some good news

brenner and i got home from houston today.  we were all ready to proceed with the surgery but after our very in depth evaluation yesterday, the doctor feels that we do not need the surgery right now.   

while there continue to be some concerns, both of the girls are doing well and all of their organs are stable and healthy as well as both are maintaining a healthy weight.  the fluid imbalance around the babies are not at the extreme levels that would indicate either baby is in distress.  this doctor feels at this point, we are in the very early stages of the twin to twin transfusion syndrome and that it is too early to proceed to surgery (and this doctor is a specialist in twin complications). this really is an answer to prayer.  while we were, and still are, braced for having to do this surgery, we are thankful that we do not have to do it now.  the longer that we can wait, the better.  

 it was  great to hear some good news about the girls.  they both have good blood flow through all of their organs.  they both have three blood vessels in their placenta cords which is the best.  they look like they are sharing the placenta equally, which is really important.  they both have the same size bladders, which i know sounds weird, but it means that even the smaller baby is getting enough fluid and swallowing enough.  there weights were within 12% of each other, which is totally normal.  

praise god. praise god. praise god.  

we are also becoming ultrasound experts.  i have had 6 prenatal appointments in this pregnancy.  i have also have 6 ultrasounds.  the one yesterday was crazy.  it lasted 2 hours and 20 minutes.  not the appointment, just the ultrasound!  they looked at every hand and foot, they measured every arm and leg, they looked at each side of each brain and studied all four heart chambers in each girl.  they studied their cranial features and the blood flow in and out of each girl.  it really was amazing. 

 i will start going to ultrasounds and checkups twice a week now , some in waco, some still with the specialist in dallas or maybe back down to houston, but this way we will monitor things very closely.  the doctor feels that there is a very good chance we will need to do the surgery later on, so we are definitely not out of the woods yet.  

we know that god is working.  he is hearing the prayers that are being lifted up by so many people and we are beyond thankful for everyone doing so.  the peace that we feel and the stable report of the girls are truly answers to prayer.