Friday's visit

Lorena looked good on Friday.  She wore the high flow nasul cannula for six hours twice a day.  She is on the CPAP machine the hours that she is off the nasul cannula.  The CPAP machine is what she has been on since the day she was born.  Since she did so well on Friday the doctors wrote orders to let her be on the nasul cannula all day Saturday!  The nasul cannula is so much more comfortable for the little babies.  It has less pressure, is easier to keep in place, and seems to help Lorena sleep better.  Lorena's feedings were 9 mils every 3 hours on Friday.  They are increasing her feedings to 12 mils every 3 hours since she is digesting most of the milk.  This is approximately 3 ounces of breast milk for Saturday.  She is still hooked up to an IV for nutrition (looks like gatorade) but as she gains weight, the doctors have decreased the IV flow.  I also got to hold her for about an hour.  

We had JoAnn yesterday and she has worked in the NICU for 18 years.  She told me that the babies have to be about 4 pounds to be in a crib.  Lorena weighed 3 pounds 1.7 ounces as of Thursday night's weigh in (so she will be in the incubator for a while). Also she said that sometimes they start letting moms breastfeed when babies are 32 weeks.  Of course it all depends on the baby, but Lorena will be 32 weeks next Thursday so it sounds like I'm getting close to trying to breastfeed! 

I usually drop by the bakery (Our Daily Bread http://www.barnesks.net/dailybread.html) in Barnes, KS on my way to Topeka.   Dan's parents own the bakery and he has lots of family members who work there. I mainly drop by to get some gourmet coffee, but usually my visits turn into a much needed therapy session. I'm thankful to have Dan's family here to listen, cry with me, and give me hugs. :-)

Kangaroo Care - This angle makes her look so tiny.

Little fingers wearing my wedding ring. 

Kicking her legs and being feisty as usual.

2 pounds 15.9 ounces... but I'm just gonna call it 3 pounds

I went to see Lorena on Wednesday. I got to hold her for an hour. She wore her nasal cannula twice a day on Wednesday for two hours each time. She did pretty well on it. She had just a few desaturations while I was holding her.  She is wearing clothes all of the time now.  I liked the onesie with the flower on her butt (see picture below).

Lorena was supposed to be fed 6 mils 8 times a day on Wednesday.  She didn't handle this increased feeding very well (she had some residuals left when they suctioned her stomach), so they didn't do all of her feedings on Wednesday.  She started digesting her milk on Wednesday evening so the doctor decided to do 9 mils 8 times a day on Thursday.  Deb (the Nurse Practitioner) called this morning and apparently she is doing great on this feeding.  9 mils is approximately 2 teaspoons of milk.  I know this isn't much but it is so much for Lorena.  At the beginning, Lorena was fed 1/2 teaspoon once a day...and it took her a week to to get used to that dose!

Today (Thursday) she is windowing for a longer period.  She will be wearing the nasal cannula for a three hour a period, twice a day.  She has been doing so well with this type of breath support and Deb is "pushing" her to see how much she can handle.

We were hoping she would weigh 3 pounds by now.  Deb said that as of Wednesday night she weighed 2 pounds and 15.9 ounces...she can't get much closer to 3 pounds than that!  She will HAVE to be 3 pounds by her Thursday night weigh in.

I have been treating myself recently.  I had a great dinner with some girlfriends on Wednesday night and a pedicure and massage thanks to Elements Salon in Washington.  It was a nice break.  I am missing Lorena more now.  I sat in her room and went through all of her clothes last night...I think Dan thought I had lost it.  I just want her to be home but I know she is where she needs to be now.  She is changing so much each day and I'm excited to see what she looks like tomorrow. :-)

 

 

Onesie with flower

 

Kangaroo Care - Skin to skin contact is shown to help preemies gain weight faster

Dan says she looks like me

I like seeing her without her stomach tube, only if it is for a few minutes

Lots of Firsts

We have had lots of firsts over the past few days.

1.  I changed my first poopy diaper on Monday.  I have to admit, it was pretty gross.  But I am so glad for her poopy diapers because it means her bowels are functioning!

2.  Lorena is now wearing clothes.   I have learned not to get my hopes up about her condition because she will take each step in her own time.  Therefore, I assumed it would be a month before she could be dressed.   It was quite shocking when I got to her room on Monday and she was in a onesie.  The clothes have special snaps to make room for her IVs and cords but it makes her look more like a "normal" baby.

