And love
Chap 57 Twin pregnancy
SUNDAY DINNER – ON THE ISLAND
GG and Frank had come out for early Mass – at 08:00. Jamie's family had found a Catholic church they liked not far from their home. Jamie and the girls joined them at Mass, Eddie slept in. She knew that she wouldn't hear the last of it for a while. That was ok, the extra sleep was worth it. Joe and Paula were there too, and would stay for dinner.
Once back home the girls and GG started on dinner; this time Pops had chosen to bake Cornish game hens, 1 per person.
"GG, these are babies! We can't eat them," Mary Rose wails. She was really distressed.
"No, they are full grown. They aren't chickens, my dear."
"What are they?"
"As I said, they are Cornish game hens." He patiently explains.
"But a hen is a mama chicken," she's shedding a tear.
Eddie comes to the rescue. "Come with me sweetie, I'll explain it to you." She takes her youngest by the hand and leads her to the family room where they cuddle on the love seat. It takes a while, but mom does settle her daughter down. Mary Rose still isn't sure she will eat one though.
After Cassie offers the traditional blessing, everyone gets their 'bird', the unexpected happens.
Joe sees that Mary Rose is about to stick her fork in her CGH. When her utensil touches it, "Ouch, you're hurting me!" He whispers loudly.
"NO!" She screams and dashes from the room.
Eddie stands, glares at him, and hurries off after Mary Rose. Her sisters share the glare.
"ASS!" Jamie explodes.
"Sorry," Joe mutters as his mother thwaps him hard on the arm. He hangs his head.
After things are settled, everyone is back and Joe apologizes, Erin asks, "Eddie, how are the twins doing?"
"The boys are fine, but-
"WHAT? What's the matter?" Pops spouts.
"Easy Pops, let us explain," Jamie soothes. He nods to Eddie to continue.
"We had a long appointment with doctor Casey Nelson this week. The boys are good. She talked a lot about twin pregnancies. It seems that few twins go the full 40 weeks to term. So, we are not likely to reach my due date of November 2. And I am likely to deliver via c-section; probably around 37 weeks. That would be approximately October 12." She pauses to let that sink in.
Silence.
"Oh, my! 5 October birthdays," Linda mutters.
"Yup!" Malina voices.
Cassie smiles; Mary Rose just shakes her head, she still is upset.
"There is more," Jamie motions to Eddie.
"Yes, each boy has his own separate placenta. And one of them is partially covering my cervix."
"NO!" Linda expresses, shaking her head. She knows what that means.
Jamie picks up the narrative, "But, sometimes that corrects itself. If not, a c-section is almost certainly necessary. Casey will watch it closely."
"When will you know more," Frank wonders.
"We are seeing Casey again in 2 weeks." Eddie proclaims.
"Keep us updated?" Pops suggests.
"Of course," Jamie agrees. Eddie nods.
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BEDTIME, MBR
"Jamie, there is one thing that Casey didn't mention."
"What?"
"Well, we will have 5 kids after the twins are born. We were ok with 4, but we'll have 5. Is that enough, babe?"
"Um . . . I think so. You?"
"Plenty, yup! So, what are we gonna do about the assembly line?" She smirks.
"Shut it down? But how?" He looks at his beautiful, sexy wife. "This is going to take more than will power, love."
"Cut you off?" She grins.
"Neither you nor I would survive that! And I don't want to go back to condoms, please." He frowns.
"I am sure that Casey will go over our options with us. Let's see what she says next Friday." Eddie posits.
"Do you want a 2nd opinion regarding the twins, babe?" He brings up.
"I don't know. I had thought of asking Linda or Paula if either one had an obstetrics specialist they would recommend."
"Do you think Casey would be offended?" Jamie wonders.
"I doubt it. You heard what she said about that, right?"
"Yes, but why not call and double check?" Jamie suggests.
"I will do that." She agrees.
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Eddie had gotten the OK from Casey, through Debbie. She then set up a lunch meeting at St. Victor's when she would be in Manhattan for work.
"Hi gals; have you had a chance to look into my question?" Eddie starts.
Both ladies nod, Linda speaks. "Yes, we have. I didn't need an Ob sub-specialist with Jack or Sean."
