I had my 38 week check-up today! I waited for forever in the waiting room and finally saw Dr. Ramsey about 2 hours after I got there. In he walked and the first thing he said was, "So, have we talked about a date yet?" I was kind of confused because it was my understanding that they didn't want to induce. I said, "What? I thought you guys didn't want to do that?" He stated that since I will be 39 weeks on Sunday, they would feel safe inducing at that time and would like to go ahead and get the ball rolling with Emma Kate. My guess is that they want to have some control over the situation as far as when she is born.
He asked me how Thursday of next week was for induction (it was fine) but then changed his mind to Tuesday the 19th of August. They would like to have her born on a weekday in order to transport her to Atlanta during the week as well. So, right now our plans are to go in to University Hospital on Tuesday morning at 8am and get ready to have Emma Kate! I was in labor with Anna Brooke for right around 12 hours after being induced. So my guess is that it might be 12 hours or less with EK! After she's born, she will go up to RNICU, get examined by Dr. Colvin (cardiologist), Dr. Carlo (NICU doctor) and whoever else needs to examine her. Then they will administer the prostoglandin. Once she is stabilized (maybe a day or two later? not sure yet), she'll be transported to CHOA/Egleston for surgery.
I've got a lot to get done tomorrow and this weekend, because TUESDAY will be here before we know it! I am so thankful that we have a timeline kind of nailed-down. Its such a relief, actually! I was a little disappointed that I will not be able to go into labor (again) on my own, but after thinking about it, I feel that this is a great option! My mom is coming down on Monday to be with Anna Brooke while we go to the hospital. Please pray that she does well without us for a few nights, especially at first. I hope she gets used to it, at least for a couple of weeks. We want Brooks to go with EK immediately after birth up to NICU, and stay with her as much as possible. My sweet cousin, Marti is coming up to stay with me in the hospital (just in case Brooks spends all night with EK) for a night or maybe two. Thanks Marti! I love you! :)
Thank you everyone who has been praying and continues to pray for us and Emma Kate! Especially remember us on Tuesday and all of next week! We will update as much and as often as possible. I don't know how much updating I will get a chance to do before then (or if there will really be anything to update about!)
Showing posts with label Pregnancy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pregnancy. Show all posts
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Four Weeks and Counting...
We are getting things packed up in the Keisler household. Slowly but surely. This weekend Brooks & I spent the good majority of our time putting our things in boxes. I have yet to touch Anna Brooke's room, though. I want to keep that as normal as we can until the last possible moment. For her sake. I just feel so bad for my sweet girl. She will be going through so much in the next month and a half. I hate that we have to add moving into the equation. But this is the best thing for us, I think. Next weekend is when we will have our new apartment and we will actually be moving. I can't wait to be done packing and get as settled as possible in our new (and thankfully bigger) place! I am glad we have already started the packing process and gotten a good chunk of it done, because honestly I am so exhausted! I can't believe that I only have 4 weeks until my due date!
This morning I got a message from Dr. Ramsey at MFM. We met with him last Thursday to discuss the possibility of delivering here in Bham and then having Emma Kate transported to Egleston once she is stabilized after birth. He ran it by Dr. Colvin, our cardiologist, who stated that delivering in Birmingham will carry similar risks to delivering in Atlanta. He said he didn't see any reason why we should not deliver here. What a relief!! I am very thankful that these doctors seem to agree that this will be the best decision for our family all around. I am just praying for little Emma Kate that she will be born as healthy as she possibly can.
Where have the last 36 weeks gone? I regret not really truly enjoying my pregnancy. I have felt so much stress; it has been hard to put all of my emotions and the reality of this situation on the back burner and just concentrate on having another precious daughter. I am going to try, as hard as it will be, to just focus on getting excited about Emma Kate's arrival. I guess it truly could be any day now. All in God's timing.
In case you're interested, I have put up a few new links about HLHS and the Norwood procedure in the left column. These have really helped me understand more in detail the surgery and what all it entails. Thank you for your continued prayers and support. We are truly thankful for everyone out there who is praying for us and for little Emma Kate.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Change of Plans?
I think I might be changing my mind about some stuff with Emma Kate's birth. Brooks and I were talking yesterday about the move and other things. I was telling him how much I want to be close to him before I go into labor. I am dreading going to Atlanta by myself with Anna Brooke. It isn't that I mind staying with friends and/or family, but I want him to be there if anything were to happen. I also want AB to have as much normalcy as possible. I know we are moving, but if we go to Atlanta to have EK, we will be away from home much longer than I had originally planned. Anyway, my thoughts are this: what if we go ahead and move as planned... but I don't go to Atlanta to have EK? What are the pros? What are the cons? Let's see:
PROS of staying in Birmingham to give birth:
PROS of staying in Birmingham to give birth:
- We will be able to get slightly more settled into our new apartment (hopefully) before EK is born.
- AB will be at home instead of away from home.
- We will be able to spend as much time with Brooks as possible.
- Brooks will be there when I go into labor or when I am induced.
- I already know the doctors who will deliver EK.
- The hospital/downtown area is more familiar to me than Northside/Atlanta.
- AB will be able to stay at home when I deliver instead of being at someone else's home that she isn't familiar with.
- Safety of EK? (For example, if she is really sick and needs to have surgery immediately we will be 2 hours from Egleston).
- We will be 15 minutes from Egleston.
- We will already be kind of situated in Atlanta, where we will most likely be for at least 3-4 weeks.
- We have family/friends that are close by and more than willing to help. (Thank you!)
- We will be away from home.
- Unfamiliarity with Northside and Dr. Howard's practice. (I don't remember if I have said this already, but I am having a really tough time getting my records over to his office for whatever reason. Plus, this is the only office we had trouble with on the day of our visit. They didn't know what was going on with me or our situation. Plus, they are not high-risk docs).
- I will have to get myself established with yet another doctor, a neonatologist, for after EK is born. (I already have this established in Bham).
- We won't be able to get very settled into our apartment before AB and I have to drive to Atlanta.
- We will be 2 hours away from Brooks.
- If I go into labor, what exactly would I do with AB? Especially without Brooks being there?
- Brooks will have to drive 2 hours to ATL if I do go into labor.
- I feel a lot more uncertainty going to ATL and giving birth there than I do here.
Friday, July 18, 2008
I had a MFM appointment yesterday and ultrasound. All is looking good with Emma Kate. She weighs exactly 5 pounds and is measuring 34 weeks. Right on target! Dr. Kimberlin said I was measuring a week or two smaller than I should, but it is not a problem since EK is measuring well. Good news!
Dr. Owen peformed the ultrasound. If you remember from waaay back, he was the doctor who diagnosed EK and who I was not especially pleased with. However, I have to say that he was truly wonderful this time. Just seemed really sweet and understanding. I think a lot of the reason I "didn't like him" last time was because I was so apprehensive about seeing someone like him in the first place. Plus, he was not my normal doctor, etc. My feelings have changed. I really wish now that this group of doctors could deliver EK.
Anyway, Dr. Owen stated that since we are planning on delivering in Atlanta, and this is my second pregnancy, he would like me to "move over" to Atlanta between 36 and 37 weeks at the latest just in case I go into labor. He would also like me to have the rest of my appointments with Dr. Howard at Peachtree Women's Clinic. Normally, this would not be a problem, because we've got options on where we can stay, etc. However, what makes this complicated is that on August 1st we are planning to move. Our lease where we live now ends right at my due date, so we have decided that moving earlier would be easier. And I guess it would be if we didn't have to go over to ATL so soon.
On August 1st I will be exactly 36 weeks and 5 days, putting me almost at 37 weeks. Please pray that I do not go into labor until after we have gone to Atlanta! I am hoping that Emma Kate will find her little home in my womb so comfy that I have to be induced at 40 weeks or so. Dr. Owen expressed that he does not want an induction scheduled prior to 39 weeks. Personally, I don't either. The problems will start when she is born. She is just fine right now. I will stay pregnant with her as long as necessary! And I truly mean that. As much as I want to meet Emma Kate, I know that she is doing fine right now and I want her to continue to get as big and healthy as she can so she can be stable for her surgery!
