Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Update
So much has happened since the last time I posted, I am not exactly sure where to start. I have wanted to write a post about the delivery of Carolena and all the things that went right. I have wanted to write a post about for all the things I am grateful. I have wanted to write a post about all the frustrating things that have happened. However, none of these have been written. So, here I am going to try and put everything into one post.
First off, Carolena is doing very well considering the severity of her heart defects. There are so many other things that can also be wrong with her anatomy due to her heart but so far we have been blessed in that these things are relatively minor. I say minor in considering what we are comparing them to. There is still debate over whether Carolena has no spleen or several small spleens. Dr. H. is pretty insistent that she more than likely has several small spleens but they are not going to be visible at this time. Maybe when she gets a little older and bigger. Probably the most serious side effect of her heart defects on her other anatomy is that she has malrotation of her stomach and intestines. Because her heart is only right sided her body responded by forming her other organs accordingly. What this means is that her stomach and intestines have switched sides of the body. Good news is that everything is there and is functioning properly, ie she is eating and pooping just fine. However, she does run an increased risk of having her bowels twist which could become very serious if the bowel becomes blocked. Surgery is required to correct but Dr. H. wants to hold off on doing the surgery until we actually see her having problems arise from this malrotation. He has said she may never have a problem with it at all. He does not believe in doing a surgery just to be proactive when it is not necessary. I am so completely grateful for this thinking as I am wanting to save all her strength and energy for her heart surgeries. We know for a fact she will need the bi-directional glen open heart surgery around 6 months and she will need the full fontan repair open heart surgery around 2 years of age. Outside the stomach issue, the only other possible surgery is having to do an open heart surgery prior to 6 months to correct her pulmonary veins that are kinda running haywire and to band off her main pulmonary artery to restrict some of the blood flow to her lungs. Right now she is in the 90's on her oxygen saturations but Dr. H. thinks these may come down to where he would like to see them once she outgrows the infant stage. He also wants to do a heart catherization around 6 weeks of age to check on her heart anatomy from the inside. So all in all she is doing well. Sounds like she is not but she really is. She is eating, breathing, sleeping, peeing, pooping and behaving like any other normal infant. Only down side to being able to come home soon is she will be on house arrest (no going anywhere, extremely limited contact with anyone outside of me, Kevin and the boys) with at least 1 if not 2 visits to St. Pete each week. BUT, being home soon, especially prior to any surgery, will be awesome.
The boys are doing well without us being at home. There have been some minor issues but nothing out of the range of normal 4 and 6 year old boys. I think Todd misses us the most and it breaks my heart. I have been away from home for a week now and completely miss the mundane routine normalcy of our usual day. Hospitals really suck time. An entire week disappears before you even realize it. Big thanks to both Grandma and Pappi for taking care of the boys and keeping them on a pretty regular schedule. Both are going to school and generally have not been disrupted too much. I am not sure how it will all be once we get home but we will all just have to adapt. Kyle seems to not be suffering too much. He really is an adaptable kid and for that I am so thankful.
As I mentioned before I have wanted to do a post for all the things I am grateful for but I have not been able to sit down and put in the proper amount of time. I am continually reminding myself to be grateful for all the things we do have and not let all the little aggravations and frustrations get to me. Each time a new baby is brought into the CVICU I am reminded of how much worse we could be right now. We still have such a long way to go so I am just trying to stay as positive as possible. For today, instead of trying to do a long post of all things I am grateful for I am going to focus on one thing. I hope to be better at posting and then I can do something I am grateful for each day...because I really feel I could do one post a day for an entire year and not repeat one item.
Today I am focusing on Kevin. As all married couples we have issues and are not always in sync. We argue and fight for control. We love each other but well like any two independent people trying to make a life together we have issues. However, Kevin has been an amazing partner, father and doer of all things wonderful this past week. Please know that I am not surprised by this but an truly grateful. Kevin has taken on the brunt of the work. He is juggling taking care of me after my c-section, doing our required work at the Ronald McDonald House (even going to Publix to buy me my favorite snack foods and laundry detergent and cleaning all the sheets and towels because I am so picky about stuff like that), making sure the boys are still feeling special (taking them to a baseball game, coordinating care of the boys and making sure Kyle has his b-day party this weekend), making sure he is here every day when the doctors do rounds so he can be involved with the discussions on Carolena's progress and care and also trying to stay on top of work since everything is still so iffy with work. I know he is sacrificing sleep to make sure the rest of us are all okay. He is running in a million different directions and still takes time to make sure I eat enough, drink enough, take my pain pills, sit enough and do not lose my sanity sitting in a hospital all day. He made it possible for me to have my computer with me and skype to video call. He brought the hard drive so we could watch movies through the computer. He has definitely made it possible for me to spend all of my day being with Carolena which is where I want to be right now. For all of this and more I am grateful to be married to Kevin. I know I would never have made it this far without him and his support.
