Day 10 bedrest .....

In 10 days, I've learned that....
1.  Luke is great at household chores, being a nurse, picking out all of our clothes, re-stocking my 'camp', running errands, etc.
2.  my new iPad is fabulous and almost essential
3.  washing hands under running water is so much better than hand sanitizer
4.  a daily shower is a luxury
5.  make-up can make life a little better
6.  a high ponytail is the new hairdo for 3 months
7.  TV is nice for noise but thats about it
8.  Hannah can bathe and dress herself
9.  People love to visit and bring food : )
10.  I can fix my hair and Hannah's hair in the bed
11.  I can take a 4 min shower when Luke is timing me  
12.  We have the greatest support system, I already knew it though.

19 weeks - Mt. Pleasant Hospital Visit

*** I also updated the 18 week appt with all the information from Plano Presby Hospital Visit.  First, you might want to read that post.  It is below this post.*** 

WOW!  What an amazing and unexpected week!  I will try to catch up from Saturday (Oct. 23).

After coming home from Plano Presby, we knew that I had to start labor on my own before Dr. Mason/Dr.Slovak could try to save baby B & C. I was very dilated and it was 'inevitable'.  I started contracting on my own on Saturday morning (5 AM). I called Dr. Slovak on her cell at 5:20 AM.  She was at the hospital and ready for me.  (Dr. Mason was out of town at a conference until Monday so Dr. Slovak was given all my information and knew 'the plan').   By 6:10 AM, Baby A was delivered at 18 1/2 weeks and was not viable.  All of this happened very quickly and in a sterile environment, which was the best case scenario.   Baby B and baby C still have an undisturbed sack.  We immediately had a sonogram.   Baby B and baby C have great little heartbeats.  Ok...so whats next? ...wait again...to make sure I don't get an infection or continue contracting.  I had a lot of visitors on Saturday to pass the time.  Hannah came to visit and was not affected at all by the 'hospital' environment.  She had a sleepover at the Penningtons and greatly enjoyed it !  Luke stayed with me at the hospital. 

Sunday, Oct. 24- Still in upside down position, in hospital bed with LOTS of antibiotic IVs.  Things still look good and my cervix began closing on its own...miracle.   First step to success !  Dr. Slovak came in Sunday evening to check everything and we were on track for an 'emergency' cerclage on Monday morning.  I had no pain other than my neck and shoulders from the 'trendellenberg' position.  Also, we had emergency tornado warnings and room evacuations...fun in the bed, upside down !  Jamie Carson came to spend the night.  Luke and Hannah had fun at home, trying to get back in a routine before the week. 

Monday, Oct. 25- Dr. Mason was back in town and came in early to check my status. Things still look great!  Emergency cerclage set for 9 AM.    Dr. Mason and Dr. Slovak performed cerclage and it went well.  No problems.  That evening, Drs Mason and Slovak, Melissa Mason, Teresa, mom, Luke, Carol were all there to view the success of the cerclage on the sonogram.  It was a very exciting time !  Cervix was closed and thick...which is what we want for two healthy babies.  We saw the babies kick around and heard the heartbeats.  Jan Jan spent the night.  Luke and Hannah went to Two Senoritas and enjoyed another night in my big bed.  :) 

Tuesday, Oct. 26- Still in hospital on antibiotics. Dr. Mason came in early and saw the babies on the sono.  We heard heartbeats.  Still no infection.  I rested most of the day and enjoyed the relief of a successful cerclage.  Still on strict bedrest with bathroom priveleges.  Hannah and Dad came to visit right after school.  Hannah was wild in the hospital and still adjusting to the excitement of lots of attention.  Carol spent the night with me and Gran and Papa Sandlin brought dinner to Hannah and Luke.  

Wednesday, Oct 27 (19 weeks)  - Released from hospital.  Cervical length at a 3.5 (normal is around 2-3) This is NOT dilation, this is cervical thickness and it is normal for a 19 week pregnancy.  No infection.  Heparin shots -twice daily to prevent blood clots, Hydroxyprogesterone to help with preterm labor issues.  So...what now ?  Home bedrest with bathroom priveleges and short 4 min shower.   I LOVE being home.  My windows are open and meals are scheduled through the second week in NOV.    Papa delivered wheelchair and Captain Rick is reconfiguring my shower.  Mom and Carol have helped around my house to establish my 'camp.'  Hannah will be home tonight and ready for "Go Fish" and cuddling in my bed.  I am in recliner (very reclined) during the day and my bed at night.  God is GOOD!  I know that there are still risk so it is a day-day situation with 'guarded optimism' and lots of prayers. 

 THANK you family and friends for your love and support, etc. etc....: 

Luke- for being the BEST supporter and daddy ever !  For being positive and being super strict with my daily regimen.

Jan Jan, Cita, Dad, Captain, Katie, Keres, Gran, Papa- ENDLESS THANKS-to each of you

Dr. Slovak, Dr. Mason, and Dr. Koster- for your honesty and expertise, and  willingness to take a chance with my situation.   I know each of you were handpicked to be a part our life. 

Jamie Carson, Sarah, Sara, Audra, Amy, Jaton, Josh, Shane, Jake, Ralph, Charles, Peggy, Ms. Patsy, Amanda, Nikki, Kasi, Jamie Cody, Judi, Ratliff family, Rev. Becky Hand, Bro. Chuck Huffman, Tennison Church Family, Uncle Joe, Aunt Det, Donna and Micki Broach, 20th Century Club, Julie, Kerri, Laura, Leah, Shauna, Brett, Ms. Lupe, all my aunts and uncles, family and friends ...for keeping me positive

I am going to be a great patient and listen to my body...and Drs.

