Our Big Day

2 years ago our son Sam was born and found to have a rare blood disorder called NAIT. The condition is so rare that it took the doctors many days and many tests to figure out the cause of his low blood platelets.

We did some research on NAIT and found out that because my body has built up antibodies against all my future pregnancies, it may be very hard to carry another baby without dangerous complications.

Last year at the NICU reunion we ran into Sam's doctor who was excited to inform us that there was now a specialist in our area that had experience treating NAIT patients.

Today, after weeks of being excited/afraid/thrilled/nervous, we met the maternal fetal medicine doctor to discuss our options.

He was extremely positive.

Doctor Barford explained to the both of us that because Matt is homozygous for the antigen PLA1, the next pregnancy will for sure need to be treated for NAIT. Because of this, we don't have to do any high risk testing during the pregnancy. At 12 weeks gestation, I will start getting immunoglobulin suppressant transfusions once a week throughout the entire pregnancy. This will be extremely difficult for me, to say the least, but I know it will all be worth it.

I will have to deliver through c-section to lower the risk of bruising to the baby, but the chances of delivering a normal platelet count baby are very good.

Although the treatments for a future pregnancy are extremely expensive and strenuous, there is hope for us to grow our family. It was extremely good news to hear after years of being in the dark about our future.

The next steps are to get better insurance, get an appointment with my fertility doctor and....hire a stork :)

To add to our exciting day, Matt had a really great interview for an AMAZING job. Please think positive thoughts for us...we are hoping and praying that things finally work out this time.

Mrs. Tucker

There are some amazing people out there.

A. MAZE. ING

I met with my "girly doctor" on Wednesday for a physical and a consult. There are so many things going through my mind these days and I needed a professional to talk them over with.

I wasn't able to get in with my usual fertility hero, as I call him, because I don't currently have a bun cooking in the oven. I guess a growing fetus is the equivalent of a golden ticket in the gynecological field.

So I was forced to make my apt with a nurse practitioner. I am pretty nervous about seeing anyone new because I like my doctors to know my history through and through.

At my scheduled time I walked into the clinic, checked in and met the new doc, Mrs. Tucker.

Once we had finished the uncomfortable tasks included in my yearly exam (epidural, please?) we discussed my concerns, fears and confusions regarding getting pregnant again.

We talked for almost 2 hours about my issues getting pregnant, staying pregnant and delivering a healthy, high platelet count, baby. She was extremely interested in our case, took lots of notes (on PAPER-meaning not for the hospitals record, but for her own) and promised me she would study up and get a referral for me to meet with a maternal medicine doctor equipped with lots of genetic knowledge.

I thanked her and went on my way not expecting much else.

Then this morning, I got a call FROM MRS TUCKER. How many drs do you know that call the patient themselves? Impressive.

I sat and talked to her and her nurse for a few minutes to find out that she had taken the time to personally head into the Maternal Medicine clinic to talk face to face with a doctor who has treated NAIT patients before. She even made an appointment for a consultation for both Matt and I and looked over our records with the genetic specialist.

I can honestly say it brought tears to my eyes.

We have been so blessed to have met some amazing doctors in the past few years that have allowed our family to grow and thrive. I truly believe that the Lord is allowing these relationships to form so that we can put a trustworthy and loving team together to hopefully one day bring another little Aprecio into our home. I haven't felt this positive about our situation since Sam was born, and although we have yet to find out what a pregnancy entails, or if its even possible, I know that the answers we are about to get will be the ones we are supposed to get.

My doctor visit

I went to the doctor on Monday with a list of concerns. It has been 2 years since I have been insured so we have been very lucky that there haven't been any emergencies.

First on the list was a lump that Matt found on the back of my leg 3 weeks ago. Not only has it not gone away, but it has turned black. Now, I'm no doctor but I'm pretty sure black is never a good color to have on your body...

The doctor stated that she had no idea what it was and that she would do some blood tests to see if there was "an infection or something".

What does "or something" mean?

My CBC came back completely normal. Looks like we'll have to biopsy the ugly sucker. That should be really fun.

The second thing we discussed was the fact that I have been having little black outs every once and a while. Not to the extent of passing out, I just lose vision for a few seconds and my heart beats really frantically. One time I couldn't catch my breath or stand up my legs were so weak. (This is the event that pushed us to get me insured. It was really scary.)

The doctor ordered an EKG and that too came back totally normal. Good news? Yes. But I would love to know why I occasionally feel like I have just run a marathon.

The other concerns I had were minor. I have an appointment with a dermatologist to get some moles removed, a new allergy medication regimen (that is working!), a date to discuss the possibility of a future pregnancy with my Gyno and a glimmer of hope to rid myself of seasonal depression. (that so far has lasted 4 seasons. Thank you Washington.)

Overall, I feel a little better. Its good to know I don't have anything REALLY wrong with me and that I now have a little plastic card that allows me into hospitals when I am not feeling right.

I'm sure the stress from not having insurance played a small part in my bad health.

Now that's irony.

NICU Reunion

Saturday morning we headed into Everett to attend the annual "March of Dimes" walk along with Providence's NICU Reunion in honor of all the babies born into intensive care within the last year. We were so excited to see our Doctor and a few of the nurses that cared for Sam after he was born.

Us with Dr. Neufeild.Sam and Cassandra.Although I wasn't prepared for the emotional aspect of visiting with the people who worked Sam's case, it was so rewarding. Looking around at some of the other babies we realize how lucky we are to have been able to walk out of that hospital with a perfectly healthy baby.

And for some reason that healthy boy is extremely afraid of giant Twinkies. No matter where we were in the park that day, Sam kept an eye on it to make sure it didn't do anything unannounced. For the record: He is also afraid of the Red Robin bird.

Some thoughts

Today is going to be a good day and a slightly hard day.

I get to spend most of the day with Matthew. We are going to finally check out Avatar 3D and as much fun as that is going to be, I am going to miss my "mini mister".

Last night after surprising my mom at her office, she somehow tricked me into leaving Sam at her house over night. She's sly like that. The first few thoughts that came to mind were "yes, so much sleep" and "I can actually get things done tomorrow". But as I started to leave Grandma and Grandads house a little ping of sadness struck my stomach.

I have not had a night without Sam since the NICU.

Thinking back on those nights still brings tears to my eyes. It was so hard to go home without my new baby, but the nurses assured me that he would be fine and that I needed the rest.

Last night, when I got home and didn't have to quietly unsnap Sam from his car seat, the same security (more actually) came over me. He would be fine, and I needed the rest.

And rest we did. Matt and I found it funny to be as loud as possible while we got ready for bed since we were not going to be waking any sleeping baby. Why is it that sometimes when we are without the kid that we act like kids ourselves? We are pretty silly sometimes.

This morning we laid in bed for as long as possible, and said our goodbyes as Matt headed to work for a little bit. And yes, I called my parents to see how Sam did over night. I'm surprised my mom didn't call me first to see if I was OK over night.

Now I will get things done that have been rotting away on my to do list. Returns, chores, shopping and editing. I bet I can do it all.

But I am so missing this face.