Update...

We made it safely to and from Augusta and learned a little in between.  We started our day out with neurosurgery.  We met Dr. Macomson who will actually do the surgery shortly after birth.  He said that it usually takes place about 24 hours after birth so that they can give the baby adequate time to become stable.  The surgery to place the shunt in lasts about an hour.  He will have a small incision in his head to insert the tubing and drain and one small incision in his abdomen to make sure the tube is in place so it can drain.  He said that on average a shunt lasts about 10 years but children tend to have more replacements because they are constantly growing or getting infected/blocked. There is a surgery that he could possibly have when he is older to create a larger opening so that the fluid can drain on its own.  This could be a possibility when we have to have another surgery to replace the shunt.  Dr. Macomson also told us that because of the surgery, Tripp would probably have to have some type of physical, occupational, and/or speech therapy because when surgery is done on the brain it can mess up the normal functions of the brain and our body.  We asked about Tripp playing contact sports when he was older such as baseball and football.  He said that if all goes well and the shunt begins to work properly draining the fluid so the brain can restore itself, that Tripp could lead a normal life and play anything that other kids his age were playing.  Such a relief for John to hear!!

We also met with the charge nurse on the labor/delivery floor.  She walked us through what would happen and who all would be in the room with us when Tripp was born.  She took so much time explaining how things worked and what to expect with a c-section. 

After Labor and delivery, we met with one of the neonatologists.  He said that we should expect for Tripp to have to have a breathing tube when he is born because often times these babies can't breathe on their own because the brain tells you to breathe and his will not be able to.  He said that this should last for 3-5 days.  A little scary to think about but I know that he would be in great hands.  He also said that at the most we should expect to stay 1 month but it could be a short as 1 week.  Praying for a short stay and that we will come home with healthy baby!  We also toured the NICU and got to see where Tripp would be staying. 

The staff at MCG have been and will be so accommodating to our family.  They welcome as many family members to be a part of the whole process.  That's a good thing because John has HUGE family. 

We met with Dr. Devoe at 1:00 that afternoon.  He did another 3d ultrasound and took a second look at the spine, heart, and kidneys.  Everything there looked great.  The sonographer told us that if we didn't know already that Tripp had hydrocephalus, they would not be able to tell yet from the ultrasound because he looks so normal.  She said that she has seen many babies that had disabilities that you could see on the ultrasound.  Tripp's forehead is starting to protrude but she said it looks minimal.  She made me feel better and said that we are very fortunate that we have only this to worry about.  I go back to Augusta July 25 for my 30 week checkup and again at 34 weeks.  At 34 weeks I will have another amniocentesis to determine if the fetal lung development is enough to go ahead and deliver around 36 or 37 weeks.  Dr. Devoe said that at the 34 week appointment we would circle the date to take the baby.  I think we are looking at having him right after labor day.

In the meantime, I am still taking the progesterone shots weekly at my house in addition to going to physical therapy for my back.  I guess it's safe to say that I am SUPER busy and it doesn't look like it will be slowing down anytime soon.

John and I would like to say thank you to everyone that has prayed, called, emailed, sent cards, etc...  It means so much to us to know that we have so many prayer warriors behind us.  Thanks for all the support!  Keep the prayers coming!!!

Love to all of you!!!