November 1st, 2012: Fetal MRI


Since our visit to LA Children's Hospital last month, we have been keeping in touch with our case manager, Irene and going to routine obstetrical visits with our local obstetrician. Irene had called us about a week after our visit to tell us that the initial amniocentisis results were normal. That's great news! But, that we still need to wait for both of the other amniocentisis tests and the MRI before we could celebrate. We returned to Los Angeles Children's hospital on Thursday, November 1st for a fetal MRI. Basically, the doctors wanted to find out of Lucas's brain is normal, or even present.

The MRI is an amazing piece of equipment. Since all forms of life are “organic,” they are based off of carbon and hydrogen structures. Our bodies are composed of trillions and trillions of hydrogen, carbon, and other types of atoms. Each hydrogen atom has a charge and has a “north” and a “south” end. Normally, the north and south sides are very randomly arranged through our body. The MRI uses an enormous electromagnet to realign each of the hydrogen atoms, then take a magnetic picture of the resulting realignment. It really sounds like science fiction, but it's true. And it's very safe. As long as you don't have any loose change in your pocket.

After the MRI, we walked over to Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital for a visit with Dr. Miller (our perinatologist), and Irene (our case manager). We were greeted with some excellent news. The second of the three amniocentesis screenings had come back fine. Excellent! Dr. Miller did another ultrasound and noted that there were no changes- other than Lucas being in the breach position.

Our plan was to fly to New York City a few hours after the exams so I could run the New York City Marathon. On our way to the airport, my cell phone rang. It was my parents. They were watching the news and told me that the marathon had been canceled. I had run close to 1,000 miles during my training for the marathon. Normally, the marathon being canceled would have upset me. But, we have a lot on our minds. The marathon being canceled doesn't even compare to what we are going through.

No comments: