I watch my daughter struggle with what feels is her very life to nest her little boy, Jonathan.

See, right after she found out that she was pregnant (unexpected surprise because she was on the pill), she also found out that she was sicker than most. She found herself at the ER several times, and tests were run at her first OB appt. They asked the typical questions...one being about the thyroid. We responded that she'd tested borderline hypothyroid as a younger teen but never enough to justify a thyroid hormone. She's also had major problems with her eye, early greying, etc. When she was younger, dr even tested her for early aging disease due to her very early development, eye problems, grey hair, skin issues, etc. When they tested her thyroid, it came back showing (they said) borderline hypothyroid. It was tested a few more times and always showed the same.

Anyhow, back to the present...we explained this and they tested her thyroid. The OB called the very next day and said she was to see an endo and that they'd already set it up. Her tests showed her to be hyperthyroid and would explain alot of the way she was feeling. Cool, we thought. YAYAY she can feel better we thought. We had NO IDEA.

We went to the endo and he examined her...head to toe, eyes to fingertips. The first words he said, "Well, you certainly have a goiter...three times larger than the thyroid should be to be exact." He left then came back, left and came back again...checking bloodwork tests that, by this time, had been take three times before that first visit. He sat down and got very close, uncomfortably close. I now see that he wanted us to understand and to have our full attention.

His next sentence was, "Well, Jessica, not only are you hyperthyroid which we knew, you have Grave's Disease. You also have a thyroid goiter three times larger than the thyroid should be. On top of that you have Grave's Opthalmopahty. You never knew this??? This is your first pregnancy??? You're sure???" He then stated that getting this pregnancy to birth would be difficult. We later found out that many miscarriages can occur...up until the 7th month...then premature delivery. He explained the risks to the baby, what daughter was going to have to do, how things might affect her and the baby, etc. He then said that she may have to have surgery while pregnant, but he's only had to do that once so far...he doesn't see that happening.

This was the beginning of a wild, confusing, almost crazy ride...one that we're still on.

Through this all, she's now on her second bout with hepatitis (due to the hyperthyroidism) and now they're concerned for her heart and making sure it hasn't been damaged due to everything but mostly the never-ending sinus tachycardia and another type of sinus arythmia (sp?). She increasingly extremely weak, dizzy, short of breath to just go to the bathroom and pee. Taking a shower leaving her in a lump of tears until she recovers.

They were able to get her counts, liver, almost everything but the heart stuffs stabalized and then out of the blue her heart started really going crazy fast, bad palpitations and skipping with pain and tightness. They tested her again and she more hyperthyroid than her counts have ever shown to date. She's been taking this med...PTU...as directed and it's not even approved for pregnancy. If they can't get her stabalized, she's looking at 1) surgery while she's pregnant or 2) making the decision whether the baby would do better outside or inside the womb. She's only 27 weeks.

She's currently having all kinds of tests and dr's appts...endo, OB, cardio with the ER in between.

The biggest concern would be if little Jonathan shows tachycardia in the womb. If that gets severe enough it could compromise his blood flow and damage. He's not shown that at all. If daughter's antibodies from this auto-immune disease cross the placenta, they baby could be born hyperthyroid, with an enlarged thyroid, need meds, etc. If the PTU crosses the placenta, he could be born hypothyroid, need meds, etc.

My daughter is living a nightmare that she couldn't have thought up in her wildest dreams. She's the strongest person I know...hands down. She doesn't feel it and is clearly traumatized from all this. Please send her thoughts and prayers.

During this time, my oldest found out she was pregnant as well. She excitedly took me to dinner to tell me. Five days later she called me frantic as she found out she was miscarrying. The very next month she was pregnant again. Please send thoughts and prayers that her pregnancy does well for her and her baby.

I needed to let you all know where I'm at. I appreciate any thoughts and prayers that can be sent. It's day to day here, alot of days just maintaining, some getting blown away but trying to count our blessings as well. My boy (my nephew that I've had since just before his second b'day...for about 2 1/2 years now) is a blessing.

Much love,

KD