Friday, August 28, 2009

Day 37: T-1

There are bad days, like Tuesday. And there are days when you have to take the good with the bad. And then, there are good days. Like today. Today has been a very good day.

This morning, the kids went on the heartbeat monitor. The instant Bobby went on, I could hear a marked difference. The arythmia is still present, however, he stayed within 130s-150s. But he sounded less like a train rumbling along the tracks (that lumbering sound) and closer to a regular heartbeat with a skipped beat or an added beat along the way. Even the nurse commented that he sounded better this morning than on Monday when she monitored me before. She was able to keep on the monitor for several seconds at a time, but he was moving also, which, with the arythmia, isnt fun for the monitor. But we heard him and he sounded so much better. Even after his 15 minutes of solo monitoring, he would stay on the monitor by himself for seconds at a time. Maya was fine once she was hooked up. It was such a nice way to start the day. They were both very active and just hearing a more normal sound was great.

So, Peter's mom came around lunchtime and, while she was here, Dr. Bailey came. He was really happy with Bobby's monitoring and with how the meds are working to bring his HB back into normal ranges. He congratulated us on reaching 26w tomorrow. He's just as happy as we are! While we were discussing things, I said that I had my baby shower scheduled for the 30w mark and, how would he feel about me leaving the hospital for a few hours on Sept 26th for that. To which he replied, "You'll be home by then!" I asked if we were still looking at the Sept 12th discharge and he said YES!!! That they dont keep mothers for a baby's arythmia unless the SVT is present and that I will need to be monitored for that, but that, assuming my cervix holds, the 12th is good! I cant believe it! I thought I was going to cry! So, as we were discussing what the 26w mark holds, he said that the hospital has a 90% success rate with 26w babies. While we are chatting, a flower delivery comes. I am surprised because, you'd think, if someone was going to send flowers, they would have done it earlier. So, he takes the card out the bag as my MIL asks who sent them. I look over the tag and cant tell (dont you love the new "cards" that arent really cards at all...), so he looks at it and says "Oh, it's here". I look at the card and it reads: "Congratulations on 28 weeks. Love, Dr. Bailey and staff".

I burst into tears. It is a beautiful arrangement of summer flowers in a basket.
I stood up and we embraced and kissed on the cheek. As I said "Thank you so much, I dont know what I would do without you," he replied with "Carol, I love you and these kids. And the kiddos are going to be absolutely fine. Dont you worry." I told him that we loved him as well and were just so grateful for his help. He joked that I'd better get back in bed so I didnt "mess up his stitch", and we finished discussing 26w and this milestone, and how the next 2w bring us even closer to everything being perfect.

As if that wasn't enough for today, I also had an ultrasound. Not only did my cervix measure 1.6, the same as last week, but they didnt see any fluid around Bobby's lungs or heart. And the babies are weighing about 2w ahead still! Bobby is 2lb 3oz and Maya is 2lb 4oz. The MFM doctor, Dr G, who was supervising the scan said, "Don't your babies know they are twins and are usually under 2 pounds for at least another week or two? They must think they are singles!" I laughed and said that we hadn't told them that yet. The tech, prior to the doctor arriving, did get me pictures, which Peter will scan in early next week (he will be here Sat-Mon, so no scanning...) They looked so wonderful. Bobby was sucking on his thumb and Maya was posing for the camera. I couldnt wipe the smile from my face.

So, I may be bruised from IV sticks and battered from not being able to stretch out comfortably in the hospital bed, but I am far from broken... And today, this good news, this is enough to last. The only thing that could have made today better would have been for the fetal cardiologist to suddenly appear and tell me Bobby's heart is perfect. But, I'll save that piece of good news for Monday. :)

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In introspective news... 10w ago, gestationally, Nicholas was born... And tomorrow, 9w and 8w, respectivelly, Alexander and Sophia were born. Each week, it hits me, these milestones we've made, but the big ones... Those are the ones that I ponder. If only... If...

