Monday, December 30, 2013

Christmas 2013

Christmas was wonderful this year. WE were able to spend lots of time with family and were able to celebrate Jesus' birth with those that we love. `The kids are loving singing "Happy birthday" to Jesus on Christmas Eve, and I am so thankful that it is a tradition that my parents started with us. We were all sick on Christmas Eve with colds, so didn't do all the visiting that we had planned but still it was nice. We did go to the Christmas Eve service at our church, and we had dinner at my parents, and typically a large party is planned but my mom called everyone to say we wouldn't be doing the big party as our family was sick and she didn't want to expose everyone. I was happy to be able to be out and not be home and not spending time with our family. Christmas Day was wonderful. The kids were thrilled with their gifts. We were so blessed this year by the generosity of some wonderful people. My parents as well as one of my husbands co-workers helped us get gifts for the kids this year. I can't even begin to tell you how blessed we were to receive these gifts. Each of the kids got one special gift that they were really really hoping for. Sophia got an American girl doll and was beyond excited. She also got clothing for her doll and some lip gloss and clothing. Sam got a snow board and legos that he had really wanted. Preston got this sweet little Mickey chair that he absolutely is thrilled about. And little miss Paisley got Sophia the Giraffe which she is loving chewing on.

Saturday, December 28, 2013

My baby stopped breathing

I can't even begin to explain the horrible experience that we had the night before thanksgiving. The four children and I travelled down to North Carolina to have thanksgiving with all the family. More than forty people were expected and I was desperately looking forward to it. Unfortunately the week before we left Matt learned that he would have to work. It was so disappointing that he wouldn't be able to come too. I will write multiple posts about our trip sometime but for now just the craziness. On Wednesday before thanksgiving Paisley was unusually cranky and miserable. She wasn't nursing well and was so uncomfortable. My mom wondered if maybe she was overstimulated so she took her to a quiet place in the rental house. She was cooing and smiling at my mom and then Out of no where started this horrible screaming. My mom was trying to console her thinking maybe she needed a burp or something. She was screaming uncontrollably and then just stopped. She stopped breathing!!! The first time it happened I was in shock and as my mom stimulated her she started breathing again but didn't look quite right. The second time it happened I started to panic as we were waiting for the EMTs. God met us in those moments. My sister Johanna stared praying and seeking god's healing for my girl. My mom started singing Jesus loves me to her. His peace was palpable in those moments. And although I felt like I was falling apart in those moments God brought us through. Days later when I was speaking with my nephew he asked me why I was so calm. I certainly hadn't felt that way but God's peace flowed outwardly. I was happy to hear him say that and to give God the credit. A testimony to His provision in times of need. Paisley was admitted to the PICU for three days. Due to the three events (she stopped a third time once the EMTs were there) we were monitored very closely and set set up to have lots of specialists once we got home. The consensus at the time was that she had stopped breathing due to severe reflux. The chest x-ray that she had while in the pedi ER showed chronic microaspiration, so they attributed what had happened to that.

Sunday, November 17, 2013

World Prematurity Day

Today, November 17th is world prematurity day. In honor of all the preemies who have left this world too soon, who have struggled more than anyone should ever have to, and for my precious miracles who all came too soon, I will post their stories.... When I went into pre-term labor with Sammy at 27 weeks I was dumbfounded. I had no thoughts that this would ever happen to me. I had thought that I was eating healthy, exercising, resting appropriately and doing all that the doctors recommended. I was placed on bed rest and on medications to stop the contractions. I was able to carry Sam's pregnancy to 35 weeks and 4 days. At that point I was diagnosed with severe pre-eclampsia and HELLP Syndrome. I was induced to save both of our lives. When he was born he had poor apgar scores and had to be resuscitated. He spent 19 days in the NICU, had lots of apnea/bradycardia issues. He also was jaundiced and had some feeding issues. He is now 7, and is thriving. He has some medical issues but he is doing so well. When I again went into preterm labor at 28 weeks with Sophia Grace, I was absolutely heartbroken. I so desperately wanted a full term healthy baby. Thankfully because I had already had one preemie I was able to get steroids to help develop Sophia's lungs faster. When she was born at 35weeks and 1 day I was thrilled when she came out screaming and was 5lb 8oz. She had TTN, which is "transient tachypnea of the newborn", but it resolved quickly. She also was jaundiced but was able to come home on day 5. It was wonderful having her come home so quickly. When I got pregnant with Preston in 2011, I initially starting seeing a regular OB doctor, but around 20 weeks started having elevated liver tests, and there was a thought to induce labor so that I would deliver the baby and not get sicker. I was adamant that I wasn't going to have the baby that early. I decided to go to the high risk OB's in Boston, and it was a wonderful decision. They listened to every complaint I had and gave me steroids as I requested. With Preston I never officially had HELLP Syndrome but the doctors believed I was headed in that direction so they wanted to deliver him. I delivered Preston at 34 weeks and 3 days. He was my big boy weighing in at 5lb 15oz!!! Preston required intubation, bili lights, and some tube feedings, but was discharged from the hospital at 10 days of age. And then sweet Paisley. I expected that I would have complications this pregnancy and didn't expect that I would be able to carry to full term. Throughout the pregnancy there were more and more issues. My goal was just to make it to 34 weeks so that I could deliver at Emerson Hospital which is the hospital where I was born. Unfortunately I only made it to 33 weeks. Paisley weighed 4lb 3oz when she was born. She dealt with respiratory distress, some bradycardia, jaundice, poor feeding and some vomiting issues. She stayed in the hospital for what seemed like forever and was was discharged after 21 days in the hospital As you can see prematurity has played a huge role in my journey as a mother. I haven't gotten the experience of bringing home a full term chunky baby, or felt so big when I was nearing my due date. Please support preemies and the March of Dimes, and the research they can do to prevent this from continuing to happen to others.