Latest news on the parenthood front is mixed. We had the 13 week scan and blood test where little junior refused to show his/her face. The resulting 2D computer snap would only be of fascination to mothers or people of a similar persuasion. Head? Check! Spine? Check! The results were emailed off to family for their delectation. Any pregnancy layman would've been underwhelmed with the results though.
The thing that really got my attention is the fact that the little one is pretty much perfectly formed, already! The dance of the ultrasound scan showed the skeletal system, a strongly beating heart, two hemispheres of the brain.. all seems in place and baby is only the length of a packet of cigarettes..
We were in fine spirits till Thursday when Ellen received a call following the blood test. According to analysis the baby has a one in five chance of developing Down's Syndrome. It's complex, but we were required to pay a visit to St George's Hospital in Tooting today for a more invasive procedure. I think we were both in shock when we walked into the grey 1970s hospital block, poor Ellen more than I. Will spare you the details, but we left in much finer spirits. The staff we saw were incredibly attentive, from the slightly tired looking receptionist who looked like one of the daughters out of 'Desmonds' to the kindly, bassy voiced consultant in scrubs who reminded me of Vijay Singh. His optimism and cheery manner put us both at ease and we left the place is much higher spirits than we first drew up this morning.
The results of the latest procedure should reach us by Thursday at the latest, Tuesday at the earliest. We've resolved to be optimistic till then and to occupy ourselves in the meantime. As my sister says, resorting to tired folksy cliche which is so unlike herself: 'It aint over till the fat lady sings...
She is right though...
A.
Tell Ellen to let me know the results! Let's hope for happy Christmas news!
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