First off, Carolena is doing very well considering the severity of her heart defects. There are so many other things that can also be wrong with her anatomy due to her heart but so far we have been blessed in that these things are relatively minor. I say minor in considering what we are comparing them to. There is still debate over whether Carolena has no spleen or several small spleens. Dr. H. is pretty insistent that she more than likely has several small spleens but they are not going to be visible at this time. Maybe when she gets a little older and bigger. Probably the most serious side effect of her heart defects on her other anatomy is that she has malrotation of her stomach and intestines. Because her heart is only right sided her body responded by forming her other organs accordingly. What this means is that her stomach and intestines have switched sides of the body. Good news is that everything is there and is functioning properly, ie she is eating and pooping just fine. However, she does run an increased risk of having her bowels twist which could become very serious if the bowel becomes blocked. Surgery is required to correct but Dr. H. wants to hold off on doing the surgery until we actually see her having problems arise from this malrotation. He has said she may never have a problem with it at all. He does not believe in doing a surgery just to be proactive when it is not necessary. I am so completely grateful for this thinking as I am wanting to save all her strength and energy for her heart surgeries. We know for a fact she will need the bi-directional glen open heart surgery around 6 months and she will need the full fontan repair open heart surgery around 2 years of age. Outside the stomach issue, the only other possible surgery is having to do an open heart surgery prior to 6 months to correct her pulmonary veins that are kinda running haywire and to band off her main pulmonary artery to restrict some of the blood flow to her lungs. Right now she is in the 90's on her oxygen saturations but Dr. H. thinks these may come down to where he would like to see them once she outgrows the infant stage. He also wants to do a heart catherization around 6 weeks of age to check on her heart anatomy from the inside. So all in all she is doing well. Sounds like she is not but she really is. She is eating, breathing, sleeping, peeing, pooping and behaving like any other normal infant. Only down side to being able to come home soon is she will be on house arrest (no going anywhere, extremely limited contact with anyone outside of me, Kevin and the boys) with at least 1 if not 2 visits to St. Pete each week. BUT, being home soon, especially prior to any surgery, will be awesome.
The boys are doing well without us being at home. There have been some minor issues but nothing out of the range of normal 4 and 6 year old boys. I think Todd misses us the most and it breaks my heart. I have been away from home for a week now and completely miss the mundane routine normalcy of our usual day. Hospitals really suck time. An entire week disappears before you even realize it. Big thanks to both Grandma and Pappi for taking care of the boys and keeping them on a pretty regular schedule. Both are going to school and generally have not been disrupted too much. I am not sure how it will all be once we get home but we will all just have to adapt. Kyle seems to not be suffering too much. He really is an adaptable kid and for that I am so thankful.
As I mentioned before I have wanted to do a post for all the things I am grateful for but I have not been able to sit down and put in the proper amount of time. I am continually reminding myself to be grateful for all the things we do have and not let all the little aggravations and frustrations get to me. Each time a new baby is brought into the CVICU I am reminded of how much worse we could be right now. We still have such a long way to go so I am just trying to stay as positive as possible. For today, instead of trying to do a long post of all things I am grateful for I am going to focus on one thing. I hope to be better at posting and then I can do something I am grateful for each day...because I really feel I could do one post a day for an entire year and not repeat one item.
