Tonsillectomy

October 30, 2009

TJ had his tonsillectomy today. We had to be at the hospital at 6:30 am, we got there about 6:15 am. What an early morning! The hospital had called us a few days before hand and told us that the kids could dress up in their costumes for Halloween. TJ was dressed as a zombie! Quite a scary looking zombie.

Overall TJ did a great job!! He was a little nervous in the beginning, but then they gave him the versed! What a great drug! Literally 2 minutes after he got it, he started acting goofy. He was reaching for the television trying to grab Mickey Mouse. Then he kept trying to grab the ceiling lights. He was so very dizzy, but yet he kept trying to get out of the bed and kept falling over. His speech was so slurry you would have thought he was drunk! All the nurses got a kick out of him. Here is a video of him right before they took him back to the OR.

Afterwards, he was uncomfortable to say the least, but they loaded him up with demerol and the pain quickly began to subside. They moved him from recovery back up to his room. He had to meet certain requirements before he could go home.

• Dr. Patel requires all his patients to stay a minimum of 3 hours; in addition:



• He had to eat or drink something



• He had to take his pain medicine



• He had to urinate

He completed all 3 requirements within the first 30 minutes we were there. In fact, he ate 5 popsicles and a cup of jello before we left. He took his pain medication within 10 minutes of being in the room and since discharge he has had very little pain! Truly amazing! Hopefully he will do well overnight and won't have much pain control issues to deal with in the morning.

Follow up after sono

October 28, 2009

Saw Dr. Molland today. Fortunately he did not place me on bed rest for the placenta previa. He of course wants me to take things easy. No heavy lifting - which unfortunately for Abby means her since she weighs more than 20 pounds. She has not adjusted well to that change! He is optimistic that my placenta will move out of the way, and he told me he has experience delivering babies with a partially covered placenta. He did of course give me ER warnings should I start to hemorrhage, but hopefully it won't come to that.

Pre-registration

October 27, 2009

TJ is scheduled for his tonsillectomy on Friday, Oct. 30th. We had to go to the hospital today to pre-register, but first we had to see his ENT surgeon, Dr. V. Patel. On Oct. 14th, TJ was diagnosed with strep throat, then exactly 6 days later he was diagnosed with two different strains of the flu (A & B). I have never seen a kid that sick before. He had such GI upset, the poor kiddo. Fortunately we were started on Tamiflu very quickly and TJ was a brand new kid within 24 hours. So when we went to see Dr. Patel, we wanted to make sure he was still good to go through with the surgery, which he was.

So we went to the hospital this afternoon. TJ did so good! Of course there was alot of waiting time, and that's hard for any 5 year old to handle, especially a wild child like ours! ;) When it was time for the blood draw, Rick was there to restrain him. Of course he screamed like a little girl at the mere sight of the needle, but the moment they stuck him with it he stopped screaming and just stared at what she was doing. I was shocked! When did he get to be such a big boy??? When the nurse finished she had some blood left over and asked TJ if he wanted her to put it back in, he quickly said NO!

Afterwards we took him to get a hamburger to eat (his favorite thing!). I promised him a hamburger for the next 2 days since after surgery he is only allowed to eat "soft foods" for 10 days! So the next step is to go buy a ton of ice cream, jello, applesauce, and pudding to last us a week and a half!!

Something new

October 22, 2009

I had my scheduled follow-up sonogram appointment for today. Not a whole lot has changed with respective to the baby. The baby continues to grow, and I feel movement everyday. I am 25 weeks 5 days today and the baby measured 24 weeks and weighed 1 pound 11 ounces. Seen for the first time today was the bladder and the stomach, both with fluid in them now. The right kidney is still enlarged and full of cysts, while the left kidney was hardly detectable; all the cysts on the left have been absorbed. So it seems there is some slight urine/fluid production by the baby, but there was still no measurable amount of fluid in the sac. So ultimately the prognosis has not changed any. There is still not enough fluid to allow proper development of the lungs.

At my last ultrasound 5 weeks ago, the placenta was in the anterior position. This means it was lying in front. Today the placenta is overlying my cervix - which is called placenta previa. I have a complete complete placent previa, which means the placenta completely covers the cervix. They scheduled me for another sono in 6 weeks to see if the placenta moves back up. If it doesn't move than I have to deliver via C-section. Which is not the idea scenario for our given situation.

I am determined not to get down about this latest news. There is a reason for everything, even if I don't know why. God is good and He will continue to carry us through this!!

I talked to my sister today, and she read a verse from Psalms that she had come across during her bible study today that I would like to share with all. It was most fitting for the day!

