Let's see...woke up not feeling anything out of the ordinary. Also woke up tired and woke up early. I know that some people take longer than others to grow babies but with the number of people who have already asked about this one, it makes me feel like I'm malfunctioning.
Musical Daddy feels like crap today. I hope it's just from too much pizza. He's in bed and I've got The Boy.
Colossal stinky poo this morning, after Musical Daddy had retreated to bed. I started diaper laundry because of it. All over his bum and some on his leg too. Messy cleanup, too.
I gave The Boy watermelon for a snack, which he enjoyed. I just read on a message board that watermelon helps decrease swelling. I could certainly use it. I'm better in that regard but still can't wear all my shoes.
While he was snacking, I figured I would put in some chicken. It was positively rotten. It said to use before July 9, and I just bought it yesterday. I should take it back. That's quite a waste of money and the store must have screwed up something. I put it in a ziploc bag, package and all. Of course, I actually have to get out, and The Boy is not fit to leave the house, with his white counts being in the toilet.
It isn't even noon yet and it's already a stinky day.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
It's the 4th and...
I don't think that I'm having a baby today.
I am, however, having some general discomfort that is likely related to all the pizza that I had for dinner this evening. I was feeling contractions--not sure if they were "real" or not but at least I actually felt them--as frequently as every 7 minutes for a little while, but I made it a point to go to sleep at 10:15 or so. That way, if they were the beginning of real labor, I'd have gotten some sleep.
I got up at 1:15 feeling like I had to get up and sit out in the chair, and of course The Boy would not stand for it. Then Musical Daddy wanted to bring him out to me. It really bothered me for some reason, probably because I'm not feeling all that well and didn't particularly want to be touched. He ended up keeping him inside and turning on some TV. It is nice to be so needed but I guess I wish he'd be more content with Daddy. I wouldn't change a thing about the way that we've dealt with him in general in terms of responding to his needs, because he is still a baby in many ways and a sick one at that, but it does make it difficult. Leaving him with anyone other than my mother makes me nervous because whomever else is caring for him is likely not going to know him as well. Typical parent concern, really, magnified by our situation and the fact that he really doesn't spend much time away from either us or my mother.
The Boy's evening was spent being somewhat agitated, even though in general he did have a decent day. This morning he managed to catch his lip in a toy. No reason that he should have had his mouth near the toy in the first place. It took him awhile to stop bleeding from that because his platelets are low. Good times. Not that he doesn't do stuff to himself when his platelets aren't low, but I tend to notice it more when they are---falling off the chair at the treatment center and biting his lip; deciding to flip himself off the hospital bed; running into more stuff in general. But, he is a toddler. And a boy. I can't exactly put him in a bubble.
We had a nice family nap late morning into the afternoon. We had lunch--it was "meat" for lunch and he ate an entire hamburger patty! We did some good playing and we had friends over. Just two close friends, as The Boy's counts are low and we weren't about to do any major socializing. We talked, we played outside, we played inside, we had pizza and other yummy things, we played Trivial Pursuit on their Xbox (The Boy fell asleep in my lap at that point, which isn't necessarily a great thing to happen at 7 PM), got some help switching some furniture, and after they left it was about time for The Boy to go to bed. We chatted with Grandma and Aunt W first, and then it was bedtime.
The Boy was playful throughout most of this visit although he was cranky at a few different points, especially after getting both of his shots. His lip, just inside in the center, is visibly cut. Even with low platelets, little guys heal quickly, but I'm sure that it's no fun for him.
It took him awhile to fall asleep during our usual bedtime songs despite the fact that he was clearly tired. He isn't warm or feverish, so we gave Tylenol to help alleviate whatever was bothering him. I'm wondering if it isn't that last molar coming in that is causing him to be cranky. The bottom two of the second set of molars came in during the ICU hospitalization for blood pressure, and one of the other ones came in a little bit ago, but I noticed that the last one wasn't quite there; maybe it is on its way now.
Grandpa is at the Barbershop Harmony Society contest out in Anaheim and just sent a message about shocking results in the chorus contest. I'm sure it was a bit less shocking for those who actually saw the performances, but WOW.
