Emotions run amuck.

Worry. Anxiety. Fear. Anger. Guilt. Apprehension. You name it I've felt it this last week. None of you knew because I couldn't bear to speak the words, but we had quite a scare this last week. Last monday I went in for my first official doctor appointment, they did an ultrasound and found something abnormal. A thickened nucal fold (whick is the skin on the back of the neck). This can be in indication of either 1) a chromosomal abnormality (Downs Syndrome at best, Trisomy 18 -which is lethal- at worst); or 2) a possible heart defect (like maybe a valve not forming properly or something).
They sent me to a specialist on Thursday. He did another ultrasound, agreed that there was a potential problem and recommended additional testing. We had a CVS (chorionic villis sampling) done, which by the way, is not enjoyable. It is an invasive test. They stuck a needle through my abdomen, into the placenta and extracted some cells to culture so they could do a complete chromosome workup. (The only way to rule out Option #1 above.) The specialist told me that our odds were 50% that what they were seeing was a normal deviation and the baby was fine, 25% that it is a chromosomal problem, and 25% that it is a heart problem.
Well, we got a call from the doctor's office yesterday and the preliminary results of the chromosome workup look good - nothing abnormal. Yah!!! Relief! A chromosome problem, especially a lethal one, was my biggest fear.
The nurse did remind me that it is still possible that a heart defect could be what's causing the thickened nucal fold, so they will do a very in depth ultrasound at 18 weeks to look closely at the heart and cardiovascular system, but at this point I feel like we've dodged a very big bullet.
I cannot tell you how many hours of sleep I've lost, how many tears I've cried, and how many nightmares I've had this last week waiting to know if there's something potentially wrong with my baby. And, I must admit, I think CJ will win the battle over the number of kids. This may very well be our last one, because I don't think I can take this kind of uncertainty and emotional rollercoaster again.
For now, a sigh of relief. We still must wait and make sure there is nothing wrong with the heart, but I feel confident that our baby is healthy (thoughts and prayers always appreciated though!).