Geneticist

We went to see the genetic counselor this morning at 10. What we found out was hopeful for now, although we'll have to continue watching to see how thing develop. She said from what the doctors had communicated to her and from the initial results of the fish test (test for the chromosomal defects) and because I have been feeling the baby move every day, right now she thinks the baby may have a condition called Amyoplasia Congenita. This is a condition where the baby develops normally except for the hands and feet which can be corrected through orthopedic treatment, at least to some extent. People with this condition can live normal lives. This is obviously the best news we've had all week and much better than where we were a week ago. However, this isn't a diagnosis. We still need to watch the baby's development and also get the complete results from the chromosomal testing. BUT we are so thankful that today we have good news and something to hope for. For those (like my dad and Jan) who will probably be interested in looking this condition up, the geneticist gave us these websites--www.ghr.nlm.nih.gov and www.medlineplus.gov. She said these are sites with reliable information about this condition. So please keep praying for our baby and that we'll continue to hear good news about her.
Yesterday our Bible class and our small group both had prayers for us and I cannot even begin to express how comforting it was and how much it meant that they took the time to worry and hurt and petition God for our baby with us. I know that Aaron and I would not have been able to keep functioning through this week if we did not have family and friends praying for us and caring for us during this time.
Tonight Aaron and I will attend the Russell H. Perry Free Enterprise Award dinner. It is this swanky fundraiser dinner that cost $1000 a person to attend. Someone donated a table for the science department and since Aaron is new faculty and has never had an opportunity to attend this dinner he got to be top pick for getting to go. I am basically just going for the food. It is supposed to be incredible.
Again thanks for all your prayers and support and I will definitely keep you updated in the coming days. We will get a break from all the doctor's appointments for the next two weeks so there won't be much more news about the baby to share unless we get bad results on the part of the chromasome test that hasn't come back. Tomorrow we're leaving to go out to Farwell for Thanksgiving. I hope all of you have a great holiday time with your familes.