Anyhow, I've been awake and out here writing for about 20 minutes and don't really feel like anything is going on in the labor/baby department. I will probably be getting phone calls and messages all day. The baby is exactly where he was the last time you asked--still in. You know that I'll update the blog and Facebook when we go to the hospital and even while we're there, most likely. I will be fine with keeping him in for another week or two if that's what he prefers. Drugs are also NOT an essential part of childbirth, so don't ask me about them, either. Unless something goes horribly wrong, I will not be needing pain relief. Birth is not a major medical catastrophe, nor is it surgery (unless it is a surgical birth in which case it is surgery, obviously); it is something that is supposed to just happen, and giving birth with fewer interventions will allow me to heal more easily.
Now I have The Boy with me. He is awake. Once I feel a bit better I'll bring him back in. Or, if he falls asleep in the chair, I will probably do the same.
I am, however, having some general discomfort that is likely related to all the pizza that I had for dinner this evening. I was feeling contractions--not sure if they were "real" or not but at least I actually felt them--as frequently as every 7 minutes for a little while, but I made it a point to go to sleep at 10:15 or so. That way, if they were the beginning of real labor, I'd have gotten some sleep.
I got up at 1:15 feeling like I had to get up and sit out in the chair, and of course The Boy would not stand for it. Then Musical Daddy wanted to bring him out to me. It really bothered me for some reason, probably because I'm not feeling all that well and didn't particularly want to be touched. He ended up keeping him inside and turning on some TV. It is nice to be so needed but I guess I wish he'd be more content with Daddy. I wouldn't change a thing about the way that we've dealt with him in general in terms of responding to his needs, because he is still a baby in many ways and a sick one at that, but it does make it difficult. Leaving him with anyone other than my mother makes me nervous because whomever else is caring for him is likely not going to know him as well. Typical parent concern, really, magnified by our situation and the fact that he really doesn't spend much time away from either us or my mother.
The Boy's evening was spent being somewhat agitated, even though in general he did have a decent day. This morning he managed to catch his lip in a toy. No reason that he should have had his mouth near the toy in the first place. It took him awhile to stop bleeding from that because his platelets are low. Good times. Not that he doesn't do stuff to himself when his platelets aren't low, but I tend to notice it more when they are---falling off the chair at the treatment center and biting his lip; deciding to flip himself off the hospital bed; running into more stuff in general. But, he is a toddler. And a boy. I can't exactly put him in a bubble.
We had a nice family nap late morning into the afternoon. We had lunch--it was "meat" for lunch and he ate an entire hamburger patty! We did some good playing and we had friends over. Just two close friends, as The Boy's counts are low and we weren't about to do any major socializing. We talked, we played outside, we played inside, we had pizza and other yummy things, we played Trivial Pursuit on their Xbox (The Boy fell asleep in my lap at that point, which isn't necessarily a great thing to happen at 7 PM), got some help switching some furniture, and after they left it was about time for The Boy to go to bed. We chatted with Grandma and Aunt W first, and then it was bedtime.
The Boy was playful throughout most of this visit although he was cranky at a few different points, especially after getting both of his shots. His lip, just inside in the center, is visibly cut. Even with low platelets, little guys heal quickly, but I'm sure that it's no fun for him.
It took him awhile to fall asleep during our usual bedtime songs despite the fact that he was clearly tired. He isn't warm or feverish, so we gave Tylenol to help alleviate whatever was bothering him. I'm wondering if it isn't that last molar coming in that is causing him to be cranky. The bottom two of the second set of molars came in during the ICU hospitalization for blood pressure, and one of the other ones came in a little bit ago, but I noticed that the last one wasn't quite there; maybe it is on its way now.
Grandpa is at the Barbershop Harmony Society contest out in Anaheim and just sent a message about shocking results in the chorus contest. I'm sure it was a bit less shocking for those who actually saw the performances, but WOW.