Cuddled up in her onesie

3.  The nurses have started to "window" Lorena.  Windowing is when the CPAP is removed for one hour and a different breathing support is placed in her nostrils.  It looks more like the normal prongs you see on people that wear oxygen during the day.  This breathing apparatus gives less support than the CPAP machine.  I held her for an hour when she was windowing and she didn't have any desaturatations...meaning she did excellent.  The doctors decided to do 2 windowing episodes today (Tuesday) since she did so well on Monday. Picture below has the new apparatus in her nostrils.

Staring at Mommy

4.   I am back at work for the first time since I had Lorena. I hadn't been in my company truck for several weeks and I was saddened to realize that my XM radio 6 month free subcription had expired. I guess I will have to listen to normal radio again.  It is also hard to make much progress in a day when I'm pumping every 2 1/2 hours.  I'm really glad that there aren't many people on the roads in Central KS!   And of course I had to show pictures of Lorena to every farmer I visited.  It felt good to be busy.
  

Resting peacefully with her pacifier

Weekend Update

Dan and I went to see Lorena on Friday.  The nurses increased her feedings to 4 milliliters 4 times a day on Friday.  I got to hold her for an hour on Friday afternoon.  When we got there on Saturday, Lorena was sleeping and very restful.  I want to pick her up and hold her every chance I get, but I know it is important for to get her rest.  Babies grow when they are sleeping!  The nurses didn't have any new updates on Saturday.  She was still receiving 4 feedings a day.  She is digesting most of the milk because there are little residuals when they suction her stomach tube. 

Lorena has been in an incubator which helps to regulate her body temperature.  The temperature adjusts accordingly if it senses she is cold or hot.  The nurse on Saturday afternoon told us that she had gotten hot on Friday night and that they decided to turn off the incubator function which changes with her body temperature.  That means she is regulating her own body temperature!  Great news.  The nurse shocked me and said that since she is regulating her temperature, they will begin dressing her in clothes.  I assumed this would be a month away but it sounds like she will be in clothes asap.  This simple step for most babies is such a huge victory for Lorena and her Mommy and Daddy.

She also officially weighs more than her birth weight!  On Friday night she weighed in at 2 pounds 10 ounces. :-)

Next week I am back to work.  I feel lucky to have awesome co-workers which have been so helpful during my pregnancy and will continue to support me as Lorena remains in the NICU. 

2 weeks old (30 weeks adjusted)!

Lorena was two weeks old on Thursday.  It is hard to believe that she has been in the NICU for 2 weeks.  The days go by very quickly.  I got to hold her for an hour yesterday.  I actually fell asleep for about 1/2 an hour of it.  It is so comforting to hold her and the nurses keep her room so warm and cozy!

2 weeks old  9/20/2012

 

I noticed some dry skin on Lorena's tummy.  I assume she is going to have the very sensitive/dry skin that my sisters and I got from our mom.  The nurse (JoAnn) didn't seem too concerned.  She kept telling me that her skin has been "remarkable" and is in great condition.  She also told me that she has done amazingly well on her CPAP.  JoAnn told me that she usually has to adjust oxygen up and down many times throughout the day for babies Lorena's age and size.  But Lorena hasn't needed any oxygen for approximately 5 days.  Praise God that she is doing so well in those areas.  Her bilirubin is tested every day and was up a bit yesterday, so she was under the light for a few hours.  JoAnn says it is normal for preemies bilirubin to go up and down.  Since bilirubin is secreted in the bowel, preemies have higher bilirubin levels if they aren't digesting food very well. (Hopefully I got that info correct)  Lorena is getting an enema everyday to help with her bowels and is continuing with 4 feedings a day.  She now weighs 2 pounds 8.2 ounces...almost back to her birth weight. 