Today I am focusing on Kevin. As all married couples we have issues and are not always in sync. We argue and fight for control. We love each other but well like any two independent people trying to make a life together we have issues. However, Kevin has been an amazing partner, father and doer of all things wonderful this past week. Please know that I am not surprised by this but an truly grateful. Kevin has taken on the brunt of the work. He is juggling taking care of me after my c-section, doing our required work at the Ronald McDonald House (even going to Publix to buy me my favorite snack foods and laundry detergent and cleaning all the sheets and towels because I am so picky about stuff like that), making sure the boys are still feeling special (taking them to a baseball game, coordinating care of the boys and making sure Kyle has his b-day party this weekend), making sure he is here every day when the doctors do rounds so he can be involved with the discussions on Carolena's progress and care and also trying to stay on top of work since everything is still so iffy with work. I know he is sacrificing sleep to make sure the rest of us are all okay. He is running in a million different directions and still takes time to make sure I eat enough, drink enough, take my pain pills, sit enough and do not lose my sanity sitting in a hospital all day. He made it possible for me to have my computer with me and skype to video call. He brought the hard drive so we could watch movies through the computer. He has definitely made it possible for me to spend all of my day being with Carolena which is where I want to be right now. For all of this and more I am grateful to be married to Kevin. I know I would never have made it this far without him and his support.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Boys Loving on the Baby Girl
I just had to get some pictures of the boys giving the baby hugs and kisses. Of course the following pictures were not spontaneous but at least I have some pictures. The boys are actually pretty sweet about telling the baby they love her and giving my belly hugs and kisses. They tell her good night as well.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
A New Era
Kyle started Kindergarten today. He is now officially "in school." I never really considered PreK being in school. Probably because it is not required by law that children attend PreK, but a decision by the parents to have their children participate. So, we start a whole new era in our little world. An honest to goodness, real school attending child. I honestly do not know how we got here so quick and this is considering Kyle is starting later than most kids as his birthday is 3 days past the state required cutoff. He will be 6 for 95% of Kindergarten.
I really thought I would be sad and cry. I never cry. But somehow, maybe the pregnancy hormone thing, I was really feeling like I would. This morning I could not be more excited. I think I would have been the one jumping around hardly containing my excitement if that is in fact what responsible moms who have already been all the way through school do. Anyway, Kyle was excited. Which I love. Being excited about school is so cool. I want the boys to be excited. I want them to understand how important education is and how important it is for them to learn. I want for them to show this same enthusiasm all the way through college...high hopes I know, but maybe, just maybe.
I really thought I would be sad and cry. I never cry. But somehow, maybe the pregnancy hormone thing, I was really feeling like I would. This morning I could not be more excited. I think I would have been the one jumping around hardly containing my excitement if that is in fact what responsible moms who have already been all the way through school do. Anyway, Kyle was excited. Which I love. Being excited about school is so cool. I want the boys to be excited. I want them to understand how important education is and how important it is for them to learn. I want for them to show this same enthusiasm all the way through college...high hopes I know, but maybe, just maybe.
After being really excited last night, Todd's enthusiasm was not quite up to par this morning. It could be that whole he is not a a morning person ( just like me) but I think some of it was anxiety of starting a new school with a new teacher. He is not really used to the environment of his new school which is a more traditional setting with all different ages of kids milling around. I think he will get the hang of it after a few days. To make the day even more special, I got the boys cool new backpacks with matching lunchboxes and special surprise...new watches. I figured it was time (ha, ha) to start teaching the boys how to tell time on a real clock/watch. Kyle totally loves his, showed everyone...Todd, I think, needs a little more time to warm up to it.
At first I was a little put off by the (what I thought) was a weird transition period of having the boys come in on Tuesday for a half hour to meet with the teacher and then one full day of school on Thursday with just half of the class and then one full day on Friday with the whole class. But, I got to admit, I was wrong. I think this transition thing (while a a total pain for us working parents) is actually a good idea. Especially for Todd. And, again, this is yet one more reason I switched schools for the boys in that this new school does a little more hand holding for the little ones. Which is just so weird for me since I am all about making your own way, etc. I don't know, when it comes to my kiddos I just want them to be safe, protected and happy. And if they need more hand holding then I am going to find the place that works.
All in all I think this first day of leaving the boys in Kindergarten for Kyle and PreK 4 for Todd has gone well. I am hoping that the boys come home this afternoon filled with how much fun they had and how much they like the new school.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
It Only Took 5 Years...
But I have finally heard..."it's not fair"
Oh yes, the wonderful, wonderful concept of things not being fair has insidiously slipped its way into dear Kyle's lexicon. I was beginning to wonder...
Kyle has always been one to want to be the center of everyone's attention. He sincerely believes he is the sun and the rest of us are just merely the little planets and stars that orbit around him. Much as we try, my husband and I are unable to convince him otherwise.
