It's hard to believe our little Sadie is already 2 weeks old. Today was the day we were scheduled for delivery, but God knew the perfect timing of when she needed to be born. In fact, He was faithful in answering prayers against infection. When my blood work came back the day of delivery, it indicated infection. What we learned when Sadie was born is that the infection was contained in the umbilical cord; neither she nor I had the infection. PTL!
Brandon and I went to see her this weekend. She is doing well! She slept almost the entire time we were with her, but we were able to snuggle. One night I was able to kangaroo care her again. She is slowly growing and beginning to gain weight. They continue to increase her volume of milk they give her, and now they are adding some calories as well. It shouldn't be long and she will be of her IV. She is still on a little oxygen, and that isn't concerning but we continue to pray for her lungs to develop and get strong enough to do what they need to on their own. She is a sweet little one, and we have much to be thankful for. I call the NICU each day for an update, and it's always comforting to hear that she is a good girl and doing well. We plan on seeing her a couple of times a week. It's always a little sad to not have all my girls together at the same time. We know Sadie is where she needs to be, but we look forward to the day she can come home. We have been told to plan on her coming home around her due date, which is the middle of May. We aren't looking for a magic weight, but before she can come home she needs to be gaining weight, eating from a bottle and nursing, maintaining her body temp and off the monitors. Each day is a day closer to being a complete family at home!
Thanks for the prayers for my recovery. Each day I find myself feeling a little stronger, but it is taking time. I have a couple of follow up appointments this week, and hopefully those will go well.
We feel like a family of miracles, and we praise God for so many things! We'll continue to keep you updated a couple of times a week, and hopefully each post will contain more answered prayers.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Home Sweet Home
Good news: after 9 weeks in the hospital, they finally let me go. I was beginning to think I was going to need to change my permanent address! I will miss all my great nurses, and I will definitely miss my baby girl! Before leaving her I was able to change her, take her temp and snuggle some. I am so thankful that her Grandpa is close by and can check on her every day. She continues to do well, and they keep increasing her feeding amount. Grandpa just called to let me know that Sadie is virtually back to her birth weight. Yeah!
It was sad telling my nurses/friends goodbye, but it felt great to get out in the big world again. The best of it all was greeting my girls when I arrived; it's been so wonderful to have the close by.
I continue to feel well the majority of the time, but I am slow moving and trying to take it easy. I am spending the days with my mother-in-law and girls so I don't overdo it. She has taken great care of us all...some of them for weeks!
The song that comes to my mind when I look back at this journey with God is by Philips, Craig and Dean: "Jesus your Love Amazes Me." The first line is, "You dance over me, while I am unaware..." That's how I view the time in the OR...angels dancing around while so many people fervently prayed. His love truly amazes me, and I pray you feel the same awe.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Happy Easter
We wish you a blessed Easter. We have so much to be thankful for, and one is life...life in Christ.
It is to our sovereign, faithful God we give all praise to. I have been wanting to update how delivery day went a week ago. I apologize it has taken so long. The road to recovery is slow going.
Last Sunday evening, I began having contractions and was losing some brown fluid. I was given the muscle relaxant and put on the monitors. They confirmed how I was feeling. After an hour, the medicine wasn't working, so they called up lab. My blood work showed an increase so that meant we had an infection. At that point we were scheduled for an 8:00 c-section. A praise during all this is that my parents were here that weekend, so they could take care of the girls. That also meant Brandon was still here; he is usually on his way how by this time.
It took 3 tries to get an IV started, but the nurse who got it was the nurse with the the entire delivery. God used her in mighty ways on my behalf.
Everything went as scheduled for my c-section. I was able to feel them remove Sadie, and I heard her beautiful cry as they left the room. Brandon went with her at this point. The last thing I remember is telling my anesthesiologist that I felt funny. I think I was passing out from all the blood loss. A typical delivery with this doctor is around 15 minutes. Mine turned into MUCH longer. My placenta had indeed grown through my previous c-section scars onto my bladder. A nurse has been here 30 years and never seen such a thing. I lost great amounts of blood, and one doc even told Brandon they almost lost me a couple of times.
After 4 hours I was taken down to CCU. However, after a couple of hours, I had to be taken back to surgery because my abdomen was full of blood and fluid again. So, another 1.5 hour surgery where they had to pack my bleeding liver.
It wasn't until about 8:00 am that I woke up. Little did I know what had happened and how SO many people...many of them, you, were up all night praying on my behalf. I can't begin to thank you without tears welling in my eyes. It's an overwhelming feeling. Brandon was surrounded with great family support during the long night.