My prayer request is this: packing and moving go smoothly and as easily as possible, I do not go into labor until after we are in Atlanta, and all my appointments go well and that Emma Kate stays healthy!
Let me also say that yesterday I had a complete meltdown. All of this is so overwhelming. This has not been easy at all. None of it. I know from my blog it might sound like I am just taking it all in stride and going with the flow, but I am not. I am protesting every little thing in my mind. I am asking "why does it have to happen this way?" all the time. I have become really disappointed with myself. Blogging about it helps. Praying about it helps. But I stay stressed. I can't do that. For me, for big sis, for Brooks and especially for Emma Kate, I cannot keep stressing. And I guess that should be on my prayer request list, too.
Dr. Owen peformed the ultrasound. If you remember from waaay back, he was the doctor who diagnosed EK and who I was not especially pleased with. However, I have to say that he was truly wonderful this time. Just seemed really sweet and understanding. I think a lot of the reason I "didn't like him" last time was because I was so apprehensive about seeing someone like him in the first place. Plus, he was not my normal doctor, etc. My feelings have changed. I really wish now that this group of doctors could deliver EK.
Anyway, Dr. Owen stated that since we are planning on delivering in Atlanta, and this is my second pregnancy, he would like me to "move over" to Atlanta between 36 and 37 weeks at the latest just in case I go into labor. He would also like me to have the rest of my appointments with Dr. Howard at Peachtree Women's Clinic. Normally, this would not be a problem, because we've got options on where we can stay, etc. However, what makes this complicated is that on August 1st we are planning to move. Our lease where we live now ends right at my due date, so we have decided that moving earlier would be easier. And I guess it would be if we didn't have to go over to ATL so soon.
On August 1st I will be exactly 36 weeks and 5 days, putting me almost at 37 weeks. Please pray that I do not go into labor until after we have gone to Atlanta! I am hoping that Emma Kate will find her little home in my womb so comfy that I have to be induced at 40 weeks or so. Dr. Owen expressed that he does not want an induction scheduled prior to 39 weeks. Personally, I don't either. The problems will start when she is born. She is just fine right now. I will stay pregnant with her as long as necessary! And I truly mean that. As much as I want to meet Emma Kate, I know that she is doing fine right now and I want her to continue to get as big and healthy as she can so she can be stable for her surgery!
My prayer request is this: packing and moving go smoothly and as easily as possible, I do not go into labor until after we are in Atlanta, and all my appointments go well and that Emma Kate stays healthy!
Let me also say that yesterday I had a complete meltdown. All of this is so overwhelming. This has not been easy at all. None of it. I know from my blog it might sound like I am just taking it all in stride and going with the flow, but I am not. I am protesting every little thing in my mind. I am asking "why does it have to happen this way?" all the time. I have become really disappointed with myself. Blogging about it helps. Praying about it helps. But I stay stressed. I can't do that. For me, for big sis, for Brooks and especially for Emma Kate, I cannot keep stressing. And I guess that should be on my prayer request list, too.
Huge Prayer Request
I had a MFM appointment yesterday and ultrasound. All is looking good with Emma Kate. She weighs exactly 5 pounds and is measuring 34 weeks. Right on target! Dr. Kimberlin said I was measuring a week or two smaller than I should, but it is not a problem since EK is measuring well. Good news!
Dr. Owen peformed the ultrasound. If you remember from waaay back, he was the doctor who diagnosed EK and who I was not especially pleased with. However, I have to say that he was truly wonderful this time. Just seemed really sweet and understanding. I think a lot of the reason I "didn't like him" last time was because I was so apprehensive about seeing someone like him in the first place. Plus, he was not my normal doctor, etc. My feelings have changed. I really wish now that this group of doctors could deliver EK.
Anyway, Dr. Owen stated that since we are planning on delivering in Atlanta, and this is my second pregnancy, he would like me to "move over" to Atlanta between 36 and 37 weeks at the latest just in case I go into labor. He would also like me to have the rest of my appointments with Dr. Howard at Peachtree Women's Clinic. Normally, this would not be a problem, because we've got options on where we can stay, etc. However, what makes this complicated is that on August 1st we are planning to move. Our lease where we live now ends right at my due date, so we have decided that moving earlier would be easier. And I guess it would be if we didn't have to go over to ATL so soon.
On August 1st I will be exactly 36 weeks and 5 days, putting me almost at 37 weeks. Please pray that I do not go into labor until after we have gone to Atlanta! I am hoping that Emma Kate will find her little home in my womb so comfy that I have to be induced at 40 weeks or so. Dr. Owen expressed that he does not want an induction scheduled prior to 39 weeks. Personally, I don't either. The problems will start when she is born. She is just fine right now. I will stay pregnant with her as long as necessary! And I truly mean that. As much as I want to meet Emma Kate, I know that she is doing fine right now and I want her to continue to get as big and healthy as she can so she can be stable for her surgery!
My prayer request is this: packing and moving go smoothly and as easily as possible, I do not go into labor until after we are in Atlanta, and all my appointments go well and that Emma Kate stays healthy!
Let me also say that yesterday I had a complete meltdown. All of this is so overwhelming. This has not been easy at all. None of it. I know from my blog it might sound like I am just taking it all in stride and going with the flow, but I am not. I am protesting every little thing in my mind. I am asking "why does it have to happen this way?" all the time. I have become really disappointed with myself. Blogging about it helps. Praying about it helps. But I stay stressed. I can't do that. For me, for Anna Brooke, for Brooks and especially for Emma Kate, I cannot keep stressing. And I guess that should be on my prayer request list, too.
Dr. Owen peformed the ultrasound. If you remember from waaay back, he was the doctor who diagnosed EK and who I was not especially pleased with. However, I have to say that he was truly wonderful this time. Just seemed really sweet and understanding. I think a lot of the reason I "didn't like him" last time was because I was so apprehensive about seeing someone like him in the first place. Plus, he was not my normal doctor, etc. My feelings have changed. I really wish now that this group of doctors could deliver EK.
Anyway, Dr. Owen stated that since we are planning on delivering in Atlanta, and this is my second pregnancy, he would like me to "move over" to Atlanta between 36 and 37 weeks at the latest just in case I go into labor. He would also like me to have the rest of my appointments with Dr. Howard at Peachtree Women's Clinic. Normally, this would not be a problem, because we've got options on where we can stay, etc. However, what makes this complicated is that on August 1st we are planning to move. Our lease where we live now ends right at my due date, so we have decided that moving earlier would be easier. And I guess it would be if we didn't have to go over to ATL so soon.
On August 1st I will be exactly 36 weeks and 5 days, putting me almost at 37 weeks. Please pray that I do not go into labor until after we have gone to Atlanta! I am hoping that Emma Kate will find her little home in my womb so comfy that I have to be induced at 40 weeks or so. Dr. Owen expressed that he does not want an induction scheduled prior to 39 weeks. Personally, I don't either. The problems will start when she is born. She is just fine right now. I will stay pregnant with her as long as necessary! And I truly mean that. As much as I want to meet Emma Kate, I know that she is doing fine right now and I want her to continue to get as big and healthy as she can so she can be stable for her surgery!
My prayer request is this: packing and moving go smoothly and as easily as possible, I do not go into labor until after we are in Atlanta, and all my appointments go well and that Emma Kate stays healthy!
Let me also say that yesterday I had a complete meltdown. All of this is so overwhelming. This has not been easy at all. None of it. I know from my blog it might sound like I am just taking it all in stride and going with the flow, but I am not. I am protesting every little thing in my mind. I am asking "why does it have to happen this way?" all the time. I have become really disappointed with myself. Blogging about it helps. Praying about it helps. But I stay stressed. I can't do that. For me, for Anna Brooke, for Brooks and especially for Emma Kate, I cannot keep stressing. And I guess that should be on my prayer request list, too.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Warning: This is really long!
