Well, first the good news: two identical twin boys! Inasmuch as two identical Kennedy boys are good news to anyone. If what they say is true, and babies behave the way they do in the womb, then we have two future terrors on our hands. In the ultrasound they were literally boxing each other. Well, kicking and jabbing at least.
Here is the hard news. One of the babies (we affectionately call him "Baby A") was diagnosed with what they call Congenital Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation (CCAM). Basically, there are lesions or cyst-like growths in the lower lobe of one of his lungs. No one knows the cause, but it is very rare (we are really hitting all the long odds with this pregnancy: .4% chance of identical twin boys, 1 in 35,000 chance of CCAM. Powerball, here we come).
What this means is that he and mom will have to be very closely monitored. There are several different treatment options depending on the type of growth he has. They say most babies are able to be delivered normally. After about a month they will go back into the hospital and have the lesion surgically removed. Because babies are made of magic, the lobe they remove will grow back and baby has to potential to be the next Michael Phelps or Placido Domingo because that lung will be good as new. Don't quote me on that though, I'm not a doctor just an optimist.
The problem arises when the lesion grows too big or fills with too much fluid. This takes up space where the normal lung or heart should be. This is no good. It could result in all kinds of problems for mom, and could lead to heart failure in the baby. They have several unbelievable options for treating this outcome: surgery on the fetus to remove the lesion before birth, shunting the lesion to drain it, or using a needle to drain it. Is this the future?
Of course, because his brother and boxing partner is also in there with him, this all becomes much more high risk for the four of us. Luckily for us however: even though this condition is very rare, there is a center dedicated to its treatment, and it is here in Philly at CHOP. So if anyone ever hears me complaining about living in Philly again, give me a slap. These guys are the best in the world. We go for a full day of tests on Thursday, and should have a clearer idea about what our course of treatment will be.
I want to thank everyone for all the good vibes and kind words. This is going to be a scary couple of months for us, so bear with us. Your love and kindness will get us through. Special thanks to CL, an old friend and pediatrician who buried a very old hatchet I bestowed on her a decade and a half ago and took a late night call from me to calmly explain all of this and talk me off the ledge.
I'm still going to plug the Audible show on the 22nd! BE THERE.
Well Mike, I wish I knew your wife. However, knowing you from since you were just young kids, I know this. You are going to get through this, because you are a fighter. CHOP does amazing things now, and one of them is that they deliver babies that are considered high risk, so you and Kris never even have to leave the hospital with the babies. She can go there and be on bed rest if need be, and know that both your wife and your babies will be well taken care of. Let the doctors do their part, you do your part...take care of your wife.....have everybody that you know pray like crazy......I know I am....and you put everything together, and you will get a great outcome. Parenthood is scary from the minute you find out, until, well, it is never not scary. But, you will be fine. If you ever need anything, I will post my info on your facebook inbox. Seriously. Oh, and do what I do....when I am really in a pinch, I pray, and sometimes even talk to my dad. Say a prayer to your mom. She will help you get through this, just like my mom has helped me get through so many things.........Michele Cunane Shapley and family
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