We've been on a ride... (Day 57)

This is really long but it has been a roller coaster in here (more so than usual).
I had just about given up on getting my ultrasound yesterday when Dr. Lovelace showed up at 6:30pm. Byron and Tim and Jennifer Snooks were supposed to be here at the same time for date night (it was Jenn's birthday). Dr. Lovelace wheeled me over to his office (Byron got there about ten minutes later).
Okay, so here's the results of the Ultrasound. First the good news-- Spartacus is weighing in at about 3 pounds 4 ounces. So he's now well over the big 3 lb mark-- I'm thrilled. He also is measuring at about the same-- still approximately 2 weeks behind where his age is (3 weeks behind on his arms). And my Placenta is still at a level 2-- which means its starting to deteriorate but is still functional.
Now for the iffy news. I refuse to call it bad news because we just don't know. Spartacus' bladder is full once again. But Dr. Lovelace started wondering if there was something wrong. It appears to be slightly larger and one of the Ureters (I know I'm not remembering this word right) is enlarged-- probably just backed up a bit because he's not draining his bladder efficiently. His Kidneys do look fine and not stressed. But as for the bladder, Dr. Lovelace said it could clear up after he is born or he could need surgery.
Unfortunately, there is more. The doctor is more worried about his heart. It appears to be enlarged, the walls slightly thickened and Spartacus' chest looks smaller than it should be. Therefore, the bigger concern is if there is enough room for lung tissue to develop and be effective. Once again, there is absolutely nothing that can be done on this side. All must wait and be determined after he is born.
I think Byron has more faith than I do. He was much calmer than I was. Of course, he doesn't have hormones coursing through his body. Tim and Jenn where waiting for us when we got back. They had brought in PF Changs. And can I just tell you how much I adore them? I mean, how many friends do you know who would spend their birthday with someone on bed arrest?
Shortly after dinner, I had what I thought was a very painful contraction-- but it never eased up. I was in pain on my right side and my right back. I started bleeding and the nurses immediately put me on monitors. I was in so much pain, I started sweating like a pig stuck in a fur coat during summer. Nice visual, eh? And then, I started shaking uncontrollably. Jenn fanned me, rubbed my legs and coached me like a Douala. (This while Tim and Bryon had their noses in some computer program). This went on for over an hour. The nurses determined my uterus was very agitated (from either the wheel chair ride or the ultrasound). When the nurse was about to give me Tributalyne (spelling?) to try and settle me down... the pain moved to a dull ache.
They finally took me off the monitors at about ten. (I went on again at midnight). Some birthday celebration for Jenn. Bishop Firmage and his wife came by last night as well. The five of them kept me laughing -- even when it hurt. So that was good.
I finally got to bed after 1am. Dr. Lovelace came in just after seven this morning and went over his concerns again from the ultrasound. He's going out of town for the day-- great timing-- sigh. But ordered another ultrasound, this time from the Perinatologist, Dr. Lee (love him, we didn't know each other but were at BYU at the same time and he grew up close friends with some of my good friends in Pasadena).
After Dr. Lovelace left, I vomited. Not because Dr. Lovelace left, mind you. I don't know why. Once I got hooked up for monitoring, Spartacus looked good but I was having some pretty regular and strong contractions. About every four minutes or so. Liz (my favorite daytime nurse) put me on my side and things settled down some.
Dr. Lee (the Perinatologist) just finished his uber Ultrasound. He thought the bladder looked slightly enlarged-- but he didn't find any back-up. So he's not worried about that. Phew.
He is "concerned" (do they teach all doctors to use that word in med. school?) about the small looking chest, the heart that looks large (is it because the chest is so small?) and the lack of room for lung tissue.
He said it's probably because I have so little fluid, the baby is under such stress or we could see some genetics coming into play (my girls are small and Byron and I were both munchkins as children).
There is nothing we can do but wait and see what the real story is after he is born. Dr. Lee said we could have anything from the baby not have enough lung tissue so he would not survive, to chronic lung issues in his life, to being just fine. He's seen it all on babies who are much worse and babies who are much better.
Dr. Lee would also like a pediatric cardiology specialist to do his own Ultrasound on Monday. It's not really going to change anything, just prepare us more, I guess.
So that's where we are. And I have to say, I'm pretty calm and ready for whatever our future holds. I just hope it holds a bit longer. I hate to be greedy for miracles, but we've had so many, I believe everything will be fine and we'll handle what isn't.