Anyhow, I've been awake and out here writing for about 20 minutes and don't really feel like anything is going on in the labor/baby department. I will probably be getting phone calls and messages all day. The baby is exactly where he was the last time you asked--still in. You know that I'll update the blog and Facebook when we go to the hospital and even while we're there, most likely. I will be fine with keeping him in for another week or two if that's what he prefers. Drugs are also NOT an essential part of childbirth, so don't ask me about them, either. Unless something goes horribly wrong, I will not be needing pain relief. Birth is not a major medical catastrophe, nor is it surgery (unless it is a surgical birth in which case it is surgery, obviously); it is something that is supposed to just happen, and giving birth with fewer interventions will allow me to heal more easily.
Now I have The Boy with me. He is awake. Once I feel a bit better I'll bring him back in. Or, if he falls asleep in the chair, I will probably do the same.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
More of the same...
Another colossal puke this evening, this time after dinner and immediately following his Cozaar in ice cream. It isn't too concerning except that it happened twice in one week. Actually, the other concern is that this is at least the third time that Cozaar has done this, where he would cooperate and take the medicine but throw up within a minute or less.
He is not feverish, nor is he too upset. I would like him to drink some water before bed.
Classical Baby, one of our favorites, showed some compilations that TiVo just picked up. The Boy recognizes the individual songs but they are all out order. May as well keep these on the TiVo for easy access, especially when he is being watched by someone else.
I would prefer that eating be a bit more permanent for him...
He is not feverish, nor is he too upset. I would like him to drink some water before bed.
Classical Baby, one of our favorites, showed some compilations that TiVo just picked up. The Boy recognizes the individual songs but they are all out order. May as well keep these on the TiVo for easy access, especially when he is being watched by someone else.
I would prefer that eating be a bit more permanent for him...
It makes for a long day...
We arrived at the center a little after 9 and left a little after 4. We were picked up by the driver for the center and Musical Daddy met us there in the middle of the day.
Even though they had a type/cross on file from Monday, it still took awhile to get the blood.
Milestone news: The Boy ran a few steps today. He hasn't run before, just hasn't been able to, which is one of the reasons why he is in PT, because his gross motor skills aren't quite up to par. He did so while at the center and attached to an IV pole. Fortunately, Daddy is quick.
Does anyone have any contacts at the blood banks? It really ticks me off that they don't split blood units when the nurses ask them to, because the blood ends up going to waste. When they prescribe a transfusion, they usually write for a certain amount, especially with a little guy. He'll get 150 mL or 170 mL or something like that. An average "unit" of blood is somewhere around 300 mL, give or take 50 on either side. It depends on how much the donor was able to produce at the time of donation. Once or twice they have successfully split it up. I think he got the other half of a unit once when they split it, and if he didn't, likely another little tiny person ended up getting it before it expired. They'd have more blood available if they'd do that. If the right people got scolded for wasting blood, they'd be better about splitting units.
Anyhow, we are hoping that the Epogen has an effect and that he ends up not needing transfusions as often. If he only gets them once a month or once every 3 weeks, that will be an improvement for sure. Transfusing too frequently can cause some problems, in addition to being an annoyance for us because it is a long day. The nephrologist said that they'll be reevaluating his need for Epogen after he finishes what we have at home. If they still want to keep him on it, they'll hopefully start sending me a different concentration. He currently gets a pretty large amount--.825 mL as opposed to the .2 mL in the Neupogen shot--and he REALLY doesn't like it. The Neupogen shot has become, by comparison, not such a big deal. Not that anyone likes the process but he complains when he sees it, cries for about 5 seconds when he gets the shot, and feels better when he gets his hugs.
I ate some spicy food this evening. It was some Indian vegetables from Trader Joe's. Very tasty. I put no stock in spicy food triggering labor because I eat spicy food frequently. I don't think I'll be pregnant for TOO much longer, but I think I'll be passing my "due date" again, at least by a few days.
Even though they had a type/cross on file from Monday, it still took awhile to get the blood.
Milestone news: The Boy ran a few steps today. He hasn't run before, just hasn't been able to, which is one of the reasons why he is in PT, because his gross motor skills aren't quite up to par. He did so while at the center and attached to an IV pole. Fortunately, Daddy is quick.
