Life Our Babies Could Use Your Support

'Hamas' Jenkins · 04:51 AM

The great news is that I am a dad of two beautiful little girls.

The terrible news is that those girls are in extreme medical duress.
Yesterday, my wife gave birth, via emergency c-section, at 29 weeks, two days. At sixteen weeks, what looked like a normal, but rare, identical twin pregnancy became far more complicated. Our babies were diagnosed with a disorder that happens about 15% of the time with identical twin pregnancies called Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome. A detailed medical description isn’t necessary, but a brief one may help to understand.

The placenta provides blood flow and nutrition to a developing fetus. Most of the time, identical twins draw from the placenta with little issue, but in Twin-to-Twin, there is an imbalance. One twin, called the recipient, pulls too much blood from the placenta, and also the other baby. This makes the recipient polycythemic, basically the exact opposite of anemic. With too much blood, especially red blood cells, the blood becomes sludgy, and all the extra fluid which the baby receives from the extra blood puts a great deal of strain on their system, and can lead to congestive heart failure and other problems.

The other twin, the donor, experiences problems due to a lack of blood volume.

As a result of this circulatory imbalance, there is a massive discrepancy in amniotic fluid. The recipient swims in a pool of it, while the donor is, in essence, shrink-wrapped by the lack of fluid as the amniotic sac pulls in around it.

The condition is gravely serious, and without treatment, will usually carry a mortality risk of 100%.

After finding out that what we thought was going to be a normal pregnancy was anything but at 16 weeks, we had a procedure done in St. Louis called fetoscopic laser ablation. Developed a little over a decade ago, surgeons make a small incision in the mother’s abdomen, and with a small endoscope and laser, cauterize shared vessels between the two twins. This helps to establish a normal blood flow between the two babies.
We had this procedure done on May 6.

Initially, everything looked great, as the fluid levels between the two babies balanced out, and blood flow patterns appeared within normal range. About three weeks after the procedure, our specialists noticed that the condition had actually reversed itself. About 10% of the time, the condition will spontaneously reverse itself.

It was apparent to doctors at this appointment that this had happened near the end of May. Fluid levels were imbalanced, but still at the very end of normal. As such, the doctors felt it was the best interests in prolonging the pregnancy, which was not yet at viability, to avoid another event that would require making a hole in the amniotic sac. Thus, we embarked on a pattern of extreme vigilance. At multiple appointments per week, doctors performed an ultrasound wherein they would measure amniotic fluid levels, blood flow across the umbilical cords, and within the cerebral arteries in the brain.

After this second scare, it appeared that things began to normalize. Most of our subsequent appointments looked improved, and everything appeared to be on a healthy, normal trajectory.

Until Wednesday night.

Late Wednesday, my wife began to feel a series of small contractions. While normal in the third trimester, she had enough in a short period of time that it was necessary to call the doctor. He had us come into the hospital for closer monitoring, and after doing so, noticed that one of our babies was in distress. We had three ultrasounds last night and early into Wednesday morning, and after doing so, the doctors felt that it was in the best interests of the babies to deliver them at an extremely early, 29 weeks, but still viable age.

At 5:09 and 5:10 pm yesterday, we welcomed our little girls into the world.

Continued in post #2

'Hamas' Jenkins · 07-29-2011, 03:29 AM

Because of their age, things are critical, but additional factors and deterioration in their condition have caused a number of grave concerns.
Due to what a sudden worsening of their condition, our original recipient baby, which in late May became the donor, had a seizure shortly after birth. Doctors have had an extremely hard time maintaining her blood pressure as well as the oxygenation of her blood. She has received multiple blood transfusions in an effort to both boost her pressure, oxygenation, and red blood cell count. However, due to problems associated with a hypoxic environment, she has suffered a few seizures, and to compound that further, she has been fighting the ventilator.

Her older sister is also critical, but her problems are not at the severity of those I’ve mentioned above. Since she recently became the donor, her body has far too many red blood cells, and consequently she currently has the pallor of a red grape, while her sister remains pale due to an inverse condition.

It’s hard to exaggerate the seriousness of their conditions. Don’t think of this as a pity party, as it’s not about me, it’s about our girls.

I just wanted to mention this to the entire community so that you could send out any good thoughts, vibes, or prayers that you may have, as they are in need of every one of them.

I’ll continue to provide periodic updates as the situation progresses.

**btlook1** · 07-29-2011, 03:35 AM

Good thoughts headed your way! Good luck!

Jerm · 07-29-2011, 03:37 AM

Jesus Christ dude...I'm so sorry to hear that and you have my full 100% support and prayers.

If you need anything from me, shoot me a PM or let me know.

**TimeForWasp** · 07-29-2011, 03:39 AM

You have my prayers. I really hope everything turns out for the best.