Things are looking good for a little girl.  Dan and I are so thankful that things are going well for little Lorena.  There are other parents in the NICU with babies sicker than Lorena, so we continue to think of them and pray for their babies. ~ Lydia

I had a chauffeur on Tuesday to Topeka.  Kate (Dan's sister) had a meeting there so she drove me and got to see Lorena for the first time.  Kate said she was beautiful.  Lorena was on her tummy when  we got there.  This was the first time to see her lying on her stomach.  She looked so peaceful.  I always feel good when she is sleeping and restful.  After backing her feedings down to 2 times a day on Monday, Dr. Morgan increased them to 3 milliliters 4 times a day on Tuesday.  So she is starting to digest her milk again!  So thankful for that.  We saw Nan a few times yesterday, even though she wasn't our nurse.  She is one of my favorites so far.  She was very comforting during my meltdown yesterday.  It is hard to pump 8-10 times a day especially with having the stress of a baby in the NICU.  I know it is important for Lorena so I continue to try.  I'm not making as much milk as I would like but Nan reminded me that Lorena is only requiring 12 milliliters a day.  I am making 20 times that amount per day.  I know I should just be happy that she is doing so well, but women have hormones we can't control.  As I tell Dan, "guys just don't get it!"

I stayed home today.  I needed a day of rest.  I baked some oatmeal raisin cookies and sat on the couch most of the day.  I just talked to LeAnn (Lorena's nurse for Wednesday).  Lorena is still on 4 feedings a day.  She had a stomach xray which looked good.  Lorena weighs 2 pounds 7.9 ounces according to her last weigh in on Tuesday night!  Thankful for the weight gain.  I have been told that 1/2 an ounce a day is good for her at this stage. 

"Waving" to mommy. 

Tomorrow I will be headed to Topeka after my appointment with Dr. Thompson.  Thanks again for all the cards, messages, and prayers.  ~ Lydia

Prayers for Digestion

Lorena has maintained her weight.  She weighs almost 2 pounds 4 ounces.  The nurses had increased her feedings to 3 milliliters, 4 times a day on Sunday and Monday.  Her tummy was not digesting the milk very quickly on Monday so the doctor decided to cut back to 3 milliliters, 2 times a day.  Lorena has a tube that goes in her mouth down to her stomach.  The nurses routinely suction out the milk to see if it has digested.  On Monday morning they suctioned out some dry blood probably from the tube irritating her stomach.  The nurses and doctor just say that she will eat when she can handle it. Lorena still has the CPAP blowing air into her nostrils and down to her lungs.  She is doing well on this and hasn't needed oxygen (just room air 21% oxygen) for several days.  The doctor may change her PICC line (percutaneously inserted central catheter) in her arm today.

I know I should be happy because she had been doing well so far.  I just wish she would start digesting milk.  I have been working hard to pump 8-10 times a day and I know it will benefit her so much when she can start digesting.  Her stomach is just underdeveloped and the doctors say she will eat on her own terms, on her own schedule.  She continues to get fat, carbohydrates, electrolytes, and protein for nourishment through her IV.

Daddy's hands

Lorena's bilirubin was up on Friday so she had to be under the light again.  When we got to Topeka today, the light was gone (meaning her bilirubin was down).  The nurses explain that it is common for preemies to get jaundiced from time to time.  The nurses also started feedings again on Friday.  She is fed at 2 p.m. and 2 a.m. everyday (3 milliliters of milk each feeding).  We are so thankful that her tummy tolerated the feedings on Friday.  The nurses will continue feedings twice a day until Monday.  The doctor will reevaluate her schedule then and may up her feedings accordingly.  She nows weighs 2 pounds 4 ounces...which is up 4 ounces from Thursday.  I hope she grows quickly.  I can't wait for her to be home with us.  Again we were told she is doing well and are so thankful.

I took some pictures of Dan with Lorena today.  You can see how small she is in the picture with Dan's hand.  Don't worry...Dan's hands are clean in the picture.  We have to wash our hands and use antibacterial foaming hand cleaner before we touch her.  His hands are just permanently pigmented with grease and dirt from working in his shop and on the farm. :-)

Checking in on baby girl

So tiny!

We are staying home tomorrow.  We will probably go to church in the morning and go to Grandma Elsie Hiesterman's birthday party tomorrow afternoon.  Thanks again for all the prayers, cards, texts, and words of encouragement.

1 Week Old

I went to see Lorena on Wednesday.  She was no longer jaundice and didn't require the light anymore.  She looks so much more peaceful and can rest much better now.  They didn't try to feed her on Wednesday, as the nurses were still sucking green bile from the tube in her stomach.  Overall, she had a good day though.