Peter and I watched a Discovery Health program on a set of quintuplets born at 24w3d. I didnt want to watch but I felt compelled to. I needed to see the NICU and what they went through. And it was horrible. Inside, I kept praying "God, please dont let our babies need the NICU. Please let them be born full term, healthy, and safe." But yet, we need to see that too. We need to see and prepare for the "just in case" even as we pray for 10 more weeks.

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My blood sugar is still out of sorts. They keep raising my insulin to try and combat it. The endocrinologist came today and said that she thinks it will take at least another 7-10 days to regulate me. Until then, it's sticks and needles for me! But no complaints. Not a single one.

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Your prayers are working. :) Thank you. We feel so blessed.

29 comments:

Sherri said...

COntinued praying for you and your babies! I read your blog ALL the time, but have never posted a comment. I'm from the Dec. 09 babycenter boards. Such GREAT news today!! So happy to hear it!

Kate said...

yayyyyyyyyyy for good days.

Your doctors and medical staff blow me away. It's so heartwarming to see medical personnel treating their patients with respect and humanity. You're not just a number to them, they care about you. You are very very fortunhate and I'm so so happy that you have such great people working with you.

I hope and pray thhe next two weeks fly by fast.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Great day with great news. I will continue to pray for them. I look so forward to your posts. That was so sweet of them to send you flowers. It is so wonderful to hear how they have been taking care of you. Going home will be so awesome. God Bless.

Carrie said...

What a beautiful day! Full of wonderful heart sounds, encouraging words from your ANGEL of a doctor and flowers! I am so glad you have a date to potentially come home. I ave lots of good feelings you'll be home then, too! :)

So, so, so happy for you today and for ALMOST 26 weeks. Can you believe the new countdown will start then? To a place where we can really exhale a little? This is too exciting! (Good thing we are both laying down.)

Juliet said...

Yes! I'm so happy for you and the babies. I'm also really hoping for you that the babes are born full term and healthy. Sending good thoughts your way.

MFA Mama said...

Awww Dr. Bailey is a GEM! Having such a nice supportive doctor makes all the difference in the world, doesn't it? So glad to hear that Bobby is doing better and good news on Maya continuing to do well; I am so hoping you three can go the distance with this pregnancy and get to a safer gestational age. Also, Peter sounds like a heckuva guy--good on him for being such a good husband and daddy.

Sprogblogger said...

Oh congratulations. I know I say it, like, every day, but I mean it every day. Each day reading your blog, it feels like you've hit another milestone - which, I suppose, you have. On to 38 weeks! So pleased that you and the kids are doing so well!

Anonymous said...

I am just thrilled that you had such a good day with Bobby's monitoring and the news about going home (and the flowers!). I have been following along all week even though I have not had a chance to comment and I have kept you guys in my thoughts.

Krystal said...

I am so HAPPY to hear your good news!!!

WAY TO GO MAMA!!!!

I was wondering how would I get a small box of goodies to you, Peter and your sweet little babie that are staying put!?

If you dont feel comfortable giving me a mailing address to your house, I can send it to a friend or a family member to pass along to you.

here is my Email: [email protected]

Donna said...

I'm so glad that you had such a good day!! you deserve it after the hard week you have had.

Keep growing little ones!!!

I can't wait to hear the good news about you getting to go home!

"Jay" said...

It sounds like today was a great day! I am so glad to hear the Bobby's heart rate is back to normal. I am so thrilled for you to reach 26 weeks! And so glad the prayers are working!

It seems like your healthcare team at the hospital are very caring and attentive. You are in good hands!

Anonymous said...

