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Behind Enemy Lines...well kind of :-)

Yesterday, Julie and I took a trip to a place no Buckeye fan would speak of, Ann Arbor. We had to brave the Wolverine odor and as much Maize and Blue as I could stomach for one day. Our visit to University of Michigan C.S. Mott's Children's Hospital brought on some positive news.

We started off in their MFM department and they took about an hour anatomy ultrasound of Oscar. Most everything they identified was in line with what we have seen in Toledo. There seemed to be a little more concern about the kidneys, but much of that will be left unknown until after Oscar is born. We then had a fetal echo done, which is where some positivity came into our day. The pediatric cardiologist seemed to think there is no reason Oscar's heart would not be able to get enough oxygenated blood to the body based on the size of his pulmonary artery. Oscar is now confirmed with the heart defect of Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), but immediate surgery does not seem to be needed. The pediatric cardiologist was much more concerned about the heart muscle itself, which shows some abnormal signs of “squeezing” when compared to a normal heart. Overall though we left with at least some positivity, which was a nice change.

We then sat down with an entire team of five very notable doctors from U of M: a Pediatric Cardiologist, a Heart Surgeon, a Neonatologist, a Palliative Care, and an OB/MFM doctor. They reviewed everything with us from our visit and really took the time to get to know us as well as our desires for Oscar. The NICU doctor expressed the most pressing need for Oscar at birth will be his breathing. We are unsure if his brain will tell his body to breathe at regular intervals, next there are concerns with airway obstruction, and last his right lung has began collecting some fluid around it. In saying all that, oxygen is something that can be provided to Oscar very quickly after birth most likely through nasal canal, CPAP machine, or having Oscar intubated if needed. A big question is will his respiratory muscles function well enough to support his life? Along with his heart muscles functioning well enough as well. There will be many unknowns until Oscar decides to make his debut. 

We ended the day with a tour of the NICU floor and Labor & Delivery. These were quite impressive places to see. Theodore was delivered at Bay Park Hospital in Oregon, Ohio, and was the only baby born there that day. We are now looking at L&D units that are 60-100 beds. It is quite the change. The U of M team of doctors were curious if delivering up at Mott's would be a desire of ours...which is where we are now in the decision making process. This coming Tuesday we have a visit to Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, to get a second opinion on Oscar's heart and to meet with their heart surgeon. This also is much more friendlier territory for our Buckeye allegiance.

Prayer Needs in the coming week:
1.     Oscar would continue to grow bigger, stronger, and show signs of heart improvement.
2.   Oscar's lung and kidney function would not deteriorate anymore. 
3.     Julie and I would have clarity and good communication on any decisions being made.
4.     Our visit to Nationwide in Columbus would go smoothly on Tuesday.

Oscar's Uncle Jeffrey painted this picture of Oscar's heart.
The piece is called "Oscar's Unique Soul". Jeffrey painted three of these hearts.
One was given to Toledo Hospital MFM department,
 one to Dr. Whitfield, Oscar's Pediatric Cardiologist, at Toledo Hospital,
and the final painting will be hung in Oscar's nursery. 

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