Dan and I went to see Lorena on Thursday since it rained.  I got to hold her again for 45 minutes!  We also had a care conference with our nurse practitioner, Deb.  Overall the conference went well.  Deb continually said she was doing "amazing," and kept saying, "seriously, she is doing amazing!"  We are so thankful that she is doing great.  Thank God.  She had a routine sonogram of her brain yesterday to look for brain bleeds, which are common among preemies, especially born at 23 or 24 weeks.  Lorena was born 1 day shy of 28 weeks.  Her brain looked perfect with no bleeds!  She will have another routine sonogram in a month.  Such a relief for Mommy and Daddy.  Deb also said that Lorena had a bit of a heart murmur when she was born (which is common for preemies) but they don't hear it now.  It seems to be healing on its own but they will continue to monitor it.  Deb again said that her kidneys, skin condition, and breathing are great.  She is doing amazing on the CPAP machine and hasn't required oxygen (except for a few hours) over the last few days.  Deb started feedings again Thursday.  2 milliliters in her tube 2 times a day.  We are hopeful that her stomach will be able to digest the colostrum this time around.  Basically Lorena's organs are all perfect except they are underdeveloped.  They can't test her eyes until 32 weeks gestation.  They will look to see if the vessels are growing normally that attach to her retina.  A lot of babies require laser eye surgery (especially if they are born at 23 or 24 weeks) but since Lorena was born at 28 weeks, the chances are slim that she will require surgery.  I am worried about this but we won't know anything until she sees the pediatric eye doctor in 3 or 4 weeks. She just needs to rest and grow.  She weighs 2 pounds now.  She has dropped 20% of her body weight which is normal for preemies.

1 week old

Deb also said that when she is released, we will have to be extra careful.  Lorena shouldn't be around any kids and adults must wash/disinfect their hands if they want to hold her.  She will be coming home during flu season which doesn't help matters either. Right now I am working with my boss and HR to figure out some way for this all to work.  Please pray that this all works to benefit Lorena.

I have realized that Lorena is a very strong girl, much stronger than I am right now.  She is doing so well now and I think it is her way of telling me that I need to toughen up and be strong for myself.  I hate leaving her but it is mentally and physically exhausting to be there everyday.  I am staying close to home today.  Kate (Dan's sister) is picking me up soon and we are going to Marysville.  Dan and I will go see Lorena on Saturday. ~ Lydia


1 week old



I got to hold Lorena today!

I went to Topeka today for a visit.  Lorena's nurse practitioner (Deb) said Lorena was doing great.  She is still on the CPAP to help force air into her lungs but it is on 21% oxygen, which is basically room air that adults breathe.  She hasn't needed oxygen for 2 days.  They are going to try to feed her again tomorrow.  She is still getting enemas to help her bowels, which they say is fairly typical for babies this age.  I am hoping that she will be able to digest my milk tomorrow.  Lorena still has a tube in her stomach in order to suck the bile periodically.  Nan was her nurse today and I really like her.

Lorena without her goggles

I got to help change Lorena's diaper (which was an eye opening experience).  I have only changed a diaper a few times in my life.  Several months ago I changed my niece Abigail's diaper and put it on backwards.  I put Lorena's on the right way today.  I also got to take her temperature.  Most importantly I got to hold her for 45 minutes!  I had lots of mixed emotions while holding her.  I hadn't really gotten to touch her until today so I was feeling disconnected.  I feel so much more attached to her after today and did not want to leave the hospital.  I miss her so much more now and it is hard to be away.  It is weird to have a baby and not bring her home with you, but I'm so thankful I finally got to hold her.  I can't wait to hold her again.


First time holding her...she is so tiny



Dan and I stayed home today.  Dan worked cattle with the guys and I rested and ran some errands.  Doctor Thompson called today for an update.  We usually talk every other day.  It is so nice to have a doctor that truly cares!