18 week checkup-Plano Presby Hospital Visit

Back dated to Friday - October 22, 2010

I know lots of people have lots of unanswered questions about my health and health of the babies'.   We are all home however, my cervix is dilated to a 4.5.  It looks like this started happening some time at the beginning of this week.  (Background info – A month ago, I changed my appt. with my perinatologist from Oct. 28 to Oct. 21. Then the drs office bumped it up one day to Oct. 20....in hindsight, this is the FIRST proof of God's presence in all of this.) 

***The next section may be graphic and more than you would like to know. So stop reading and know that I am ok***

At my 18 week check up with perinatologist, Dr. Koster, I was dilated to a 2.5.  We knew things had gone drastically wrong, “huge setback” as she said.   We were extremely shocked since I was not dilated at the 16 week checkup.  We decided to stay in the hospital overnight to watch for contractions and allow my body to ‘retract’ the membranes that were already lost.  We had a 50/50 chance of saving the babies.   I stayed in Plano Presby Wed. night with my feet in air, head to the ground, took IV fluids, antibiotic, etc. etc.  Thursday morning, Dr. Koster came back in to check my cervix.  I was still dilated to a 2.5 but fluid membranes were looking better.  So, we scheduled emergency cerclage Thursday afternoon.  My mom, Carol, my dad, Sarah, and Luke were all there for the surgery.   We found out immediately after surgery that it didn’t work.  Meaning that I had dilated to a 4.5 within the day and the membranes were protruding too far to make a ‘stitch.’  (Sorry for the terminology or lack thereof.)   So, what are my choices?  Lay in the hospital bed, far away from home and wait on preterm labor?  or go home and wait on delivery?  Mom, Carol, Dad, Luke and I all made the choice to come home.  

***

More background info- Dr. Mason is my OB in MP and he is a VERY skilled OB…meaning he can handle my labor and delivery as well as anyone in Plano.  (Perinatologists like Dr. Koster, handle high risk pregnancies.  They are not as skilled in delivery and Dr. Koster was the first to share that with us.)

With that said, Dr. Mason, called this morning to let me know a small bit of good news.   When I labor, he may be able to save baby b and baby c.   He performed this procedure in residency.  There are a lot of risks with a very small possibility of success.  However, he will try his best. 

Today, we came home from Plano and I am propped up in my recliner (still upside down-Thank you, Rick Anderson, for the ingenuity).  Luke is resting and mom is cooking dinner.  Hannah will be home from school soon and I am content.    We welcome visitors but I want to be with Hannah tonight.  So, please text me if you plan to come by over the weekend.  My house is a happy place for all of us.  So, more smiling faces are welcome.    : ) 

Truly, I have had a lot of proof of God’s presence within the week and I know that I am sitting in His palm right now.  My emotions are drained but I am at peace.  Luke and I trust both of our doctors 100%.  We don’t plan to interfere with God’s will.  He has a definite plan for us.  All of you know that by now. 

I know each of you have expressed your love and concern and we appreciate it more than you know.  Keep the prayers coming. 

I love you all !  Tasa

16 Week Appointment

Whew...16 weeks already and almost half-way there !  Our personal goal is 35 weeks to delivery, about the middle of February, with only home bedrest.  My perinatologist, Dr. Koster, said this is possible and happens a lot these days.  So...we will see.   I have faith in the Lord and both of my doctors.  I know we will be taken care of.  I am so thankful for smart doctors. 

OK-here's the newest !!  All three babies look perfect. We heard all 3 heartbeats and saw all 3 babies doing flips in my belly.  The umbilical cords look 'beautiful' in case you were wondering.  Dr. Mason said that about 5 times so I guess they look really good.  We even saw Baby C try to grasp the cord.   YES.... we saw some 'extra' boy parts !  Since I am only 16 weeks, this could change due to position of baby, etc. but...here is what we saw after 45 minutes of searching (Gotta love Dr. Mason) :

Baby A- Boy 99% Sure;  Luke saw the 'parts' first, then Dr. Mason confirmed. 
Baby B - Girl 50 % Sure....still very uncertain;  Doc thinks girl but baby didn't cooperate
Baby C-Boy 75% Sure...again didn't cooperate very well; but the picture says boy

We love to watch the babies go wild in my belly. To see that they all look healthy is such a JOY.  I still feel really good; however, I am getting bigger by the minute.  Interesting fact: Belly is measuring 24 weeks and I am only 16 weeks...but its a good thing. 

I dont have an appetite but I manage to eat, of course.  I am starting to wake up at 3 or 4AM and I have the hardest time getting back to sleep.  Why does that always happen during pregnancy ? Then, when the baby(ies) get here is dreadful to wake up during the night. 

Next Appointment: Anatomic Sonogram and tour of hospital, Thursday, Oct. 21st.  All genders will be confirmed. 

Hannah News:  Hannah is doing great in Kindergarten.  She is learning so much.  I continue to be impressed by her knowledge and memory.  She is blessed with her daddy's memory of seeing/hearing things one time and remembering forever. 

Hannah performed at the fair on Saturday for a total of 39 seconds.  She did great for her first performance.  I will save the picture/video posting until we go to big competition in November. 

A BIG THANK YOU to all our family and friends for lifting us up in prayer.  I can truly feel your love and support. It will be a fun and exciting journey for all of us and I am thankful for your interest. 

My singing 5 year old

I finally got Hannah to sing her 'song' to the camera.  I know she probably won't ever win American Idol but she does a good job of remembering the song. :)  

I wish she would stay 5 forever !!