27-7-2009 - From RELIEVED to TERRIFIED!!

My mood while writing this blog: worried

My earlier blog from this evening stated that I was feeling a good bit relieved, after hearing that my risk results from the QUAD SCREEN (AFP) came back better than I thought ... well, I just HAD to go and Google the info that I was given, and now I'm more frightened than ever... I was told that my age related risk was 1 in 81, and my blood work related risk came back at 1 in 214. The doc did mention that what was concerning was that it was that both my AFP and Hcg levels were lower than the norm, what she didn't say is that my lower levels in those particular serums indicated Trisomy 18!! The worst part?? I'd actually mentioned my FEARS of those 2 in particular!! Downs doesn't "scare" me, I'd love my baby just the same, but with T-18, there isn't really any chance of life at all, as many babies die in-utero - those that do live to birth, usually die shortly thereafter :o( *** I just watched "99 Balloons" on YouTube about a beautiful T-18 baby *** He had such STRONG parents ... just the other day, I'd written to some friends that my GREATEST fear was to have something happen to this baby and to have to deal with the loss of a child ... after everything that's been going on in my life, I just KNOW that having to go through something like that would most likely KILL ME, if not physically, definitely spiritually, you know? :o(

Ok, NOW is when I REALLY need the prayers!!!

Here's a good chart for interpreting the results of a Quad Screen (AFP test), found on the "American Pregnancy" website::

* My Estriol level wasn't mentioned at all, PLEASE let that be NORMAL, and spare my baby from T-18.

OR anything else so tragic .....................

Triple Test Values
SCREENING:	AFP:	Estriol:	hCG:
Down Syndrome	Low	Low	High
Trisomy 13	Normal	No Data	Low
Trisomy 18	Low	Low	Low
Open Neural Tube Defects	High	Normal	Normal
IUGR, preterm birth, stillbirth	High	No Data	No Data
Multiple Gestation	High	High	High