I am so glad that we were able to make it to Atlanta last Thursday! Our day was packed full of appointments. I can't imagine waiting any longer to know all of the things that we know now! We had four appointments in all: one with a pediatric/fetal cardiologist, Dr. Samai, a tour of the entire "heart floor" including the CICU (cardiac intensive care unit) and Step-Down Unit. Later on we drove over to meet with a perinatal consultant, Dr. Allen, who is basically just like my OB/Gyn here in Birmingham. He deals with high-risk pregnancies mostly, however, Dr. Allen will not deliver Emma Kate. Lastly, we went over and met Dr. Howard, another OB/Gyn who, he or one of his partners, will be delivering Emma Kate. It was definitely a crazy day!
We got to Atlanta on Wednesday night and stayed at the Ronald McDonald House. It was brand-new and we stayed in a room that had not been used before. Kiki arrived ahead of us and was able to show us around the place before Brooks and I went to get some food. After that we all just went to bed. It was late! RMD House was only 1 mile away from Egleston, where our first appointment was with Dr. Samai. Kiki took Anna Brooke for the day, which was great! I can't imagine toting a toddler around all day with us. (Thank you so much, Kathy!) I was thankful that we were close to the hospital because we were running a tad late. It didn't seem to be a problem at all, though.
Brooks and I were in the waiting room eating breakfast and I was approached by a nurse named Tracy. She said after our first appointment she would be giving us a tour. About 30 minutes after we arrived, we were called back to have our fetal ECHO. A really nice tech named Joe performed the ECHO and explained just about everything and answered all of our questions. Some questions we had, he could not answer, and we had to wait until the fetal cardiologist, Dr. Samai came in. He was great! Basically, he agreed with the diagnosis of HLHS and said she was a good candidate for the Norwood. He said that her aorta is very, very small, which we knew already. I heard them say 2mm while they were examining the ECHO pictures. However, all of the other parts of her heart seem to be good. Apparently, she's a classic case of HLHS. After EK is born, I believe that Dr. Samai will examine her again. He answered some of our questions and then we waited for Tracy to come get us for our tour.
Tracy was WONDERFUL! She was the sweetest nurse and I felt like I could ask her anything and get a completely honest answer. Brooks and I had no idea what we were about to encounter, though, and I wasn't prepared for the emotions I was about to go through! She led us into the CICU, which is where Emma Kate will be after she has her surgery while she's recovering (and also before her surgery, if I'm not mistaken). Mostly there were just babies in their little bassinets in the big, open room. Each station was closely monitored by a nurse. I believe Tracy said the ratio is 1:2, depending on how many babies they have. When we walked in, we didn't immediately see any children, but Tracy led us over to this teeny-tiny little baby. He was only about 2 weeks old, if that. His name is Hunter and he had his Norwood the week prior. Surrounding Hunter were all kinds of equipment: an external pacemaker, a feeding tube, breathing tube, all kinds of leads and wires were hooked up to his little, tiny body. His little chest was taped up and all he had on was a little diaper and blanket covering his legs. He moved every now and then, and with each movement, I just kept sobbing. He wasn't in pain, though, Tracy assured us. She said these babies are pretty much kept "out" (aka asleep) with the painkillers. Little Hunter had a small stuffed elephant and a couple of pictures on his bassinet and a little sign that said "We Love You Hunter" above him. Brooks and I broke down. I just kept picturing little Emma Kate hooked up to all this stuff keeping her stable. It really made it real to us. This might be hard to look at, but if you are interested, click here to see a picture that is pretty representative of what we saw. This is how Emma Kate will basically look hooked up to everything. This picture is not of Hunter, but of another baby named Luke, (who is now 5 or 6 years old, I believe). The picture is from his website. We learned that in CICU we can stay all day and all night if we want to, as long as we are taking care of ourselves.
After that emotional part of the tour, we were led to the Step-Down Unit on the cardiac floor. This is actually where Emma Kate will be after she leaves CICU. We will be able to sleep in the same room with her and basically take care of her on our own, but always have the nurses right there in case we need anything. She'll still be hooked up to some stuff, but not nearly as much as in CICU. We will also be able to have Anna Brooke visit us as much as we want, except for overnight. In the Step-Down Unit we met a woman who is probably our age who has two boys, ages 2 and 3. BOTH of her boys were born with HLHS!! I could not believe it!! How could she endure having both children with the same heart defect? She was so comforting and reassuring that both her boys act like normal kids. They do everything any other little boy their age would do. I believe that Emma Kate will be the same way.
Brooks and I wanted to talk with one of the surgeons that could be performing the Norwood on Emma Kate. We weren't able to since they were all in surgery. We did find out that Dr. Kirshbom, one of the surgeons, has a certain knack for the Norwood. He's just apparently very talented at it. That is very comforting to me. I know any one of the three heart surgeons will do a wonderful job, though, and I trust any and all of them.
We got a little break for lunch and then headed over to Atlanta Perinatal Consultants at Northside Hospital. My appointment with Dr. Allen was at 1. Like I said before, he is a lot like my current doctors in that he specializes in diagnosing fetal anomalies. We had an ultrasound and found out Emma Kate is weighing in currently at 4 lbs 13 ounces! Can you believe it!? I'm so thrilled! We got to see her little face and cheeks and they actually looked slightly chubby. Chubby for a 4 pounder. :) Finally our last appointment was with Dr. Howard, which went just ok. To make a long story short, I had some trouble with the front office staff. They said they didn't have my records and I was late for the appointment, so I would have to reschedule...
After getting that worked out, we finally saw Dr. Howard, who was a nice doctor, but had no idea about me or our situation until that day. He was unprepared for us, I feel. At least he was understanding to our situation and said he would be in communication with my current OB/Gyn through faxes, etc. I don't need to see him until closer to my due date. That will all depend on how my current OB feels about my progression with the pregnancy and being induced, etc.
All in all, everything went well. I still have a few unanswered questions and a few new ones that popped up in my head after all was said and done Thursday. I hope to have much of those resolved soon. I just can't wait to see my sweet Emma Kate. I am truly getting excited about her arrival! I can't wait to hold her and love on her and sing to her and do all the things you get to do with your newborn baby.
We got to Atlanta on Wednesday night and stayed at the Ronald McDonald House. It was brand-new and we stayed in a room that had not been used before. Kiki arrived ahead of us and was able to show us around the place before Brooks and I went to get some food. After that we all just went to bed. It was late! RMD House was only 1 mile away from Egleston, where our first appointment was with Dr. Samai. Kiki took Anna Brooke for the day, which was great! I can't imagine toting a toddler around all day with us. (Thank you so much, Kathy!) I was thankful that we were close to the hospital because we were running a tad late. It didn't seem to be a problem at all, though.
Brooks and I were in the waiting room eating breakfast and I was approached by a nurse named Tracy. She said after our first appointment she would be giving us a tour. About 30 minutes after we arrived, we were called back to have our fetal ECHO. A really nice tech named Joe performed the ECHO and explained just about everything and answered all of our questions. Some questions we had, he could not answer, and we had to wait until the fetal cardiologist, Dr. Samai came in. He was great! Basically, he agreed with the diagnosis of HLHS and said she was a good candidate for the Norwood. He said that her aorta is very, very small, which we knew already. I heard them say 2mm while they were examining the ECHO pictures. However, all of the other parts of her heart seem to be good. Apparently, she's a classic case of HLHS. After EK is born, I believe that Dr. Samai will examine her again. He answered some of our questions and then we waited for Tracy to come get us for our tour.