Does anyone have any contacts at the blood banks? It really ticks me off that they don't split blood units when the nurses ask them to, because the blood ends up going to waste. When they prescribe a transfusion, they usually write for a certain amount, especially with a little guy. He'll get 150 mL or 170 mL or something like that. An average "unit" of blood is somewhere around 300 mL, give or take 50 on either side. It depends on how much the donor was able to produce at the time of donation. Once or twice they have successfully split it up. I think he got the other half of a unit once when they split it, and if he didn't, likely another little tiny person ended up getting it before it expired. They'd have more blood available if they'd do that. If the right people got scolded for wasting blood, they'd be better about splitting units.
Anyhow, we are hoping that the Epogen has an effect and that he ends up not needing transfusions as often. If he only gets them once a month or once every 3 weeks, that will be an improvement for sure. Transfusing too frequently can cause some problems, in addition to being an annoyance for us because it is a long day. The nephrologist said that they'll be reevaluating his need for Epogen after he finishes what we have at home. If they still want to keep him on it, they'll hopefully start sending me a different concentration. He currently gets a pretty large amount--.825 mL as opposed to the .2 mL in the Neupogen shot--and he REALLY doesn't like it. The Neupogen shot has become, by comparison, not such a big deal. Not that anyone likes the process but he complains when he sees it, cries for about 5 seconds when he gets the shot, and feels better when he gets his hugs.
I ate some spicy food this evening. It was some Indian vegetables from Trader Joe's. Very tasty. I put no stock in spicy food triggering labor because I eat spicy food frequently. I don't think I'll be pregnant for TOO much longer, but I think I'll be passing my "due date" again, at least by a few days.
Waiting? We do that.
Waiting for blood. Hemoglobin is 6.8, and whites are in the toilet. Platelets are okay and may either go up or down.
The Boy is falling asleep on my lap. He got his Tylenol and Benadryl already, so the blood will be here soon.
It always seems like we're here on low white count days and the place is packed. Certainly that's true today. So I worry.
Also waiting, of course, for baby. When I am here already, it isn't a major concern. Call Daddy, call the dam, so someone can stay with The Boy, and get moved upstairs.
The Boy is falling asleep on my lap. He got his Tylenol and Benadryl already, so the blood will be here soon.
It always seems like we're here on low white count days and the place is packed. Certainly that's true today. So I worry.
Also waiting, of course, for baby. When I am here already, it isn't a major concern. Call Daddy, call the dam, so someone can stay with The Boy, and get moved upstairs.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
get some sleep and...
All of sudden everyone feels better.
I'd just as soon feel like having a baby but I really don't get that feeling anymore right now. The Boy is feeling okay, although he could use a nap.
Me too.
So no baby action yet. I'm due Saturday but..whatever.
I'd just as soon feel like having a baby but I really don't get that feeling anymore right now. The Boy is feeling okay, although he could use a nap.
Me too.
So no baby action yet. I'm due Saturday but..whatever.
well that explains it...
The Boy had something of an odd day eating-wise, and he had quite a lot to drink today, it seemed like. I had remarked on his eating habits earlier.
It all came back up right in the middle of one of our favorite restaurants, before any of us had even had anything to eat. First a warning shot, then *bam*.
Honestly, I'd never seen anything like that from him before, certainly not that kind of volume and force. We were apologetic to the other customers, explaining the situation (they seemed cool with it, considering The Boy's condition and age). The staff was very helpful as well with cleanup and trying to care for us. The Boy seemed mostly unfazed by the incident, as proven by the fact that he wanted to walk back and forth up and down through the restaurant (accompanied by one of us, of course). And of course, this is different from what a typical family might have done; most families would have just left out of concern for the child, but we felt fairly certain that The Boy was not otherwise ill and was feeling fine. He did drink water and juice and had a few bites of meat later, which might have made him feel better too.
He had a dose of Zofran at about 4 PM and this happened a bit before 6; Zofran isn't complete insurance but certainly very helpful. I gave him more of it a little after 8.