I was in CCU all day Monday and only remember bits and pieces of it. Tuesday morning I was taken back to surgery to have all the packing removed. It went great, and I felt much better. I was even able to come upstairs to my OB room for recovery; the nurses had requested that.
Recovery is coming along. I am used to getting over a normal c-section, not 3 major surgeries.
Sadie is do remarkably well! She is on some assisted breathing through the nose, but her lungs were great and never needed a vent. Answered prayer! I've been able to kangaroo hold her a few times, and I simply love it. Can't beat the skin to skin care.
We again can't express our gratitude enough your love, support, concern and prayers. I wish I could give each of you a big hug. All praise and thanks be to God!
It is to our sovereign, faithful God we give all praise to. I have been wanting to update how delivery day went a week ago. I apologize it has taken so long. The road to recovery is slow going.
Last Sunday evening, I began having contractions and was losing some brown fluid. I was given the muscle relaxant and put on the monitors. They confirmed how I was feeling. After an hour, the medicine wasn't working, so they called up lab. My blood work showed an increase so that meant we had an infection. At that point we were scheduled for an 8:00 c-section. A praise during all this is that my parents were here that weekend, so they could take care of the girls. That also meant Brandon was still here; he is usually on his way how by this time.
It took 3 tries to get an IV started, but the nurse who got it was the nurse with the the entire delivery. God used her in mighty ways on my behalf.
Everything went as scheduled for my c-section. I was able to feel them remove Sadie, and I heard her beautiful cry as they left the room. Brandon went with her at this point. The last thing I remember is telling my anesthesiologist that I felt funny. I think I was passing out from all the blood loss. A typical delivery with this doctor is around 15 minutes. Mine turned into MUCH longer. My placenta had indeed grown through my previous c-section scars onto my bladder. A nurse has been here 30 years and never seen such a thing. I lost great amounts of blood, and one doc even told Brandon they almost lost me a couple of times.
After 4 hours I was taken down to CCU. However, after a couple of hours, I had to be taken back to surgery because my abdomen was full of blood and fluid again. So, another 1.5 hour surgery where they had to pack my bleeding liver.
It wasn't until about 8:00 am that I woke up. Little did I know what had happened and how SO many people...many of them, you, were up all night praying on my behalf. I can't begin to thank you without tears welling in my eyes. It's an overwhelming feeling. Brandon was surrounded with great family support during the long night.
I was in CCU all day Monday and only remember bits and pieces of it. Tuesday morning I was taken back to surgery to have all the packing removed. It went great, and I felt much better. I was even able to come upstairs to my OB room for recovery; the nurses had requested that.
Recovery is coming along. I am used to getting over a normal c-section, not 3 major surgeries.
Sadie is do remarkably well! She is on some assisted breathing through the nose, but her lungs were great and never needed a vent. Answered prayer! I've been able to kangaroo hold her a few times, and I simply love it. Can't beat the skin to skin care.
We again can't express our gratitude enough your love, support, concern and prayers. I wish I could give each of you a big hug. All praise and thanks be to God!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
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Sadie May Arrives on 3/16
Dear friends, I apologize for not keeping this posted. Every day I have wanted to so badly, but I haven't had the time. This won't be a long entry, but I have good intentions of going into details later. I also want to include pictures, so hope I can figure that out.
After a great weekend with the girls, hubbie and my parents here, I started contractions again around 5:00 Sunday evening. In addition I was losing dark fluid. The muscle relaxant wasn't helping. The clincher was my lab works; my white blood counts were really up saying there was infection. We scheduled an 8:00 surgery. Lots of my dear nurses were either in my room getting me ready or giving me hugs. We are SO thankful my parents were here to take care of the girls and hubbie was here, too, Most weeks he is home at this time.
Sadie was delivered at 8:33, and I was able to hear her cry. Music to my ears! I wonder how long I will say that. :) She was 14.5 inches long and weighed almost 2.13 ounces. She has done miraculously well! Even my NICU nurse told me yesterday that she could be on so much more than she is. She has this cute dark hair, and looks like what the other two did before I ever saw them. I've been able to snuggle with her twice, and she has recognized my voice since I have met her. She probably learned it from all these weeks of talking on the phone with some of you. :)
We chose the name Sadie because we liked it from the time of naming Maisie. Some may even remember that when Maisie was born, Analise would tell people her name was Sadie, just to be silly. It means "princess" or I like to think, a daughter of the King. May is my paternal grandfather's name. She is a dear woman! Even though she came early, we didn't change her name to March. :)
I will post more of my miraculous recovery sometime later today. I need to get more sleep before the day begins. It's been hard to come by that the last couple of days. I can't thank you enough for your prayers. I truly may not be here if people hadn't been petitioning to the Lord on my behalf. Look how He, too, has answered so many prayers on Sadie's behalf. She continues to be a tiny little fighter!
