Sophia Update 11/13/11

Dear Family and Friends,

We just wanted to give a little update on Sophia. This past Thursday we spent the afternoon in Boston, first meeting Mandy's OB at Brigham and Women's hospital (where she'll have a planned C-section if all goes according to schedule). Dr. Oxford was wonderful and “very protective of her patients.” She wowed us with her compassion and strong desire to connect with us. We will see her again Dec. 15.

Then we had a fetal echo and met with Dr. Tworetsky, another pediatric cardiologist at Boston Children's Hospital. He provided encouragement to us when he told us he saw “quite a bit of blood flow” through the left ventricle and out the left aorta. Not only that but the left ventricle appears bigger than originally thought! We have been praying for that exact thing: that God would grow the left ventricle! Dr. Tworetsky went on to say that the right ventricle will shrink a bit after birth and the left ventricle will GROW after birth. More good news!

The news about the ventricle doesn't alter the surgical procedures that Sophia will need to have done at birth and a few months following as of now, but with the doctors telling us that only time will tell at delivery what Sophia's heart will be like combined with the changes in her left ventricle already, we are hopeful for more miracles!

There is a small leakage in Sophia's tricuspid valve on her right ventricle. Due to overworking for the left side this is often the case. The cardiologists will keep a close eye on that in the weeks to come. Please pray that the leakage does not become worse.

Mandy's next appointments are in a couple of weeks for a non-stress test at her OB's office in Westboro. This is a check-up on Sophia to make sure she's not under too much stress in the womb, and is developing appropriately. Mandy will also go in for a routine fetal echo with the cardiologist at Umass Memorial Hospital in Worcester that same week to make sure Sophia's heart is doing okay. Please pray that Sophia doesn't come too early. We want her to stay protected and nurtured in utero for as long as possible!

We will be writing you again in a few weeks come beginning of December to pray for the next round of appointments in Boston. There is a lot on the docket at our 35-week appointment so we'll need LOTS of prayers! Thanks for all your prayers and words of support and encouragement. We couldn't do this alone. We are always grateful for our family and friends.

Much Love,
Doug and Mandy