March 31st 2010: 34 Weeks And 1 Day Gestation

Recently I moved back to Pennsylvania, since everything is more specialized here, and there is a lot more support. I drive here was long, but in the end hopefully it's worth it. Recently after our trip from Philadelphia we had a few more ultrasounds. One amniotic fluid and bladder fluid was drained, and the doctor mentioned the darker tint in the fluid, which meant she had the ability to pass mecolium. It sounded very positive to us.

Today I went for my first appointment at Magee hospital, it seemed like a repeat of everything that was already said, but a bit more in depth. The neonatologist told us the plan for Janessa after her birth. She mentioned that Janessa's birth will probably be an induced labor a 39 weeks, and then she will be evaluated fully at Magee hospital. Depending on her condition she may be sent straight to Children's hospital of Pittsburgh, or will be with me at Magee until I'm discharged. It all depends on how she is fighting through this. After that will depend on her condition, and what not.

It has been really hard, and stressful these last few weeks. I wish something like this would not have happened, but I have to stay strong so Janessa stays strong. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers for this is in god's hands now, and, only he can decide her destiny in the long run.

I will update this after my talk with the pediatric surgeons on Friday at Children's. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. God bless you all. <3

March 14th 2010: 31 Weeks And 5 Days Gestation

Last Thursday we left for Philadelphia to have specialized tests ran on Janessa to get a better idea of what her condition may be. They had two diseases that Janessa may be experiencing. The MMIHS or Cloaca. Well the tests showed that Janessa most likely has MMIHS, but an official diagnoses won't be made until after Janessa is born. Of course MMIHS is a very rare disease, and in a lot of cases can be fatal to infants, but it was never really mentioned that Janessa wasn't going to make it. The process of MMIHS will be that after Janessa is born she will have to be put on a TPN, and a couple other tubes such as a catheter, and one for any fluid in her GI tract. The good news is that Janessa does have polyhydramnions(which is excessive amniotic fluid surrounding her) That is good because it developed her lungs and heart really well, also there is a less chance of renal damage in her. The reason for her having that, rather than oligohydramions is that her bladder is releasing fluid, but she doesn't have the smooth muscle development to push out her pee(which that muscle may develop as she ages). Another good thing is that in the MRI and ultrasound they noticed she had a bit a fluid running through her small bowel and intestines which is a very positive advantage to her. 


We are leaving on the 25th to move up to Pennsylvania. Janessa will be c sectioned at Magee women's hospital, then immediately transported to Children's hospital of Pittsburgh. Within a year, if Janessa can withstand the TPN, she will be a candidate for multivesticular surgery(Surgery of the intestines, liver, etc). If she is unable to feed they will do it earlier. Hopefully Janessa will one day be off the TPN, and we be a normal little girl. :) 


We have to keep strong, and keep her in our thoughts and prayers. Janessa will be in the hospital for a long time after birth(At least 7 months). She will need all the love and hope she can get!! Thank you all for doing so already, we really appreciate it! <3

March 6th 2010: 30 Weeks 4 Days Gestation

Janessa is kicking as usual right now, it's hard to believe that our baby may even have such a disease as this. Right now we are just doing as much as possible with her in the womb. We are still heading to Philadelphia on the 11th of March to have specialized tests done to see what they think and consider. We got chromosome tests back last Wednesday at our appointment, the Doctor said that there could already be renal damage to her, one of her protein results came back fairly high. I really hope that Janessa is doing okay in there, and not in any pain.

I recently received an email as well from Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh about what they work with, and the evaluation process. Our plan is to most likely have her flighted up to Pittsburgh since it's more specialized than down where we are. We are hoping for the best for baby Janessa! A lot of people on facebook, and family have been keeping her in their thoughts and prayers! We thank you so much for that, and hope you continue to do so for our little girl :). Today I read about a little boy named Samuel who is 9 months old today, and is doing amazing, he has MMIHS as well, and the blog post gave me so much hope and inspiration, I wanted to thank them for that hope that they gave me, and I will always keep hope and prayer with their son as well.

We have another appointment on the 10th with Dr. Evans, I guess we will see how well she is doing. We love our little girl so much! We hope that everyone keeps her in their thoughts and prayers. God bless you all.

Marybeth.