Tracy was WONDERFUL! She was the sweetest nurse and I felt like I could ask her anything and get a completely honest answer. Brooks and I had no idea what we were about to encounter, though, and I wasn't prepared for the emotions I was about to go through! She led us into the CICU, which is where Emma Kate will be after she has her surgery while she's recovering (and also before her surgery, if I'm not mistaken). Mostly there were just babies in their little bassinets in the big, open room. Each station was closely monitored by a nurse. I believe Tracy said the ratio is 1:2, depending on how many babies they have. When we walked in, we didn't immediately see any children, but Tracy led us over to this teeny-tiny little baby. He was only about 2 weeks old, if that. His name is Hunter and he had his Norwood the week prior. Surrounding Hunter were all kinds of equipment: an external pacemaker, a feeding tube, breathing tube, all kinds of leads and wires were hooked up to his little, tiny body. His little chest was taped up and all he had on was a little diaper and blanket covering his legs. He moved every now and then, and with each movement, I just kept sobbing. He wasn't in pain, though, Tracy assured us. She said these babies are pretty much kept "out" (aka asleep) with the painkillers. Little Hunter had a small stuffed elephant and a couple of pictures on his bassinet and a little sign that said "We Love You Hunter" above him. Brooks and I broke down. I just kept picturing little Emma Kate hooked up to all this stuff keeping her stable. It really made it real to us. This might be hard to look at, but if you are interested, click here to see a picture that is pretty representative of what we saw. This is how Emma Kate will basically look hooked up to everything. This picture is not of Hunter, but of another baby named Luke, (who is now 5 or 6 years old, I believe). The picture is from his website. We learned that in CICU we can stay all day and all night if we want to, as long as we are taking care of ourselves.
After that emotional part of the tour, we were led to the Step-Down Unit on the cardiac floor. This is actually where Emma Kate will be after she leaves CICU. We will be able to sleep in the same room with her and basically take care of her on our own, but always have the nurses right there in case we need anything. She'll still be hooked up to some stuff, but not nearly as much as in CICU. We will also be able to have Anna Brooke visit us as much as we want, except for overnight. In the Step-Down Unit we met a woman who is probably our age who has two boys, ages 2 and 3. BOTH of her boys were born with HLHS!! I could not believe it!! How could she endure having both children with the same heart defect? She was so comforting and reassuring that both her boys act like normal kids. They do everything any other little boy their age would do. I believe that Emma Kate will be the same way.
Brooks and I wanted to talk with one of the surgeons that could be performing the Norwood on Emma Kate. We weren't able to since they were all in surgery. We did find out that Dr. Kirshbom, one of the surgeons, has a certain knack for the Norwood. He's just apparently very talented at it. That is very comforting to me. I know any one of the three heart surgeons will do a wonderful job, though, and I trust any and all of them.
We got a little break for lunch and then headed over to Atlanta Perinatal Consultants at Northside Hospital. My appointment with Dr. Allen was at 1. Like I said before, he is a lot like my current doctors in that he specializes in diagnosing fetal anomalies. We had an ultrasound and found out Emma Kate is weighing in currently at 4 lbs 13 ounces! Can you believe it!? I'm so thrilled! We got to see her little face and cheeks and they actually looked slightly chubby. Chubby for a 4 pounder. :) Finally our last appointment was with Dr. Howard, which went just ok. To make a long story short, I had some trouble with the front office staff. They said they didn't have my records and I was late for the appointment, so I would have to reschedule...
Um, no.
After getting that worked out, we finally saw Dr. Howard, who was a nice doctor, but had no idea about me or our situation until that day. He was unprepared for us, I feel. At least he was understanding to our situation and said he would be in communication with my current OB/Gyn through faxes, etc. I don't need to see him until closer to my due date. That will all depend on how my current OB feels about my progression with the pregnancy and being induced, etc.
All in all, everything went well. I still have a few unanswered questions and a few new ones that popped up in my head after all was said and done Thursday. I hope to have much of those resolved soon. I just can't wait to see my sweet Emma Kate. I am truly getting excited about her arrival! I can't wait to hold her and love on her and sing to her and do all the things you get to do with your newborn baby.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Atlanta
After much thought and prayer, Brooks & I have decided that the best choice for our family is for us to go to Atlanta for Emma Kate's surgery. Not only that, but we are working out delivering her there, as well. I got a call from Dr. Colvin today who said he has been speaking with a fetal cardiologist in Atlanta. He has been so gracious to help us work out all the details. I am really thankful for him! I know we'll have an on-going relationship with him after Emma Kate is born, and I love that he is so caring and wonderful! Dr. Colvin said that sometime today I would be getting a call from the Children's Sibley Heart Center so they can work out a date for us to come to Atlanta and meet.
About 5 seconds after I hung up with Dr. Colvin I got a call from a lady named Betsy, who is truly an angel! She basically told me she is going to take care of all the details of getting us set up in Atlanta. Essentially, she is doing everything that I would have to do, except she knows the system there and works with Sibley. She is setting up a date for us in about 3 weeks to come over to ATL and meet the cardiologists, OB docs, and hopefully get a tour of the ICU, Ronald McDonald house and meet the surgeons. What would I do without her? I don't know, but I'd be lost trying to figure out who to call, etc! Praise God she is being such an advocate for our family! I've been doing some searching on Atlanta Children's Hospital and I love what I am reading about their cardiac team. Please pray for these surgeons, nurses, cardiologists, fellows and social workers, because they will be the ones saving our daughter's life.
I will keep posted updates of our visit and hopefully all the details as they unfold! God has been so good to us through all this, and I know He is working out the details exactly as they should be.
I have a prayer request that isn't related to us as a family. It is for our friends, Braden and Julie Reynolds. We met them over a year ago and have since become good friends. They have a daughter named Anabelle and she and Anna Brooke enjoy playing together. They are the most kind and sweet family. Julie just gave birth to their second daughter, Lila, at the beginning of June. Since her birth, they have been camped out in the hospital with Lila in NICU for an unknown problem. Apparently, the doctors aren't sure what to diagnose baby Lila with, because her symptoms don't fall into one set category. However, they cannot take her home yet and I know this makes for a lot of stress and hard times for the Reynolds. Here is a link to their blog. Please read it and be in prayer for them, for Lila and their doctors as well.
About 5 seconds after I hung up with Dr. Colvin I got a call from a lady named Betsy, who is truly an angel! She basically told me she is going to take care of all the details of getting us set up in Atlanta. Essentially, she is doing everything that I would have to do, except she knows the system there and works with Sibley. She is setting up a date for us in about 3 weeks to come over to ATL and meet the cardiologists, OB docs, and hopefully get a tour of the ICU, Ronald McDonald house and meet the surgeons. What would I do without her? I don't know, but I'd be lost trying to figure out who to call, etc! Praise God she is being such an advocate for our family! I've been doing some searching on Atlanta Children's Hospital and I love what I am reading about their cardiac team. Please pray for these surgeons, nurses, cardiologists, fellows and social workers, because they will be the ones saving our daughter's life.
I will keep posted updates of our visit and hopefully all the details as they unfold! God has been so good to us through all this, and I know He is working out the details exactly as they should be.
I have a prayer request that isn't related to us as a family. It is for our friends, Braden and Julie Reynolds. We met them over a year ago and have since become good friends. They have a daughter named Anabelle and she and Anna Brooke enjoy playing together. They are the most kind and sweet family. Julie just gave birth to their second daughter, Lila, at the beginning of June. Since her birth, they have been camped out in the hospital with Lila in NICU for an unknown problem. Apparently, the doctors aren't sure what to diagnose baby Lila with, because her symptoms don't fall into one set category. However, they cannot take her home yet and I know this makes for a lot of stress and hard times for the Reynolds. Here is a link to their blog. Please read it and be in prayer for them, for Lila and their doctors as well.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Decision Time!
Where should I begin....
Yesterday we had our appointment with Dr. Colvin. He was wonderful, as usual, and every time we go visit him he blows me away with his knowledge! He did a fetal echo and measured some arteries: the pulmonary artery, etc. and concluded that they were good in size; also the "squeeze" of her heart (how it is beating) is good too. These are all important things to have for a successful first surgery!! He also said that he's confident that he could measure her aorta, however, its very small (1 to 2 mm). My heart leaped for joy when I heard him say that he could see it! Praise the Lord! :) I am just thankful it is there. He did make the comment that although it would be easier for the surgeon to work on a larger aorta, it can still be done successfully on one of her size. It's just harder. I'm sure I have mentioned this before, too, but the Norwood is the harder of the three surgeries. The second and third are "easy" he said, compared with the first. So it is just a matter of getting through the Norwood and keeping her stable in between surgeries.
