Thursday, February 11, 2010
Please Keep Caitlin In Your Prayers!
Caitlin Delivered the baby at 6:43 am Thursday. The baby (Felix) is doing great and he's currently in the ICU at John's Hopkins. Felix ended up weighing 2lbs 3oz. Caitlin however is currently not due to a laceration which has caused excessive amount of bleeding. The excessive amount of blood loss caused her to have blood transfusions. I am currently waiting with her mother for the doctors to update us on her condition. One of the things I would ask is if you can pray for her so the procedures are successful. Also if you can pray for me as it has been a very difficult morning would be appreciated. We love you all. God be with us!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Not the change I want
Today has been an uneventful day until 7:30pm. I went from having 1-2 contractions per hour to a painful contration every 5 mins. I am scared. This baby is just 26 weeks today. He's not even 2 lbs. yet, and according to the ultrasound they did today, he's 2 weeks smaller than he should be. Please please pray for us. Pray that my baby boy will live. Pray that I will continue to be strong, because right now I'm having a very very hard time.
I love you all. Thank you for your love, support, care, friendship, and prayers.
By the way, my new room number at Johns Hopkins is 410-502-4287. That is the direct line. I don't know how much longer I will be in here tonight, but that's our number for now. If you try to call after 10pm, call 410-955-5825. I'm in room 269.
Ronald is here with me now and is going to stay. The doctors said to not be surprised if the baby comes soon, since things are changing so drastically. I'm still not dialated anymore, but they want me to inform them of any changes I feel since they can't do a lot of mauel exams, since it could cause infection. I am comforted and greatful that he's here, and since his school is canceled tomorrow, we don't have to worry too much about him missing anything new.
Sigh. I can get through this. I have to.
I love you all. Thank you for your love, support, care, friendship, and prayers.
By the way, my new room number at Johns Hopkins is 410-502-4287. That is the direct line. I don't know how much longer I will be in here tonight, but that's our number for now. If you try to call after 10pm, call 410-955-5825. I'm in room 269.
Ronald is here with me now and is going to stay. The doctors said to not be surprised if the baby comes soon, since things are changing so drastically. I'm still not dialated anymore, but they want me to inform them of any changes I feel since they can't do a lot of mauel exams, since it could cause infection. I am comforted and greatful that he's here, and since his school is canceled tomorrow, we don't have to worry too much about him missing anything new.
Sigh. I can get through this. I have to.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Update for Caitlin
I'm updating the post for my wife Caitlin. Caitlin is in her 26th week of pregnancy and has encountered more complications as of Sunday the 7th of February. At 5 am Sunday she called her doctor since she believed that her water had broken during her sleep. Her doctor informed her to call an ambulance to have her transported to John Hopkins. Sure enough, the doctors at John Hopkins informed her that her water was broken. She was admitted into the hospital so doctors can monitor and prevent any serious infection. Her due date is 14 weeks away.
Caitlin needs all the support she can get for the remaining weeks at the hospital. It will be a very difficult time for her, especially since she will not be able to physically see Isabella and Alexander.
You can contact Caitlin at John Hopkins (410)955-5850 birth room #2. She would love to hear from you.
Thank you to all whom have come together to help out our family during our stressful time.
Caitlin needs all the support she can get for the remaining weeks at the hospital. It will be a very difficult time for her, especially since she will not be able to physically see Isabella and Alexander.
You can contact Caitlin at John Hopkins (410)955-5850 birth room #2. She would love to hear from you.
Thank you to all whom have come together to help out our family during our stressful time.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Home
I am home. We went all the way down to Johns Hopkins and got checked out.
Sure enough, I was having very frequent contractions. I am a 1cm dialated (which I wasn't on Tuesday) and 25% effaced. sigh. They told me to stop taking the medication that I'm currantly on and switched me to a different one. They sent me home since my cervix didn't change while I was there. I'm supposed to go back if I have worsening contractions/cramping/bleeding. I hope I don't, but I'm not crossing my fingers.
Thank you for your prayers. I appreciate each and every one. Hugs.
