Time to FISH and salute Tom Petty

Today's a.m. appt with the genetic counselor went off without a hitch. Of course, she was largely doom and gloom, but both A and I understand that her job revolves around percentages and numbers, etc. We were firm in our decision to go with the level 2 ultrasound today and see where we went from there. I asked her if we could do the FISH test to get the results and she said we couldn't, that they only did that in cases where the timeframe was cutting it close for the patient to make a decision to terminate if the results came back abnormal. And being as we still have a few weeks before that timeframe yada yada yada....

Fast forward 4 hours to the 1 p.m. appt--where we then waited 2 hours and 20 minutes before being called in. Before your ire rises for us for that, know that one other couple was there an hour longer than we were. But we understand that emergencies come up when you're a high-risk pregnancy specialist so what could we do but wait (unlike the other couple, in which the male of the pair was indignant). C'est la vie buddy.

So--the level 2. In we went (me with a painfully full bladder may I add) and the sonographer did her thing. Measured numerous things, none of which I could see because the screen was turned away from me. But A got to watch--not that he really knew what all he was looking at but he made out a few things here and there.

After much tinkering, the sonographer tells me that she's really not seeing all of the structural things she needs to see (like the kidneys, etc.)--and not because there's something wrong with the baby. No, she can't see them because I am 17w3d today and this ultrasound should be done between 18 and 19 weeks optimally. She said that those few days growth time make a world of difference. So before she started thinking that I impatiently booked my level 2 for several days ahead of 18w, I explained to her that this appt was made for me by the nurse/receptionist and I just followed their protocol. She was cool with that and went on to say that she'd like to see me next week or the following week for the level 2 and she'd get better visuals then. And that would still give us time to do the amnio if we decided, and time for a decision should we need to make one post-amnio. But from what I read of the measurements she took, I am measuring slightly ahead at 17w5d overall (when all measurements are averaged out). The head, however is measuring slightly behind at 16w3d (but is in the 62nd percentile for growth while, according to my SIL, microcephaly is usually indicated in the 10th-20th percentile so I don't think we're measuring positively for that trisomy 18 soft marker--which is a good thing). At the same time, the sonographer didn't look for any soft markers as we had hoped for so there went that thought on our part. It was strictly a structural scan (but the tech did say that if she had to guess--since it's still kind of early and the scan wasn't the best--she thinks it's a girl).

She left the room to get the doctor and A and I conferred. Well, we're here, we've come this far. Why not just do the amnio and get definite confirmation? I told A to make the decision for me, that I was fine with whatever he thought best. And he thought we should do it. So when the gal came back in the room to tell us the doctor would be in shortly, we told her our decision.

One signed consent form and a betadine wash of the belly later, in came the doctor. They scanned out a location via ultrasound and in went the needle (which wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, a stick then a short burst of discomfort when she went through the uterine wall and some pressure when the fluid was removed but not too bad all in all), out went the fluid. And, yes, I cried quiet tears. For my fear, for my anxiety, for my baby, for what we could stand to lose.

But bless the good doctor. Immediately after she drained the fluid, she said, "You know, let's FISH this. You don't need the stress and I don't want you to live with that so let's FISH it." (So take that, genetic counselor!!) I thanked her--in fact, I actually said she was an angel among doctors. Because honestly, the anxiety level would likely have amped up to near record levels. So, now we wait to get the FISH results. They should be in in the next two days or so, or by the end of the week at the very latest, they told me. How I hope the results are completely normal because right now, I can't even think of the next step if they're not.

So come along with me my friends and wile away the time...and in the spirit of those who've gone before me in this wait (off the top of my head, i.e., Jodi at The Crooked Cervix)...can you maybe create a diversion for me? Something to make the next few days go by? You know, tell me corny jokes, embarrassing tales, or send great recipes, links to entertaining web sites or any other general info you think would help me pass the time. I'd be ever so grateful--and would hope to one day return the favor should you ever need it....

Tom really knew what he was talking about when he said the waiting is the hardest part...sheer genius (and one of Florida's own).