Working backwards a bit...we drove up to Grandpa's neck of the woods because Musical Daddy had rehearsal and has his summer program to teach tomorrow. He would prefer to have me nearby in case something happens with me going into labor. Coming up this evening also allows him some extra sleep. We went to one of his favorite restaurants in town with a former student of his who has finished his degree and is looking for a job teaching music. So we were talking job searches and teacher politics...not a very interesting topic for The Boy. Even without the puking incident, he was not the all-star dinner companion that he frequently can be. Factor that in, and he was "that kid." Helps that there really weren't any other little ones around that evening. You know...even though our child is generally well-mannered and easy to take out, flexible and cooperative, every child is "that kid" sometimes and no one is perfect. You roll with it. You do damage control. You get over it. I don't think that in this case there was anything we could have done differently. We didn't let him run around the restaurant on his own. We didn't let him throw food or otherwise screw around at the table. And of course the hugs were copious after he had gotten sick because he needed them.
So what am I doing up at 2:15 AM? Not sure really. I am not feeling so great. Signs point to the beginning of labor, maybe, or maybe not for a few days. I couldn't get comfy upstairs in the bed up there and ended up falling asleep on the couch for three hours. Now I'm in the recliner. No real contractions, as far as I can remember what those were like. Nothing frequent or timeable. Trying to get sleep because if this is labor coming up, I'll need to be well-rested enough to do my job.
I'll send Musical Daddy off to work in the morning and, of course, keep him updated. He is 15-20 minutes away from here, as opposed to 45 minutes to an hour from our house, and from here it is 10-15 minutes to the hospital as opposed to 25-30 minutes.
It is July 1st, and one of my friends said that I'll have the baby today, because it's her mother's birthday and her daughter was born last fall on MY mother's birthday. Wouldn't that be something.
All I know is, it will happen when it's good and ready to happen.
It all came back up right in the middle of one of our favorite restaurants, before any of us had even had anything to eat. First a warning shot, then *bam*.
Honestly, I'd never seen anything like that from him before, certainly not that kind of volume and force. We were apologetic to the other customers, explaining the situation (they seemed cool with it, considering The Boy's condition and age). The staff was very helpful as well with cleanup and trying to care for us. The Boy seemed mostly unfazed by the incident, as proven by the fact that he wanted to walk back and forth up and down through the restaurant (accompanied by one of us, of course). And of course, this is different from what a typical family might have done; most families would have just left out of concern for the child, but we felt fairly certain that The Boy was not otherwise ill and was feeling fine. He did drink water and juice and had a few bites of meat later, which might have made him feel better too.
He had a dose of Zofran at about 4 PM and this happened a bit before 6; Zofran isn't complete insurance but certainly very helpful. I gave him more of it a little after 8.
Working backwards a bit...we drove up to Grandpa's neck of the woods because Musical Daddy had rehearsal and has his summer program to teach tomorrow. He would prefer to have me nearby in case something happens with me going into labor. Coming up this evening also allows him some extra sleep. We went to one of his favorite restaurants in town with a former student of his who has finished his degree and is looking for a job teaching music. So we were talking job searches and teacher politics...not a very interesting topic for The Boy. Even without the puking incident, he was not the all-star dinner companion that he frequently can be. Factor that in, and he was "that kid." Helps that there really weren't any other little ones around that evening. You know...even though our child is generally well-mannered and easy to take out, flexible and cooperative, every child is "that kid" sometimes and no one is perfect. You roll with it. You do damage control. You get over it. I don't think that in this case there was anything we could have done differently. We didn't let him run around the restaurant on his own. We didn't let him throw food or otherwise screw around at the table. And of course the hugs were copious after he had gotten sick because he needed them.
So what am I doing up at 2:15 AM? Not sure really. I am not feeling so great. Signs point to the beginning of labor, maybe, or maybe not for a few days. I couldn't get comfy upstairs in the bed up there and ended up falling asleep on the couch for three hours. Now I'm in the recliner. No real contractions, as far as I can remember what those were like. Nothing frequent or timeable. Trying to get sleep because if this is labor coming up, I'll need to be well-rested enough to do my job.
I'll send Musical Daddy off to work in the morning and, of course, keep him updated. He is 15-20 minutes away from here, as opposed to 45 minutes to an hour from our house, and from here it is 10-15 minutes to the hospital as opposed to 25-30 minutes.
It is July 1st, and one of my friends said that I'll have the baby today, because it's her mother's birthday and her daughter was born last fall on MY mother's birthday. Wouldn't that be something.
All I know is, it will happen when it's good and ready to happen.
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