Hello, we are the Pollock family. Currently our family consists of Randy, Megan (me), our dog Sasha, and baby peanut. We will be married 7 years in August. Sasha is a 4 ½ year old yorkie shitzu mix who enjoys long walks, sitting in the sunshine, visits from the neighbors, and snuggling up next to baby peanut.
Randy is a physical damage specialist and I will be starting a new career as an occupational therapist in the next month.
We knew having a baby would change our world as we now know it, but God knew there was a bigger plan. Peanut will be joining us in June, Lord willing. We may be in for more than we ever planned, but God is in control and has given us the support we need through family and friends.
On Nov. 18, 2010, we were introduced to our lil peanut via ultrasound. We were blown away by our first glimpse of our newest family member. It was both exciting and overwhelming to know that we would be parents in just 7 months. We informed our family members via Christmas cards and a picture that there would be an addition to the family.
On Feb. 1, 2010, we were scheduled for our 20-week ultrasound. We felt the ultrasound took a little longer due to an intern being supervised by an ultrasound tech, but were excited to see our little one wiggling around. We were placed in a room to wait for our results to be read by the nurse practitioner.
After a long wait, one of the doctors came in to inform us that there was a part of the spine that did not close while the baby was forming earlier in the pregnancy. Our hearts sunk as we found out that our lil peanut had spina bifida.
We were immediately referred to Dr. Stewart, a high-risk doctor in Akron. The ice storms allowed us to get right in.
Dr. Stewart confirmed the diagnosis by what is known as a lemon’s sign, banana sign, and the lesion located on the lower spine. I know…lots of fruit. The lemon’s sign is where the skull shows the shape of a lemon…common in spina bifida. The banana’s sign is known as Arnold Chiari II malformation. This is at the base of the skull where the spinal cord pulls the brain into the brain stem.
The problem rises when there is room in the skull that collects brain fluid, hydrocephalus. All of which peanut has.
Dr. Stewart was somewhat optimistic in that the lesion is low, which means there COULD be problems with walking and bowel and bladder problems. Our diagnosis is call myelomeningocele which is the most severe type of spina bifida. It is the most severe due to the spinal cord being involved in the lesion which is outside of the back.
Peanut will be delivered via C-section at 39 weeks, and then transported to Akron Children’s to have the back repaired.
We’ve learned so much since Feb. 1 at 8:30 am. Dr. Stewart was very compassionate in reassuring me that this was not my fault. These things happen sometimes, and with a pat on the leg and a reassuring smile, it gave us both affirmation he was the right doctor to be taking care of our family.
We have been set up with a variety of healthcare professionals, ranging from a genetic counselor, genetic doctor, dietitian, MRI techs, ultrasound techs, nurses, neurosurgeon, myelo (spina bifida) clinic, and the list goes on.
We have had AMAZING support through family, friends and healthcare professionals – both inside and outside of our care, and of course, our No. 1 supporter – OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN. God has been so good. We praise him for allowing us to be stewards of HIS child.
Please don’t get us wrong. We have our good and bad days, but HE will never leave us. His eye is on lil peanut and we place our hope in the fact that HE is doing great works in this life as the journey has just begun.
Read more of Megs’ blog, Labor of Love.
