At our 20 week ultrasound, it was determined that our baby has a mass on his/her abdominal wall. As time went on, the mass grew with the baby, and it was determined that it was a lymphangioma, a collection of fluid caused by a blockage or malformation in the lymphatic system. Since then, the plan has been to deliver at Women & Babies Hospital in Lancaster and operate on the baby in 5 or 6 months.
Based on recommendations from a family friend and Stacy’s OB, we went down to CHOP (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia) for a consultation this week. What we’ve been hearing all along here in Lancaster is that this is rare, and we won’t find anyone who’s seen this and seen it a lot. What they failed to add to that observation was, “unless you go to CHOP.” It was refreshing to hear someone say, “We see these all the time.”
We now have a much better picture of what the next few weeks and months and years are going to look like. In two weeks, the baby will be delivered by C-section to reduce the chance of trauma. The surgeon will remove the mass within the first day or two due to a fear that the mass may begin to grow rapidly once the baby is born. Stacy should be discharged within 3 days or so, and the baby will probably stay for 7-10 days.
There is some chance of recurrence within the first 5 years that may require additional surgery, but the mass should never come back as big. Long term, the only remnants should be a scar or two and possibly a different quality of skin in that area.
Our concerns at this point are:
- safety and health for Stacy and the baby, both short-term and long-term
- coordinating care and time with the family for Ryker while we’re in Philly
- accommodations for Stacy and I while the baby is still in the hospital
Praises are:
- we were directed to CHOP
- this doesn’t seem to be life-threatening or a significant threat toward quality of life for the baby
- we have tons of family and friends who are going to help us through this
Thanks for your continued prayers and support,
Ryan, Stacy, and Ryker
2 comments:
Thinking and praying for all of you! So glad to be able to follow this closely to pray more specifically! Love to all--Carolyn
Ryan and Stacy,
Just thinking of you both as your journey to CHOP is about to begin. Know that we are praying for your entire family.
God is so good. He will see you through every step of the days ahead.
We can't wait to hear the wonderful news........boy?....girl?
The Eberlys
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