We were given some awesome news about the possibility of where to have Emma Kate's Norwood. Atlanta's Egleston Children's Hospital is apparently a place that children are also sent for this surgery! I have heard about kids from Macon being sent there, but for some reason never actually considered this as an alternative for us. Honestly, this is a HUGE relief. For the past month I've been stressing out about the logistics with Boston or Philly. Atlanta would be a lot easier, especially considering we have family there. However, we do not want to compromise quality for convenience. Dr. Colvin said that the risks for the surgery would be the same as in Boston, Philly, etc and if Atlanta would be more convenient for us (all factors considered) then he is recommending that we go there! This will also be awesome with family being so close!
We still have a final decision to make, though, and this is the situation: Around mid-August, Dr. Knott-Craig (the surgeon who is leaving UAB) will be transferring somewhere. (I don't know where, but I'm kind of curious to find out). This makes it kind of hard to know what to do with my due date being August 24 (only 8 weeks away! Yikes!) Here are the options as we were told. We can:
A) Wait around to see if Dr. K-C will still be here when I deliver here in Bham. Then wait for Emma Kate to come on her own (which could be WHO KNOWS WHEN, deliver here and if he is still here, stay here. If not, have to figure out right then where to go. Seems kind of last-minute and STRESSFUL to me).
B) Go ahead and plan to have Emma Kate here in Bham and also plan on making arrangements at another hospital to have her first surgery.
or C) Plan an induction date in another city (Boston, Philadelphia, or Atlanta) have her there, and have her first surgery where we plan to be.
Please pray with us as we talk to the doctors, do the research, etc. Also, if anyone out there knows of any children who have HLHS and been treated at Egleston, I would love to hear their experiences! Especially any information about surgeons would be helpful.
Poor Brooks had his wisdom teeth pulled the day before this appointment and I'm sure he was completely miserable sitting there while being in so much pain. He's such a good husband and father for coming with me. The nurse at the front desk was so sweet and gave him some ice packs for his swollen cheeks as we were leaving! She was really kind and she's always reassuring about stuff with Emma Kate. She was commenting how these next couple of years will be really tough, but they see kids who have heart issues who are older, in their twenties, and doing very well.
Yesterday we had our appointment with Dr. Colvin. He was wonderful, as usual, and every time we go visit him he blows me away with his knowledge! He did a fetal echo and measured some arteries: the pulmonary artery, etc. and concluded that they were good in size; also the "squeeze" of her heart (how it is beating) is good too. These are all important things to have for a successful first surgery!! He also said that he's confident that he could measure her aorta, however, its very small (1 to 2 mm). My heart leaped for joy when I heard him say that he could see it! Praise the Lord! :) I am just thankful it is there. He did make the comment that although it would be easier for the surgeon to work on a larger aorta, it can still be done successfully on one of her size. It's just harder. I'm sure I have mentioned this before, too, but the Norwood is the harder of the three surgeries. The second and third are "easy" he said, compared with the first. So it is just a matter of getting through the Norwood and keeping her stable in between surgeries.
We were given some awesome news about the possibility of where to have Emma Kate's Norwood. Atlanta's Egleston Children's Hospital is apparently a place that children are also sent for this surgery! I have heard about kids from Macon being sent there, but for some reason never actually considered this as an alternative for us. Honestly, this is a HUGE relief. For the past month I've been stressing out about the logistics with Boston or Philly. Atlanta would be a lot easier, especially considering we have family there. However, we do not want to compromise quality for convenience. Dr. Colvin said that the risks for the surgery would be the same as in Boston, Philly, etc and if Atlanta would be more convenient for us (all factors considered) then he is recommending that we go there! This will also be awesome with family being so close!
We still have a final decision to make, though, and this is the situation: Around mid-August, Dr. Knott-Craig (the surgeon who is leaving UAB) will be transferring somewhere. (I don't know where, but I'm kind of curious to find out). This makes it kind of hard to know what to do with my due date being August 24 (only 8 weeks away! Yikes!) Here are the options as we were told. We can:
A) Wait around to see if Dr. K-C will still be here when I deliver here in Bham. Then wait for Emma Kate to come on her own (which could be WHO KNOWS WHEN, deliver here and if he is still here, stay here. If not, have to figure out right then where to go. Seems kind of last-minute and STRESSFUL to me).
B) Go ahead and plan to have Emma Kate here in Bham and also plan on making arrangements at another hospital to have her first surgery.
or C) Plan an induction date in another city (Boston, Philadelphia, or Atlanta) have her there, and have her first surgery where we plan to be.
Please pray with us as we talk to the doctors, do the research, etc. Also, if anyone out there knows of any children who have HLHS and been treated at Egleston, I would love to hear their experiences! Especially any information about surgeons would be helpful.
Poor Brooks had his wisdom teeth pulled the day before this appointment and I'm sure he was completely miserable sitting there while being in so much pain. He's such a good husband and father for coming with me. The nurse at the front desk was so sweet and gave him some ice packs for his swollen cheeks as we were leaving! She was really kind and she's always reassuring about stuff with Emma Kate. She was commenting how these next couple of years will be really tough, but they see kids who have heart issues who are older, in their twenties, and doing very well.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
GREAT visit!
I'm 30 weeks! Wow! I can hardly believe that there are only 10 weeks left until my due date! I had an appointment for a routine check-up with a doctor I hadn't met before, Dr. Kimberlin. This was my first "regular" appointment in Maternal/Fetal medicine (the high-risk pregnancy docs). These doctors will be taking care of me from now on. Dr. Kimberlin was SUPER nice! I really liked her. She gave me a "Welcome Packet" with information about UAB hospital and some other stuff. She also discussed my history and stuff. This Maternal/Fetal medicine group of docs that I will see now include 10 doctors!! Now I have met 3 of them (Kimberlin, Owen and Davis).
I had a few questions today about delivery, since I know I'll be delivering Emma Kate @ UAB hospital. Basically, they want to let me stay pregnant until EK is ready to get here on her own. NO induction unless absolutely necessary. They want her to be as big and healthy as possible so she can be stable for all the action that will happen after she's born. I know she'll need every ounce and pound she gains! (I am taking advantage of this, by the way. I ate a whole pack of Oreos in 5 days!!)
One thing I need to put on my priorities list is to get a sibling tour of the hospital so Anna Brooke will be slightly more familiar with the floor when we go to have EK! And if she has the photographic memory that Brooks believes she does, she'll definitely remember. That child remembers everything! Oh, and one other cool thing I found out is that when patients deliver at UAB, they get either a free stroller/car seat combo or a Medela breast pump! SCORE! So I signed up for a breast pump since we've got the other stuff already. I was so excited about that!
Next week we go talk to Dr. Colvin about our little one's heart some more. Hopefully we'll get some answers on the aorta situation. Thanks for all the continued prayers. :)
I had a few questions today about delivery, since I know I'll be delivering Emma Kate @ UAB hospital. Basically, they want to let me stay pregnant until EK is ready to get here on her own. NO induction unless absolutely necessary. They want her to be as big and healthy as possible so she can be stable for all the action that will happen after she's born. I know she'll need every ounce and pound she gains! (I am taking advantage of this, by the way. I ate a whole pack of Oreos in 5 days!!)
One thing I need to put on my priorities list is to get a sibling tour of the hospital so Anna Brooke will be slightly more familiar with the floor when we go to have EK! And if she has the photographic memory that Brooks believes she does, she'll definitely remember. That child remembers everything! Oh, and one other cool thing I found out is that when patients deliver at UAB, they get either a free stroller/car seat combo or a Medela breast pump! SCORE! So I signed up for a breast pump since we've got the other stuff already. I was so excited about that!
Next week we go talk to Dr. Colvin about our little one's heart some more. Hopefully we'll get some answers on the aorta situation. Thanks for all the continued prayers. :)
Monday, June 9, 2008
Lots to catch up on
We have some news that most of you are probably already aware of via Brooks' blog. But I'll summarize. We visited Dr. Colvin, the pediatric cardiologist, a couple of weeks ago and were blindsided by the news that Emma Kate's first surgery is probably not going to be performed at UAB hospital. Come to find out, the only doctor that performs the Norwood (1st surgery) is leaving UAB the first of August.
