Good news and not-so-good news

Here is the update my mom sent out this afternoon...I'm feeling exhausted and can't pull it together enough to write one myself:


It was another 3 hour appointment!  The good news is that there is no narrowing of the atrial septal defect!!  Praise God!  They were very pleased to see that today as, in Edmonton, it had raised concerns with the cardiologists and would mean immediate intervention (catheterization) and additional risk once she is born.  It would also mean that Amy would not be able to hold her right after she is born, something that is very important to her.

Hope's growth has somewhat slowed and she has only gained less than 1/2 a pound in the last 2 weeks.  She is now in the 40th percentile for growth and they estimate her weight to be just under 5 lbs.  Although this is a change from the last ultrasound, she is still in the acceptable range for a heart baby.  They would ideally like to see more growth, so Amy has been encouraged to continue eating 24/7!

The not-so-good news is that they were able to get an even better picture of Hope's heart today than they had gotten in Edmonton and not only has the aorta not grown in size, it is actually smaller than they had predicted - today it measured 2.5 mm.  The surgeons would like to see it at least 3 mm. in diameter.  Having it smaller puts her at increased risk for the surgery, but it is still in the range of "expected" for HLHS babies.  

Although we were hoping and praying for better news on the size of Hope's aorta, we are reminded of the fact that God's not finished growing her yet!!  We ask your continued prayer for our little Hope - that God would make her the best possible candidate for the surgery ahead and that she would continue growing and developing until it's the best possible time for her to enter this world!!  

I hope that fills you all in on the latest with our little girl.  I'm thrilled to be finished with echoes here in Calgary and only have an appointment with the OB left before our departure to Edmonton.  We're getting closer and as we do, the nerves increase!