After a great weekend with the girls, hubbie and my parents here, I started contractions again around 5:00 Sunday evening. In addition I was losing dark fluid. The muscle relaxant wasn't helping. The clincher was my lab works; my white blood counts were really up saying there was infection. We scheduled an 8:00 surgery. Lots of my dear nurses were either in my room getting me ready or giving me hugs. We are SO thankful my parents were here to take care of the girls and hubbie was here, too, Most weeks he is home at this time.
Sadie was delivered at 8:33, and I was able to hear her cry. Music to my ears! I wonder how long I will say that. :) She was 14.5 inches long and weighed almost 2.13 ounces. She has done miraculously well! Even my NICU nurse told me yesterday that she could be on so much more than she is. She has this cute dark hair, and looks like what the other two did before I ever saw them. I've been able to snuggle with her twice, and she has recognized my voice since I have met her. She probably learned it from all these weeks of talking on the phone with some of you. :)
We chose the name Sadie because we liked it from the time of naming Maisie. Some may even remember that when Maisie was born, Analise would tell people her name was Sadie, just to be silly. It means "princess" or I like to think, a daughter of the King. May is my paternal grandfather's name. She is a dear woman! Even though she came early, we didn't change her name to March. :)
I will post more of my miraculous recovery sometime later today. I need to get more sleep before the day begins. It's been hard to come by that the last couple of days. I can't thank you enough for your prayers. I truly may not be here if people hadn't been petitioning to the Lord on my behalf. Look how He, too, has answered so many prayers on Sadie's behalf. She continues to be a tiny little fighter!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
The Big 3-0
I have to say this 3-0 is much more exciting then the one I had in October. We have reached another milestone.
Another praise...my ultrasound showed not just one pocket of fluid; there were two! My fluid level is 3.3! I am so excited and thankful. I just pray that fluid is keeping her lungs moist.
Not much else to report, but I wanted to pass on those praises and thank you again for praying.
Another praise...my ultrasound showed not just one pocket of fluid; there were two! My fluid level is 3.3! I am so excited and thankful. I just pray that fluid is keeping her lungs moist.
Not much else to report, but I wanted to pass on those praises and thank you again for praying.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Bump Day
I know it's supposed to be "hump day" but I thought this might be more appropriate since my baby bump is getting rather large. :)
It' been beautiful the last couple of days, and yesterday I was able to get out to enjoy it. I think I will get out again today.
I've been able to get together a couple of times with another patient who like me, ruptured early. She is now just 24 weeks along. I want to encourage her so please pray for the opportunities.
My c-section is now officially scheduled for 1:30. I told my doctor that I might be a little hungry, but that was fine. He told me I could eat a small breakfast. :)
This morning when he was in, he asked me if there was anything I needed, so I told him just for time to keep moving along quickly. He chuckled and then proceeded to tell me that he only sees someone like me every 2-3 years...ruptured this long and stable. I don't tell you that to boast. I hope you are blessed by it as much as I was, knowing God continues to answer prayers and is so faithful.
The case manager from the NICU stopped in and is encouraged how far I've made it but mentioned again that there is concern about the lungs. She said Babe could be pretty sick when she is first born. Honestly, it was a little disheartening. Then it was like the Holy Spirit reminded me that God has gotten us this far, so why lose faith now? Would you continue to pray with me for a completely healthy little girl...our miracle baby? THANKS! I close with a few words from the song playing right now...
everlasting your light will shine when all else fades...never ending your glory goes beyond all things...and the cry of my heart is to bring you praise..from the inside out my soul cries out...
It' been beautiful the last couple of days, and yesterday I was able to get out to enjoy it. I think I will get out again today.
I've been able to get together a couple of times with another patient who like me, ruptured early. She is now just 24 weeks along. I want to encourage her so please pray for the opportunities.
