Numbers 11 &19

Today Pat and I met with a geneticist from Washington University.  I can't even begin to explain the feeling of walking into a doctors office not having any clue what to expect.  I had no idea going in what a geneticist was or what was involved in genetic testing.  Basically, Pat and I were clueless.  We both thought that we would go, get blood drawn and then we would get results in a few weeks.  We couldn't of been more wrong.  First, the doctor took an in depth family history.  We discussed the health of our parents, siblings and nieces and nephews.  The doctor then looked at us both with a  kind smile and said "Let me just say that there is nothing you did to cause this and there is nothing you could of done to prevent it. This is just one of those rare occurences that we can't explain."  Huge sigh of relief!  Although every doctor we met with told us we did nothing wrong... it was nice to have it confirmed.  This next part is crazy!   The geneticist had seen part of Paige's autopsy report and found out the following...during chromosone distribution very early on in my pregnancy is where Paige's trouble began.  Half of chromosone 11 connected to half of chromosone 19 and then the other half of 11 connected to the other half of 19.  (Confusing I know)  Because these chromosones got messed up they told Paige's body to make too many white blood cells.  Paige's leukimia was caused by this chromosone mix up. Crazy!  It's absolutely baffling to me how two chromosones can cause such a nasty illness in a small body.  Pat and I are still trying to process this information.  We are so very thankful that we did not do something to cause Paige's illness and that future children will not be effected by this occurence.  We are also extremely thankful that God created doctors as intelligent as our geneticist. It's amazing that they can get that much information from blood.  We can only hope that something from Paige's reports will one day help future babies born with Leukimia.  As I said before we are still processing this information.  It's so very hard to understand.  Pat summed it all up on the way home from the doctors today he said, "I hate numbers 11 & 19" and I second that statement.