[tri-med] Re: "Judging Amy"

Marty,

>I wish the script had been written different. I can't 
>see how a trisomy 18 diagnosis could be wrong, but 
>anything is possible.

First remember it wasn't a full 18 diagnosis, it was a 
7% mosaic 18.

How could it be wrong?  The mosaic cells could have only 
been in the placenta.  Another possibility (but not in 
this particular scenario as this baby was identified by
amnio as a boy) is that the mosaic cells could even come
from the mother. There are probably a lot of seemingly
unaffected people, with low degrees of mosaicism walking
around out there.  3rd a good old fashion lab mix up.....

>What does everyone else think about the Judging Amy 
>season ending episode?

I think there is still a possibility that the writers
aren't done with this storyline.  All they said was the 
baby "LOOKED" perfect.  They hadn't even examined him
yet.  The doctor said, "I don't know how this happened,
we'll have to run more tests."  And that's where they
left it with the baby.  But remember they did the 
emergency c-section in the first place because the baby 
was in distress.  

The mother?  We don't know for positive Gillian died in 
childbirth either.  They were still working on her when 
the camera cut away to the next scene.  The actress who 
plays her is pregnant in real life.  They have positioned 
themselves with the perfect ending for any, and all, 
possibilities.  She can hang around in a coma for awhile 
if she wants (or needs) to take some time off.  She can 
die, if she decides to leave the show and be a mommy.  Or 
the camera can start out next season with the paddles back 
on her chest if she decides to stay.  

I've copy and pasted my (4/22/03 12:55:46 pm) posting from 
the bulletin board on this topic below.  I predicted then 
that the baby would probably "LOOK" fine...

fawna33
Registered User

Baby
------------------------------------------------------------
 > Are we sure Jillian's not correct about the baby 
> surprising everyone against the odds? 

Want to talk odds? 7% mosaic vs. 93% normal cells.....

Yes, this baby may have some problems. Maybe some big problems. 
Then again, maybe no problems worth mentioning. Mosacism is a 
"gray area" of trisomy. Odds are this baby will look "normal", 
or at least mostly. There may be some early warning signs, a 
small heart defect (easily fixed), clenched fists, a weak suck, 
colicky (reflux), apnea (probably mild, but maybe severe), 
more ear infections then normal, and other related kinds of 
things. Then there are the missed milestones. This child will 
just probably take longer to sit up, walk, etc. Some OT and/or 
PT may be needed.

But if Mom gives up, this child may never meet those milestones. 
Most other people will just look at the T18 diagnosis, not the 
actual child. Oh sure, if this were a real child mom would have 
her days too...."lost Kodak moments." But Jillian's hypothetical 
baby will probably slowly grow up to be a functioning adult. 
Probably not a rocket scientist. But do you really think that 
would matter to Jillian? I don't.....
---------------------------------------------------------------

Okay, so yes the woman was in total denial, but as she said to
Peter, something like: "You're not going to steal my joy from me.  
If something is wrong with my baby, then I'll have the rest of my 
life to deal with it.  But right now, I just want to enjoy my 
pregnancy."  She was more "real" in that moment, then she's ever
been on the show.  Someone is doing an excellent job of writing 
these scripts.  I'd like to see it continue, exactly as it is....
true to life for the diagnosis..... 

Fawna, mom to Philina (PT6p & Moya Moya Syndrome)                  


                  Building ___ooOOoo__ Rainbows
                       www.trisomyonline.org
                  Families Helping Families On-line

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