"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you," says the Lord.
~Jeremiah 29:11-14
This evening while April and I were eating dinner she received a phone call at the hospital from a friend of a family friend that we have never met or spoken to. This individual has been kept up to speed from our family friend and has read the emails that we have sent out over the past two months as well as this blog. She called just to check in on April to see how she was doing and to let us know that her and members of her church were praying for us. What an unbelievable act of kindness!
We have received numerous emails from people we do not even know letting us know that they are praying for us on a daily basis. We have church groups in Florida, Georgia, Texas and New York praying for us on a regular basis and those are only the ones that I actually know about. April and I strongly believe in the power of prayer and the support that we have received has been absolutely amazing.
Although, April and I may be in the front seat of this ride, all of you are on board and the passenger list keeps getting bigger everyday. All of you are a part of this miracle and I can not thank you enough for your continuous prayers and support but I do want you to know that God is hearing your prayers.
If anyone has a prayer request, please leave a comment on this post and I will make sure that they are included in all of my daily prayers. After all, the more people praying the better.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Blog Addiction & A Good Day
April seems to think that I am now addicted to this blog and she may be onto something considering that I should be sleeping instead of blogging:)
I have been wanting to start this blog for a while and am glad that I have but wish that I would have started it sooner so I could have truly captured the miracle that is currently taking place in April & I's life. Over the past few days, I have been wondering if this blog would even exist if April had a "normal" pregnancy without any complications, but I cannot say for sure that it would.
This blog has given me an easy and efficient way to communicate everything that is taking place on a daily basis but more importantly it has provided me with a sense of calmness and comfort. I enjoy and take pleasure in writing about my incredible wife and future children and am looking forward to being able to read this in the coming months and years and reflect on everything that we have overcame.
Onto the day's events. April felt much better today (Wednesday) and overall it was a great day. The two tracings that we had to monitor the babies went perfect and both Patrick and Savannah showed good accelerations in their heartbeats as expected.
On Tuesday evening, the nurses drew some blood from April because they were concerned with possible preeclampsia but the results came back negative. This will be an area that is closely monitored for the remainder of the pregnancy because preeclampsia can be harmful to both April and the babies.
Overall, today was a very successful day and we are glad that we have had another day for Patrick and Savannah to continue to grow and get stronger.
As of this writing, we are officially 31 weeks so I am psyched. One more week to our next major milestone.
I have been wanting to start this blog for a while and am glad that I have but wish that I would have started it sooner so I could have truly captured the miracle that is currently taking place in April & I's life. Over the past few days, I have been wondering if this blog would even exist if April had a "normal" pregnancy without any complications, but I cannot say for sure that it would.
This blog has given me an easy and efficient way to communicate everything that is taking place on a daily basis but more importantly it has provided me with a sense of calmness and comfort. I enjoy and take pleasure in writing about my incredible wife and future children and am looking forward to being able to read this in the coming months and years and reflect on everything that we have overcame.
Onto the day's events. April felt much better today (Wednesday) and overall it was a great day. The two tracings that we had to monitor the babies went perfect and both Patrick and Savannah showed good accelerations in their heartbeats as expected.
On Tuesday evening, the nurses drew some blood from April because they were concerned with possible preeclampsia but the results came back negative. This will be an area that is closely monitored for the remainder of the pregnancy because preeclampsia can be harmful to both April and the babies.
Overall, today was a very successful day and we are glad that we have had another day for Patrick and Savannah to continue to grow and get stronger.
As of this writing, we are officially 31 weeks so I am psyched. One more week to our next major milestone.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Afternoon Update and Yesterday's Sonogram
April's monitoring went well this morning and the contractions have pretty much stopped with the exception of a small one here and there.
Now that things have calmed down a little bit I can update everyone on the sonogram that was performed yesterday. As I mentioned over the weekend, we have a sonogram performed every Monday and Thursday to check on the babies blood flow and to check on their breathing and movement.
Yesterday's sonogram went as well as it could have with both Patrick & Savannah scoring an 8 out of 8 on their Bio-Physical Profile (BPP) and the blood flow staying status quo for both of them.