You have no idea who I am but I feel like I know you and Peter very well. I've been reading your blog for months now and have read everything (well, nearly everything), back from August 25, 2008. I think about you and your family daily and look forward each day to reading your new post, just to know that Bobby and Maya are still thriving. I felt compelled to write to you today because I got tears in my eyes when I read what the Dr. and his staff did for you for your 26w anniversary. I wanted to give you my "CONGRATULATIONS!" as well because you have certainly come a long way down a very rough road. I think you must be the strongest woman I have ever "known." Bobby and Maya are so lucky to have you as their momma!

Lots of love and good thoughts from Oregon,

Danae`

Virginia said...

Glad things are looking up.

Hugs & prayers,

Virginia

Barefoot said...

I teared up reading about your exchange with your doctor. What a special relationship.

Juliet said...

I just wanted to let you know that I've passed on the Honest Scrap Award to you. Your writing always touches my heart.

Busted Tube said...

Woohoo! Nothing like ending the week on a high note! That Dr. B is quite the gem, I'm so glad you have him and that he's being fantastic for you.

Reba said...

i love your doctor! and i love that you had a good day.

Kate said...

I so appreciate the care you are being given and the connection they are making with you and Peter as human beings. I am so glad that things are looking good *BIG BABIES* Yay! and
congratulations on 26 weeks,I am so so so so so glad.
Here's hoping for many more weeks of success, many of them, like, say, 10. (and no more scary stuff!)

xo
Kate

Baby Smiling In Back Seat said...

That is all great news! Happy just-about-26 weeks (give or take an hour)!

Stacie said...

I stumbled across your blog over a week ago (friend of a blog friend, etc) and I can honestly say that I check on your status everyday! I somehow feel a sense of joy for each day your babies are hanging on inside your belly! I am a mom of a one year little girl and have no experience with miscarriage or loss, but I just wanted to say that you have to be one of the strongest women I have ever come across. And that fact alone with make you a wonderful mother to those lucky twins! I hope to keep reading for at least 10 more weeks! My thoughts and prayers are with you and the kiddos everyday!

P.S. Congrats on the 26 week mark and for the beautiful flowers! That must have been wonderful!

Stacie

Anonymous said...

And we'll keep on praying!! I love that we are so close in gestation, every milestone you pass is such in encouragement to me as well..I'll be 25 weeks tomorrow :)
Tons of hugs from California,
Anna

Stace said...

So happy to hear things are looking up!!! I'm here silently praying for you. You have been such an inspiration to me. I can't wait for you to get your happy ending with these babies!! :)

k@lakly said...

AWESOME! I am so thrilled to read this. I hope the good news just keeps coming! And your doctor B sounds positively charming. What good and capable hands you are in. Keep on doing what you're doing and I'll keep hoping, mightily, for 10 more weeks for all of you.
xxoo

Tina said...

Your doctor sounds wonderful, what a special thing for him to do for you. But it sounds like he thinks you and your sweet babies are pretty special too.

Michelle said...

What a great day! I am so glad to hear that you had such a great day and your doctor sounds like a wonderful man!

Prayers are with you as always!

Catherine W said...

I'm glad you had a good day and it is wonderful news about Bobby's heart. Your doctor B sounds so lovely.

Bobby and Maya obviously don't realise they are twins, the rate at which they are growing. Lovely and big!

And those ifs . . even though G made it to the NICU. I can't help those ifs in my mind. I hope that Bobby and Maya don't have to go there. Although it is a wonderful place where they can do so much, I just hope and pray they don't need it. xx

Andie said...

Michele, I am so happy things are going well and that you have reached this milestone. How lovely that you were given flowers! :)

Andie

Sophie said...

Sniff! Your doctor is so sweet!! Wishing you many more days like today. Good ones, that is.
xx

Anonymous said...

I am totally blog stalking you. I found you on BabyCenter and we are due the same day. I was so worried when you missed a day that something was wrong. That day I was in the ER most of the afternoon for what turned out to be kidney stones. But sitting there on the TOCO monitor, all I could think about was your little ones. I am so glad to hear that things are going so well. My family prays for yours every night. Hang in there!