DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS

There are somethings you just don't want to have to discuss with your doctor. Not because it's awkward, but because the conversation may end up being a major bummer. This is one of those conversations. Today Matt and I spoke to my geneticist about having children. Were already know that there's a 50/50 chance any child we'll have will be born with Classical Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, but there are so many other questions we need answered before we decide if a "traditional" pregnancy is our best option.

Then we were thrown a curve ball. Maybe I don't even have Ehlers Danlos. Maybe it's some other hereditary connective tissue disorder.  Wait, what?

Then there's that chance that I could pass on Transposition of the Great Arteries, the heart defect I was born with. I knew there was the possibly the TGA was genetic.  My parents met a family whose identical twins were each born with it.  But they've apparently found three gene mutations that can cause it.  Lovely.

Three vials of my blood were drawn and and being sent to California to be tested for 11 defects including, Marfan Syndrome, Stickler Syndrome, Loeys-Dietz Syndrome, and the Vascular form of EDS.  There is also a gene mutation known to contribute to aortic dilation that my blood will be tested for.  In 6-8 weeks (or probably longer, since my insurance company is a giant pain in the ass) I will know if anything's been found.  If there are no red flags I'll be tested again for the three known defects that may cause TGA.

Dr. Fancomano said she'd bet there was a 50/50 shot that they'll find something in the first batch of tests.

Honesty, I'm frustrated.  Thousands of babies are born everyday with no issues.  Hell, I read the other day that a 10 year old in Columbia gave birth.  Tons of people who aren't fit to be parents have kids. Yet, Matt and I may not be able to have a healthy child someday.

Yes, adoption is an option, and were not ruling that out, but I want to be pregnant with a baby that has my eyes and Matt's nose.  I'm not even sure that I could emotionally handle raising a child I didn't give birth to.  A few weeks ago Matt's friend, who Grandma's cat is my cat's birth mom, said his Grandma would love to get her cat and our cat back together to see if he remembers his mom.  Without thinking I was like, "she's not his mom!  I'm his mom!"  If that's how I am with my cat child, how would I be with my child-child?  I actually refer to the cat that gave birth to my cat as his "birth mom."  I have jealously issues.

But, I guess there's no need to worry until we know what we're dealing with.  Just 6-8 weeks.