We still look at the bright side even if everyone else thinks it looks dim...

So here's what nights are like for me....

The nurses have to come in periodically and either give me my different medicines, my supplements (calcium and potassium), check to hear the babies heart rates are within normal range (sometimes just for a couple minutes and sometimes for 15 - 30 minutes at a time AND it takes time to find both boys' heart beats), do an EKG on my heart, take blood to send to the lab to check my levels (because the digoxen can affect my heart and kidneys), check my pulse, check my blood pressure & take my temperature. These things can take three minutes or thirty minutes. Here are the times I wake up at night...

The nurses get me up at....

8pm
10pm
12 midnight
4am
4:05 am
4:15 am
6am
8am

So, I HAVE to nap during the day as I get a chance. So, that's part of the reason I haven't blogged as much lately.

Here's some good news!! I've been off of the magnesium & my contractions have slowed/stopped. THANK YOU LORD!!!! No more cath. or I.V.!!!!

Both Dr. Quintero (The TTTS Specialist) & Dr. Ferrer (The Pediatric Cardiologist) came by to talk to us today. Dr. Ferrer said we still haven't seen any more signs of arrhythmia and that the dose of digoxin is just a preventative measure to ensure we don't ever see it again. Dr. Quintero's talk was a little less sunny...

Dr. Quintero came to let us know the medicine (clineral) that is supposed to help reduce the amount of fluid the boys produce isn't giving us the results we want yet. My fluid level is the highest its EVER been. It's 15.2 right now. Dr. Quintero also gave us a lot of different options to think about... We could get rid of this entire pregnancy, get rid of one baby, or ride it out with a 30% chance of brain damage in one or both boys. This percentage can go up depending on how early the boys are born as well. Well, there's only one option for Scott and I. We're believing in the 70% chance for absolutely no brain damage. By "riding it out" we are looking at the following....

1. My uterus is perfect right now, but with the amount of fluid in my uterus that could change at any time and i could miscarry, or go into preterm labor.

2. If the clineral balances out the fluid level in the next day or two that would be awesome....

3. If the fluid level continues to increase we'll have to do another amnio reduction which led to contractions previously.

4. At 23 weeks 6 days I will start steroids to help develop the boys lungs faster that way if they are born early they will have a better chance ;o)

Having said all that, we are still absolutely sure that God's plan surpasses all the statistics. We praise him in all things. So, if his will is beautiful healthy twins we're excited. We are equally excited if God decides our boys will have special needs or if he decides their home is with him in heaven. We are at peace and trust completely in God's will for our family. We are praying and ask that you continue to pray with us.

I want to share a couple scriptures with you that have been uplifting for us lately.

Nicola gave us a cross with this verse to hang in the boys room. ♥

James 1:7 Every good & perfect gift is from above.

A friend of Scott's gave him this verse.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Dad just found this one and shared it with me. I don't think we could find a verse more appropriate for right now.

Proverbs 3:5-8
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight. do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. THIS WILL BRING HEALTH TO YOUR BODY AND NOURISHMENT TO YOUR BONES.

So, just to recap.... We are praying to take home 2 beautiful healthy boys. We are asking that you continue to pray with us... For a long pregnancy, for healthy boys and for strength.

Thank you all so much!! We are very blessed by the people in our lives.

♥
The Britts