I called the NICU twice for updates.  Kathy was Lorena's nurse today.  She is definitely one of my favorites so far.  She acts as half counselor/half NICU nurse and always ask about how I am doing emotionally.  It sounds like Lorena is doing about the same.  Kathy gave her a bath.  She wasn't on much oxygen today but is still on the CPAP machine to help force air into her lungs (to help her breathe).  Adults breathe 21% oxygen.  Lorena has been doing fine on 21% oxygen, which is room air, which is what I mean when I say she isn't on oxygen.  If she tires, sometimes they increase it to 26% or 29%...but it sounds like she didn't need it much at all today.  They also increased her dose of antibiotics to help fight the infection.  She did get a stomach xray which looked ok.  The nurses had been feeding her 3 milliliters of milk 2 times a day, but have decided to hold off on feedings for a while.  Her stomach doesn't seem to be handling the food and is making a greenish/blackish bile.  She has gotten an enema to help with her bowel function.  Kathy said this is fairly typical and her stomach just isn't ready to digest milk yet.  Kathy said that we will have to do things on Lorena's terms. 

Dan and I miss her tonight.  It is weird to have a baby and not bring her home.  We are both trying to stay busy (even though I know I should be resting) because it seems to make the time go by faster.  My co-workers have been amazing....I couldn't ask to work for a better company. 

I am headed to Topeka early tomorrow morning.  The nurses still say she is doing great, but she still has a long road ahead. Tonight's prayer is for Lorena's stomach to start digesting breast milk and that her bowels start functioning normally.

Home

I got released from the hospital on Saturday afternoon.  I had been there for 9 days.  It was good to feel the sun.  It was a weird feeling though to leave the hospital.  Room 473 had been my "safe zone" for over a week and it was nice to have a place to stay just a few minutes from Lorena.  My nurse Mary told me that those feelings were normal.  Mary said that one woman was there for 3 months on bedrest and they practically had to force her to leave her room everyday.  Bedrest can definitely play mind tricks on you!

Dan and I spent the night at home on Saturday night and went to see Lorena today.  She has had stable days on Saturday and Sunday.  She still is slightly jaundice (even though I don't think she looks yellow at all) but is only under one light instead of two lights like she was on Friday.  She is still breathing on her own but is receiving air constantly and oxygen periodically through her nostrils.  She does not like keeping the tubes in her nostrils so they had to put a headband on her to keep them in place.  With the headband, goggles to protect her from the bilirubin light, and cap, you can barely see her face.  I don't like not being able to see her face but I know this is what she needs now.  She now has an IV in her arm instead of the IV in her belly button.  She also is still receiving antibiotics for her infection.  Also, they started feeding her today.  She will get 3 milliliters of milk twice a day for now.  She has lost some weight in the last few days (which is normal) and is down to around 2 pounds 4 ounces.

4 days old

Lorena has had several visitors.  Aunt Laura and Uncle Kevin (Dan's sister and her husband) were there on Saturday and brought her a stuffed baby doll.  Joel and Kjersty Christy (Joel is Dan's friend from college) came today and brought some adorable pink camo bibs.  Cousin Heather Hiesterman also dropped by to meet her, as she was on her way home from her road trip across the US.

One of the nurses told me that most 28 week preemies are on ventilators and tubes to help them breathe.  She told me that Lorena's lungs are way beyond 28 weeks!  I know that part of her lung development is due to the steroids and medicine given to me when I got to the hospital on September 29.  However, prayers are the main reason she is doing so well.  God has been with us this whole journey and He will guide us in the days ahead. ~ Lydia

Feisty Girl

Today has been a good day for Lorena. There are over 100 nurses that work in the NICU here at Stormont Vail, so we haven't gotten to know anyone in particular yet. We did get to meet the Nurse Practitioner (NP) who is assigned to Lorena. I can't remember her name at the moment though..oh well, it's been a long day. She explained that Lorena is doing well. She used the term "fabulous" which made us feel very fortunate. There are basic things that many parents take for granted. She included examples of healthy skin, blood pressure, and kidney and bowel function. Lorena has very healthy skin for her age (with no tears or problems), has maintained good blood pressure, and has emptied her bladder and bowels today. The NP said these are all great steps. She also has never had to be on a ventilator which is really good for her age. She will continue to be on the CPAP machine to help assist with breathing, but for the most part she is breathing on her own. She is still on antibiotics for her infection, which I am told is normal for most preemies. The biggest change today was her bilirubin level. She is slightly jaundice, which I am told is also normal for preemies, so she is under a light and has to wear special goggles to protect her eyes.

 

The nurses are still describing her as a "feisty girl."  She likes to flail her arms and legs around.  When I was watching her today, I could have sworn she almost turned over.  Very wishful thinking on my part and not realistic at all at this stage, but I have always had and always will have high hopes for little Lorena.  Thanks for all the prayers again.  God has been so good to us. 