Sure enough, I was having very frequent contractions. I am a 1cm dialated (which I wasn't on Tuesday) and 25% effaced. sigh. They told me to stop taking the medication that I'm currantly on and switched me to a different one. They sent me home since my cervix didn't change while I was there. I'm supposed to go back if I have worsening contractions/cramping/bleeding. I hope I don't, but I'm not crossing my fingers.
Thank you for your prayers. I appreciate each and every one. Hugs.
FAITH!
I'm bleeding a lot this morning, and having contractions, I AM SCARED!
I am needing the faith of others. Please, please, plead on my behave with our loving Father in Heaven. They baby has a very small chance of survival if born now, and I don't want to die, either.
Many tears, and thanks
I am needing the faith of others. Please, please, plead on my behave with our loving Father in Heaven. They baby has a very small chance of survival if born now, and I don't want to die, either.
Many tears, and thanks
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Not what I was hoping for
I know I said I wouldn't post about the pregnancy for a while, I fibbed.
Tuesday's echo cardiogram went very well. The heart looked really good. The baby is as big as he's supposed to be. The spine and the brain still look good. Silly me, I thought that the defect on the spine would remain the same size as the last time I saw it. Not true. The defect continues to grow as the baby does. So my son will have a tail. I can't wait to see it. Actually I can wait.
Tuesday morning I woke up to more bleeding. I was not happy. Last time I saw the doctor (only a few days prior), I was told that if I bled again I would be put on bed rest. We have all just been assuming that the placenta is still detactching. So Tuesday morning I called my OBGYN and told them about the blood. They said for me to rest until it was time for my appointment. So I did. I got back home and was still bleeding bright red. So I called them again to see what they wanted me to do. They said come on in and they'll have a look at me. Good thing I went in. Apparently, I've been in labor. I seriously had no idea. I've had pre-term labor before (with Isabella) and have experience real labor with both of the kids before my scheduled c-sections. Seriously, how did I not know? I have no idea. My cervix is very very short, and this little man's head was right there pushing against it. My contractions were coming about every 2 minutes. BLAH!!! So I was sent home with a perscription and to be put on bed rest.
I have to tell you, best rest is NOT FUN. Some people might think it's nice, I don't have to worry about the kids, or cooking, or cleaning, but it is boring! I miss my kids. I want to cook. I want to go get groceries, and I can't. I'm almost 24 weeks pregnant, so that's what, 16 more weeks of bed rest, if I make it that far! AHHHH! I'm also scared. When I had preterm labor with Isabella, I ended up being admitted to the hospital and put on magnesium sulfate because my at home meds weren't cutting it. That stuff is TERRIBLE! As soon as they put you on the medication (through IV's), you get really hot and vomit like crazy. In my case, I enjoyed (not really) all of that, plus I almost died. I'm not exaggerating. Seriously, if my mom had not been there, I probably would've died because the doc and nurse were chit chatting. After they stablized me, my mom had to leave the room because she just broke down in tears. She didn't want me to freak out, even though I partially was. I knew something was wrong because I couldn't hear, see, or hardly breath. IT WAS SCARY! I do not want to have to go through that again. If I do, I'm making sure that my mom comes with me, just incase.
I don't understand why my body hates pregnancy so much. It makes me very sad. I am sure that this is one of my trials/tests. I hope I pass. I have seriously been thinking about whether or not I should even have another child. I am only allowed one more after this one. I just don't know. I need to pray about it and go to the temple. But for now, we are going to wait quite a while. My poor body (and family) needs a break.
Friends and family, please, please pray for me, this baby, and our family. I don't want him to be born too early. I don't want to risk death, again, for real. I want to be home with my family, even if that means I'm stuck in bed alllllll day. I believe in the power of prayer. And I know that everything will be alright in the end, regardless of what happens. Heavenly Father knows how things should be, even if I don't like them.
P.S.- If anyone ever wants to come and visit a lonely girl in the evening, I am so down for that. I will be in the need of good company, I'm sure of it.
Tuesday's echo cardiogram went very well. The heart looked really good. The baby is as big as he's supposed to be. The spine and the brain still look good. Silly me, I thought that the defect on the spine would remain the same size as the last time I saw it. Not true. The defect continues to grow as the baby does. So my son will have a tail. I can't wait to see it. Actually I can wait.
