MRI results and surgery plan...

On June 18th, I received a phone call from my OB, Dr. Sullivan (while sitting at the pool with my kiddos and some friends).  He told me that they had the MRI results in and the "accreta" was worse than originally expected.  He said that he had stayed up from 2 a.m. until 5:30 a.m. the night before pouring over the results of the MRI and reading up on "medical studies" of situations similar to mine.  I praise God for a doctor that loves his patients and truly goes above and beyond!   He was giving me details... but I didn't hear much after he stated that there was "NO way" that I could be awake during the delivery (that was my biggest fear since the diagnosis of accreta).  He must have sensed that I "shut down" and offered to meet Tom and I at the hospital in an hour to go over everything and run some more tests on me and baby.

At the hospital, Dr. Sullivan explained that the placenta has grown into my uterine muscle (increta) and that it was also intertwined in my cervix.  Where the placenta has grown into the uterine muscle is "posterior" (meaning the back of my uterus) which limits the view that the MRI could see, therefore, we are not sure where the placenta stops or if it has grown into anything past the uterine muscle.  The good news about this is that little Ezekiel has been thriving on the blood supply and other necessary nutrients that the placenta provides (hence him being in the 90th percentile)... but the bad news is that it adds another "hiccup" in surgery due to the fact that they won't really know what they are dealing with until they open me up and can get a good view behind my uterus.  The blood vessels behind the uterus are larger which can increase the risk of blood loss.  Although the doctor doesn't believe it is likely, it is possible that the placenta has grown into my bladder and/or bowels... which is something that they are prepared for, but is REALLY not good - so that can be another area of "focused" prayer!
The doctor spent a good hour talking to Tom and I and going over each step of the meticulously planned out procedure.  I begged to be awake during the delivery, but was told it is not an option.  They will "prep" me for surgery on Monday, and then after they put me "under" on Tuesday a.m., they will work as fast as they can to get everything in place to minimize blood loss before they deliver little Ezekiel.  They will put "balloon stints" in my groin and in the other arteries leading to my uterus.  A urologist will then tie off my bladder, ureters, and urethra to keep them out of the way for the remainder of the surgery.  Dr. Sullivan will do a vertical incision from just above my belly button down to my pelvic bone to deliver baby.  There will be a NICU team in the room that will be ready with everything Ezekiel will need to get him stabilized.  Once they get baby out, they will then "blow up" the balloon stints to slow down the blood flow to my uterus.  Then they are going to clamp the cord and try not to disturb the placenta to once again minimize blood loss.   They will then place an inflated balloon into my uterus to apply pressure and keep it expanded (as if baby was still in there) and will sow up my uterus with the balloon inside (and the placenta still intact inside also).  Dr. Sullivan will then perform the hysterectomy - removing my uterus and cervix, but leaving my ovaries.  They will then do any necessary repairs to my bladder and/or any other organs that may have been affected.  The surgery can take anywhere from 3-11 hours... depending on many factors, but mainly, controlling the blood loss.
Between now and then (Monday morning), Dr. Sullivan is at a wedding in New Jersey!  I was "commanded" to go home and lie down and NOT get up for anything (other then potty and an occasional shower).  Yesterday was my first day of "true" bed rest - and it was torturous and relaxing at the same time (I am a doer).  I have "made it" to 34 weeks without ever "really" obeying the bed rest request - which is a miracle in itself!  However, Dr. Sullivan made it VERY clear that my life and Ezekiel's life depend on me "making it" to next Tuesday without any issues... therefore, I sit! 
Dr. Sullivan has put together a "team" of doctors and surgeons that will all be present throughout the entire surgery.  There will be a intervention radiologist, an anesthesiologist, a urologist, my OB/Gyn doctor, a high risk OB/Gyn, a blood bank team, and a NICU team.  They will have my blood type on hand before the surgery, along with several "sites" previously prepped on me in case a blood transfusion is needed during surgery.  Because of the complexity of the surgery, they cannot perform it on the normal OB floor.  I will be in the main hospital operating room where they will be better equipped to handle my surgery.  Because of this, Tom will not be allowed in the operating room, and will not be able to see me or Ezekiel until we are both stabilized and in ICU (or NICU for Ezekiel).  They will not move Ezekiel to the NICU until he is "awake" and stabilized.
So... that is all the nitty gritty details for those of you that wanted to know.  Even writing this, I have a "peace that passes all understanding"!  I know that I "should" be panicking - and I do feel it try to rise up every once in awhile - but I feel so confident that God is going to bring a great testimony out of all of this!  He has given me many songs in the night and verses of comfort and "victory"!  I know that the prayers of the righteous are bringing peace to my heart and that of my family!  God is showering me with His love - as I strive to keep my focus on Him and trust in Him during this trying time!  I (and my family) have been SOOOO incredibly blessed by the prayers, messages, texts, and encouragement.  We already have meals set up for almost everyday next week and childcare for all the kids so that Tom can be free to be with me and/or Ezekiel and Dakota can be free to be with Ezekiel (and me once I am out of ICU).  It is such a comfort and blessing to know that my family is in good hands and that everyone will be pouring love into them while I am in the hospital! God is so good - and the love and support of my church family has been incredible!  My heart will forever be grateful!
My big prayer requests:  for God's hand of protection over baby Ezekiel to "handle" the anesthesia well, and recover quickly;  for minimal blood loss during surgery and protection over possible complications (blood clots, spinal injury, etc.);  wisdom and guidance for the doctors/surgeons;  for peace over my other children while I am in the hospital;  for my body to be "strong enough" after surgery to make milk so that I can nurse Ezekiel;  and most of all - for God to be glorified in this whole situation!  Thank you prayer warriors!