So, we have finally reached the next step...Kyle now believes things are entirely "not fair" if Todd is allowed to do something that Kyle is not allowed to do. This usually only happens when Kyle is being punished because of his own behavior. BUT, we are also getting into "not fair" territory when Todd ends up doing something that Kyle has opted out of and then realizes after the fact that what Todd got to do was in fact quite fun. And, because well Todd got to be in the lime light while poor little ole Kyle has noone paying any attention to him at all...it's just not fair!
Oh the joy.
And even though I know this is quite typical of children this age, especially like gendered children close in age, I really wonder how over the top Kyle will get since he already truly believes he is the sun and Todd is just merely a planet in Kyle's orbit.
Oh yes, the wonderful, wonderful concept of things not being fair has insidiously slipped its way into dear Kyle's lexicon. I was beginning to wonder...
Kyle has always been one to want to be the center of everyone's attention. He sincerely believes he is the sun and the rest of us are just merely the little planets and stars that orbit around him. Much as we try, my husband and I are unable to convince him otherwise.
So, we have finally reached the next step...Kyle now believes things are entirely "not fair" if Todd is allowed to do something that Kyle is not allowed to do. This usually only happens when Kyle is being punished because of his own behavior. BUT, we are also getting into "not fair" territory when Todd ends up doing something that Kyle has opted out of and then realizes after the fact that what Todd got to do was in fact quite fun. And, because well Todd got to be in the lime light while poor little ole Kyle has noone paying any attention to him at all...it's just not fair!
Oh the joy.
And even though I know this is quite typical of children this age, especially like gendered children close in age, I really wonder how over the top Kyle will get since he already truly believes he is the sun and Todd is just merely a planet in Kyle's orbit.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
The Countdown is On
A week and a half until school starts, 3 weeks until the baby is delivered...yikes! Time is slipping by so fast.
Updates -
Kyle: He is still enjoying his science day camps. This morning he told me he does not like that summer and camp are only for another week. Go figure. He asks all the time if we are going on a vacation as we have gone to the Keys for a week the last couple of years. Unfortunately that is just not happening this year. I feel so bad that the boys have to miss out this year but there really is no other choice. Mom may take them for a weekend and Kevin has mentioned it as well. We really want to get them down there so they can go snorkeling and fishing again. Kyle is quite entertaining these days. He is having fewer temper tantrums (thank goodness) and cooperating more each day. He is still very bossy, wants everything to be his way and rarely listens BUT he is pretty consistent with everything else. I really hope he continues this trend and does not revert to old behavior. I think he is starting to show signs of being able to understand the concept of your actions = your consequences. Yea! Can hardly believe he is 4 weeks from turning 6. 6 just sounds so old.
Todd: Just as one boy starts behaving the other starts acting up. Todd has now decided that he is going to tell us what he will and will not be doing. Seriously. How did I get so lucky to have two of the most stubborn, bossiest boys. He really gives Kevin fits, me not so much. He is getting restless with being the younger sibling, being one myself I totally see it. He does not understand that at 4 he cannot do the same things as Kyle and that Kyle was not doing those things at 4 either. I am so proud with his seeming love affair with books. Both the boys really enjoy books and reading but Todd is something else. He wants you to read the book, then let him have it to look at and then sleep with the thing. He is the first one to want to go to the library with me, yea! Kyle has discovered video games, grrr....I try and keep a very tight reign on his play time but the kid just argues with me to no end.
Baby: Still doing very well considering. Extremely active, she moves all around her rapidly diminishing space. She is hiccuping a lot, which I understand from my OB is actually a good sign that all is well. She is also breathing in utero, has been for awhile now. Between the moving, hiccups and the breathing she is not making it easy for the lady doing the fetal echo to get all the info she needs. Gee, another stubborn, bossy child who wants things her way. Is there no end? At last measurement on 7/17 she was approx 18 inches and 5lbs, 4 ozs. So, I am thinking she will be around 7 1/2 lbs on delivery. Not too bad. Apparently she also has quite a head of hair on her. The exact words of the sonographer were..."there is enough thick (not fine wispy) hair to reflect the sound waves." At first I was thinking this was a good thing...at least she will not be bald, but now I am just hoping all the hair is just on her head! I had my last visit before delivery with the fetal cardiologist this past Mon, 7/27. All looks the same as before but he did see some back flow of blood from the pulmonary vein. I am hoping that it is just a very small thing (like a fluke this time) because if that flow is there at birth then we will have no choice but to do the first, shunt surgery. The back flow means the pulmonary vein is too narrow and there is not enough blood getting to the lungs. We did a tour of the hospital I will be in and also got our questions answered for delivery day. Also did a tour of the Ronald McDonald House. Now all we can do is wait and pray that I do not go into labor at home prior to Aug 19.
