Thursday, February 28, 2008

Great to be at Two-Eight!

Believe it or not, we have made it to week 28! Another week down, and up to four more to go. I can't believe I have been here this long already. It is sad though when the oldest daughter asks me why I moved away.
Babe is still surviving her dry environment, but her lungs will be what is affected the most without fluid. They will be on the dry side. I was a little worried today, but then figured, "Why worry when we can pray?" I trust God that the miracles will continue past her birth; He's taken us this far already.
Once again my motherly nature was satisfied today by spending time with my girls. I have such a dear husband that brings them to see me. It's so nice to be a family.
Thanks for your prayers!

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Becoming Routine

What used to be concerning is beginning to become routine. I was on the monitor this morning, and again Babe's heartbeat was all over...steady for awhile with some dips and then some variables and then speed up. The nurse even joked about how she was going to chart this one. After I was up for a bit, she put me back on the monitor to watch again. I was on my back and then my side to try and get her awake and active. We even tried waking her up by drinking juice. Next thing I knew we were again doing blood work, and then the tech came in for another ultrasound. Praise the Lord again...blood work looked good and so did the ultrasound. We saw Babe breathing, which I always like seeing. However, she still doesn't have any fluid. I am beginning to imagine her looking like a little prune. :)
So, we continue to do what we've been doing and remain thankful for each day!
Thanks again for all your prayers. My doctor mentioned yesterday that they really didn't expect me to get this far. What he doesn't know is how many people are praying. Maybe someday I will have the chance to tell him that.
Have a blessed day!

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Results

I thought I would let you know what I know about the MRI results. My nurse came in just a little bit ago to read me the results. The placenta is NOT growing into the uterine wall. She was very pleased with the results and said I should be, too. :) I have not talked with my doctor yet to get his take on things.
When we did the monitoring this morning, her heartrate had a few more variables and accelerations, but she still had her long moments of keeping the same beat. I am sure if she had some fluid, that would help. Please continue to pray for wisdom for my doctor so he does what is best for Babe.
Ok, so my doctor was just in...he says the MRI looked good. At this point we won't do anything different. According to him, I am still the better incubator for Babe. At 32 weeks, I won't be the best incubator. I guess that would be another 4 weeks.
If you want something else to pray for... :) you can pray that during the c-section that I won't have lots of blood loss. That's a risk with the previa.
Thanks again for all your prayers. We hope you are as blessed as we are to see God's hands all over this situation.

Monday, February 25, 2008

Late Update

Thanks all for praying. I could tell some were praying while I was in the MRI tunnel. I was able to relax and not feel too enclosed. It went well, but we don't have the results yet. I am hoping my doctor will know by tomorrow. We continue to trust that God knows the perfect time Babe will be born, and that the doctor will also have the wisdom he needs.
Once I know more, I will pass it on to you!

No Oasis

I go from having nothing new to share to...where do I begin? We had a good, calm weekend. It was even nice enough to go for a walk/wheelchair ride outside. It was so nice to get fresh air; it had been weeks! I even put on shoes for the first time since I came to the hospital. Crazy to think, huh?
This morning began with the routine ultrasound. Babe looks good, but there is no fluid. I wasn't too surprised with that...kind of bummed but not surprised.
Later this morning was the routine non-stress test listening to her heartbeat and measuring for contractions. I tell ya, this Babe was a little pistol. It took about 8 minutes to pin her down to one spot so we could record her heartbeat. She was all over! Even after she was pinned, the nurses had to come in later to catch her again and then double strap the monitor. Once we had her, she was pretty uneventful. She has been flat-lining more frequently, meaning her heartbeat looks ok, but she doesn't fluctuate up or down. Along with that today, she had some more decelerations. It began to feel like last Tuesday all over again. I had another ultrasound looking for practice breathing, and we were able to see that quickly this time. It seems that she is getting the oxygen she needs. My lab work also came back looking good. PTL!
Now what I share next I hope isn't too personal for anyone. :) My doctor came in awhile back telling me he wants to do an MRI. What he is looking for is to see if the placenta (since it's a complete previa) is growing into the uterine wall. We knew this could be a concern since I have had two previous c-sections. After talking with a nurse, if the placenta is either growing into the wall, or beginning to separate, this would affect the blood flow to Babe and could be why maybe her heart rate is leveling out. So, in about 25 minutes, I will be having the MRI and should know sometime today the results. I will keep you posted. Thanks so much for your prayers, and we ask that you continue. I have told God that he knows what's best for the placenta growing into the wall or not and what that means for additional procedures during the c-section.
I better sign off for now. We are thankful to be in God's hands and the care of great nurses and doctors.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

27 Weeks!

I am so thankful to have another week down. God is so good! Thinking back to week 22-23, there were times we thought we would never be here. We are still shooting for week 30 and beyond. Sometimes it feels like "To infinity and beyond!"
My ultrasound looked good again today. My fluid was down to a 1, but that's better than nothing. As far as we could tell, her cord looks like it's in a good position. We pray that she doesn't get tangled in it; it's easier to squeeze against it when there is no fluid.
My heart was revived again today when the family came up. That precious time always goes too fast. They are doing well, but I think the oldest is really ready for mommmy to be home.
I have been so thankful for the Christian/worship music I've been able to listen to on the computer. It's always so comforting, refreshing and keeps me focused on how good God has been!
Have a good Friday!

