Update on the Reisetter's

I know some of you have been wanting an update on the Reisetter's, so here is the latest email I have received from Matt.

Thanks to so many of you for your prayers, concerns, emails, phone calls, drop-ins, notes, etc. I feel a little sheepish about the attention we’ve been getting – and about sending out another email. But several of you have been asking, plus I said I’d follow up - and this is the easiest way to do it!

Upon returning from Iowa City late this afternoon, we don’t know much more – with any degree of certainty – than we did when we left home. I guess “uncertainty” is the word we live with today and the reality we’ll live with into the short term future.

The ultrasound didn’t reveal any physical markers for either Trisomy 18 (which is lethal within the first year, at least) or Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome (SLOS – a mental and physical handicap), which is encouraging but not conclusive. Either disorder could still exist in our daughter – but the lack of physical markers diminishes the chances, especially with Trisomy 18.

Jen did have the opportunity to have an amniocentesis, which would’ve given us conclusive evidence one way or the other, but we chose not to do that because of the risk it exposed the baby to.

We’re learning a lot … not just about these disorders and pregnancy related stuff. We’re learning sensitivity toward others who have walked this road before – or who face health concerns of any kind. The comments and prayers and notes we’ve received make us want to be more supportive to others who’ve been in our shoes before and will be in the future.

We’re also learning that the Lord works on a person’s heart in times of uncertainty in ways that he does not work under different circumstances. We want to know what’s going on for sure, and we don’t like uncertainty too much – but the blessing of it is that we’re able to learn to trust God in a whole new way.

Your continued prayers for peace of mind and a sense of “alrightness” and trust in the midst of uncertainty are very, very much appreciated.

Looking forward to returning to Iowa City as football fans rather than outpatients!

The Reisetters