The boys are starting school the week of August 10. I think Todd is just so excited to be in "real" school. I have gotten must of the stuff they will be needing. Still a few things I need to finish but most is done. Backpacks. Lunchboxes. Rain jackets. School supplies. Uniforms. Tuition. Check, all done. Still need to get some cold weather stuff but that can wait. I am very glad I will be here to navigate the first week of school with them. I will be really upset if the baby does not stay put and I have to go to St. Pete earlier than planned. I really, really want to be with the boys when they start school.
Other than some last preparations I think we are physically ready for delivery. I would be lying if I said we were emotionally stable. Both Kevin and I are scared. There are still so many unanswered questions we get overwhelmed. On top of everything we have with the baby we also have to coordinate home stuff. Making sure the boys are taken care of and that all our normal day to day stuff is taken care of. We have gotten as far as planing the first week after delivery. Now on to the next 100 or so weeks.
Updates -
Kyle: He is still enjoying his science day camps. This morning he told me he does not like that summer and camp are only for another week. Go figure. He asks all the time if we are going on a vacation as we have gone to the Keys for a week the last couple of years. Unfortunately that is just not happening this year. I feel so bad that the boys have to miss out this year but there really is no other choice. Mom may take them for a weekend and Kevin has mentioned it as well. We really want to get them down there so they can go snorkeling and fishing again. Kyle is quite entertaining these days. He is having fewer temper tantrums (thank goodness) and cooperating more each day. He is still very bossy, wants everything to be his way and rarely listens BUT he is pretty consistent with everything else. I really hope he continues this trend and does not revert to old behavior. I think he is starting to show signs of being able to understand the concept of your actions = your consequences. Yea! Can hardly believe he is 4 weeks from turning 6. 6 just sounds so old.
Todd: Just as one boy starts behaving the other starts acting up. Todd has now decided that he is going to tell us what he will and will not be doing. Seriously. How did I get so lucky to have two of the most stubborn, bossiest boys. He really gives Kevin fits, me not so much. He is getting restless with being the younger sibling, being one myself I totally see it. He does not understand that at 4 he cannot do the same things as Kyle and that Kyle was not doing those things at 4 either. I am so proud with his seeming love affair with books. Both the boys really enjoy books and reading but Todd is something else. He wants you to read the book, then let him have it to look at and then sleep with the thing. He is the first one to want to go to the library with me, yea! Kyle has discovered video games, grrr....I try and keep a very tight reign on his play time but the kid just argues with me to no end.
Baby: Still doing very well considering. Extremely active, she moves all around her rapidly diminishing space. She is hiccuping a lot, which I understand from my OB is actually a good sign that all is well. She is also breathing in utero, has been for awhile now. Between the moving, hiccups and the breathing she is not making it easy for the lady doing the fetal echo to get all the info she needs. Gee, another stubborn, bossy child who wants things her way. Is there no end? At last measurement on 7/17 she was approx 18 inches and 5lbs, 4 ozs. So, I am thinking she will be around 7 1/2 lbs on delivery. Not too bad. Apparently she also has quite a head of hair on her. The exact words of the sonographer were..."there is enough thick (not fine wispy) hair to reflect the sound waves." At first I was thinking this was a good thing...at least she will not be bald, but now I am just hoping all the hair is just on her head! I had my last visit before delivery with the fetal cardiologist this past Mon, 7/27. All looks the same as before but he did see some back flow of blood from the pulmonary vein. I am hoping that it is just a very small thing (like a fluke this time) because if that flow is there at birth then we will have no choice but to do the first, shunt surgery. The back flow means the pulmonary vein is too narrow and there is not enough blood getting to the lungs. We did a tour of the hospital I will be in and also got our questions answered for delivery day. Also did a tour of the Ronald McDonald House. Now all we can do is wait and pray that I do not go into labor at home prior to Aug 19.
The boys are starting school the week of August 10. I think Todd is just so excited to be in "real" school. I have gotten must of the stuff they will be needing. Still a few things I need to finish but most is done. Backpacks. Lunchboxes. Rain jackets. School supplies. Uniforms. Tuition. Check, all done. Still need to get some cold weather stuff but that can wait. I am very glad I will be here to navigate the first week of school with them. I will be really upset if the baby does not stay put and I have to go to St. Pete earlier than planned. I really, really want to be with the boys when they start school.