Tuesday morning I woke up to more bleeding. I was not happy. Last time I saw the doctor (only a few days prior), I was told that if I bled again I would be put on bed rest. We have all just been assuming that the placenta is still detactching. So Tuesday morning I called my OBGYN and told them about the blood. They said for me to rest until it was time for my appointment. So I did. I got back home and was still bleeding bright red. So I called them again to see what they wanted me to do. They said come on in and they'll have a look at me. Good thing I went in. Apparently, I've been in labor. I seriously had no idea. I've had pre-term labor before (with Isabella) and have experience real labor with both of the kids before my scheduled c-sections. Seriously, how did I not know? I have no idea. My cervix is very very short, and this little man's head was right there pushing against it. My contractions were coming about every 2 minutes. BLAH!!! So I was sent home with a perscription and to be put on bed rest.
I have to tell you, best rest is NOT FUN. Some people might think it's nice, I don't have to worry about the kids, or cooking, or cleaning, but it is boring! I miss my kids. I want to cook. I want to go get groceries, and I can't. I'm almost 24 weeks pregnant, so that's what, 16 more weeks of bed rest, if I make it that far! AHHHH! I'm also scared. When I had preterm labor with Isabella, I ended up being admitted to the hospital and put on magnesium sulfate because my at home meds weren't cutting it. That stuff is TERRIBLE! As soon as they put you on the medication (through IV's), you get really hot and vomit like crazy. In my case, I enjoyed (not really) all of that, plus I almost died. I'm not exaggerating. Seriously, if my mom had not been there, I probably would've died because the doc and nurse were chit chatting. After they stablized me, my mom had to leave the room because she just broke down in tears. She didn't want me to freak out, even though I partially was. I knew something was wrong because I couldn't hear, see, or hardly breath. IT WAS SCARY! I do not want to have to go through that again. If I do, I'm making sure that my mom comes with me, just incase.
I don't understand why my body hates pregnancy so much. It makes me very sad. I am sure that this is one of my trials/tests. I hope I pass. I have seriously been thinking about whether or not I should even have another child. I am only allowed one more after this one. I just don't know. I need to pray about it and go to the temple. But for now, we are going to wait quite a while. My poor body (and family) needs a break.
Friends and family, please, please pray for me, this baby, and our family. I don't want him to be born too early. I don't want to risk death, again, for real. I want to be home with my family, even if that means I'm stuck in bed alllllll day. I believe in the power of prayer. And I know that everything will be alright in the end, regardless of what happens. Heavenly Father knows how things should be, even if I don't like them.
P.S.- If anyone ever wants to come and visit a lonely girl in the evening, I am so down for that. I will be in the need of good company, I'm sure of it.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Baby Update
First things first, we are having a.......
BOY!
This little boy is doing just fine, as is his mami, most days. So the amneo tests came back and everything looked good and normal. He had his first MRI, and that went well, too. Then we went to meet Dr. Carson, a pediatric neurosurgian at Hopkins and have a consultation with him. He said that there is some hydrasephalis (water brain), so we will have to closely monitor that with ultrasound. If there gets to be too much water, they will have to deliver him sooner.
When he's born, they will check to see if the defect is closed or not. If it's covered by skin completely, then he won't need surgery until he's 3-6 months old. If it's covered with a membrane, he will need surgury within 24-48 hours. They will scan his head via ultrasound and check to see if the water is building up in the brain. He will most likely need a shunt in his head which will drain the excess fluid into his stomach so his brain can grow normally. If he has surgury right after birth, he will be in the NICU for about 10 days. They will also scan his bladder and catheterize him to see if he's voiding as he should. People with spina bifida defects that are really low sometimes have a harder time voiding properly, and it can cause problems with the kidneys, so they want to try and avoid that if possible. This kiddo will need to have surgury every time he has a growth spurt to loosen up all of the tendens and such so he doesn't have back problems and loose feeling in his lower body if he has it. If he can move his legs when he's born, then he will most likely be able to move them after surgury. He might have braces to help him walk. On Tuesday (the 19th) he will get an echo cardiogram to make sure his ticker is okay. They will also check out the rest of him and my placenta (since it's been tearing away....so not cool) while they do the echo.
