Julie

[SerenaWelsh]

How did your appointment go today?

[julie]

wow, I can't beleive that u even remembered that I had this appt today. WOW for Serena! :) anyways....


went to the dr again today. It was another cardioligist appt. supposedly just for a consultation since I just had an echo done like 2-3 weeks ago but got there and they gave me another echo and an EKG. the ekg was normal they said. and my echo was the same as the last one.. 40% EF. He said my heart isn't HUGE but is still Larger. He is another dr that we get to add to our freaking list of drs that is advising us to Terminate. I asked him about the other dr giving me a 40-50% mortality rate and he said, I don't have an official number for u but it is VERY HIGH. SO blah blah blah. Not really any good news. he wants to see me again every 3 months. My bp was a little high...123/92 and my heartrate stayed at 120's. a bit high.

so that was my day

oh and more great news... NOT. the peri office wants me to make another appt. no big deal. but I have to call the freaking 800 number to make one and they said it will be at least 2 -3 weeks before I get in. hmm, I am 12 weeks by the u/s measurements and 13 by my LMP. so how many more weeks is this going to take??? UGGGHHH

so that is where we are. I am just sooo unbelievably scared that I am going to die and leave my two beautiful girls without their mommy.

[lilyjack]

Is there someone at your insurance company you can call to expedite the appointment? Is it possible for your cardiologist or primary care physician to call and bump up the appointment? Are you sure they understand your situation and that time is somewhat of the essence? Can you try a different doctor?

I don't like the way they are treating you :mad: ...you need all your facts as soon as possible so that you can make the right decision about your future...their delay is making it harder on you. I think you're fine right now, but maybe you can find someone or some way to light a fire under their a$$es...

[mikeyandBellesmommy]

I think you have all the information you need now to make a decision. I think YOU now have to make your decision before it gets to late. There really isn't anyone else who is going to tell you different.

Your ef is not great to start out a pregnancy with
You are carrying twins

If you look at the elykham study most of those women lost more heart function had late term terminations, deterioration or death. NO doc on this earth is going to tell you that you will be fine if that is what you are hoping to hear..

I am sorry for saying this but you have all the info you need to amke your decision..

Good luck

[miracle baby]

I agree with Carienne.You have got to make the decision and I know its very hard.But you said you are scared to death that you'll die and not be here for your two little girls.They need a mommy.Your heart is enlarge and your ef is dropping what else do you need to hear to make that decision.
I dont mean to sound like a a$$ but you're three months you dont have anymore time to make up the decision.If you're keeping the baby than you need to start on dealing with that and doing everything you can to make sure you come out ok.I would set down with my husband and decide what you guys think is best in this situation.You owe it to your family and the longer you go and if you decide then to terminate it's going to be so much harder on everybody.Its such a difficult decision but its time to make it.You can not post pone it any more.All the doctor are going to tell you the same thing.They cant sugar coat it and say that your odds arent bad.I pray for you and your family . we all will support you in your decision but you have to make a decision.My own opinion is there wouldnt be a choice my daughter deserve a mother and my husband need me to be there also.To me the choice would of been made when I got the echo.I'm not trying to be mean but this is something thats you're running out of time to make.I will keep praying for you and your family.I would hate to be in your shoes.Please keep us inform as to what you decide.Have you been keeping on the bed rest.Please take care of yourself.

[mikeyandBellesmommy]

Very well said Karen

[melissamph]

Julie I am praying for you and your family. Only you know what you should do. You are so important to the twins you are growing and to the little ones you already have. I am lifting you up in prayer.

[marissar]

It is normal for your heart to enlarge during a pregnacy due to the extra volume of blood needed for the baby. That being said also know that it will probably get bigger as the pregnancy goes on and the babies get bigger as they need more blood. No advice just a bit of info.

[melissamph]

Julie I know I have already posted to this thread but I just really want you to know that I am praying for you and whatever decision you make for you and your family. I know it is the hardest one ever. God's peace be with you during this time. I ask that you would ask him for wisdom. I do not want to sway you either way as only you can make the decision and live with the consequences of it. I only want to encourage you to see what you have accomplished now and your beautiful girls and that they need you too. I am truly struck speechless in all of this. I am thinking of you and praying for you though. God Bless you all!

[LauraNP]

The hardest part of my twin pregnancy was 16-20 weeks. The heart does enlarge during pregnancy but even more so with a twin pregnancy.. my cardiologist told me that the main reason why a heart enlarges is because it's struggling.. if your heart is bigger than it was 2 weeks ago that's a bad sign.

Is the appointment with the peri to talk about termination? Have you decided yet?

[jasper]

Julie
I am praying for you as well, praying for wisdom and then peace as you make this very difficult decisions. Talk with your husband and others you love and trust. They will help you make this choice. God is in the business of miracles, He'll give you the wisdom to make the best decision for all of you.
Thinking of you and praying for your family during this very difficult time.
Jennifer

[mikeyandBellesmommy]

I would also reccomend you find another cardiologist if he doens't want to see you for 3 more months and you are pregnant with an ef of 40% with twins.. IF you decide to go through with the pregnancy you should be seen AT LEAST once a month if not every two weeks.. WITH PPCM your heart can decline quite rapidly...

