And the hits just keep on coming....

Hello all,

This is Chris.

Thursday's follow-up did not go very well. In three days the fluid level dropped in half again down to 1.2. Our doctor believes it could be because the placenta has an issue or his kidneys are not functioning properly or both. This has become quite serious because without amniotic fluid, Korbin's lungs cannot develop properly which is a for sure death sentence, as if the little man didn't have enough problems. At this point the doctors have no hope and have told us that this is looking like the beginning of an abrupt end. In "normal" pregnacies when the fluid gets this low, the mother is admitted into the hospital or put on strict bed rest and is told to stay completely hydrated. Our doctor has not given us that direction. She said that "In my honest medical opinion, bed rest and hydration absolutely can't hurt, but with the multiple problems he is having, its too far gone to help." She has told us that she expects him to not have a heartbeat in the near future during one of her weekly ultrasounds and that she knows that we have been hoping for a miracle, but if one was going to happen, we should have started to see it by now. All in all, it's looking grim.

Please rest assured that we still are not giving up hope. Although the doctor said it is not going to help, we have decided to keep Tonya from doing anything, so she is basically on self imposed bed rest right now, sitting in her chair (complaining about being bored) and drinking at least a gallon of water a day. We feel that in 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years from now, we do NOT want to be sitting around thinking "could we have done more". So no matter what the doctors say, we are going to do everything we can to give Korbin a fighting chance, no matter how small of one. As long as Tonya doesn't get her hand on a bell or whistle, i think will be able to keep my sanity until then. ;)

We didn't even want to think of the worst case, but we have decided to contact the Shinning Star program (Hospice for infants and their parents) and have asked our doctor about what happens if Korbin passes before he is born. Tonya will have to be induced, have a still birth, and stay overnight in the hospital, like she would a regular delivery. We have requested to not be on the same floor as the other mothers and babies, because emotionally it will be entirely to difficult for Tonya to have to listen to other families and other babies crying during her stay. Emotionally, having to think about this is already taking a toll on her, and i am trying to do everything i can to stay strong for her. I can tell you that all of your thoughts, prayers, emails, phone calls, dinners, text messages, etc... really seem to brighten her up, so thank you all of that!!!!!

I am also overwhelmed and extremely touched by all the support. I have received so many emails, texts and phone calls myself and i honestly feel blessed. I feel horrible that i haven't responded to them all directly and i would like to apologize to all of you that i haven't gotten back to. I promise you that i have received your messages and i hold them dear to my heart, so please don't be offended if i haven't responded.

Thanks again for everything. We have the best friends and family IN THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!

Love,
Chris, Tonya, Kayla, and Korbin