My life isn't going to be the same. I can't say that I'm looking forward to this challenge and change in my life, but I know that this sweet baby was sent to me for a reason. I accept that gladly. Most days I'm okay, but sometimes I just cry because I don't want my child to go through so much challenge with all of the surguries, and I don't really know what's going to happen until he gets here. That scares me a little bit. I am a person who needs details! I'm not getting all of the details here, and that's hard.
Today I went to the doctor's for my usual check up. I'm 22 weeks now! And guess what, I am 138 lbs! That's three pounds over my pre-pregnancy weight! Time for some serious celebration, folks! I told my mom the other day that this is the quickest I've gained weight during pregnancy. And that is no lie. I am SO happy to not be sick right now. On the down side, I'm still able to fit into my regular clothes. (Well, it's not really a down side, I guess. I just wish I looked a little more pregnant.) I have to eat every 1 1/2 hours or I feel really really sick. And I have to eat a full meal, not just a snack. Still, with all of that, I'm not gaining tons of weight. I told that to my doctor and she said, "We usually don't tell our patients this, but EAT a LOT! You need to gain more weight, girl!" Seriously, I AM eating a lot. You can ask anyone that lives with me. It is never ending.
So that's the news. Next post will be something unrelated to this pregnancy. Maybe I will get my cute punkin and choo-choo back on here.
BOY!
This little boy is doing just fine, as is his mami, most days. So the amneo tests came back and everything looked good and normal. He had his first MRI, and that went well, too. Then we went to meet Dr. Carson, a pediatric neurosurgian at Hopkins and have a consultation with him. He said that there is some hydrasephalis (water brain), so we will have to closely monitor that with ultrasound. If there gets to be too much water, they will have to deliver him sooner.
When he's born, they will check to see if the defect is closed or not. If it's covered by skin completely, then he won't need surgery until he's 3-6 months old. If it's covered with a membrane, he will need surgury within 24-48 hours. They will scan his head via ultrasound and check to see if the water is building up in the brain. He will most likely need a shunt in his head which will drain the excess fluid into his stomach so his brain can grow normally. If he has surgury right after birth, he will be in the NICU for about 10 days. They will also scan his bladder and catheterize him to see if he's voiding as he should. People with spina bifida defects that are really low sometimes have a harder time voiding properly, and it can cause problems with the kidneys, so they want to try and avoid that if possible. This kiddo will need to have surgury every time he has a growth spurt to loosen up all of the tendens and such so he doesn't have back problems and loose feeling in his lower body if he has it. If he can move his legs when he's born, then he will most likely be able to move them after surgury. He might have braces to help him walk. On Tuesday (the 19th) he will get an echo cardiogram to make sure his ticker is okay. They will also check out the rest of him and my placenta (since it's been tearing away....so not cool) while they do the echo.
My life isn't going to be the same. I can't say that I'm looking forward to this challenge and change in my life, but I know that this sweet baby was sent to me for a reason. I accept that gladly. Most days I'm okay, but sometimes I just cry because I don't want my child to go through so much challenge with all of the surguries, and I don't really know what's going to happen until he gets here. That scares me a little bit. I am a person who needs details! I'm not getting all of the details here, and that's hard.
Today I went to the doctor's for my usual check up. I'm 22 weeks now! And guess what, I am 138 lbs! That's three pounds over my pre-pregnancy weight! Time for some serious celebration, folks! I told my mom the other day that this is the quickest I've gained weight during pregnancy. And that is no lie. I am SO happy to not be sick right now. On the down side, I'm still able to fit into my regular clothes. (Well, it's not really a down side, I guess. I just wish I looked a little more pregnant.) I have to eat every 1 1/2 hours or I feel really really sick. And I have to eat a full meal, not just a snack. Still, with all of that, I'm not gaining tons of weight. I told that to my doctor and she said, "We usually don't tell our patients this, but EAT a LOT! You need to gain more weight, girl!" Seriously, I AM eating a lot. You can ask anyone that lives with me. It is never ending.
So that's the news. Next post will be something unrelated to this pregnancy. Maybe I will get my cute punkin and choo-choo back on here.
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