"Nor did I with Joe, but that was in Rhode Island. So, we asked around." Paula adds.
"And we came up with 2 names of sub-specialists who practice here at St. Vic's." Linda voices. She gives Eddie a sheet of paper with 2 names and contact info. Eddie thanks them and they finish their lunch.
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Casey Nelson's office, August 10.
"Hi guys, any problems since our last visit," Debbie inquires.
"No. But I did get 2 names of sub-specialists who practice at St. Victor's in Manhattan. Here is the info," Eddie gives the paper to Debbie.
"Ok, thanks. I'll get this to Casey, then I will be right back." Debbie exits, then returns in a minute. "Well, let's get started." After Debbie finishes her part of the visit, she hands Eddie a lap sheet and exits.
"Hello Eddie and Jamie. How are things going?" Casey Nelson greets her favorite patient couple.
"Very good," Eddie greets in return. "Did you get the names I brought?"
"I did. Let me ask, why St. Victor's? Not that it's a problem. I'm just curious."
Jamie answers. "I have a sister-in-law, and a . . . close friend there. Both RN's, and head nurses. Eddie asked them for a recommendation."
"Ok, that makes sense. I am not acquainted with either doctor. Eddie, are you desirous of a 2nd opinion at this point?"
"I don't know. Can we see what today's visit shows?"
"Certainly, I didn't mean to rush you. Let's see where things stand today."
Casey buzzes Debbie who rolls n the U/S machine. They get set up and Casey begins. She does the exam, takes some pictures and asks Debbie to bring copies back in after she cleans up Eddie and puts the U/S machine away. She does so and they look at the pictures.
"You are at 28 weeeks, as expected. You see the cervix?" the doc points.
They both nod, "yes."
"This black thing partly covering it is one of the placentas. It is positioned the same as it was 2 weeks ago. No change."
"Is there anything I can do to change that," Eddie asks, expectantly.
"No. What may change that is as your womb stretches to accommodate your growing boys, it may stretch in such a way that it moves away from under that placenta. We can only hope that happens."
"Might it get worse?" Jamie whispers.
Eddie scowls and swats his chest. He ignores the contact.
"It might, we can't do anything about that either. I wish we could."
"Doc, who do you work closely with as sub-specialists?" Eddie wants Casey to be comfortable with all the doctors taking care of her and their boys.
"Actually, I have two who come out here and do consults as needed. I don't want to push them on you, however."
"Can you give me some info on them, please?"
"Surely," she calls Debbie and talks for a moment. Shortly Debbie retunes with a packet, handing it to Jamie.
"These are two doctors I've worked with for years. I actually trained under Dr. Young. Dr. Roberts did also, and now they work together at Stony Brook Medical Center. Their hospital also has a great 46-bed NICU. All private rooms – if we need that service."
"How likely is that?" Jamie asks.
"Not very, but it pays to be prepared."
"Yes, it does." Eddie nodsher head.
"Another thing we've thought of," Jamie posits. "Shutting down the assembly line here. When should we start thinking about that?"
"Oh man, I wouldn't add that to your load yet. We can if you really want to; but I think you've got enough to think about."
"I agree, Jamie." Eddie frowns.
"Ok, we'll leave that in the parking lot for now."
"Good. Anything else? If not, I'll see you in another 2 weeks."
They get their 2-week appt and head for the car.
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SUPPER
As they start eating, Cassie asks; "What did doctor Casey say today?"
"Everything is the same; well, our boys are growing and the placenta that we are watching hasn't changed position," Eddie declares.
"So you are going to need an operation?" Mal surmises.
"Yup, probably."
"Bummer," Mary Rose spouts. "I was hoping for a surprise birthday, you know."
"Yes, I understand," dad agrees.
"And how many more kids are we gonna have?" Mal comes out with. "Isn't 5 of us enough?" She looks puzzled.
Eddie & Jamie smirk at each other. "5 eh, any other opInions?" Eddie asks.
"5 is enough," the 3 girls agree.
Jamie and Eddie nod.
"So, whatcha gonna do?" Mary Rose wonders out loud, cocking her head. "No more . . . you know . . . do I need to\ say it, people?"
Eddie looks to Jame, they blush. "We'll figure it out."
"SOON!" The girls are unanimous.
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TBC