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

Progress



There has been lots of progress on the farm in June. Dan's family finished wheat harvest over 2 weeks ago. It was a very good harvest. Yields surprised a lot of people considering the dry winter and spring we had in central Kansas. Harvest fell during the weekend of the Linn Picnic this year, so Maria, Jennifer, and Julie got to experience a Kansas wheat harvest. 



Lydia, Maria (visiting from Iowa), Julie (visiting from Illinois), Jennifer (visiting from St. Louis, MO)

Cousins - Jordan, Daniel, and Luke Hiesterman

Since the Hiestermans, like many farmers, don't know how to take a vacation, they jumped into their next project immediately after wheat harvest. Dan's dad (Ernie) is building a machine shed behind our house. The shed will be 75 ft wide and 90 ft long, and will hold a combine, air seeder, tractors, and other larger equipment. It will be nice to have the bigger equipment stored in one place. Dan is very excited about the size of the shed, while I am more excited about the color. Ernie is a man of few words but I know he loves me since he picked my favorite color (red) for the new shed.



Dan using his laser transit to level the site




Ernie hauling dirt and sand to level the floor




My cute hubby...I am glad he got rid of the handle bar mustache though



I had an ultrasound last friday (June 29) and baby looked good.  We tried to find out baby's gender at this appointment, but baby would not cooperate.  We hope to find out during the middle of July at my next appointment.  I have thought all along that baby is a boy.  Dan told me this week that he is fully prepared for baby to be a girl.  I guess we will have to wait a few more weeks.  We are just thankful that baby is growing and doing well. 



18 weeks



Baby Hiesterman's First Wheat Harvest

Wheat harvest is always an exciting time on the farm.  This wheat harvest is extra special since it isn't just me and Dan (and Jasper, our blue heeler/mini australian shepherd mix) riding in the tractor pulling the grain cart.  I am almost 15 weeks pregnant and Baby Hiesterman will make his/her appearance early this winter!  Dan and I couldn't be happier.  We feel very blessed and are thankful for all of the prayers along the journey.


All smiles in the tractor pulling the grain cart

It must be hard having a crop adjuster wife.  Wheat harvest is 3 weeks early this year due to the hot dry weather this spring.  Central Kansas has also been hit hard with hail, so I have been working long hours and running all over appraising hail damage.  There is literally no food in our house right now.  My goal is to someday be the wife who plans ahead and delivers hot sandwiches, homemade cinnamon rolls, and fresh chocolate chip cookies to the field. But for now I am relying on ham sandwiches, chips, and Our Daily Bread Bake Shoppe to keep us going.  I do feel bad for Dan at times, but he is good at fending for himself.  When the wheat is dry and ready, farmers work non-stop, so Dan has also had a crazy schedule.  Wheat can't stand in a field like corn and beans after it matures.  The slightest hail and wind storm can take a wonderful crop to zero in just a few minutes.  Therefore, life revolves around wheat harvest until the last load of grain has been delivered to the elevator.  Things will soon be back to normal, but most Kansas farmers wouldn't trade wheat harvest for the lazy days of summer.  It has quickly become one of my favorite times of year! 

Red combines look better against golden wheat, don't ya think?

Dan and Jasper enjoying the air conditioning while pulling the grain cart

Dan and Uncle John tarping the grain