For my daughter and her unborn child.

My daughter is still struggling to stablize with the new dx. of Grave's Disease while pregnant. It's not always a good combination and it daughter's case it's definitely not at this point. The hormones of pregnancy can make it very difficult to manage.

She's been hospitalized twice in the last week for dehydration, suffering with tremor, weakness and a racing heart. She's lost almost 30 pounds in just a couple of months (the last 13 lbs. was lost in 14 days). The GD sends the body into complete overdrive...pregnancy making it much worse in her case. If they can't get it under control with meds, she'll have to have surgery while pregnant because she's so hyperthyroid right now.

Speaking of the meds...they can be hard on her body as well...mainly her liver. They did a baseline liver function test and her counts were high. She had to have more bloodwork and a liver ultrasound today. She seemed to be feeling a bit better today, but it still very weak and sick. Thankfully she's not had to be admitted. I don't think the anxiety and rage that comes with this would work well in hospital.

They're watching the baby closely as well. They have to watch the baby for the tachycardia as well. If it's bad enough for long enough, it could compromise the blood flow. Also, since this is an autoimmune disease, my daughter antibodies can cross the placenta to the baby...affecting the baby's thyroid. The meds she's taking aren't approved for pregnancy and if they cross the placenta, the baby might have to be put on meds after birth for the thyroid.

Also, if things go well into the third trimester, the baby has a high chance of being born early...even full-term, it will most probably be tiny so the dr's have to watch its growth as well.

Please keep them both in your prayers, thoughts and meditations. Also, keep me, her father, her husband, and the little man in them that we have the guidance and patience to be all we need for her.

Thank you so much,

KD