Monday, October 06, 2008

Update on Alex

As you know, from the previous post Alex has a mass on his neck and shoulder. We went to our family Dr. who ordered an ultrasound. Alex had the u/s this morning but they really didn't know what it was, so they sent us over to the pediatrician at the hospital where Alex was born. We saw the same Dr. that looked over Alex when he was born and discharged him from the hospital so that was good that we were able to see the same Dr. The pediatrician feels like he is 90% sure that Alex has a Cystic Hygroma, which is not life threatening or cancerous….thank you Jesus!!! He will have to have surgery though. The Dr. talked to the pediatric specialist at Greenville Children’s Hospital and sent over the images from the ultrasound as well. The Dr. in G’ville agreed with the preliminary diagnosis but will see him next Friday Oct. 17th to confirm. He said Alex will likely have to have surgery but that they would prefer to wait until he is 3-4 months old before doing the surgery depending on the confirmation and severity. I thank you all for your prayers. I feel so much more at peace and calm but the past few days and especially the hours and hours spent going from one Dr. to another with most of them saying, “I really don’t know what this is” today has had my nerves shot! I ask that you continue to pray as the diagnosis still has to be confirmed and no one likes to see their baby have to have surgery! I did some research and the fact that we found it after birth is actually a good thing and not associated with a chromosome issue. Many are found while still a fetus and if that is the case it's usually Turner's syndrome or other abnormalitis like Trisomies. But his was found after birth meaning that it probably developed in the last month or so before birth, which means it's not associated with a chromosome abnormality. So anyway, I feel much better but will be anxious to get a confirmation and will be glad when the surgery is over. The research does say that even wiht surgery it can come back. So we will just have to wait and keep praying. Thanks you guys for your prayers and support. It means the world to me!

Holly

2 comments:

The Circle of Life said...

Sweet Holly, we will continue to pray for you, Alex and your family. God is in control and He will take care of you all. Love you. Joy R

Christine @ Live to Learn said...

Holly, I wanted to let you know that I copied parts of my journal from last summer and Rachel's surgery and posted it on my blog. I wasn't sure how to give you all the info so I thought it might be encouraging to others to read and make it public. Anyway, it's the entry here http://livetolearneveryday.blogspot.com/2008/10/snipits-from-last-summer.html
Please keep in touch and let me know what happens. I'll keep up with your blog as well.
I'll be praying,
Christine @ Live to Learn