Life Our Babies Could Use Your Support - Page 7

'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

**TrebMaxx** · 07-29-2011, 02:27 PM

Prayers sent for you and your family. Keep strong.

WV · 07-29-2011, 02:39 PM

Thoughts and prayers coming your way.

booger · 07-29-2011, 02:42 PM

Thoughts and prayers are with the whole family especially the little ones and the Dr.'s and medical staff to do their best.

Zebedee DuBois · 07-29-2011, 02:53 PM

All my positive thoughts go out to you and your family. Prayers for spiritual strength and peace.

KC native · 07-29-2011, 03:28 PM

good luck man.

Dr. Johnny Fever · 07-29-2011, 03:42 PM

Best to you, the babys and the whole fam Hamas. Prayers up.

stevieray · 07-29-2011, 03:51 PM

absolutely....congrats to you and the wife!

good thoughts and prayers to you and yours...be strong for your honey.

mnchiefsguy · 07-29-2011, 03:54 PM

Thoughts and prayers for you and your family.

**cdcox** · 07-29-2011, 03:59 PM

Hamas, your family has my prayers. I have twin brothers but had never heard of this condition. Hang in there.

Cntrygal · 07-29-2011, 04:14 PM

Congratulations on the new additions to your family! I'll be wishing and praying for the girls to continue to improve and gain strength. How is your wife doing?

**RealSNR** · 07-29-2011, 04:41 PM

My wife and I are both thinking of having children someday. Something like this is our greatest fear.

It's not going to stop us at all, but I wouldn't want to think about having two baby daughters fighting for their lives.

Your daughters are definitely in my prayers, Hamas

**alpha_omega** · 07-29-2011, 05:05 PM

Prayers for the whole Hamas family!!!

Bi_polar · 07-29-2011, 05:50 PM

stay strong HJ, T & P's boo - your way, call me if you need me.

Chiefs=Champions · 07-29-2011, 06:41 PM

Prayers are with you mate!

**BigRedChief** · 07-29-2011, 07:20 PM

Good vibes heading your way. I've seen a lot of miracles happen in the NICU. Why not to your family?

07-29-2011, 03:29 AM
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $7959572	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: 74,848

07-29-2011, 02:27 PM	#91
TrebMaxx Supporter Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Peoples Republic of CoMo Casino cash: $1187252	Prayers sent for you and your family. Keep strong. __________________
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07-29-2011, 02:39 PM	#92
WV Veteran Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: In the Holler Casino cash: $10004950	Thoughts and prayers coming your way.
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07-29-2011, 02:42 PM	#93
booger Don't Tug on Superman's Cape Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: clear out in the sticks Casino cash: $1218550	Thoughts and prayers are with the whole family especially the little ones and the Dr.'s and medical staff to do their best. __________________ 2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
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07-29-2011, 02:53 PM	#94
Zebedee DuBois Veteran Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: floating in a tin can Casino cash: $1615199	All my positive thoughts go out to you and your family. Prayers for spiritual strength and peace. __________________ What am I even doing here?
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07-29-2011, 03:28 PM	#95
KC native Banned Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fort Worth, TX Casino cash: $10049239	good luck man.
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07-29-2011, 03:42 PM	#96
Dr. Johnny Fever stax of wax Join Date: Feb 2004 Casino cash: $10004900	Best to you, the babys and the whole fam Hamas. Prayers up.
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07-29-2011, 03:51 PM	#97
stevieray best in the biz Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Under Pressure Casino cash: $2295273	absolutely....congrats to you and the wife! good thoughts and prayers to you and yours...be strong for your honey.
Posts: 71,366

07-29-2011, 03:54 PM	#98
mnchiefsguy MVP Join Date: Dec 2003 Casino cash: $3296206	Thoughts and prayers for you and your family.
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07-29-2011, 03:59 PM	#99
cdcox www.nfl-forecast.com Join Date: Sep 2000 Casino cash: $2191769	Hamas, your family has my prayers. I have twin brothers but had never heard of this condition. Hang in there.
Posts: 45,543

07-29-2011, 04:14 PM	#100
Cntrygal Brrrrr..... Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: USA!!! :) Casino cash: $9954930	Congratulations on the new additions to your family! I'll be wishing and praying for the girls to continue to improve and gain strength. How is your wife doing?
Posts: 4,793

07-29-2011, 05:05 PM	#102
alpha_omega Supporter Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Liberty Casino cash: $1361251	Prayers for the whole Hamas family!!!
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07-29-2011, 05:50 PM	#103
Bi_polar Starter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The Dirty Casino cash: $10004900	stay strong HJ, T & P's boo - your way, call me if you need me. __________________ Notices Welcome back, Bi_polar! Where ya been?
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07-29-2011, 06:41 PM	#104
Chiefs=Champions Training Camp Hero Join Date: Oct 2006 Casino cash: $8504801	Prayers are with you mate!
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07-29-2011, 07:20 PM	#105
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $2849627 VARSITY	Good vibes heading your way. I've seen a lot of miracles happen in the NICU. Why not to your family? __________________ Time is worth more than money.
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