Quinn Update

I'll get straight to the point tonight -- after waiting 2 1/2 hours to see the doctor today, we did discover that Quinn indeed does have some sort of congenital heart defect. Obviously not the news we were hoping for - but at least we know something now and aren't completely in the dark. I deal better when that "unknown" factor is removed.

The good news out of this whole yucky situation is that if your child was going to have a heart defect, then this is the one to have. Meaning it is usually 100% correctable with surgical intervention. The surgery generally takes place at 6 months old & typically the children go onto lead perfectly normal and active lives. That being said, my little girl is going to have to require surgery. That just breaks my heart into so many pieces I can hardly stand it.

However, we are also really fortunate to be close to Texas Children's here in Houston so we will have a fetal echocardiogram there next week. One of my very good friends who works at Texas Children's was able to help secure me an appointment with one of the top fetal cardiologists that day. What a blessing that is! I know Quinn will be in good hands once we get to that point. But anyway, having the echo will allow the doctor to map out the defect and create a plan of action. Thankfully, the doctor meets with you right after the echo so there is no waiting for results, etc. So next Friday we'll know a little bit more which will help shed some light on what we are going to face.

My care will also be transferred downtown to a high-risk perinatal group as opposed to my regular ob. That part makes me pretty sad because I have such a close relationship with my ob and she knows so much about me and my history. But we have to do what's best for my health and for the little ones -- they prefer me to be close to downtown so in the event Quinn is pretty ill at delivery, they won't have to airlift her out of Katy or anything. So hard to believe that I am typing those words - talking about airlifting my child & major heart surgery.

I don't think it's quite sunk in yet. Maybe I am still in shock. Either way, I sure have been funky the past few days and I must apologize to all my friends who probably think I am the biggest space cadet. The head has been in other places.

Anyway, just wanted to give y'all an update. Thank you for the prayers. One thing is for sure, I have seen God's hand move in all of this chaos.

I firmly believe that we are in Houston for some very specific reasons - 4 1/2 years ago I thought my world was ending when we lost everything in K -- but now, I realize that it was all part of God's perfect plan. Who are we to question that?

Matt & I have such an amazing support system here with our church, friends, and work. We couldn't have made it the past couple of years without all of them. And now to be in Houston, one of the leading medical metroplexes in the nation just when you need it the most for your child --- well, I know God is behind that. And He's behind things like putting my friend Katie in my life who can assist us with navigating the maze down at the med center & getting familiar with Texas Children's and providing support. And He's behind what prompted me today to stop the doctor in her tracks when she was about to give the babies a clean bill of health and ask her "so everything's ok with her heart??" - when it wasn't. (Note: She went back and re-ultrasounded the heart and found the problem 10 minutes later --- guess who's NOT my new high-risk OB???)

(Goodness, one thing that all of my medical issues have taught me --- be your own advocate, listen to your inner voice that's telling you when something's wrong, and then stand up and say something. Doctors are human and they make mistakes. You know your body and your babies better than anyone. Okay, jumping off the soap box now)

Will keep you guys posted. Love & appreciate you all. God has heard your prayers, that much I know. I couldn't have been as calm today without them for sure.

Oh and by the way, other than the heart issue, the babies look GREAT. Growing even ahead of gestation which is awesome for twins. And Ryan, poor little Ryan who's been kind of left out the past few days, is doing amazing. I have no doubt that he is going to be such a protector for his baby sister. And then she will likely torture him relentlessly like I did with my brother :)

Have a wonderful weekend, y'all!