a look at them and hopefully put my mind even more at ease....
For now, I'll get back to my Nicholas Sparks book - that allows me to live out my bed rest through someone elses much more exciting life! I will update as I hear more details! Thanks for the prayers
Love and Hugs