What does all this mean? We have some options, but most likely we will be going to either Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHP) or Boston (CHB). The pioneering surgery of the Norwood was performed at CHP. However, the leading doctors in the country that do these surgeries are located at CHB. Plus the fact that we have done some research and feel that CHB will be a better option for us.
Additionally, this also raises a question in our minds: What do we do with Anna Brooke? We always assumed up to this point that we would have help here in Birmingham and she would be able to stay in the comfort of her home. However, with all the stuff that goes on before/during/after Emma Kate's surgeries, we will need to bring AB with us. Who will help us? Where do all of us stay? What do we do with her while we are at the hospital? How will all of this affect her, my sweet girl? The last thing I want is for her to feel "abandoned" and left somewhere without seeing Mommy and Daddy for weeks.
Another question: Do I have Emma Kate at CHB? or at UAB and airlift her to Boston? If her first surgery is in Boston, will ALL of her surgeries have to be there? Should we have them elsewhere?
A lot of this depends on insurance, unfortunately, and I have no idea what to expect. We still have a lot of asking to do and a lot of answers to wait on before we can make any decisions. Let me also say that I am typing this out after digesting all of this for a couple of weeks. When we first found out, I was basically hysterical! I had no idea what to think. All I could do was cry and sleep and say "WHY?"
This is not easy, but we are depending on God, on our friends and family and on the resources we are being provided through others. We've been very blessed by all of the support we're being shown and are so thankful for it! I don't know what we'd do without it! I know that there's a reason for all of this and that ultimately God will be glorified in all of this. It's just hard for us to see now.
On Thursday I go in to see Dr. Owen, who made EK's diagnosis. He will be my OB/GYN from this point on. I am hopeful about this appointment, but I'm also kind of dreading it because of our encounter last visit.
Emma Kate seems to be doing very well. She is moving A LOT! Not as much as Anna Brooke did at this point. But I wonder if the reason I feel that way is because I have a 2 year old to keep up with this time! Lately all I have been craving is hot dogs, hamburgers and root beer floats. Oh yeah, and grapefruit. This is weird to me because all I craved with AB was Sweet Tarts. Very bizarre. :)
What does all this mean? We have some options, but most likely we will be going to either Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHP) or Boston (CHB). The pioneering surgery of the Norwood was performed at CHP. However, the leading doctors in the country that do these surgeries are located at CHB. Plus the fact that we have done some research and feel that CHB will be a better option for us.
Additionally, this also raises a question in our minds: What do we do with Anna Brooke? We always assumed up to this point that we would have help here in Birmingham and she would be able to stay in the comfort of her home. However, with all the stuff that goes on before/during/after Emma Kate's surgeries, we will need to bring AB with us. Who will help us? Where do all of us stay? What do we do with her while we are at the hospital? How will all of this affect her, my sweet girl? The last thing I want is for her to feel "abandoned" and left somewhere without seeing Mommy and Daddy for weeks.
Another question: Do I have Emma Kate at CHB? or at UAB and airlift her to Boston? If her first surgery is in Boston, will ALL of her surgeries have to be there? Should we have them elsewhere?
A lot of this depends on insurance, unfortunately, and I have no idea what to expect. We still have a lot of asking to do and a lot of answers to wait on before we can make any decisions. Let me also say that I am typing this out after digesting all of this for a couple of weeks. When we first found out, I was basically hysterical! I had no idea what to think. All I could do was cry and sleep and say "WHY?"
This is not easy, but we are depending on God, on our friends and family and on the resources we are being provided through others. We've been very blessed by all of the support we're being shown and are so thankful for it! I don't know what we'd do without it! I know that there's a reason for all of this and that ultimately God will be glorified in all of this. It's just hard for us to see now.
On Thursday I go in to see Dr. Owen, who made EK's diagnosis. He will be my OB/GYN from this point on. I am hopeful about this appointment, but I'm also kind of dreading it because of our encounter last visit.
Emma Kate seems to be doing very well. She is moving A LOT! Not as much as Anna Brooke did at this point. But I wonder if the reason I feel that way is because I have a 2 year old to keep up with this time! Lately all I have been craving is hot dogs, hamburgers and root beer floats. Oh yeah, and grapefruit. This is weird to me because all I craved with AB was Sweet Tarts. Very bizarre. :)
Monday, May 19, 2008
Today I went to Babies 'R Us to look for an inflatable toddler bed for when we travel. Since Anna Brooke has smoothly transitioned into a "big girl bed" we will not be bringing her Pack 'N Play with us when we visit the grandparents. Not to mention she is probably too big for it and once Emma Kate is born, she will occupy the Pack 'N Play. So I am trying to find a good alternative. They didn't have anything close to what I was looking for, but it was so much fun wandering (actually chasing after Anna Brooke) through the aisles of baby stuff. I don't think I had been in Babies 'R Us in forever! I found some really sweet baby stuff that I would love to get when the time gets closer for Emma Kate to arrive. And I realized when I was looking at all the pinks and yellows and pretty ribbons and soft blankets that I am so glad we are having another girl! I was definitely glad before, but for some reason, I just got really excited about it.
Actually, it has been kind of hard for me the past couple of days. I keep picturing this birth as being harder emotionally for me since we will have so much going on right after EK is born. No longer do I have the peace of mind I had before she was diagnosed with HLHS. I will have to surrender my precious baby to doctors that will perform some very detailed surgery on her. Not to mention she will be in the NICU for probably a month after she's born. It is just so scary and I hurt for her. I know that this surgery is the only way she will survive, but I still hurt that she has to go through it in the first place. Yesterday Brooks was reading a blog about a little boy with this same heart condition and it was describing how he was going back for his third and final surgery. I just started crying and asking myself, "Why does she have to go through this? I don't want her to!" Emma Kate is moving around in my womb so much now! It is incredible! I love knowing that she is doing okay. I wish I could keep her in me forever so that she doesn't have to face all that she will after she's born.
I know I can't blame myself for anything, but I've been questioning a lot of my actions in the beginning of this pregnancy. I know her heart was forming by week 8 and I often wonder, (mostly in the back of my mind, I don't usually voice it): is the reason EK has HLHS because I didn't do something right? Did I not eat the right foods? Did I forget to take my prenatal vitamins one day? What happened? Could I have prevented it? I don't usually stay for very long in that place because I know there is nothing I can do now except pray for her and her doctors and know that God is in control!
Thanks for your continued prayers. :)
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Her Diagnosis
We had an appointment in the Fetal Anomolies clinic today at UAB hospital with Dr. John Owen. He performed an ultrasound and we got several measurements on Emma Kate's body and he indeed confirmed a diagnosis of Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. The technology was pretty amazing; we were able to see the blood flow in and out of her heart. Dr. Owen was obviously very educated and knew exactly what he was looking at. But not all of my questions were answered today. I had written down a list of about 25 questions. But he was not the person to ask these questions to. He was very "textbook" as Brooks put it. He just described what was going on, but there wasn't a whole lot of empathy going on... I think he was just trying to do his job and the way he explained things was very clinical and technical. I just left the office thinking that now I have more questions than answers.
Of course, this diagnosis was not news that we wanted to hear. But we continue to be faithful in prayer. Thank you, everyone, who has been praying for Emma Kate and our family. Your prayers mean so very much to us! I guess to describe the way I am feeling is to say that I am not quite sure. I just don't know how to process it. All I do at this point is cry when I think about my daughter being born with HLHS. I know that this will be an uphill battle we are facing, but I also believe that God's will for our lives is perfect, and that no mistake has been made. I look at Anna Brooke and I think about when she was born and how much love I have for her and it makes things hard. I think that as a first-time mom, I was paranoid about little things with her. I can't imagine how I am going to feel when Emma Kate is born.