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Dipsy-Doodle

Whew..what a morning. Just when I get comfortable with how things are going, a curveball comes my way. I was on the monitor this morning, and Babe's heartbeat did some big dips. She would chug along and then dip way down. One time the alarm actually went off indicating she went too low. My nurse was keeping a close eye and decided to draw blood. My doctor came in to let me know we might be headed toward delivery. He first said that hubby should maybe head to Lincoln, but then he said that we had about a 20% chance of delivery. So, we decided to wait until the bloodwork came back.
After a long 30 minutes, my nurse told me the labs came back looking great. At this point I was having an ultrasound, and she looked really good. I guess they do a profile on the baby and rate four areas with up to two points each. I was told that babe got an 8 out of 8. PTL! So, we are back to normal life...hopefully a quiet, calm life. :) We will continue to monitor Babe, and we may do it a little more frequently. A dipping heartrate can indicate infection, so we will watch closely!
We praise the Lord for the good reports and more time in the womb!

Monday, February 18, 2008

Monday News

It was a quiet day, but I suppose around here that is a good thing. My ultrasound looked good today, and my fluid was 1.8, which I am thankful for. Anything above 0 is good news. Babe did get into some interesting positions today. She is always head down, but today she would hunch up; more than one nurse laughed at my belly shape. She also seemed to like pushing against me with her little foot.
My nurse told me something yesterday that I thought was interesting and encouraging. She told me that every day Babe is in the womb is 5less days in the NICU. It makes us more thankful for each day we have this way.
May you be thankful for each day as well!

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Four Weeks or Longer

Wow...another weekend coming to a close. Believe it or not, the time does pass quickly, even from a hospital room.
We are still hanging tight here, and Babe is cooperating. I talked with my doc the other day about our goal of getting to week 30, and he said, "Or week 32-33." My eyes might have popped out, because he went on to explain that when we get to week 30, we aren't just going to bail and get Babe. If I am still stable and doing well, then he will let me go longer. My heart knows the benefits of that are great for baby, but my mind had some adjusting to do. I tell myself that more time in the womb is less time in the NICU. God know exactly when she will be born, and I take comfort in that.
We had a little birthday party up here this weekend for my oldest; she turned 4. The nurses decorated the waiting room with pink balloons and streamers, and they even bought a stuffed bear that sang "Happy Birthday." I tell ya, these nurses are amazing!
Thanks again for the prayers and encouragement; we know we are where God wants us to be.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Halfway Mark

Today is a big milestone for me. Tomorrow marks 4 weeks of being hospital bound, and we pray to be bound for 4 more. We have reached 26 weeks...PTL! I am feeling so much better, so thanks for praying. My voice even sounds a little more normal.
The ultrasound looked good again today. My fluid level was 1.8. The last couple of days, she has been more active again. In fact, yesterday on the monitor she took her little foot and pushed up on one of the monitors (it's not unsual for her to kick them) and she made it look like I had a big, long contraction. I could only smile.
I thought of all my prayer warriors and encouragers last night as I worked on my Daniel study by Beth Moore. She said, "O God we pray that you would prosper our loved ones with an abundance of you!" That is my prayer for my children but also for each one of you. May you feel him abundantly. Happy Valentine's Day!

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Tuesday News

I can't begin to thank everyone for your prayers and encouragement. It's like chocolate to my soul. :)
I am still a little under the weather. Yesterday I felt like I was running a fever, but I never was. I don't feel that way today. However, I still have a cough and not much of a voice. Good thing I don't need a voice to type!
Babe did a little "misbehaving" this morning. Her heartbeat was nice and steady on the monitor this morning, so I wasn't concerned. However, after I had been up and around for a little bit, my nurse came back in to monitor her again. Though her heartbeat was good, she wasn't showing signs of much activity...not many accelerations or decelerations. This can show distress and be a sign of infection. So again I had more bloodwork done. Thankfully the lab work came back looking better than yesterday's results. By this time Babe was looking a little more active, so all is well! God saw us through another hurdle!
I am very thankful for my great nurses who take action and yet support me through it all. I am making friends here!
Have a good day!

Monday, February 11, 2008

Monday Miracles

Monday mornings start early, but I don't mind when the ultrasound looks good like it did today. My tech spent more time taking measurements and looking at different parts. Her heart looks good, and we were able to see the bloodflow in the chambers. Babe weighs right at 2 pounds, so she is right on track for growth. PTL! And believe it or not, my fluid level was at 2.4! I really expected a 0since I had lost quite a bit of fluid the last 24 hours.
My lab work came back without causing any concerns, so that was another miracle.
This morning on the monitor, Babe's heart was beating faster than normal, but she eventually came down. Maybe she was excited, too, about all the good news.
My own heart is doing much better now that my wonderful hubbie brought up my girls. 10 days is just too long without seeing them. We enjoyed a couple of hours together.
I was also able to take a wheelchair ride today; it had been over a week since I was out of my room.
I am feeling pretty good - still kind of tired and hoarse. Thanks for all your prayers. We celebrate God's mercies each morning!

