Anna Update

jbranden12

Hi ladies, just wanted to give you an update. This is from Facebook last night: 

"Anna is exactly 30 weeks gestation today! And now, what you've all been waiting for: We got the results back from Anna's MRI. The good news is, it didn't show any damage other than what we already knew from the ultrasounds. However, though research on brain injuries has come a long way, no one can tell us exactly what functions will be affected. Because of the damage in and around the ventricles, she is certain to have serious gross motor delays and some level of cerebral palsy, but they cannot tell us with certainty if the damage will affect her speech and other cognitive functions. Because of this uncertainty, her family will continue to fight for her as long as she remains comfortable. We are grateful to be at peace with our decision today, but we know there will be many more curves and loops on this rollercoaster! 

In other news, Anna has been gaining weight and filling out! She was 2 lbs 6 oz at birth but lost quite a bit of weight the first few days (normal) and she now weighs 2 lbs 13 oz! She had a bit of a rough morning with lots of bradys so we were afraid she was getting sick, but she is closer to her normal feisty self this evening so she could've just been tuckered out from her adventure with the MRI yesterday. We hope for a smooth Sunday!"

 We will continue to monitor her pvl, porencephaly, and hydrocephalus via ultrasounds and go from there!

DrRx

Continued T&Ps!

thishappyhouse

Lots of thoughts and prayers for you guys.  Like you said, there is uncertainty for her future, but she sounds fiesty and you undoubtably are an amazing mom and will be doing what is best for her no matter what comes her way.  These babies are resilient and have so much to teach us.  

ashk7

Keeping Anna in our thoughts and prayers! My DH has a good family friend with mild cp, he graduated college has a great job for the county and lives on his own and owns his house. He can not drive on his own, I am not sure the reasons. He and DH actually dormed together, he went to a private catholic college and got his 4 year degree in 4 years faster than DH and I, we were on the 5 year plan, who didnt want an extra year in college, lol He does have some vision issues and has had many surgeries when he was younger, because one side of the body has some muscle tone issues and is shorter which causes him to walk with a limp, his speech is slightly slower but you can understand him clearly, over all he is doing wonderful! He is just another one of the guys to DH and his buddies. I know all children are different and I am not sure the extent of damage he had a birth. I am not saying he hasn't and dosent continue to have some challenges, but over all he can and has done most things people our age do, we are 29. He has very supportive family and friends, which it sounds like little Anna does as well and that has made a tremendous difference in his quality of life!! Just thought I would share!

Mrs. Alice

Continued prayers for Anna!  Thanks for the update.

punky917

Continued thoughts and prayers for your precious little girl! I agree that preemies are very resilient and it definitely sounds like she is a fighter!

jbranden12

Thank you all so much! Since we made the decision that as long as nothing else major comes our way we will fight to take this baby girl home, we have both felt a huge weight lifted. Before that, it was like every time we touched or held her we had this feeling that we might be saying goodbye. As you all know, it's still a rollercoaster with good days and bad, but we no longer feel that every up or down is a sign to take into consideration. We can't believe we might actually get a take home baby this time!

caden1206

You sound so strong.  I am glad to hear that you guys are at peace.  Continuing to pray for Anna and you guys.