Patience is a virtue . . . .

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."

Romans 12:12.

We didn't get as many answers from the specialist today as we were hoping to receive. Results for the big comprehensive test that we did yesterday won't be available until Monday. The best news is that the baby is doing wonderful. She's growing, and her lung, brain, and heart functions are great. The fluid is still there, but not noticeably larger. She is measuring about 6 lbs, but the doctor thinks in actuality, she's probably 4 lbs. without the fluid (and that doesn't necessarily mean the fluid weighs 2 lbs -- its all based on measurements). There were no immediate plans to deliver the baby, which is also an answer to prayer because we want her to continue to develop.

As for the test results that were available today, her liver enzymes are normal and the chromosome test from the amnio came back negative for the major things like Down's syndrome, Turner's syndrome, Trisonomy 18/13, etc. She has a low protein count or something like that, which could be caused by numerous things. We didn't get clear guidance on this. The doctor is looking more into it because it could be caused by liver or kidney disease, but the kidneys look good and the liver enzymes were normal. We hope to get more info on the liver in Monday's test results, as well as whether there is an infection. The specialist has speculated that he is leaning towards thinking this is a lymphatic drainage issue that can be treated upon delivery. He's hoping that if that is the case, we can keep the baby in for several more weeks with some close monitoring. Monday's test results may provide more guidance on this possible diagnosis.

To be quite honest, we were a little frustrated this afternoon to not receive all the results we had hoped for. I was probably more disappointed and scared than Patrick. He has really been strong in this, not only in his faith, but also in keeping us positive (as I'm typing this, he is rocking out with the guitar playing Jimmy Buffett -- but the baby seems to like it, lots of kicks when he plays the guitar!). We have constantly been praying that God would prepare us for whatever news we were given and give us strength to handle the challenges presented. We were hoping to at least leave the doctor's office with some answers, and while some things have been eliminated as possible causes, we still don't know what is causing all the fluid in the baby's stomach. It was easy to trust in the Lord when we thought we were going to get quick answers. But that's not His plan. We are so grateful for a strong baby and so thankful for the answers we did get today. But we are learning to be patient in this situation as we wait on others and on the Lord. Its scary to know that we may not have all the answers again on Monday, and we may not know until this precious child is delivered. Patrick and I and SOOOO many others have prayed for this baby, and we have no doubt that the Lord has a plan for her. We continue to feel God's love and pray that we don't stop trusting in Him in this tough situation.