Update: STILL PREGNANT (DAY 277) (I feel like I am writing my blog from some weird deserted island for pregnant ladies!)
Stats: 1 to 1-1/2 (close to 2 - see below) cm dilated, 50 (ISH)% effaced (you have to love those technical terms - 50%ish I swear that is what the Midwife said) and soft...
Exam: Ummm OUCH, *(&(%$)(#%)(#%() OUCHHHHHHHH
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It is cooler outside so for that I am grateful. Things that we did and I am looking forward to: we went to the County Fair last evening and a gathering of friends to visit with on Friday evening complete with BROWNIES (no ice cream - I am now in full denial mode... Pancake, NO MORE ICE CREAM.) YES, I had some the night before last even though I said no more. It was Cookies and Cream and I love Cookies and Cream. Plus it makes me feel better... Tsk tsk tsk, I know!
I am making a pedicure appointment for Saturday because I really want one and dammit if I am going to full term I will have cute toes when I get there.
Hey and it is pay day Friday... Oh wait I am NOT going to be paid because I stopped taking my draw. Wow, that totally rocks.
Hmm, well The X Files movie begins Friday - not that I will be seeing it on opening night but hey how long do movies take to get to DVD these days, like 30 days after release, right!? I am freakin' excited for the X Files movies to start. I do not want to hear about it if you see. I want to be surprised and impressed and fall in love with Scully and Mulder ALL over again! Now that is something to look forward to!
Next update on pregnancy stats: Wednesday July 30th at 9:45a (membranes will be stripped, baby better come or else... like threatening her works!)
Showing posts with label update. Show all posts
Showing posts with label update. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Appointment Number 300?!
We saw Liz, the midwife, this morning for the first time in like two months! Hip hip hooray! All is well with reference to the baby. I am still pregnant, shocking news I know!
My BP is 112 over 74 so good, Baby Pancake's heart rate was 130 and I am measuring 36 in the belly area. All of this is normal or so I am told.
I am beta strep positive so that means an IV hook up during labor again. I figured as much and it is all good. At least I know what it means this time and while it sucks to have an IV pole to drag around while in active labor it is what it is.
We also scheduled an induction date for various reasons. I am not telling when just because it is fun to keep you guessing. A hint: it is after the due date.
Finally, Liz checked me (and um OUCH!) I am 1 cm and about 50% effaced which was a surprise to us to some degree! That is mostly what I was with M but not until closer to 40 weeks and it never changed even during those 14 days overdue. I am keeping my chin up and hoping for some good strong storm fronts to sweep through the area! I am off to drink some Raspberry Leaf tea, by the gallon!
My BP is 112 over 74 so good, Baby Pancake's heart rate was 130 and I am measuring 36 in the belly area. All of this is normal or so I am told.
I am beta strep positive so that means an IV hook up during labor again. I figured as much and it is all good. At least I know what it means this time and while it sucks to have an IV pole to drag around while in active labor it is what it is.
We also scheduled an induction date for various reasons. I am not telling when just because it is fun to keep you guessing. A hint: it is after the due date.
Finally, Liz checked me (and um OUCH!) I am 1 cm and about 50% effaced which was a surprise to us to some degree! That is mostly what I was with M but not until closer to 40 weeks and it never changed even during those 14 days overdue. I am keeping my chin up and hoping for some good strong storm fronts to sweep through the area! I am off to drink some Raspberry Leaf tea, by the gallon!
Monday, April 21, 2008
Team Zachary Update
This is where my heart is today. Ann, my boss, writes updates on Zachary whose story I have told from time to time... She stopped Kevin and I in the parking lot on our way back into the building after lunch - she said the lead physician, Dr. Vose, called to say that Zachary may not live more then a few more days...
From Ann:
Zachary's current medical situation is highly challenged and precarious as he remains in a struggle to survive the stem cell transplant and the Graft-Versus-Host Disease. His digestive system remains very compromised from the past six weeks of this process. The challenge of the hour is located in the immense fluid accumulation that makes him look like the Michelin Man in every part of his body from the constant infusions he has been since having been re-admitted to the hospital on April 1st. His body is currently a massive chemistry experiment in balancing high doses of steroids, insulin, anti-rejection drugs, anti-cancer drugs, blood and platelet infusions, nutrients, antibiotics and all of his many 'normal' medications. This fluid retention has left him currently immobile and confined to his bed.
Of greatest current concern is the presence of fluid in his lungs.
To remedy this, Zachary is receiving oxygen and yesterday evening was placed on dialysis with the intent of giving him some relief by removing fluids from his blood. This is not a straightforward process, and the interdisciplinary team at the University of Nebraska Medical Center is working diligently to keep him alive. I will keep you posted.
Journaling
Last night I cried. And then I cried some more and when I was done I started crying again. I cried for me and for Dara and Zachary and that they keep coming up with more ways to torture my sweet boy. I cried because I just don't see what he could have done differently while staying true to himself. We knew this was going to be hell but oh my ... And I cried watching my wonderful husband who had spent the last 15 days with him join me in the place of tears thinking about his boy's body and all that it had endured. And the heart-wrenching-ness of not being able to do anything but just watch and know that not only is he suffering but that we signed up for this.