She will, indeed need surgery. Tomorrow morning at 9:30 we have an appointment with a Pediatric Cardiologist named Dr. Colvin. I pray that we get more answers and more comfort knowing what will be the outcome of this condition. I pray that this doctor is more empathetic and allows us time to ask all the questions we have and gives us clear answers. More tomorrow...
Of course, this diagnosis was not news that we wanted to hear. But we continue to be faithful in prayer. Thank you, everyone, who has been praying for Emma Kate and our family. Your prayers mean so very much to us! I guess to describe the way I am feeling is to say that I am not quite sure. I just don't know how to process it. All I do at this point is cry when I think about my daughter being born with HLHS. I know that this will be an uphill battle we are facing, but I also believe that God's will for our lives is perfect, and that no mistake has been made. I look at Anna Brooke and I think about when she was born and how much love I have for her and it makes things hard. I think that as a first-time mom, I was paranoid about little things with her. I can't imagine how I am going to feel when Emma Kate is born.
She will, indeed need surgery. Tomorrow morning at 9:30 we have an appointment with a Pediatric Cardiologist named Dr. Colvin. I pray that we get more answers and more comfort knowing what will be the outcome of this condition. I pray that this doctor is more empathetic and allows us time to ask all the questions we have and gives us clear answers. More tomorrow...
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Her Heart
Tuesday, April 22, 2008, is a day that I won't soon forget.
I had my appointment and follow-up sono from last month. The reason I had to have a follow-up sono is because the technician had a hard time getting a good picture of Emma Kate's heart. (This same situation happened with Anna Brooke, so I was not alarmed.) However, this time, the tech, named Lee, kept checking and re-checking and said she couldn't see all 4 chambers. After about 20 minutes of having a tough time, she went to get the other tech, Abby, so that she could check out her heart. Abby was also unable to see Emma Kate's heart. I was still not too alarmed, I figured that Emma Kate was just in a difficult position. But the facial expressions on both Lee & Abby made me feel less secure. Then Lee said that I may need to see another doctor with more specialized equipment who could see the heart better. She said she would go get the doctor to have a look. At this point, I was starting to panic a little bit. Usually doctors don't come into the sono room, do they?! Could something possibly be wrong with my daughter's heart? Why else would the doctor come in to look?
While Lee was gone and Abby continued go over and over my belly with the wand in an attempt to get a good look, I started to tear up. I didn't want to say or ask anything for fear of hearing bad news. About 10 minutes later, the doctor, not my regular doctor, but still a doctor I trust, came in. He immediately came over to me and held my hand. I really started crying at that point because I thought, "why would he come comfort me if nothing was wrong?"
After that, the doctor basically said, "This is what we think is wrong: your daughter may have Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome." After that he said that they are all very talented doctors and sonographers, but they are not heart specialists. I am being referred to a specialist in Maternal/Fetal Medicine at UAB hospital. He went on to say this is not a common condition and that they have seen this one other time in 10 years.
Either way, I went home not knowing anything about HLHS. So immediately when I got home and told Brooks our news (he was not at the appointment with me) we did a lot of research online. I was glad to find a lot of information on this subject. If you are interested in knowing more, here is a link with some basic information. Of course, we did a lot of crying and praying that afternoon, still not really understanding what all this means.
Since we have found out this news, our hearts have been heavy, but we know that God is in control! That brings us so much comfort. We are overwhelmed with all of the prayers and support we are getting from others. Brooks even started a blog describing his thoughts on everything, and we've had lots of people let us know that they are praying for us and for Emma Kate. We are SO GRATEFUL! Thanks to everyone who is praying with us!
Please be praying for us this Wednesday, when we have our appointment at UAB hospital. Our appointment is 8 am CST. I will keep updating as we get news.
I had my appointment and follow-up sono from last month. The reason I had to have a follow-up sono is because the technician had a hard time getting a good picture of Emma Kate's heart. (This same situation happened with Anna Brooke, so I was not alarmed.) However, this time, the tech, named Lee, kept checking and re-checking and said she couldn't see all 4 chambers. After about 20 minutes of having a tough time, she went to get the other tech, Abby, so that she could check out her heart. Abby was also unable to see Emma Kate's heart. I was still not too alarmed, I figured that Emma Kate was just in a difficult position. But the facial expressions on both Lee & Abby made me feel less secure. Then Lee said that I may need to see another doctor with more specialized equipment who could see the heart better. She said she would go get the doctor to have a look. At this point, I was starting to panic a little bit. Usually doctors don't come into the sono room, do they?! Could something possibly be wrong with my daughter's heart? Why else would the doctor come in to look?
While Lee was gone and Abby continued go over and over my belly with the wand in an attempt to get a good look, I started to tear up. I didn't want to say or ask anything for fear of hearing bad news. About 10 minutes later, the doctor, not my regular doctor, but still a doctor I trust, came in. He immediately came over to me and held my hand. I really started crying at that point because I thought, "why would he come comfort me if nothing was wrong?"
After that, the doctor basically said, "This is what we think is wrong: your daughter may have Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome." After that he said that they are all very talented doctors and sonographers, but they are not heart specialists. I am being referred to a specialist in Maternal/Fetal Medicine at UAB hospital. He went on to say this is not a common condition and that they have seen this one other time in 10 years.
Either way, I went home not knowing anything about HLHS. So immediately when I got home and told Brooks our news (he was not at the appointment with me) we did a lot of research online. I was glad to find a lot of information on this subject. If you are interested in knowing more, here is a link with some basic information. Of course, we did a lot of crying and praying that afternoon, still not really understanding what all this means.
Since we have found out this news, our hearts have been heavy, but we know that God is in control! That brings us so much comfort. We are overwhelmed with all of the prayers and support we are getting from others. Brooks even started a blog describing his thoughts on everything, and we've had lots of people let us know that they are praying for us and for Emma Kate. We are SO GRATEFUL! Thanks to everyone who is praying with us!
Please be praying for us this Wednesday, when we have our appointment at UAB hospital. Our appointment is 8 am CST. I will keep updating as we get news.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
And her name is...
Emma Kate!
It actually wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be to name this child! The name has been at the back of my mind for years. This is my great-aunt's name. I love family names and I just love double names, too. (So, yes, we are going to be calling her by both!) Actually, I also found out that my great-grandmother and Brooks' great-grandmother were also named Emma. Isn't that neat!?
So, Emma Kate has been getting stronger by the day! I can feel her kicks more and more. I read yesterday that at this point in my pregnancy she should weigh around 1 pound. How exciting!
I have been seeing pairs of little girls everywhere and it just warms my heart. I am very excited about bringing another little girl into this world. I know Anna Brooke will be a wonderful big sister. We are telling her all the time about Emma Kate and I am not so sure she understands anything at this point. We would like to prepare her as much as possible, though. :)
I am feeling great! My energy level is really good and I am so proud that I am past the half-way point! Only 18 weeks to go, yay! I enjoy being pregnant, but I am very excited about her arrival. I am also beginning to realize that my time alone with Anna Brooke is going fast. The weeks are going to fly by, I know. I am taking every opportunity to spend quality time with her and let her know how much Mommy loves her. I am afraid she might get jealous when Emma Kate arrives and that would break my heart, but I am hopeful that she will be my little helper and just love on her baby sister! So, be praying about that. My next doctor visit is Tuesday and I get to have another ultrasound, yay! The technician said she couldn't get a great view of the 4 chambers of her heart last time, (obviously it is beating and everything is ok) but we are going to take a peek at her again just to get a good picture of her heart.
And I think we'll double-check to make sure that Emma Kate is 100% positively a girl! :)
It actually wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be to name this child! The name has been at the back of my mind for years. This is my great-aunt's name. I love family names and I just love double names, too. (So, yes, we are going to be calling her by both!) Actually, I also found out that my great-grandmother and Brooks' great-grandmother were also named Emma. Isn't that neat!?
So, Emma Kate has been getting stronger by the day! I can feel her kicks more and more. I read yesterday that at this point in my pregnancy she should weigh around 1 pound. How exciting!
