Monday, November 12, 2007
Bilateral Cleft Lip & Palate
Daniel and I just wanted to give you a quick update as to the latest with Jackson. We had an ultrasound today and it was clear to the doctor that Jackson has both the bilateral cleft lip and palate. The doctor also did a fetal echo on Jackson's heart and he said it looks fine. We will be scheduling a consultation with the pediatric surgeons at LA Children's Hospital within the next month. We'll know more at that time, and have an opportunity to ask the many questions we have had rolling around in our heads for some time now.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Latest Ultrasound News
Daniel and I want to thank you all for all your prayers and support over the past few weeks. We have really appreciated it.
Our latest ultrasound was this past Friday. The doctor that performed our ultrasound this time was extremely helpful, answering as many of our questions as possible during the visit. Jackson definitely has a bilateral cleft lip. The doctor switched over to 3D for part of it, and it was much more visible to Daniel and I than it was to us in 2D. She looked for awhile at his face and mouth, and told us that she was not certain as to whether or not Jackson has a cleft palate as well. She said from what she could tell either he only has the cleft lip, or if he does have a cleft palate, it is minimal, as it was not noticeable by ultrasound. That was good news, as the cleft palate poses many more problems for the child, including hearing, speech, and teeth problems. The doctor said we most likely will not know much more than that prior to his birth.
We will have another ultrasound November 12th, what they call a "fetal echo". They want to take a better look at Jackson's heart to make sure everything looks normal and healthy. I guess it's normal practice to have a fetal echo whenever abnormalities occur, as they could be linked to heart problems. Following that ultrasound, we will schedule a consultation with the surgical team from either LA Children's Hospital or Stanford. We'll be able to meet with the surgeons who will be performing Jackson's surgery and ask any questions we have at that time. With the cleft lip, most surgeries take place when the baby is at least around 3 months old and weigh at least 12-14 lbs.
Our due date got moved up from February 17th to February 9th, as Jackson was measuring further along. Jackson is now weighing about 1 pound 3 ounces. We got the cutest picture of him while he was hiding his mouth with his hand. I'll see if we can scan it and pass it on. (I personally think he looks like Daniel.) The doctor also mentioned that I have a bit of excess amniotic fluid, most likely because it is a bit harder for Jackson to swallow with his cleft. Please continue to keep Jackson (and us) in your prayers. We will keep you updated as we learn more.
Our latest ultrasound was this past Friday. The doctor that performed our ultrasound this time was extremely helpful, answering as many of our questions as possible during the visit. Jackson definitely has a bilateral cleft lip. The doctor switched over to 3D for part of it, and it was much more visible to Daniel and I than it was to us in 2D. She looked for awhile at his face and mouth, and told us that she was not certain as to whether or not Jackson has a cleft palate as well. She said from what she could tell either he only has the cleft lip, or if he does have a cleft palate, it is minimal, as it was not noticeable by ultrasound. That was good news, as the cleft palate poses many more problems for the child, including hearing, speech, and teeth problems. The doctor said we most likely will not know much more than that prior to his birth.
We will have another ultrasound November 12th, what they call a "fetal echo". They want to take a better look at Jackson's heart to make sure everything looks normal and healthy. I guess it's normal practice to have a fetal echo whenever abnormalities occur, as they could be linked to heart problems. Following that ultrasound, we will schedule a consultation with the surgical team from either LA Children's Hospital or Stanford. We'll be able to meet with the surgeons who will be performing Jackson's surgery and ask any questions we have at that time. With the cleft lip, most surgeries take place when the baby is at least around 3 months old and weigh at least 12-14 lbs.
Our due date got moved up from February 17th to February 9th, as Jackson was measuring further along. Jackson is now weighing about 1 pound 3 ounces. We got the cutest picture of him while he was hiding his mouth with his hand. I'll see if we can scan it and pass it on. (I personally think he looks like Daniel.) The doctor also mentioned that I have a bit of excess amniotic fluid, most likely because it is a bit harder for Jackson to swallow with his cleft. Please continue to keep Jackson (and us) in your prayers. We will keep you updated as we learn more.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Cleft
We had the next ultrasound today at 11am. We were informed that the nuchal translucency that was the problem before looks like it's gone away as far as they can tell. The angles they were getting on Jackson weren't good enough to be 100% certain, and he wasn't obliging us by moving to his side to make it easier.
However they were able to tell us that he has a bilateral cleft lip (and possibly palate), and they're certain on that one. As it turns out, this is sometimes connected with other major problems such as brain functionality and hearing problems. Unfortunately (although it's about par for the course) we won't know more for at least 3 weeks which is when they have to wait do the next ultrasound to check up on other things that could be wrong.
If the only problem is the cleft palate and lip, then we will then have to go down to the LA Children's hospital to consult with surgeons on the next steps of a very long process. They will be able to tell us when the first round of surgeries will have to occur, and talk about the possible need for a prosthesis for his mouth so that he can eat when he is born.
As of right now we don't know much other than that, and whatever internet research can bring up. In 3 weeks we'll know if it's an isolated problem or if it's connected to something much bigger. Your prayers would be appreciated.
However they were able to tell us that he has a bilateral cleft lip (and possibly palate), and they're certain on that one. As it turns out, this is sometimes connected with other major problems such as brain functionality and hearing problems. Unfortunately (although it's about par for the course) we won't know more for at least 3 weeks which is when they have to wait do the next ultrasound to check up on other things that could be wrong.
If the only problem is the cleft palate and lip, then we will then have to go down to the LA Children's hospital to consult with surgeons on the next steps of a very long process. They will be able to tell us when the first round of surgeries will have to occur, and talk about the possible need for a prosthesis for his mouth so that he can eat when he is born.
As of right now we don't know much other than that, and whatever internet research can bring up. In 3 weeks we'll know if it's an isolated problem or if it's connected to something much bigger. Your prayers would be appreciated.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
CVS Results
Daniel and I just received the results this morning from the CVS procedure. Everything came back normal!!! We are so happy and so thankful.
We also found out that...
IT'S A BOY!
So we'll be welcoming Jackson Trine Whittington into the family sometime in mid-February! Please continue to pray for his health and protection over the next months . Thank you all for praying and for your love and support.
We also found out that...
IT'S A BOY!
So we'll be welcoming Jackson Trine Whittington into the family sometime in mid-February! Please continue to pray for his health and protection over the next months . Thank you all for praying and for your love and support.
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