Genetic Counseling and Birthday Weekends!

Kevin and I met with the genetic counselor bright and early this morning! I was reminded why I have no desire to work in downtown Richmond – TRAFFIC! Actually, it wasn’t too bad, but I did realize just how spoiled I was by my 10 minute commute to the Circuit City corporate office. No interstates were needed and I even mastered the cut-through. It was a pretty sweet deal while it lasted.

Anyway, the appointment lasted about an hour and went pretty well as far as we’re concerned. The genetic counselor didn’t feel that we’d have any significant risks for future pregnancies based on our family history and Andrew’s autopsy.

Of course, she can’t conclude anything definitive concerning Andrew’s right kidney and testicle, but she couldn’t come up with any genetic disorder that would cause only these conditions that she felt we’d need to be tested for. She mentioned that we could get our chromosomes tested, but she was in no way pushy or forceful about that, which made me glad. The counselor is going to send a letter over to my OB, so I’m anxious to talk to her after she reads the report from our appointment today.

Overall, Kevin and I walked out of that appointment feeling pretty good about things. I am curious what my OB will think, but at this point Kevin and I are leaning towards no further testing. We’ll see though. We’re going to continue to pray about it and do what the Spirit leads us to do.

On a different note, I’m up in Baltimore for the weekend visiting my family. My niece is turning 5 next week, so we came up for her birthday party tomorrow. Kevin had a work obligation that he couldn’t get out of, but my grandmother drove up with me. It should be a fun day tomorrow, but a little bittersweet.

My niece, MacKenzie, was so excited about her new “cousy,” Andrew, and mentioned numerous times during the summer about how excited she was for him to come up to her birthday party. I’m sad that Andrew isn’t here with us celebrating her birthday. He would be 8 weeks today, and I can totally picture her showing off her new cousin to all her friends at her party tomorrow.

My sister and niece were so good about thinking of Andrew while I was pregnant. They would always pick up cute little things for him while they were out shopping together. My sister said tonight that she literally picked up a “Baby’s First Thanksgiving” outfit the other day before she realized it wouldn’t be needed this year. It’s sad but it was a good reminder of the impact that Andrew has had on my entire family and not just Kevin and I.

My sister showed me the finished nursery in their house tonight. I had painted the room earlier this month, but they’ve finished decorating it for their upcoming adoption. She made a comment about how she’s now got a finished nursery and no baby (the adoption process is going slower than we’d all like). I looked at her and told her that I can relate. It’s definitely no fun having a precious nursery ready to go and having no clue when it will be occupied – she and I have that in common at this point in our lives.

My mother received a letter today from the Gideons. A sweet lady from my parents’ church donated some Bibles in Andrew’s memory. My heart melted. I love the idea that someone might read one of those Bibles and it could draw them closer to the Lord. I pray that the Lord will use those Bibles to draw others to himself. What an honor it would be to know that my son’s life helped lead people into the kingdom!!

I still can’t thank everyone enough for all the wonderful ways that folks have honored our sweet son – it means the world to me to know that he was thought of and that people want to remember him just as we do. THANK YOU ALL – words truly aren’t enough!!