Our doctor, who we also love, Dr. Owens came into the room and right away told us that Gennifer found an abnormality that will need to be followed up right away. He assured us that it was nothing we did or anything that could have been helped, but nevertheless we needed to see a specialist to figure out exactly what we are looking at. His exact words were:
"We'll still have to find out what we're looking at. This can either be something that's not that big of a deal or it can be something potentially very very serious."
His best guess at what we were looking at was either a Gastroscesis or an Omphalocele. After scheduling an appointment the very next day (due to diligent phone calling from Gennifer) with a specialist from UCLA we looked up the two online. Here's the short version of both:
Gastroscesis: This is an abnormality where the bowels grow and develop outside of the body but are not protected by anything. The are floating around outside the baby's body inside the womb.
Omphalocele: This is an abnormality where the organs grow outside the body but are protected by the umbilical cord that has stretched to the point of making a little sack and holds the organs.
I can only imagine from your well written description how you must have felt and still feel. I pray for God's strength, wisdom, and presence to walk with you through the seemingly long, difficult days ahead of waiting for news. You and Karsie are loved and in my prayers for a wonderful, God-honoring miracle.
ReplyDeleteI know a girl who was born with this and would like to let you know she is a healthy 15 year old. You are in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteI had not heard of omphalocele before. Suddenly, I am learning of many people who were born with it and doing fine. I hope that is a bit encouraging.
ReplyDeleteIts a type of abdominal wall defect in which the intestines, liver, and occasionally other organs remain outside of the abdomen in a sac because of a defect in the development of the muscles of the abdominal wall.
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