21 weeks 1 day

Well, we had our Level II ultrasound today to check on Madelyn's kidneys. Her left kidney looks perfect, but her right one still has a large cyst inside it. Dr. R said that her kidneys are only the size of a quarter right now, so it's hard to say where the blockage is happening until she gets a little bigger. The good news is that she peed a few times while we were watching her and her amniotic fluid was normal, so we know that the left side is working 100%. So, it's going to be a waiting game! Yay ~ more waiting! We will have to see Dr. R (a specialist) every month until Maddie is born so we can keep a close eye on the situation. In theory, the hydronephrosis is benign for now. It could mean surgery for a baby Maddie if complications arise after she's born, it could mean unilateral kidney failure if the fluid continues to accumulate. The doctor ordered that Nonny and I have our own abdominal ultrasounds to check our kidneys and livers, because it could be a genetic cystic abnormality. That would mean a possible liver or kidney transplant for our little girl or dialysis. It could just resolve on its own, although Dr. R mentioned that he doesn't expect that to happen in our case. Essentially, we get to see Dr. B for our regular obstetrical stuff, Dr. R for the monthly monitoring, we have to pick a pediatrician earlier than usual so as to alert him or her of the situation, PLUS we get to travel to Texas Children's Hospital to choose a pediatric urologist to monitor Maddie after she's born so they can assess whether surgical intervention is warranted or not. This is not exactly what I was wanting to hear today, but if there is going to be an issue, this is the one I'd choose to have. All of her other systems looked perfect, her brain looks fabulous, her heart looks fabulous. She weighed ONE pound TWO ounces! Eleven days ago, she was about 12oz, so she is eating well. She has a big ol' belly (like her mommy) and the doctor confirmed that it's because she's getting lots of nutrients (who knew that peanut M&M's were nutritious?!). She's measuring about a week bigger than expected: by the ultrasound dates she'd be due on 12/30/07. It was tough for them to get her measurements because she was wiggling like crazy. She kept kicking at the ultrasound transducer whenever they put it on my belly. I've got it all on tape and three facial profile shots, which I'll post tomorrow. She looks perfect to me ~ ten fingers, ten toes, a chubby tummy, & a button nose...

XOXO