My c-section is now officially scheduled for 1:30. I told my doctor that I might be a little hungry, but that was fine. He told me I could eat a small breakfast. :)
This morning when he was in, he asked me if there was anything I needed, so I told him just for time to keep moving along quickly. He chuckled and then proceeded to tell me that he only sees someone like me every 2-3 years...ruptured this long and stable. I don't tell you that to boast. I hope you are blessed by it as much as I was, knowing God continues to answer prayers and is so faithful.
The case manager from the NICU stopped in and is encouraged how far I've made it but mentioned again that there is concern about the lungs. She said Babe could be pretty sick when she is first born. Honestly, it was a little disheartening. Then it was like the Holy Spirit reminded me that God has gotten us this far, so why lose faith now? Would you continue to pray with me for a completely healthy little girl...our miracle baby? THANKS! I close with a few words from the song playing right now...
everlasting your light will shine when all else fades...never ending your glory goes beyond all things...and the cry of my heart is to bring you praise..from the inside out my soul cries out...
Monday, March 10, 2008
3 weeks...21 days
I'm not sure what sounds better...3 weeks or 21 days. Can you tell who's counting down? :) At this point I think we are scheduled for the 9:30 slot on that day.
We had a good weekend. Hubbie and I got lots of time together. Babe continues to look better and better on the monitors. The nurses are excited, too. My ultrasound this morning showed my fluid level at 1.
I gave a little cheer at that news.
I asked my doctor this weekend if he's delivered many babies who have been without fluid this long. Oh, yes, he has delivered his share. He said the babies can look so tight in the womb, but they come out and stretch and do well. He doesn't foresee any problems with Babe. That's encouraging and what we are praying for.
I am definitely getting bigger! I wish Babe was gaining my weight! I even had to move up to Hubbie's t-shirts. :) Babe is moving more, and I can actually see her movements in my belly. I treasure each one, because I didn't know if I would even get to enjoy that this pregnancy. Isn't God good?
Thanks again for all your prayers. May you find joy in the Lord today!
We had a good weekend. Hubbie and I got lots of time together. Babe continues to look better and better on the monitors. The nurses are excited, too. My ultrasound this morning showed my fluid level at 1.
I gave a little cheer at that news.
I asked my doctor this weekend if he's delivered many babies who have been without fluid this long. Oh, yes, he has delivered his share. He said the babies can look so tight in the womb, but they come out and stretch and do well. He doesn't foresee any problems with Babe. That's encouraging and what we are praying for.
I am definitely getting bigger! I wish Babe was gaining my weight! I even had to move up to Hubbie's t-shirts. :) Babe is moving more, and I can actually see her movements in my belly. I treasure each one, because I didn't know if I would even get to enjoy that this pregnancy. Isn't God good?
Thanks again for all your prayers. May you find joy in the Lord today!
Thursday, March 6, 2008
29 Weeks
I love Thursdays! I get an ultrasound, mark off another week down and I got to see my family! Today Babe looked good again on the ultrasound. She is measuring 2.5 pounds. There is still no fluid, but she must be making something because her bladder changes sizes.
People must be praying for her heartrate to improve because the last couple of days she has shown more variables and accelerations. In fact, my nurse the other night gave me the gold star because she looked so good! Something to add to the baby book. :)
I was encouraged today from a friend who told me about a song from Caedman's Call, Sacred. It reminded me that my time as a mom is a sacred time and that's where I should be content. It was then that God seemed to remind me that this time with Babe is sacred, and I should be content here, too. I needed that little boost of encouragement...25 days still seems like a long time to me.
I continue to me amazed by the love from brothers and sisters in Christ. I have had visitors that I don't know really well and some whom I have never met before, and yet with the connection of Christ, it's always a wonderful visit and a blessing to my soul. I had a gal come up today that I had not met before, and we had a great time. She even snuck in her puppy to entertain me. That's a first! I know there are others who are praying for me that I have never met, and the thought is overwhelming. I am blessed by it and hope to encourage others like I have been encouraged. May God bless you all!
People must be praying for her heartrate to improve because the last couple of days she has shown more variables and accelerations. In fact, my nurse the other night gave me the gold star because she looked so good! Something to add to the baby book. :)
I was encouraged today from a friend who told me about a song from Caedman's Call, Sacred. It reminded me that my time as a mom is a sacred time and that's where I should be content. It was then that God seemed to remind me that this time with Babe is sacred, and I should be content here, too. I needed that little boost of encouragement...25 days still seems like a long time to me.