I have been seeing pairs of little girls everywhere and it just warms my heart. I am very excited about bringing another little girl into this world. I know Anna Brooke will be a wonderful big sister. We are telling her all the time about Emma Kate and I am not so sure she understands anything at this point. We would like to prepare her as much as possible, though. :)
I am feeling great! My energy level is really good and I am so proud that I am past the half-way point! Only 18 weeks to go, yay! I enjoy being pregnant, but I am very excited about her arrival. I am also beginning to realize that my time alone with Anna Brooke is going fast. The weeks are going to fly by, I know. I am taking every opportunity to spend quality time with her and let her know how much Mommy loves her. I am afraid she might get jealous when Emma Kate arrives and that would break my heart, but I am hopeful that she will be my little helper and just love on her baby sister! So, be praying about that. My next doctor visit is Tuesday and I get to have another ultrasound, yay! The technician said she couldn't get a great view of the 4 chambers of her heart last time, (obviously it is beating and everything is ok) but we are going to take a peek at her again just to get a good picture of her heart.
And I think we'll double-check to make sure that Emma Kate is 100% positively a girl! :)
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Name that Baby!
For the past few days all I have been thinking about is what to name this little girl! Brooks & I had a boys name picked out. It won't work on a girl! :) We have a few options that we like, and people keep on asking me what we are going to name her. But I honestly have no clue! I thought this would be easier!
Anna Brooke's name was picked out even before she was conceived. So that was an easy one. We didn't have a boys name at all when we were pregnant with her. I would love to start calling Baby Sister by her name... if only I knew what it was. I think that I won't give out any names until after we decide firmly what her name is going to be. I just don't want anyone else's opinion, truthfully. Once we have a name, we'll tell the world, but until then, Baby Sister it is!
Anna Brooke's name was picked out even before she was conceived. So that was an easy one. We didn't have a boys name at all when we were pregnant with her. I would love to start calling Baby Sister by her name... if only I knew what it was. I think that I won't give out any names until after we decide firmly what her name is going to be. I just don't want anyone else's opinion, truthfully. Once we have a name, we'll tell the world, but until then, Baby Sister it is!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Ultrasound Pics
Here are a couple of ultrasound snapshots of "Baby Sister."
Profile
Hands crossed.
So sweet! I love these!Baby Sister
Anna Brooke is going to have a baby sister! We are so excited to have another little girl! We don't have any names picked out yet, so right now we are referring to her as Baby Sister.
Here are a couple of ultrasound pictures of her!
Profile
Crossing her hands.
Crossing her hands.Compare her profile picture with Anna Brooke's from her ultrasound! They are identical!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
We are having a GIRL!
Yay! Yesterday was very exciting. We started out back in ultrasound. For some reason I still can't figure out, the ultrasound tech (Abby) took me into the room first by myself and got all the measurements of the baby she needed to get and then called Brooks & Anna Brooke into the room. AB was with us in the stroller.
It was the cutest thing. All day before our appointment I had been telling her that we get to see inside my belly and look at the baby. That may have been the wrong choice of words. I kept pointing to the screen and she was just staring at my tummy. "Where's the baby, mommy?" Then when Abby put more of the gel on my tummy, Anna Brooke said, "She's giving the baby some medicine!!" It was pretty funny!
Anyway, the baby looks really good. I was mostly concerned that she have 2 arms, 2 legs and a beating heart. :) She did and Abby said she looked healthy! So that is a big relief! Little Baby Sister was being stubborn, though; she didn't want to move too much. She may have been asleep or something, because we could not get her to budge! But at least she let us have a peek at her to see that she's a girl!
Well, we have a task ahead of us: we had a boys name all picked out, but no girls names! We like a lot of different ones, but can't decide. I guess we have about 20 weeks to pick one out. For now, she is being called Baby Sister.
Thank you, God for a wonderful day and a healthy baby!
It was the cutest thing. All day before our appointment I had been telling her that we get to see inside my belly and look at the baby. That may have been the wrong choice of words. I kept pointing to the screen and she was just staring at my tummy. "Where's the baby, mommy?" Then when Abby put more of the gel on my tummy, Anna Brooke said, "She's giving the baby some medicine!!" It was pretty funny!
Anyway, the baby looks really good. I was mostly concerned that she have 2 arms, 2 legs and a beating heart. :) She did and Abby said she looked healthy! So that is a big relief! Little Baby Sister was being stubborn, though; she didn't want to move too much. She may have been asleep or something, because we could not get her to budge! But at least she let us have a peek at her to see that she's a girl!
Well, we have a task ahead of us: we had a boys name all picked out, but no girls names! We like a lot of different ones, but can't decide. I guess we have about 20 weeks to pick one out. For now, she is being called Baby Sister.
Thank you, God for a wonderful day and a healthy baby!
Friday, March 14, 2008
First Movements
I can't believe I am almost 17 weeks pregnant! I'm so excited! On Monday I went in to the doctor for a regular check up. It was good, nothing unusual. I was in and out in about 30 minutes. The doctor asked me if I had felt the baby move yet. I told him I wasn't sure. For the past week I have been feeling little twitches here and there, but I'm not confident that it is has been the baby...
Until yesterday! I am positive that I felt the baby move a little bit yesterday afternoon. It was after I had eaten lunch, and I was just relaxing for a few minutes and I felt it! It was great! I love that feeling. I remember loving so much feeling my first baby move around inside of me. She was a little acrobat! I hope that this baby is the same way. Its very comforting to know that your baby is doing alright by feeling their movements. :)
Well, not a whole lot is going on other than that. In about a week we will be going back for our anatomy ultrasound. So I hope that the baby will cooperate so we can find out the sex! Brooks is not so secretly hoping we'll have a boy. I know he would love a girl, too, of course, but a little boy would be amazing to have! I personally wouldn't mind having another girl, we could just reuse all of our precious little baby clothes. However, I love to shop for baby stuff, so if we have a boy, of course I will be ecstatic! We will just have to wait and see. God knows the perfect family for us!
Until yesterday! I am positive that I felt the baby move a little bit yesterday afternoon. It was after I had eaten lunch, and I was just relaxing for a few minutes and I felt it! It was great! I love that feeling. I remember loving so much feeling my first baby move around inside of me. She was a little acrobat! I hope that this baby is the same way. Its very comforting to know that your baby is doing alright by feeling their movements. :)
Well, not a whole lot is going on other than that. In about a week we will be going back for our anatomy ultrasound. So I hope that the baby will cooperate so we can find out the sex! Brooks is not so secretly hoping we'll have a boy. I know he would love a girl, too, of course, but a little boy would be amazing to have! I personally wouldn't mind having another girl, we could just reuse all of our precious little baby clothes. However, I love to shop for baby stuff, so if we have a boy, of course I will be ecstatic! We will just have to wait and see. God knows the perfect family for us!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Gosh! It's been forever since I last posted!
Well, I am actually starting to feel more pregnant! I'm growing a lot more. Starting to show a little bit. Next week I go back to the doctor. Just another routine visit. I'm sure nothing exciting will happen. I can't wait until I start to feel the baby move. I know they say that you really can't feel it until 18 weeks or so, but I hope this time I will be able to feel the little kicks earlier. I think it might be possible since this is my second pregnancy. I have a pregnant friend who started feeling her second baby kick around 16 weeks! So that is exciting!
One thing that has been awesome is having most of my energy back. The second trimester is wonderful! I just arrived at this milestone, so I'm looking forward to the next couple of months when I feel great! I am going to try to get the house cleaned really well before I start getting exhausted again! I kind of let things go the past few months and I'd like to get more organized.
Well, I am sure this post has been really boring, but I don't have a lot going on right now. Just enjoying life! I think things will get more exciting in 3 weeks when we find out what we're having! Yay!
One thing that has been awesome is having most of my energy back. The second trimester is wonderful! I just arrived at this milestone, so I'm looking forward to the next couple of months when I feel great! I am going to try to get the house cleaned really well before I start getting exhausted again! I kind of let things go the past few months and I'd like to get more organized.
Well, I am sure this post has been really boring, but I don't have a lot going on right now. Just enjoying life! I think things will get more exciting in 3 weeks when we find out what we're having! Yay!
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