Other than some last preparations I think we are physically ready for delivery. I would be lying if I said we were emotionally stable. Both Kevin and I are scared. There are still so many unanswered questions we get overwhelmed. On top of everything we have with the baby we also have to coordinate home stuff. Making sure the boys are taken care of and that all our normal day to day stuff is taken care of. We have gotten as far as planing the first week after delivery. Now on to the next 100 or so weeks.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Exactly 6 Weeks From Today...
we will welcome our sweet baby girl to this new life...August 19 is the scheduled date for delivery.
As there has to be coordination with numerous people, barring a major catastrophe with one of the doctors who needs to be at delivery, this date will not change. Just to give you an idea...there will be the doctor delivering, another OB to assist as is standard with a c-section delivery, the regular delivery nurses, the anesthesiologist (to place and monitor my spinal block), a team of nicu nurses for baby transport, a neonatologist and his team to asses the baby, an echo tech to do the echo on the baby's heart, etc., etc., etc. I almost feel like Princess Di when she delivered the next heir to the throne, William, except for the whole problem with the baby's heart thing.
Yesterday we visited with Dr. H in St. Pete and also Dr. M at St. Pete MFM. All is a go. Dr. H mentioned yet again that we may be able to avoid the first surgery, placement of the shunt. So, that is good news as apparently the pulmonary stenosis is not narrowing as much as he expected to see. He did however mention a new possibility...doing a balloon into the ASD (node on top of heart in atrium) to make sure there is enough of an opening between the atria to keep the blood going to the lungs. Sounds to me like it will be one or the other of the surgeries, not both...and we may still get away without doing one at all. Obviously I would prefer to have no surgery at all, but if we have to have some sort of surgery and if I get a choice (ha ha) I would chose the balloon procedure as my understanding is this is a much less invasive procedure than the shunt. There is still a tiny bit of fluid under the heart but Dr. H does not believe this has anything to do with heart function or failure. But still only got 9/10 on the heart score because the fluid is in fact there. 9/10 means we have 1 chance on heart failure. Very, very good number. Everything else is moving right along. The baby girl weighs around 4lbs 10oz now. She keeps it up she will be my biggest baby yet. Quite possible an 8 pounder. Dr. M will be doing the delivery and he confirmed that all looks very good with the baby (minus the heart stuff. obviously). He seems very nice and I was quite comfortable with him...which is very good for me as he will be the one cutting me open.
Right now the biggest concern from all the doctors is making sure I keep my sugar very tightly controlled. This is very hard for me as I am super sensitive to any non fruit/veggie carbohydrate (this would include breads, pastas, rice, potatoes, beans). I eat only the approved carbs of whole grains, etc to no avail...they still raise my sugar too high. So, what I am left with is to cut in half the number of carbs I am allowed at each meal (consisting mostly of the fruit/veggie kind) and absolutely no sugar of any kind. Boo hoo. Other than the health benefits for the baby...ie making sure I get this baby to term...I am hoping my weight will stay in check and I won't gain too much more. Easier to lose it that way. Although I have a feeling that may not be as much a problem this time around with all the stress, worry I will be doing. No just sitting around the house all day with a sleeping, nursing infant and endless food around.
The boys are back with us after enjoying a week and a half vacay with Pappi. They had a blast in Alabama. A little hard for them to settle back into normalcy again but they are adjusting. Kyle started going to day camp at the kids science museum, Imaginarium, and I think he is really liking this one. He did not seem very keen on the art day camp I had him go to the week before his vacay. Despite how much he likes to color and draw and how much he likes music, he is a science freak at heart. Todd is still at his same school as he is still considered to be in daycare. He is having fun though as each day is something different and he gets to do cool things like dress up and bring his lunch to school for picnics. I can hardly believe they will both be in real school staring August 10. Todd in K4 and Kyle in K. That is just 5 weeks away. Last night when I checked on the boys after they went to sleep I just stood there looking at them...they still seem so little to me, with their precious faces and small hands. Yet, here we are...both of them such big boys. Awake and running around, they do not even resemble the little boys they were just a few short years ago. Of course they cannot let anything be easy as they ask me at least once EVERY day why they cannot be in the same class at school. They just do not understand the age difference thing.