Patrick is still experiencing restricted blood flow and has been for the past 8 weeks or so. At this point, that is acceptable to both us and the doctors so overall we are happy with yesterdays results.
The doctor did speak to us about scheduling a planned delivery sometime between 32-34 weeks if the babies do not come before that on their own. Currently, both babies still need to continue to grow and that is best done in the womb even if Patrick is not receiving all of the nutrients that he needs due to his restricted blood flow. At some point though, the benefits of bringing Patrick and Savannah into this world (especially so Patrick can begin to receive all of the nutrients that he needs) will outweigh the risks of an early delivery. April and I are confident in the specialist and trust them to make the best decision for both Patrick and Savannah while also keeping the health of April in mind as well.
Bottom line is, we can now see the light at the end of the tunnel and know that we will have two healthy children by November 27 at the latest. November 27 just happens to be Thanksgiving and what a way to celebrate and give thanks than with the birth of Patrick and Savannah.
Now that things have calmed down a little bit I can update everyone on the sonogram that was performed yesterday. As I mentioned over the weekend, we have a sonogram performed every Monday and Thursday to check on the babies blood flow and to check on their breathing and movement.
Yesterday's sonogram went as well as it could have with both Patrick & Savannah scoring an 8 out of 8 on their Bio-Physical Profile (BPP) and the blood flow staying status quo for both of them.
Patrick is still experiencing restricted blood flow and has been for the past 8 weeks or so. At this point, that is acceptable to both us and the doctors so overall we are happy with yesterdays results.
The doctor did speak to us about scheduling a planned delivery sometime between 32-34 weeks if the babies do not come before that on their own. Currently, both babies still need to continue to grow and that is best done in the womb even if Patrick is not receiving all of the nutrients that he needs due to his restricted blood flow. At some point though, the benefits of bringing Patrick and Savannah into this world (especially so Patrick can begin to receive all of the nutrients that he needs) will outweigh the risks of an early delivery. April and I are confident in the specialist and trust them to make the best decision for both Patrick and Savannah while also keeping the health of April in mind as well.
Bottom line is, we can now see the light at the end of the tunnel and know that we will have two healthy children by November 27 at the latest. November 27 just happens to be Thanksgiving and what a way to celebrate and give thanks than with the birth of Patrick and Savannah.
Early Morning Contractions
April began to feel more contractions this morning sometime between 4:00 and 4:30 and was placed on the monitor from around 4:30 - 6:00. At 6:00 she was given a shot of Tributaline which temporarily stopped the contractions. Tributaline is used to stop contractions but it is only a temporary solution so we may have to look at some other options in the coming hours and days.
Around 8:15, April began to feel what she felt were contractions again so they just placed her back on the monitor to see if she is actually having contractions.
At this point, both Patrick and Savannah are still doing great so it is a matter of keeping April out of labor for as long as possible. One option that the doctors may decide to use is giving April Magnesum Sulfate. This is the same drug that was used when April was originally admitted to the hospital at 21 weeks. It is very strong and is not at all pleasant for mothers to be on but it works very well to stop contractions.
We will see how the monitoring goes and then consult with the doctors on the next step.
Please continue to pray that we can hold off on delivery until 32 weeks which is still 10 days away.
Around 8:15, April began to feel what she felt were contractions again so they just placed her back on the monitor to see if she is actually having contractions.
At this point, both Patrick and Savannah are still doing great so it is a matter of keeping April out of labor for as long as possible. One option that the doctors may decide to use is giving April Magnesum Sulfate. This is the same drug that was used when April was originally admitted to the hospital at 21 weeks. It is very strong and is not at all pleasant for mothers to be on but it works very well to stop contractions.
We will see how the monitoring goes and then consult with the doctors on the next step.
Please continue to pray that we can hold off on delivery until 32 weeks which is still 10 days away.
Monday, November 3, 2008
False Alarm and The Gunslinger
Wow, three hours later and we are back in our room and away from Labor & Delivery (L&D).
Apparently, the new doctor that April saw for the first time today is a little on edge and quite the gunslinger. Within five minutes of her checking in on April around 6:30 or so, she had me convinced that we were going to be delivering two babies sometime this evening.