Psalm 62: 5-8

For God alone my soul waits in silence,

for my hope is from Him.

He alone is my rock and my salvation,

my fortress; I shall not be shaken.

On God rests my deliverance and my honor;

my mighty rock, my refuse is in God.

Trust in Him at all times, O people;

pour out your heart before Him;

God is a refuge for us.

Puppies!!

October 17, 2009

Two days ago I went to my friend's house to see her new puppies. They are about 3 weeks old. The dad is a boxer and the mom is a weimer. They are soooo cute! The kids had such a good time with the puppies. TJ picked out a little girl and named her Penny. Abby had to have all the puppies with her - she just couldn't get enough of them! She had to love them and squeeze them! Going to have to take Ms. Penny home when she gets a bit older!!

Joyful Blessings!

October 16, 2009

Today around lunch time, Kayla gave birth to a beautiful baby girl! Payton Rhyan Holmes. She weighed 7 lb 10 oz. Both mom and baby are doing great!! Check out her birthday pictures!

Sick Kiddos

October 14, 2009

I picked TJ up from school yesterday. He immediately proceeded to tell me that his "neck" hurt. By that he meant his throat. I looked at him and quickly noticed he had a fine rash on his neck, chest and back. My first thought was strep throat. Later that afternoon he also informed me his tummy hurt. I called the pediatrician's office and the got me an appointment first thing the next morning at 7:30 am.

I was waking Abby up so we could go to the see the pediatrician when I noticed she was on fire. She had a temperature of 103.8! TJ had barely run low-grade, 99.9 all afternoon yesterday. We drove to the office, and just as we were pulling into the parking lot she threw up all over herself. Oh joy. I was able to have them work Abby in too!

They swabbed TJ's throat and it tested positive for strep. Abby had infections in both ears and her throat was all red. They checked her for flu, and thankfully that came back negative. They decided not to swab her for strep, but to just treat her for it. Rick met me at the doc's office just in case they were going to give TJ a shot, but they didn't. So instead he went to the pharmacy & I took the kids home.

Dr. Nabulsi also commented on how large TJ's tonsils were. He asked us if TJ snored - YES!! Like a freight train! He questioned us about sleep apnea, and on retrospect realized he did quit breathing sometimes. So... we now have a referral to see an ENT specialist on Monday to discuss tonsillectomy. Better head out to Sam's and buy some ice cream before that surgery! Will keep you posted.

Thankfully both of the kids are doing better. Abby slept for over 2 hours this afternoon. Hopefully they will be fever free tomorrow and I can take them back to school on Friday.

Faith

October 11, 2009

So a very dear friend of mine from work dropped in to see me after my "car incident". I remember telling her, what am I going to do when the baby gets here if I can't even handle a silly incident like my car? How will I handle everything I am going to go through? She so lovingly and faithfully reminded me how I have put my trust in the Lord and have asked Him to handle everything for me with regards to the baby; and that I would be just fine. The car was such an event for me because I didn't trust God with it. How true her words were!!

So with that, I have once again put all my trust back to God and in return have found peace again. God is so good! Then I heard this song by Mercy Me. Hope you like...

Mercy Me - Bring the Rain
From the album Coming Up To Breathe

I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that I've gone through

The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You

Maybe since my life has changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind

To turn my back on you oh Lord
My only shelter from the storms
But instead I draw closer through these times

So I pray

Chorus:
Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus bring the rain

I am Yours regarless of
The dark coulds that may loom above
Because You are much greater than my pain

You who made a way for me
By suffering Your destiny
So tell me what's a little rain

So I pray

Chorus:
Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings you glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus bring the rain

Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty

Stupid Car!

October 7, 2009

So today began like any other day. I got up, showered, got dressed, had breakfast, packed TJ's backpack. Both of the kids amazingly woke up on time and in a good mood!! Abby wasn't too clingy, a little, but not too much. It was 7:30am and we were loading up to leave the house. That's when I discovered the problem. Once again, I had left all the interior lights on in my car, and the battery was dead. Yes, I said once again... this being the THIRD time in the past month! Where is my brain?????

I called Rick, but he was still on-duty at the fire department and must have been out on a run because he didn't answer his phone. Abby and TJ were playing in the front yard having a blast while I was steadily losing it. Rick has this battery charger thing that he used last time to jump start my car. I went out to the shop to go get it (have since decided it needs to stay in the garage next to my car for immediate access!). I called TJ's school to let them know he would be late. I brought the thing back to the garage and was hoping there were clear, concise directions on how to use it -- NOT! So, what's a girl to do?? Why call her Daddy of course!!

