Meeting with the Genetics Counselor(s)

Per the doctor's request, we headed up to the hospital. It wasn't our normal hospital, and the doctor we were going to see we only knew from the ultrasound and amnio from the previous Monday. So the 45 minute drive was quiet and unnerving. We knew what I had been told on the phone, and what we had learned from a previous meeting with a genetics counselor, but aside from that we knew nothing.

You've all been to the doctor. It seems that no matter where you go or why you're there, you wait. This was no different. We were told to come as soon as possible. We were told there was bad news. We still had to wait.

The genetics counselor came out to get us and informed us the doctor would join us after we talked for a bit. She introduced herself - since we had met with a different counselor previously - and she introduced the trainee who would be sitting in with us.

We went into a room that was way too small and, with four people, was over-occupied by about two people. We're about to receive a full explanation of the news that will forever change our perspective and it's being delivered by a stranger with a trainee lurking in the background. The doctor joined us later and made the room more crowded and just as uncomfortable.

I mean as hard as you try, is it plausible to envision a scenario where two complete strangers and a person you've met once before can see you at your most vulnerable and emotionally devastated and manage to make you feel comfortable?

This meeting was where we learned how severe the condition was and where we realized we were not preparing to cope with a disabled child, but more likely losing a child.