My niece saved $193 for Team Zachary. She handed it to me in a big stack of crumpled ones and fives and tens and twenties. She didn't really know how much there was in the pile she handed me. I wanted so much to give some back to her. "No, I don't need all your money, sweetheart." But her mother stopped me with a stare. Later her mother and I talked about the need for my niece to feel as though she was doing everything she could to help Zachary. My heart broke. I know how she feels. It's not as though she thinks that she can buy Zachary's safety, just that she has to live with herself. I understand and respect that. I share her want. The story is not about the money. The story is about how each of us lives our lives to the best of our ability so at the end of the day we rest peacefully with our heads on our pillows. I don't drop what I'm doing in Bloomington and go to Omaha because I think I am actually going to influence the outcome of this story. I do it because no matter what unfolds I have to live with me.
And then there has been the outpouring of help in Zachary's request to help him help others. I didn't think people really read these letters to be honest or maybe I would have stopped long ago just because no one can do someone else's story justice and certainly I can't with Zachary's. We have received 96 different donations from people. NINETY SIX! Many of you I know and many of you I don't know. It's a toss up as to which one touches my heart the most. With our matching dollars we are up to $84,430. Zachary and I discuss our progress every time I talk with him, so if you feel inclined to Help Zachary Help Others please send your check payable to the University of Nebraska Foundation to Ann St. John, 210 E. Gilbert Dr., Bloomington IN 47408. Or you can go to www.nufoundation.org/teamzachary to give by credit card. All donations are tax deductible. In the month of April our family will match your gift dollar for dollar. But Wait!! There's More!!! If you give in April, you will receive a darling post card with nine pictures of Zachary--and our thanks ... everybody needs one of those!
Please keep Zachary & his family in your thoughts and prayers. I have found that sometimes there is a maybe with Cancer.
From Ann:
Zachary's current medical situation is highly challenged and precarious as he remains in a struggle to survive the stem cell transplant and the Graft-Versus-Host Disease. His digestive system remains very compromised from the past six weeks of this process. The challenge of the hour is located in the immense fluid accumulation that makes him look like the Michelin Man in every part of his body from the constant infusions he has been since having been re-admitted to the hospital on April 1st. His body is currently a massive chemistry experiment in balancing high doses of steroids, insulin, anti-rejection drugs, anti-cancer drugs, blood and platelet infusions, nutrients, antibiotics and all of his many 'normal' medications. This fluid retention has left him currently immobile and confined to his bed.
Of greatest current concern is the presence of fluid in his lungs.
To remedy this, Zachary is receiving oxygen and yesterday evening was placed on dialysis with the intent of giving him some relief by removing fluids from his blood. This is not a straightforward process, and the interdisciplinary team at the University of Nebraska Medical Center is working diligently to keep him alive. I will keep you posted.
Journaling
Last night I cried. And then I cried some more and when I was done I started crying again. I cried for me and for Dara and Zachary and that they keep coming up with more ways to torture my sweet boy. I cried because I just don't see what he could have done differently while staying true to himself. We knew this was going to be hell but oh my ... And I cried watching my wonderful husband who had spent the last 15 days with him join me in the place of tears thinking about his boy's body and all that it had endured. And the heart-wrenching-ness of not being able to do anything but just watch and know that not only is he suffering but that we signed up for this.
My niece saved $193 for Team Zachary. She handed it to me in a big stack of crumpled ones and fives and tens and twenties. She didn't really know how much there was in the pile she handed me. I wanted so much to give some back to her. "No, I don't need all your money, sweetheart." But her mother stopped me with a stare. Later her mother and I talked about the need for my niece to feel as though she was doing everything she could to help Zachary. My heart broke. I know how she feels. It's not as though she thinks that she can buy Zachary's safety, just that she has to live with herself. I understand and respect that. I share her want. The story is not about the money. The story is about how each of us lives our lives to the best of our ability so at the end of the day we rest peacefully with our heads on our pillows. I don't drop what I'm doing in Bloomington and go to Omaha because I think I am actually going to influence the outcome of this story. I do it because no matter what unfolds I have to live with me.
And then there has been the outpouring of help in Zachary's request to help him help others. I didn't think people really read these letters to be honest or maybe I would have stopped long ago just because no one can do someone else's story justice and certainly I can't with Zachary's. We have received 96 different donations from people. NINETY SIX! Many of you I know and many of you I don't know. It's a toss up as to which one touches my heart the most. With our matching dollars we are up to $84,430. Zachary and I discuss our progress every time I talk with him, so if you feel inclined to Help Zachary Help Others please send your check payable to the University of Nebraska Foundation to Ann St. John, 210 E. Gilbert Dr., Bloomington IN 47408. Or you can go to www.nufoundation.org/teamzachary to give by credit card. All donations are tax deductible. In the month of April our family will match your gift dollar for dollar. But Wait!! There's More!!! If you give in April, you will receive a darling post card with nine pictures of Zachary--and our thanks ... everybody needs one of those!
Please keep Zachary & his family in your thoughts and prayers. I have found that sometimes there is a maybe with Cancer.
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