Prior to leaving for L&D, the nurse hooked April up to an IV to provide her with some additional fluids and gave her a shot of Tributaline which is used to help stop any contractions that she may be having.
Once we arrived in L&D, the nurse hooked April up to the monitor to track Little P's and Savannah's heart beats as well as to track any contractions that April may be having. As usual, the babies were doing great and showing awesome heart rates. As for contractions, they were non-existent.
About an hour after we went down to L&D, another doctor that April has been working with for the entire pregnancy came in to check on her and take a look at the monitor. After a brief conversation, the doctor suggested that everything was fine and that April can be released back to her normal room upstairs. So here we are. April just got finished eating and is glad to be back in HER room and back to her familiar surroundings.
We do realize that the babies could come at any time and we are prepared for that but we are praying that they can stay inside of April for at least 10 more days. In 10 days, we will hit the 32 week mark and that is a major milestone.
Thanks for checking in and have a good night.
Apparently, the new doctor that April saw for the first time today is a little on edge and quite the gunslinger. Within five minutes of her checking in on April around 6:30 or so, she had me convinced that we were going to be delivering two babies sometime this evening.
Prior to leaving for L&D, the nurse hooked April up to an IV to provide her with some additional fluids and gave her a shot of Tributaline which is used to help stop any contractions that she may be having.
Once we arrived in L&D, the nurse hooked April up to the monitor to track Little P's and Savannah's heart beats as well as to track any contractions that April may be having. As usual, the babies were doing great and showing awesome heart rates. As for contractions, they were non-existent.
About an hour after we went down to L&D, another doctor that April has been working with for the entire pregnancy came in to check on her and take a look at the monitor. After a brief conversation, the doctor suggested that everything was fine and that April can be released back to her normal room upstairs. So here we are. April just got finished eating and is glad to be back in HER room and back to her familiar surroundings.
We do realize that the babies could come at any time and we are prepared for that but we are praying that they can stay inside of April for at least 10 more days. In 10 days, we will hit the 32 week mark and that is a major milestone.
Thanks for checking in and have a good night.
Heading to Labor and Delivery
It is almost 6:45 PM and April has been feeling some serious abdominal discomfort all day. She has been hooked up to the monitor for an hour or two and the doctor has decided to send her down to Labor and Delivery for further evaluation.
We will keep you posted throughout the night.
We will keep you posted throughout the night.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Two Positive Meetings
On Friday, one of the specialist (Dr. Morales) stopped by unexpectedly to check in with April to see how she was doing. He was very upbeat and stated that the all of the specialist are very excited and satisfied with our progress so far.
April commented to the doctor that her and I were excited for the next sonogram to take place so we can see how much the babies have grown but he said that at this point, the babies weight is not as important as how many weeks we can go. Dr. Morales said that 30 weeks (which we just passed) is a huge milestone for the babies. At 30 weeks, the risk for bleeding of the brain is less of an issue and at 32 weeks is rarely seen in pre-mature babies so that is a big relief to us.
April also met with the founder of her OB group this morning and she was also very happy and pleased with our progress. She said that at this point "every day is sweeter" and that what has taken place over the past 9 weeks is basically a miracle.
April and I completely agree with the doctor's miracle statement and we have both felt the presence of God throughout this entire ordeal. Thank you to all of our family and friends for keeping us in your prayers and thoughts. We could not have made it this far without you.
April commented to the doctor that her and I were excited for the next sonogram to take place so we can see how much the babies have grown but he said that at this point, the babies weight is not as important as how many weeks we can go. Dr. Morales said that 30 weeks (which we just passed) is a huge milestone for the babies. At 30 weeks, the risk for bleeding of the brain is less of an issue and at 32 weeks is rarely seen in pre-mature babies so that is a big relief to us.
April also met with the founder of her OB group this morning and she was also very happy and pleased with our progress. She said that at this point "every day is sweeter" and that what has taken place over the past 9 weeks is basically a miracle.
April and I completely agree with the doctor's miracle statement and we have both felt the presence of God throughout this entire ordeal. Thank you to all of our family and friends for keeping us in your prayers and thoughts. We could not have made it this far without you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