I am not sure how many more baby updates there will be from this point on. I am seeing at least one doctor each week but have only one more scheduled appointment with Dr. H in St. Pete before the delivery. At this point the visits are more about making sure everything is the same. Of course if something drastic happens we will let everyone know. Right now we are status quo and will try to enjoy the next 6 weeks before our normal lives are turned upside down.
And, we still do not have a name for the baby.
As there has to be coordination with numerous people, barring a major catastrophe with one of the doctors who needs to be at delivery, this date will not change. Just to give you an idea...there will be the doctor delivering, another OB to assist as is standard with a c-section delivery, the regular delivery nurses, the anesthesiologist (to place and monitor my spinal block), a team of nicu nurses for baby transport, a neonatologist and his team to asses the baby, an echo tech to do the echo on the baby's heart, etc., etc., etc. I almost feel like Princess Di when she delivered the next heir to the throne, William, except for the whole problem with the baby's heart thing.
Yesterday we visited with Dr. H in St. Pete and also Dr. M at St. Pete MFM. All is a go. Dr. H mentioned yet again that we may be able to avoid the first surgery, placement of the shunt. So, that is good news as apparently the pulmonary stenosis is not narrowing as much as he expected to see. He did however mention a new possibility...doing a balloon into the ASD (node on top of heart in atrium) to make sure there is enough of an opening between the atria to keep the blood going to the lungs. Sounds to me like it will be one or the other of the surgeries, not both...and we may still get away without doing one at all. Obviously I would prefer to have no surgery at all, but if we have to have some sort of surgery and if I get a choice (ha ha) I would chose the balloon procedure as my understanding is this is a much less invasive procedure than the shunt. There is still a tiny bit of fluid under the heart but Dr. H does not believe this has anything to do with heart function or failure. But still only got 9/10 on the heart score because the fluid is in fact there. 9/10 means we have 1 chance on heart failure. Very, very good number. Everything else is moving right along. The baby girl weighs around 4lbs 10oz now. She keeps it up she will be my biggest baby yet. Quite possible an 8 pounder. Dr. M will be doing the delivery and he confirmed that all looks very good with the baby (minus the heart stuff. obviously). He seems very nice and I was quite comfortable with him...which is very good for me as he will be the one cutting me open.
Right now the biggest concern from all the doctors is making sure I keep my sugar very tightly controlled. This is very hard for me as I am super sensitive to any non fruit/veggie carbohydrate (this would include breads, pastas, rice, potatoes, beans). I eat only the approved carbs of whole grains, etc to no avail...they still raise my sugar too high. So, what I am left with is to cut in half the number of carbs I am allowed at each meal (consisting mostly of the fruit/veggie kind) and absolutely no sugar of any kind. Boo hoo. Other than the health benefits for the baby...ie making sure I get this baby to term...I am hoping my weight will stay in check and I won't gain too much more. Easier to lose it that way. Although I have a feeling that may not be as much a problem this time around with all the stress, worry I will be doing. No just sitting around the house all day with a sleeping, nursing infant and endless food around.
The boys are back with us after enjoying a week and a half vacay with Pappi. They had a blast in Alabama. A little hard for them to settle back into normalcy again but they are adjusting. Kyle started going to day camp at the kids science museum, Imaginarium, and I think he is really liking this one. He did not seem very keen on the art day camp I had him go to the week before his vacay. Despite how much he likes to color and draw and how much he likes music, he is a science freak at heart. Todd is still at his same school as he is still considered to be in daycare. He is having fun though as each day is something different and he gets to do cool things like dress up and bring his lunch to school for picnics. I can hardly believe they will both be in real school staring August 10. Todd in K4 and Kyle in K. That is just 5 weeks away. Last night when I checked on the boys after they went to sleep I just stood there looking at them...they still seem so little to me, with their precious faces and small hands. Yet, here we are...both of them such big boys. Awake and running around, they do not even resemble the little boys they were just a few short years ago. Of course they cannot let anything be easy as they ask me at least once EVERY day why they cannot be in the same class at school. They just do not understand the age difference thing.
I am not sure how many more baby updates there will be from this point on. I am seeing at least one doctor each week but have only one more scheduled appointment with Dr. H in St. Pete before the delivery. At this point the visits are more about making sure everything is the same. Of course if something drastic happens we will let everyone know. Right now we are status quo and will try to enjoy the next 6 weeks before our normal lives are turned upside down.
And, we still do not have a name for the baby.
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