I continue to me amazed by the love from brothers and sisters in Christ. I have had visitors that I don't know really well and some whom I have never met before, and yet with the connection of Christ, it's always a wonderful visit and a blessing to my soul. I had a gal come up today that I had not met before, and we had a great time. She even snuck in her puppy to entertain me. That's a first! I know there are others who are praying for me that I have never met, and the thought is overwhelming. I am blessed by it and hope to encourage others like I have been encouraged. May God bless you all!
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
27 Days and Counting
We finally have the end in sight. I talked with my doctor this morning about when we thought we might deliver. It was handy that I was standing next to my calendar. He said we would plan on delivering on the 31st! He even told me I could pick what time I would like to have the c-section. He did remind me that no matter what time I pick, I won't be eating anything after midnight. :)
It feels so good to have a final date. It was beginning to feel like forever. We know still that the Lord could have a different day planned, but I know I can shoot for the 31st and Lord willing, make it until then.
This morning was spent on the heart monitor for almost two hours, another ultrasound and more blood work. Sound familiar? Babe got a 6/8 on her score...once again docked points for no fluid. Blood work came back looking good. In fact, some of my numbers were the lowest they have been since I have been here.
Something kind of funny, but when the phlebotomist (however you spell that) came in, she thought she was just checking my blood sugar, so all she did was poke my finger. Knowing the normal routine, I thought that was a little odd. It wasn't but a couple minutes later, and she was back to check the normal things. So, I guess now I know my blood sugars are good, too!
I know you are still praying against illness and infection; thank you. I have had some nurses this past week that have since had the stomach flu. Between that and influenza A, the Lord has protected me!
Counting down the days...
It feels so good to have a final date. It was beginning to feel like forever. We know still that the Lord could have a different day planned, but I know I can shoot for the 31st and Lord willing, make it until then.
This morning was spent on the heart monitor for almost two hours, another ultrasound and more blood work. Sound familiar? Babe got a 6/8 on her score...once again docked points for no fluid. Blood work came back looking good. In fact, some of my numbers were the lowest they have been since I have been here.
Something kind of funny, but when the phlebotomist (however you spell that) came in, she thought she was just checking my blood sugar, so all she did was poke my finger. Knowing the normal routine, I thought that was a little odd. It wasn't but a couple minutes later, and she was back to check the normal things. So, I guess now I know my blood sugars are good, too!
I know you are still praying against illness and infection; thank you. I have had some nurses this past week that have since had the stomach flu. Between that and influenza A, the Lord has protected me!
Counting down the days...
Monday, March 3, 2008
Good but Dry
Happy Monday! My ultrasound went well today, and she looked good. However, still no fluid. I like to think she is making it and then swallowing it...maybe she's recycling already! :)
She looked pretty good on the heart monitor this morning, but they had me do it again this afternoon to look for more accelerations and variables. She looked better! Both times she had the hiccups, and I think that's fun to hear on the monitor.
I was able to spend my day with another great sister in law. She, too, got the honor to push me around in the wheelchair. What's so funny is that these wheelchairs are like double wides. We could both fit in it!
That's about it from here. Hope you had a great day!
She looked pretty good on the heart monitor this morning, but they had me do it again this afternoon to look for more accelerations and variables. She looked better! Both times she had the hiccups, and I think that's fun to hear on the monitor.
I was able to spend my day with another great sister in law. She, too, got the honor to push me around in the wheelchair. What's so funny is that these wheelchairs are like double wides. We could both fit in it!
That's about it from here. Hope you had a great day!
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Weekend Update
It was a fun weekend here at the hospital. My doctor told me to keep it boring, but I decided to have fun. Babe was boring, and that's all that matters. She is showing some more variables on the heart monitoring, so that is good.
I was able to spend time with my great sister-in-law while the hubbies went minivan shopping. She even pushed me in the wheelchair to enjoy some fresh air. We laughed about two 30 year old women and a wheelchair ride. We thought we would be at least 90 before we would be doing this. :)
Hubbie and I enjoyed rest of the weekend together. Our church this morning was Chuck Swindoll online.
I hope you had a good weekend and worship time this morning. Thanks for praying! I am praying that the ultrasound in the morning will show some fluid.
I was able to spend time with my great sister-in-law while the hubbies went minivan shopping. She even pushed me in the wheelchair to enjoy some fresh air. We laughed about two 30 year old women and a wheelchair ride. We thought we would be at least 90 before we would be doing this. :)
Hubbie and I enjoyed rest of the weekend together. Our church this morning was Chuck Swindoll online.
I hope you had a good weekend and worship time this morning. Thanks for praying! I am praying that the ultrasound in the morning will show some fluid.
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