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Weekend News

The song I am listening to talks about how amazing it is our God loves us. I hope you feel Him lavishing it upon you.
This weekend brought some ups and downs. Friday night I didn't feel very well and on Sat., I woke up running a fever. I wasn't surpised since I had the aches of a fever. Thankfully Tylenol was able to bring it down. I am now 24 hours of being fever free. I'm still a little more tired than usual, and I have a raspy voice. We're thankful the fever is gone.
This afternoon after lunch I started having strong contractions. My nurse gave me the muscle relaxant right away. They did more blood work to compare with this morning's lab. While we waited the nurse started to "prep" me for a c-section since things looked like that's where we were headed. Praise the Lord my labs came back looking good, and my contractions were lessoning. So, we are so thankful to be here again tonight with Babe in the womb. We praised the Lord for his provision, and we know you will praise him, too.
It was just another reminder to not be comfortable where we are; we need to remain with a prayerful heart and never take each moment for granted. Things can change rather quickly!
I know our pastor prayed for us in church today, and I like to think that is was his and the church body's prayer that kept us from going into surgery. Who knows what would have happened if believers hadn't been praying!
Please continue to pray that I won't go into labor or get an infection. The family is doing better; thanks for praying. Please pray for our sister-in-law and their family. By God's grace they are staying healthy, and we want it to stay that way! My mother-in-law is still recovering from past illness, so please pray for her health. Boy, with all these requests, you made need paper and pen to keep track! :) While you have that pen in hand, I have another prayer request, and it might seem trivial. Pray that the next time I need an IV the nurses will be able to get it in the first time. In Kearney it took 3 tries, and earlier today it took 3 again and that's without succeeding! I kept telling them I had great veins in my legs. :)
I will update again tomorrow after the ultrasound and the lab work is back.

Thursday, February 7, 2008

3 down and 5 to go

Yeah - another week down - 25 and counting!
Your prayers to our faithful God saw us through another week. I had an ultrasound this morning. Babe still looks good; it was fun seeing what position she is in. Praise - my fluid level was at 2.1 (the highest we have seen in over 2 weeks) and her bladder was full!
Another praise, though family members have been sick, we think they are on the upswing, so keep praying. Hubbie could tell people were praying because his day home with sick family members went well and smoooth. He said God was good to him.
On a different note, it has been fun how God has opened doors with the nurses and CNAs that come into my room. They notice the books, cds, and hear the music playing, and it has lead to talking about God. Some are believers and share how God is working in their lives, and others don't have a relationship with him. My prayer is to shine his light in my hospital room!
May you have a blessed day!

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Our Great Physician

I won't keep you long, and I feel guilty asking you to pray for another request. However, knowing you are praying will bring us peace.
The song that is playing right now is Mercy Me - Bring the Rain. I have felt the last couple of days that God is bringing some rain, and sometimes it's hard to be thankful for that.
All this is to ask you to pray for my family. One daughter has had the flu bug and is still getting over it. However, it has now spread to another family member. A friend today reminded me that God is the great physician. Please pray that the flu bug will stop and not spread to anyone else. Thank you!

Monday, February 4, 2008

Monday Morning

I hope you had a great weekend. I was able to enjoy time with precious family.
Babe and I are still doing well. Thanks for your continued prayers! I had absolutely no side effects from the shots, and I have gone several days without contractions. I feel really well, and I don't want to take that for granted and assume I will stay this way another 6 weeks. I need the faith to make it through each day.
The ultrasound looked good today; she had the hiccups, and we saw all 4 chambers of the heart. I still have no fluid, but I know she is making it.
Yesterday Hubbie and I were able to take a tour of the NICU. It felt good to get out of my room! The NICU is a neat, homey environment. They have about 30 private rooms. It's hard to believe one of these days we will feel comfortable there with all the equipment and sounds. We got to see a couple of itty bitties; it's amazing how small they are!
I have been reading a textook like book on NICU care. I want to learn as much as I can, but I know I will learn the most as we go through it live. We continue to pray that babe will be nice and healthy.
Please pray that Babe will continue to grow and gain weight. In the last week I have not gained any weight...doesn't that seem impossible with eating and laying in bed? I would like to think that even if I'm not gaining weight that she is, but it's hard to convince myself when the scale didn't move up.
We are so thankful to have you as our prayer warriors; may we all continue to trust our Lord!

Friday, February 1, 2008

2 down and 6 to go

Thank you all again for your prayers. I have had no side effects with the steroid shots! I am trusting that since I didn't have any with the first shot, I won't have any after today's shot.
I was able to visit with a NICU nurse yesterday, and she was able to give me an idea of what it would be like for Babe once she is here. What's a God thing is that I don't worry; He keeps proving himself faithful! Your endless prayers are a part in all this!
Hope you have a wonderful weekend!