**Donger** · 07-29-2011, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Because of their age, things are critical, but additional factors and deterioration in their condition have caused a number of grave concerns.
Due to what a sudden worsening of their condition, our original recipient baby, which in late May became the donor, had a seizure shortly after birth. Doctors have had an extremely hard time maintaining her blood pressure as well as the oxygenation of her blood. She has received multiple blood transfusions in an effort to both boost her pressure, oxygenation, and red blood cell count. However, due to problems associated with a hypoxic environment, she has suffered a few seizures, and to compound that further, she has been fighting the ventilator.

Her older sister is also critical, but her problems are not at the severity of those I’ve mentioned above. Since she recently became the donor, her body has far too many red blood cells, and consequently she currently has the pallor of a red grape, while her sister remains pale due to an inverse condition.

It’s hard to exaggerate the seriousness of their conditions. Don’t think of this as a pity party, as it’s not about me, it’s about our girls.

I just wanted to mention this to the entire community so that you could send out any good thoughts, vibes, or prayers that you may have, as they are in need of every one of them.

I’ll continue to provide periodic updates as the situation progresses.

I can't even begin to imagine, Hamas. I will keep you and your family in my most sincere thoughts and prayers.

**Mr. Kotter** · 07-29-2011, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

I can't even begin to imagine, Hamas. I will keep you and your family in my most sincere thoughts and prayers.

Allow me to take an opportunity to Echo Mr. Donger.

Wow, Hamas. Best wishes for a positive outcome to this very seriious situation.

Funny how LIFE puts the little shit into perspective, man. You and yours will be our thoughts and prayers.

NewChief · 07-29-2011, 08:06 PM

Just saw this bro. You got thoughts and prayers headed your way. I can't imagine the mixture of emotions you must be experiencing.

LTL · 07-29-2011, 03:43 AM

Damn, sorry to hear that. Thoughts and prayers your way.

Fritz88 · 07-29-2011, 03:55 AM

Sorry to hear about that Hamas. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

MoreLemonPledge · 07-29-2011, 04:17 AM

Terrible. I sincerely hope everything works out for the best.

**the Talking Can** · 07-29-2011, 04:22 AM

wow, terribly sorry to hear that hamas....my thoughts are with your family

johnny961 · 07-29-2011, 04:28 AM

I hadn't heard of this condition before. Damn, man, hope all works out for your daughters. Thoughts and prayers to you.

aturnis · 07-29-2011, 04:37 AM

I hope your situation turns for the better. You're in our thoughts. You and your whole family.

|Zach| · 07-29-2011, 04:44 AM

I was wondering where you had been seems this was prime Hammas posting time.

That is an incredibly unique situation. All the best to your family man. There are a lot of people behind you in this community.

07-29-2011, 03:29 AM	Topic Starter
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $7919572	Our Babies Could Use Your Support The great news is that I am a dad of two beautiful little girls. The terrible news is that those girls are in extreme medical duress. Yesterday, my wife gave birth, via emergency c-section, at 29 weeks, two days. At sixteen weeks, what looked like a normal, but rare, identical twin pregnancy became far more complicated. Our babies were diagnosed with a disorder that happens about 15% of the time with identical twin pregnancies called Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome. A detailed medical description isn’t necessary, but a brief one may help to understand. The placenta provides blood flow and nutrition to a developing fetus. Most of the time, identical twins draw from the placenta with little issue, but in Twin-to-Twin, there is an imbalance. One twin, called the recipient, pulls too much blood from the placenta, and also the other baby. This makes the recipient polycythemic, basically the exact opposite of anemic. With too much blood, especially red blood cells, the blood becomes sludgy, and all the extra fluid which the baby receives from the extra blood puts a great deal of strain on their system, and can lead to congestive heart failure and other problems. The other twin, the donor, experiences problems due to a lack of blood volume. As a result of this circulatory imbalance, there is a massive discrepancy in amniotic fluid. The recipient swims in a pool of it, while the donor is, in essence, shrink-wrapped by the lack of fluid as the amniotic sac pulls in around it. The condition is gravely serious, and without treatment, will usually carry a mortality risk of 100%. After finding out that what we thought was going to be a normal pregnancy was anything but at 16 weeks, we had a procedure done in St. Louis called fetoscopic laser ablation. Developed a little over a decade ago, surgeons make a small incision in the mother’s abdomen, and with a small endoscope and laser, cauterize shared vessels between the two twins. This helps to establish a normal blood flow between the two babies. We had this procedure done on May 6. Initially, everything looked great, as the fluid levels between the two babies balanced out, and blood flow patterns appeared within normal range. About three weeks after the procedure, our specialists noticed that the condition had actually reversed itself. About 10% of the time, the condition will spontaneously reverse itself. It was apparent to doctors at this appointment that this had happened near the end of May. Fluid levels were imbalanced, but still at the very end of normal. As such, the doctors felt it was the best interests in prolonging the pregnancy, which was not yet at viability, to avoid another event that would require making a hole in the amniotic sac. Thus, we embarked on a pattern of extreme vigilance. At multiple appointments per week, doctors performed an ultrasound wherein they would measure amniotic fluid levels, blood flow across the umbilical cords, and within the cerebral arteries in the brain. After this second scare, it appeared that things began to normalize. Most of our subsequent appointments looked improved, and everything appeared to be on a healthy, normal trajectory. Until Wednesday night. Late Wednesday, my wife began to feel a series of small contractions. While normal in the third trimester, she had enough in a short period of time that it was necessary to call the doctor. He had us come into the hospital for closer monitoring, and after doing so, noticed that one of our babies was in distress. We had three ultrasounds last night and early into Wednesday morning, and after doing so, the doctors felt that it was in the best interests of the babies to deliver them at an extremely early, 29 weeks, but still viable age. At 5:09 and 5:10 pm yesterday, we welcomed our little girls into the world. Continued in post #2 Last edited by 'Hamas' Jenkins; 07-29-2011 at 04:51 AM.. Reason: Got my days mixed up
Posts: 74,860