At least they got your echo results really quick this time though

[miachic]

Oh Julie I truly don't know what to say. You are in my thoughts and prayers that God will give you divine wisdom on what you should do. Please be careful and try not to get too stressed. That too can put pressure on your heart.

((HUGS))

[KellyDL]

I really don't know what to say except that we'll be here no matter what you decide. Either way, it is going to be tough for you. When do you plan on deciding on way or the other? I think about your situation often and hope that you are okay.

[tabs]

Julie,

You need all the information that you can get, but only you and your husband can make the decision.

I may get some people upset, but I think that you need to hear this so that you can make an informed decision.

My third pg was with an EF of 43%. We knew this from 12 weeks gestation on. It was also complicated with a possible blood clot within the heart. I was also on prednisone, a steroid, for my Crohn's disease that was acting up. In fact, if I hadn't been pregnant my docs were looking at putting me on Imuran which is a powerful immunosuppressant. I was also pregnant with one baby. No one, not even my cardiologist suggested termination! My cardiologist never even hinted that it should be considered. They dealt with what they were presented and went with that. I did end up having an EF of 7% within a week after delivery, but I had never even been put on meds! We had done the watch and see. Would my cardio do that again, I don't know, but she never told me that she wouldn't. If anything, I think that she would probably start meds earlier.

I pray that God gives you the wisdom to make the decision that is right for your family. No matter what that decision is do not let anyone make you feel guilty!

I will support you in any decision,
Twilah

[miracle baby]

This is my opinion and I'm not trying to say you need to decide one way or another and You shouldnt feel guilty either way.That is not what my reply was for.and everyone will support you no matter what you choose.I know that people have had baby with low ef while being pregnant.You are caring twins so that along make you higher risk.I'm saying that the more you prolong the decision the more you babies will develop.And you need a cardio that going to keep a very close eye on you and do what ever you can to make sure its a happy outcome.I wasnt trying to make you feel guilty but you're three months and you need to think it over with your husband as we all know here alot of doctor do not care and alot of us have paid the price for our doctor not paying attention to us.If you're going to have the babies you need to have a good group of doctors and a support group and we will be here to help you but you have to decide.And in a earlier post you said you couldnt afford the children you have.What if the worse case scenario happen and you have alot of medical bills and stuff.How will that affect you.You and your husband need to weigh all of your option and think of all of the innocent parties involved.No one can make the decision but I think you need to take everything into account and you and you husband make the decision I just saying I think the time has come.I just dont see reason to prolong the decison.And if you decide to go with it you need good medical attention.You owe that to yourself.My prayers are with you and you and your family.I wish you the best.

[miachic]

Julie - I do have to agree with Karen about your doctors. From what you've said, your doctors aren't exactly consistent or providing you with premier or optimal healthcare. That in itself would be a concern for me given your fragile situation. PLEASE find a doctor who at least cares enough to push for the tests and things you need. Your doctors saying they will see you every three months or you can't get into the high risk OB for 2-3 weeks is ridiculous. I know they're busy and all but seriously, SOMEONE has to pay attention to the fact that you have a fragile case, even if it's just your primary. PLEASE FIND SOMEONE THAT WILL DO THIS FOR YOU!!

If you are going to continue with the pregnancy, that's your decision but I think you need to kick it into high gear in finding a doctor that is actually going to walk with you through this process, not walk all over you and ignore you. Just my opinion.

I've said this time and time again but I'm a HUGE supporter of the fact that YOU ARE YOUR OWN HEALTH ADVOCATE. You alone can help determine what your care is and can push the doctors to do what you want them to. If they don't, find another. You are the patient here...you are the one that needs the help...you are the one who's life could be in jeopardy...you ALONE can make or break your care and the attention you receive now and in the future. Please please please push it with your doctors. I know you've said you've "harassed" the cardiologist's office but if you have to keep doing that to get their attention, then do it. OR if you have to stomp right into their office and say to them "I am going to be seen once a month for an echo because it's vitally important to my health and the babies' health" then do it. They can't refuse care!

If you need help with anything, please feel free to email me at emily3780@hotmail.com. I'm pretty bold when it comes to doctors and care so I might be able to help you with suggestions :D .

Take care of yourself!

[marissar]

Just commenting on how closely you should be watched. My Ob told me if I were to ever get preg again he would see me every 2 weeks unless things weren't 100% normal. If that were the case then every week till between the 5th - 6th month and then he would admit me into the hospital until the baby was born. My OB has alot of experience with PPCM and has had 5 patients with it within the last 5 years, though he doesn't see it alot he is very educated on it. Though he did not advise me to get preg he told me he would never advise me to end it but may advise an early delivery( way early if need be). My cardio said about the same thing except for he would want to see me once a week and get meds going during the preg, plus he was willing to work one on one with my OB.

Hubby is sterile now no need for me to think about it but wanted to let you know just how supportive they should be and how watchful they would be.

[sfekke]

Wish I lived in Lenoir so I could go get your doctors! I like the way they handle risk. Funny thing about NC. I heard a stat saying that PPCM was the leading cause of maternal mortality there.

[SerenaWelsh]

Sarah,

Do you know where that stat came from? I'd love to review it and share locally....

[margiehubbell]

Julie How are you doing? Wanted to know how you are holding up. Thinking about you and your situation and keeping you in all my prayers. Please check in when you have a chance. love margie