Fortunately, I got ahold of my dad and he instructed me on how to hook up the cables. He said the red one goes to the positive one. OK, which one is positive??? Finally I find this little + sign. They really should make it more obvious! Dad says hook it up to the post. What post??? The part where the cable enters the battery, he says. Well, I guess I'm not to mechanically inclined because I was having a really hard time figuring out which part was the "post". So I decided I would just put the giant alligator clip over the entire metal part. Crossing my fingers. Did the same with the balck one. Then I turned the machine on for 10 minutes to charge.

Let me just tell you that 10 minutes seems to go on forever sometimes... My mother-in-law called me about this time to tell me about these cute little pigs that they were talking about on the Today show. Apparently they are being sold out of England and they cost $1100! But the catch is you have to buy two at a time and you can't work, you have to be able to stay at home with them so they don't get lonely. Isn't that why you buy 2 at a time???? Anyway, I proceeded to tell Cookie all about my battery problem (for the third time!). I of course started crying. How could I be so stupid? How could I do this three times within a month's time???? She lives next door and graciously offered me her vehicle and said she would keep Abby for me. Well, I only had 5 more minutes to wait to see if I had done it right. So we kept talking just a bit longer. 5 minutes had passed and I turned the key. Praise God!!! The car started!!!!! I immediately loaded up the kids and took off.

Rick called around this time. He was just getting off work. I just started crying on the phone with him. He was soooo reassuring. He said if this is the worst thing that happens all day then it will have been a good day. I was glad he wasn't upset with me. I told him we needed to buy me a new car, one that automatically turns off the lights!! :)

I dropped TJ off at school (only about 7 minutes late! Not too bad!). Then headed back to take Abby to daycare. After dropping the kids off I just lost it. I started crying so much. I called my sister and cried to her for like 15 minutes. We are talking sobbing, not just the sniffles. It's amazing how when the routine goes the way its supposed to, I am able to handle things just fine. But through one wrench and I lose it! Finally I pulled myself together. Figured out which way to drive to work. Now I'm here and hoping the rest of the day goes well...

Flu Shots

October 2, 2009

I found out that the kids pediatrician had gotten flu shots in and they were holding a "flu clinic". First come, first serve for the first 50 patients, from 1pm to 4pm. What is this - the health department??? I've never heard of something so crazy. I called and tried to schedule them, but the receptionist refused. So... I took off work and left to pick up the kids. By the time I had picked up both of them it was already 1:15pm. I decided to call to see how many people had shown up - 56!!!!! The receptionist said they weren't taking anymore patients today. CRAZY!!! I explained to her how I had taken off of work and gotten my kids out of school / day care to get their shots and now I would have to do it all over again????? Fortunately she felt sorry for me and said we could come in. Thank you!!! Of course we did wait over 2.5 hours for them to get their shots, but it got done! What about when the H1N1 vaccine comes out -- what will happen then? Just might go to health dept! LOL!!

Preparing

October 1, 2009

It's hard to believe it has been 3 weeks already since we were first told about our baby. I have tried to remain positive. God continues to place people in my path to guide me. Danielle gave me 2 infant outfits that she made; one for the baby and one for us to keep. They are so beautiful and so perfect. All white with satin trim. I also have a beautiful white blanket and cap my mother-in-law made for the baby. We also bought an infant sized rosary and we have some holy water for when the baby comes. While I can't control when this will all happen, at least I can try and prepare for it all. I also ordered some 3D sculpting/casting kits to keep a memory of the baby's feet and hands.

I also made a call to a local funeral home. Boy was that the hardest call to make!!! I was so upset by the time I hung up the phone I didn't remember anything she told me, except a casket would cost $150 and everything else was donated by the funeral home. How amazing is that!?! I had to have Rick call them back, and God bless him he took care of all the arrangements, to include talking with Monsignor Bridges and the cemetary. I just couldn't bring myself to call them back. We have decided to have a service for our family members only. It will just be too hard to share beyond family...

Perspective

September 24, 2009

I couldn't sleep tonight. I've had a friend of mine on my mind a lot lately. At 2:00 am I decided to get on facebook to see what's been going on in her life. It's been about a year since I last saw her. So I looked at her "status", and it said widow. How could this be??? She's a young 20-something woman who just recently married??? My heart just sank. Then it got me thinking... what would I do if I lost Rick? I just broke down in tears. I can handle what God has given me right now. How can I be upset for him taking back what belonged to him anyway. Isn't it better to have God take this baby then for it to have a life of suffering?? Lord, I thank you for your blessings; for all you have given to us, for all you have kept from us, and for the things you take away. I praise you!!