 

The nurses have said she has big hands.  I think her feet are pretty big too.  This print shows they are almost 2 inches long.

Under the light

She's Here!

Lorena Ruth Hiesterman was born at 3:29 am 9/6/2012.  She weighed 2 pounds 9 ounces and was 15 1/4 inches long.  She has brown hair like her Mommy and Daddy.  I think she has Dan's ears and he says she has my eyes.  She is beautiful!

I haven't blogged for several days because I hadn't been feeling very well.  Dan went home on Tuesday night (after being with me since I got to Topeka) and I was pretty bummed about that.  My back had also been bothering me for several days, and I hadn't slept much on Tuesday night, and I couldn't get comfortable in my bed.  I had told every nurse about my back pain and they just thought it was gas and indigestion.  No contractions ever showed up on the contraction monitor.  The doctor finally checked me on Wednesday night at 9 and I had progressed.  Apparently I had been in back labor for days!  Things moved pretty quickly after that.  Dan got to the hospital by 11:30 pm.  I had an epidural by about 1:00 am.  I hadn't had sleep for days so the doctor recommended it.  It completely got rid of my back pain.  It took about 5 tries for the anesthesiologist to put the epidural in because she kept "hitting bone."  I'm glad I couldn't see what she was doing back there.  Dan almost passed out...had to leave the room because he said it felt like it was 120 degrees in there!  These guys think they are so tough, when in reality I have realized girls are so much stronger!  The NICU team (1 doctor and 4 nurses) was in my room at 3:20 am, along with Dr. Dickson and 2 nurses for the delivery, and Lorena was out the room by 3:40 am.

Lorena is able to breathe on her own, but requires a type of machine, kind of like a C-PAP machine.  It blows air into her lungs and assists her breathing.  Also, some of the tests show she has an infection.  My pre-term labor was most likely caused by an infection of the water sac, so the doctors pretty much guaranteed that she would have an infection.  She is being treated with antibiotics for several days as a result.  Lorena is also on some oxygen.  She has lots of cords and ivs, but the nurses and doctors in NICU tell us she is doing really well.  I know there will be ups and downs but Dan and I are so thankful that she is doing so well.  She is pretty active and the nurses have labeled her a "feisty girl."  I'm pretty sure she takes after her Daddy!  We are definitely going to have our hands full.

The grandpas and grandmas were here today to see Lorena.  Mom and Dad came early this afternoon and Ernie and Cindy were here tonight.  I think granddaughters hold a special place in grandpas' hearts.  My dad exclaimed "she's perfect," and Ernie had the biggest smile on his face when he saw her today. 

Pastor was here today and baptized Lorena.  She will have a dedication ceremony later on at church.  My cousin, Father Scott Kallal, is also holding a mass for Lorena on Saturday.  What an amazing gift!

It has been such a long day.  Dan and I are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love from our friends and family.  Thank you for all the cards, flowers, care packages, visits, gifts, etc.  I'm sorry I can't get back to each one of you asap but I will try to respond eventually.  We have had excellent care at Stormont Vail.  Please keep Lorena Ruth in your prayers as she has a long road ahead.  Also pray for the other sick babies in the NICU here in Topeka.  God continues to be with all of us along this journey.  Love - Lydia, Daniel, and little Lorena Ruth

New woman

I was finally allowed to shower today and get up from my bed.  I haven't been allowed these privileges since Thursday night at 11 pm.  I felt so much better after a shower.  Baby girl's heart rate has been good today and she has been very active.  I see Dr. Evans tomorrow.  Since I got here on Thursday night, every nurse has been telling me that I will really like him and will know much more after I get to meet with him.  I will also have an ultrasound tomorrow to check baby so I'm anxious about it.  Prayers are definitely working.  We appreciate all of them!  Thanking God for another day of pregnancy...

Good days and restful nights

Thursday night was a rough night for me...I didn't get any sleep.  Friday is still a blur because I was so tired.  The doctors were pretty sure I would have the baby within 48 to 72 hours on Friday.  It was very overwhelming for me and Dan.  I honestly felt like a scared little girl but knew I had to be strong for baby girl.  It looks like baby girl had other plans.  I have not had a contraction since Friday afternoon/evening and was able to sleep 7 1/2 hours on Friday night.  Saturday was also a good day and I got almost 8 hours of sleep on Saturday night.  I was monitored for 24 hours straight on Friday with a heartbeat and contraction monitor on the baby.  Saturday and Sunday I have only been monitored twice for contractions and hearttones, and everything has looked good.

