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Catie Update & General Ramblings Friday 2/12 AM update
- Feb 11, 2010 at 7:58 PM
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- Comments (13) Total Views (251) Everyone can see this journal post.
2/12/2010 - Friday 8am
Thank you all for your kind comments & well wishes. Please keep praying -- I think it's working.
Spent 2 hours in the NICU last night, and another 2 hours this morning.
Catie is now off of the oxygen cannula, and also got rid of one of the O2 monitors. She is left with 1 O2 monitor bracelet on her foot, 2 EKG stickers, and 2 IV's.
She was placed in an isolette last night not because she needs any special pressurization, but to help keep the noise down so she can rest.
Bloodwork from the Lumbar Puncture came back with a mild infection. Looks like a 5-10 day stint in NICU will be all that is needed, so she can get the IV antibiotics.
My milk has not come in yet. She's nursing colostrum, but afterwards when she's drained me, we're putting her on formula so she can get something. When I'm not with her, I'm pumping every 2 hours. That didn't happen yesterday -- there was an over-demand in breast pumps on the recovery floor. Don't ask how that happens.... I'm having my pump delivered today. It's ridiculous, but much easier than fighting with nurses and other bleary-eyed moms.
Andyman & Grammy & Grampy Squirrell are coming to visit today at 10. That's when I get my pump! I can't wait to see my big boy. People might get to see a window show of Catie; we'll have to see how things go. NICU rules w/H1N1 are only 2 adults in the NICU, no swapping.
Looks like I will be discharged tomorrow. I'm not in pain at all. Things for me are going really well. Pray for more good Catie vibes.
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2/11/2010: Thursday
I had a huge hate mail written to the Drs & Nurses. But I bagged it.
Short & sweet -- here is today.
1) I am healing fine. I'm exhausted. I don't have a catheter, and I don't have an IV. Have halved my dose of narcotics. My incision is sore, and it hurts to cough, sneeze, belch & fart.
2) I miss my son terribly.
3) I can't spend half enough time with Catie as I want. And she really needs me.
She needs me for nursing. That went well today. She nursed for over an hour, and slept the rest of the day.
We went up and held her while she slept another 2 hours this afternoon. All in all we were up there for 6 hours already in the NICU.
I'm about to go up for another "marathon" nursing session to hopefully give her some skin on skin time & tire her out tonight. But that's after a spinal tap. For her, not me.
4) Catie's vital signs are improving. But that is not all the doctors are requiring for her release. Yes she's pooping, and nursing, and suckling. And that's all great. But her bloodwork has been wonky.
Getting a clear answer out of the NICU docs has been problematic. And yes I have to deal with that. But they have been busy with micropreemies today, and I was incapable of dealing with them yesterday since I was bedridden.
Here's Catie's deal:
1) Her Apgar score was horrible (3) 30 min after delivery.
2) Blood work showed low red blood cell count & elevated white blood cells & protiens. A blood transfusion yesterday restored some of the blood she lost, and the resulting RBC's. The white cells were still elevated today. That says infection.
They are trying to figure out where the infection came from. More than likely it's Group B Strep (I have it). The question is where is the infection, and how long will it take to treat?
3) She looks to have some fluid on her lungs and a heart murmur. Those might go away with some better RBC counts and some nursing. Time will tell.
You would think a 39 week old baby would not have problems. We never expected them. I'm a little concerned. Makes me appreciate preemies' struggle that much more.
Right now I'm dealing with how to recover myself, give Catie what she needs (cuddles & colostrum), be her advocate without crying, and not forget about my Andyman.
They are expecting a 7-21 day stay for Catie, depending on how invasive the GBS is and how long it takes to treat.
I don't know how to manage recovering, being a wife & mother to a toddler in this situation.
As for me...the surgeon who performed my c-section stopped by today.
1) I did not have a placental abruption, as I was originally told. I just didn't contract. So she did some really fancy stitching to force my uterus to stop bleeding. Think of my uterus as a rump roast. Tie with string. Tightly.
2) There was no blood or meconium in the amniotic fluid Catie was left in.
3) There is no reason I couldn't have more kids as long as I have c-sections. However, even though that's a possibility, I think I'm done.
I am over the whole didn't have a VBAC birth. At this point I could care less. And I'm done dealing with it. I'll always be a little jealous, but I'm also jealous of the people who have timeshares in the Cayman islands too.
I know that in a month, this will all be behind me (except for the hospital bills). But I'd like to catch a break. Please pray for Catie -- she is only 40 hours old, and she's already been through Hell. She has me as a mother, she doesn't deserve any more trouble.
Comments:
Squirrell... it doesn't mater if the baby is full term or a micro premie. There is NOTHING scarier than your baby being sick and feeling like there is nothing you can do about it.
And its horrible not having a plan! I know those feelings. I had all of those and more with Nicholas.
But you have the added stress or worring about Andyman.
Just remember the best thing you can do for Catie is love her, and take care of yourself! You are doing all you can. Even tho it never feels like enough.
Sq your a great mom Andyman is proof of that!! So you have nothing to worry about there. Catie is in good hands, and she has an army of moms praying for her and her momma. Vent here to us were here for you!! Lots of love to you all.
(((HUGS))) You're doing exactly what you need to be doing! Listen to your heart. We all love ya girl, you're a great Mom!
All I can give is my support.. I am sorry that this is going on in your life.. but soon this will all be over and Catie will be home...
Hang in there..
Love you..
dk
Oh your a great mommy otherwise new mommies like me wouldn't be asking you for advice! Catie is in great hands. Take it easy. C-sections are tough but you should be getting the staple out soon which will make a huge difference. Thinking and praying for your whole family!!
Just Breathe! You have support from your family and your friends. We love you. You and Caite are in oour prayers.
We are praying for you guys. Whatever you do will be fine. Don't worry about Andyman...kids are resilient. You do what you have too to keep you healthy.
I truely believe that prayer is what saved Nicholas over and over again! I will absolutly keep you all in my prayers!!!
I am so glad to hear that she is doing better and that it is only a mild infection!!! Thank god!!!
As for the issolette... they are loud too. The noise gets in there an then bounces off the plastic walls. If they haven't already done so see if they'll let you put a crib quilt over the top. If they won't let you drape it over the sides... just leave it folded on the top.
And don't use the top of the issolete as a place to set things... and don't let the medical staff either. ITS LOUD! BTW... feel free to ignore any of my NICU advice I won't feel bad. Its just what I learned there from the nurses and from the preemie book I read.
I am sooo glad you will get to see andyman!!! YEAH!!!
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AW Squirrell. I can't offer much. Just a long distance hug. Catie, with you as a mother, has a LOT going for her!! Don't ever say that again.
And I want that timeshare in the Caymans, too!!!
SQUEEK
- squeegeatc
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