Brownwood Trip

September 19, 2009

We decided to take a weekend trip to our land in Brownwood. What a great idea that was to get away. I didn't have to deal with talking to anyone about our "situation". I just enjoyed time with the family. Here are some pictures. Watch out for us "out-laws"!!

1 week follow-up

September 17, 2009

So a week has gone by. I decided to send an email out to everyone so as to let everyone know in a quick and easy manner. I had my follow up appointment with Dr. Blanco and Dr. Molland. Both agreed in letting nature take its course. They also both agreed that at delivery time it would be best not to have external fetal monitoring. It would only cause me more stress/anxiety during delivery. Dr. Molland also reassured me about the delivery process. He also lent me an extra fetal doppler so I could listen to the baby's heartbeat at home. What a reassurance! I did promise Rick that I wouldn't obsess over things. So now I will see Dr. Molland every 2 weeks for viability checks. My next sono with Dr. Blanco won't be until about 4 weeks.

Something wrong

September 10, 2009

I had my routine OB appointment scheduled for today. About a week ago I had felt the first kicks from our baby. Needless to say, I was very excited!! I had forgotten what those kicks had felt like. The kicks only lasted through the morning, then went away, but that didn't really concern me. However, over the course of the week, I did not feel the kicks anymore. The closer I got to today's appointment, the more anxious I became. I had this horrible feeling that something was wrong. The day before my appointment I went to the church and asked Father Rodriguez for a blessing and to remove this anxiety and nervousness.

When I showed up for my appointment with my OB, the nurse asked me the same questions, how I was feeling, was I feeling the baby move, etc... I told her I hadn't felt the baby move in almost a week and was feeling a lot of anxiety about it. She put me in the room that has the sono machine. Dr. Molland came in and asked me how I was doing; I immediately started crying. I just had this overwhelming feeling that something was wrong, and nothing he said was reassuring me. I just needed to see that everything was ok. He put the sono probe on me, and immediately I saw the baby's heartbeat. I was overjoyed and was silently thanking God! But then Dr. Molland pointed out to me there was very little amniotic fluid around the baby and he was going to arrange for me to see the perinatologist, Dr. Blanco that afternoon.

I was a work-in patient, so I had to wait a couple of hours before they called my name. The tech at Dr. Blanco's office performed the initial, in-depth sono. She made a comment to me that there was NO measurable amount of amniotic fluid. Instantly my heart sank. I immediately blurted out "can you put more in??" Dr. Blanco came in to repeat the scan & give me the "official report". He confirmed there was no amniotic fluid, and that the baby had multiple cysts on both kidneys. In addition, the ureters had not formed.

I was having trouble understanding why there was no fluid. Through out my first trimester all my sonograms had shown more than enough fluid, with my last sono being at 13 weeks. I was now 19 weeks 5 days. Dr. Blanco explained that up until 13 to 14 weeks, my body maintained the amniotic fluid; but after that the baby takes over. Apparently the amniotic fluid is made by the baby's kidneys, then it go through a process of replenshing and recycling to maintain the level. The baby learns to swallow the fluid and "breathe" the fluid, thereby allowing the lungs and internal organs to develop properly. Also, the baby moves all around in the fluid and the muscles develop normally. Since there is no fluid, none of that can happen.

Now for the really bad news... this is 100% fatal. Since none of the organs, especially the lungs can develop properly, nothing can be done at birth to save the baby, i.e. dialysis, organ transplant. Majority of these babys die in utero. If by chance I carry to term, and the baby is born alive, it will die very quickly (minutes to hours) from respiratory problems. The condition is called Potter's Syndrome.

The first 24 hours all I wanted to do was cry. I prayed to God to give me the strength to accept His will & to do what He asked of me. I literally gave it all to God. In return, he has placed such caring and loving people in my path to help me. Within 24 hours, 3 angels had come to my rescue.

The first was Danielle. She emailed me several web sites to look at. The first was to a girl in Utah by the name of Heidi. Unfortunately, Heidi had a baby with a very similar condition. She was able to give me so much information, especially from a personal point of view. She continues to be a source of comfort and information for me. Her web site is http://www.angelbabiesinfo.com/

Danielle also gave me a link to a free service offering infant berevement photography. www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/home There is one woman here in my area who provides this service. Basically, when our baby is born, she will come to the hospital and take pictures of our little angel. The photographer's name is Leah Moorefield. Her web site is http://www.lkmphotography.com/ and www.lkmphoto.com/blog Leah is the sweetest person. She has even offered me a complimentary maternity session so I can capture every moment with this baby! She even included Rick and the kids. Here are some of the pictures.