No one knows when I will go into labor so it is still a waiting game.  The first 48 hours were most crucial and I have made it through those with flying colors.  The nurses think I will be here a while.  The longer I am here, the better it is for baby, so I am still praying that I will be here for weeks.  Each additional day I am in bed is another day for baby to grow.  I am thankful to see the sun come up each day, knowing we have made it another day!   Thanks for all the calls, texts, emails, and facebook messages.  We also had Laura Clark and Katie and Jeremy Olson here most of the day which really helped pass the time.  Thanks for all the prayers. 

Also thanking God for a good husband.  Dan has been very caring and comforting these past few days and has been my rock. 

Hospital Address

My mom and a few others have been wanting to know the hospital address.  I am at:

Stormont-Vail Healthcare
Room 473
1500 Southwest 10th Avenue
Topeka, KS 66604

We have appreciated all the texts. facebook messages, emails, and visits.  It helps keep my spirits up.  Cindy (Dan's mom) came by Friday afternoon and Saturday for a few hours.  Our pastor, Pastor Gruoner came by on Saturday morning too and had a devotional and prayer with us.  We were glad to see him.  Kate and Jeremy (Dan's sister and her husband) are one their way now for a quick visit.  I can see the days of laying in bed will be emotionally trying for me, so any bit of contact from the outside world is appreciated!  I get all messages on my smart phone or laptop, but I probably won't be able to respond to everyone asap.  I do enjoy reading everyone's comments and it is encouraging to know people are praying for us all over the U.S.

God has other plans

As some of you may know, I went into preterm labor on Thursday evening.  Dr. Thompson was in Hanover, KS at Hanover Hospital and was covering for Drs. Linda and Roger Warren, so I headed for Hanover.  Dr. Thompson thought I was dilating and starting to contract.  I was put on fluids and a monitor for baby's heartbeat and contractions.  I got there at 6:30 pm and less than two hours later I was on a helicopter headed to Stormont Vail in Topeka.  I was so glad Dr. Thompson was there and equally happy to see Dr. Linda before I was put on the helicopter.  Small town doctors are the best!  I'm also grateful that Topeka was only 40 minutes away.  They have a NICU and are prepared to handle preterm babies.  We flew 125 miles per hour.  The guys on the helicopter were a hoot.  I knew it would be a fun ride when they told me not to worry, "They had pulled lots of calves before and I would be in good hands."  I definitely needed some comic relief at that point.  Dan was in Hanover with me and got to Topeka about 11 pm.

I have been on bedrest and constant monitoring since I got to Topeka.  My contractions have stopped and I have been given medicine to help the baby's lungs and brain develop.  The biggest concern now is infection since my water is leaking.  I have been pumped full of antibiotics to help prevent infection.  Right now it is just a waiting game.  The doc Friday morning said I would probably have baby girl within 72 hours, but there would be a 20% chance I could go two weeks or more.  The NICU doctor from Friday night told us it would probably be within the week.  My nurse this morning (Saturday) has been here for 20 years and told me she has seen women with my same condition that have held off labor for 6 weeks on bedrest.  It is daunting to think about being on bedrest for weeks, but I'm hoping and praying that I will be one of the lucky ones.  I was 27 weeks on Friday.  It is still very early, but there is a 98% survival rate but higher risk of complications to baby.  Basically, no one knows when I will go into labor.  I am taking it day by day and not thinking any further than that.  Each day is a victory and I thank God for every additional day I remain pregnant.

I have had some really good nurses during my stay already.  I have also been impressed with the doctors.  They seem rather short handed since it is a holiday weekend, but everyone has been knowledgeable, realistic, and optimistic about my situation.  The goal is to keep me pregnant as long as possible. Since my water is leaking, I will remain at Stormont Vail for the duration of my pregnancy.  I hope to be blogging from my hospital bed for many weeks, but everything is in God's hands.  Dan has been staying with me in Topeka, and his mom (Cindy) has visited too.  We appreciate your prayers, support, and love.  Lydia, Daniel, and Baby Girl