07-29-2011, 03:29 AM	#2
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $7919572	Because of their age, things are critical, but additional factors and deterioration in their condition have caused a number of grave concerns. Due to what a sudden worsening of their condition, our original recipient baby, which in late May became the donor, had a seizure shortly after birth. Doctors have had an extremely hard time maintaining her blood pressure as well as the oxygenation of her blood. She has received multiple blood transfusions in an effort to both boost her pressure, oxygenation, and red blood cell count. However, due to problems associated with a hypoxic environment, she has suffered a few seizures, and to compound that further, she has been fighting the ventilator. Her older sister is also critical, but her problems are not at the severity of those I’ve mentioned above. Since she recently became the donor, her body has far too many red blood cells, and consequently she currently has the pallor of a red grape, while her sister remains pale due to an inverse condition. It’s hard to exaggerate the seriousness of their conditions. Don’t think of this as a pity party, as it’s not about me, it’s about our girls. I just wanted to mention this to the entire community so that you could send out any good thoughts, vibes, or prayers that you may have, as they are in need of every one of them. I’ll continue to provide periodic updates as the situation progresses. __________________ "When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read 'all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.' When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty – to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.”--Abraham Lincoln
Posts: 74,860

07-29-2011, 03:35 AM	#3
btlook1 umm...what do I say here? Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: S.E. Kansas Casino cash: $9485227	Good thoughts headed your way! Good luck! __________________ BTW, your draft input is reminiscent of a porn stars cock sucking gone wild video. Sure it's great when they open their mouths but the funk that drips out afterward nobody wants a part of[/quote]
Posts: 1,289

07-29-2011, 03:37 AM	#4
Jerm Mahomes > God Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Clinton, MO Casino cash: $5508996	Jesus Christ dude...I'm so sorry to hear that and you have my full 100% support and prayers. If you need anything from me, shoot me a PM or let me know.
Posts: 9,907

07-29-2011, 03:39 AM	#5
TimeForWasp Sprinkle in some Mahomes Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Butte Montana Casino cash: $7678507	You have my prayers. I really hope everything turns out for the best.
Posts: 8,270

07-29-2011, 08:06 PM	#8
NewChief In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Fayetteville, AR Casino cash: $9560204	Just saw this bro. You got thoughts and prayers headed your way. I can't imagine the mixture of emotions you must be experiencing. __________________ In this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for; as for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican. - H. L. Mencken
Posts: 21,762

07-29-2011, 03:43 AM	#9
LTL Starter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tulsa Ok Casino cash: $9914995	Damn, sorry to hear that. Thoughts and prayers your way.
Posts: 311

07-29-2011, 03:55 AM	#10
Fritz88 Custom User Title Join Date: Nov 2008 Casino cash: $8835943	Sorry to hear about that Hamas. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Posts: 12,706

07-29-2011, 04:17 AM	#11
MoreLemonPledge M-I-Z S-E-C Join Date: Apr 2009 Casino cash: $10004927	Terrible. I sincerely hope everything works out for the best.
Posts: 6,039

07-29-2011, 04:22 AM	#12
the Talking Can Supporter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: street Casino cash: $10022208	wow, terribly sorry to hear that hamas....my thoughts are with your family __________________ Clark Hunt: "Thank god for the Dominican pool boy"
Posts: 51,585

07-29-2011, 04:28 AM	#13
johnny961 Starter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: in a cave Casino cash: $9946152	I hadn't heard of this condition before. Damn, man, hope all works out for your daughters. Thoughts and prayers to you.
Posts: 924

07-29-2011, 04:37 AM	#14
aturnis MVP Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Iowa Casino cash: $9975811	I hope your situation turns for the better. You're in our thoughts. You and your whole family.
Posts: 13,873

07-29-2011, 04:44 AM	#15
\|Zach\| For The Glory Of The City Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $5106768	I was wondering where you had been seems this was prime Hammas posting time. That is an incredibly unique situation. All the best to your family man. There are a lot of people behind you in this community.
Posts: 53,515