30 weeks

It is another big milestone week.  Feeling so blessed that God has kept my body strong enough to carry my boys to 30 weeks. Today I visited my OB for my weekly check up.  No ultrasound this week, we will have to wait until next week to see our sweet little boys.  At my check up we discussed several things and she measured my growing belly.   Each day I think to myself, "How can I grow anymore?"  When people ask about my size I always tell them my belly is bigger at 30 weeks than I was when I delivered Brock.  Today my sweet Dr. Haney confirmed this when she measured the baby belly.  After looking back she noted that the day before I delivered Brock (40 weeks) I measured 38 weeks.  Well, today I measured 42 weeks.  No wonder I feel like I am about to bust.  Someone, I believe it is Baby B, is in my ribs.  I have a short torso anyway and everything is getting squished.  As the nurse so "lovingly" pointed out, I have gained almost 50 pounds.  Each time I step on the scale and the number goes up I am so thankful because I know it means these boys are growing too...it isn't just my beach ball belly.  Dr. Haney mentioned several times how exciting it is that we have made it to this point.  We are thrilled to be at 30 weeks but want to keep going for at least two more weeks.  So much can change and can change quickly, so I am to remain on bed rest. 


For some exciting news:  we have finally settled on three first names (still working on middle names).  Naming one baby seemed so much easier, so it has taken us a little longer to come up with these three names.  During our posts we will still be referring to them as Baby A, B, and C.  The plan is to wait to decide who is who when they are born. Within the next month or so we will be meeting EVAN, LINCOLN, AND CADE. 

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Prayer Requests and Praises: 

*for my body and the amazing strength it is displaying and changes it is undergoing -  Praise God!

*the contractions will stay at a minimum and will stop quickly

*all three boys will continue to grow at a steady rate

*for me to keep my fear of a c-section and the recovery in prospective

*that I will be able to sleep a little more comfortably (I don't expect to be comfortable at this point but I really would like to sleep a little more soundly and for longer stretches at night)

*Praise God for the strength of my husband.  He is an amazing man who has taken on so many new challenges during this pregnancy.  His goal is for my only job to be to grow babies. 

*Also, a praise for all of those servant-hearted people who have brought us meals, cleaned, organized, prayed for us, and assisted with Brock.  We are so, so thankful for each of you.

Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

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Care Calendar Information

http://carecalendar.org/

Calendar ID:  94874

Security Code:  7373

28 Weeks

It is so exciting each time I can add a week to our pregnancy.  Tomorrow will mark 28 weeks, 7 months!!!  Each week signifies one week closer to meeting our little guys and having healthy babies.  Yesterday I went to two appointments.  First I had an ultrasound and met with my high risk doctor.  Everything on the ultrasound was encouraging.  All three boys are growing and thriving in their cramped quarters.  The amniotic fluid level for each baby is good and their heart rates are strong.  The estimates on their weight are as follows:  Baby A 2lbs 5oz (28% for a singleton); Baby B 2lbs 4 oz (21%); Baby C, our big boy right now is 2lb 11oz (67%).  As many of you know, I have always wanted a chubby baby with nice squishy cheeks, so I am holding out hope for baby C.  For most of you, two pound babies sound terribly small but for us it is another milestone to celebrate.  The high risk doctors and my OB are all encouraged by what they are seeing.  My second appointment was with my OB who was finally able to administer my glucose test.  Because of the steroid injections, while I was in the hospital, we had to wait a few extra days.  The "delicious" orange sugar drink made me a little shaky, nauseous, and gave me a headache.  I am anxiously awaiting those results, as it is about a 90% chance a mother of triplets will end up with gestational diabetes before she delivers her babies.  Currently, the thought of giving up any type of sugar or carbohydrate sounds pretty rough, but it will be a small price to pay for healthy little ones.  I still struggle to eat most meats and am starting to have some morning and evening sickness similar to what I experienced at the beginning of my pregnancy so carbs and fruit are a staple in my diet. 

Today I am home trying to catch up on some rest after my busy day out yesterday.  Bed rest sounds wonderful until you are forced into it.  I am really trying to follow doctors orders and rest as much as possible keeping the real goal of healthy little boys in mind.  Soon I know I will be missing these very quiet days at home.  Brock is back in school everyday since I am unable to take care of him for any long period of time.  This is best for him, he likes a consistent schedule and is more comfortable this way. 

Receiving help makes me uncomfortable and for this I apologize.  However, I have come to the conclusion that Brian and I cannot do this alone and we must accept help.  No doubt about it, it is taking a village to get these babies here healthy.  Thank you for being a part of the village.  There are so many people to thank and to avoid leaving anyone out I am going to give some blanket thank yous.  Thank you for the food!  We have had so, so many wonderful meals brought to us over the past two weeks.  Also, we have received several gift cards to local restaurants.  It has taken away that evening stress.  Without those of you who have helped with Brock we could not have done it.  Brian has taken a new position within Blue Cross and is working downtown as opposed to from home so logistics with getting Brock to and from school have become more complicated.  Thank you to all of you who have shuttled him back and forth.  As I sit here typing, an amazing women with a true servant heart, who just so happens to be my neighbor,  is cleaning my bathrooms.  What a gift!  When I returned from the hospital I came home to a completely organized babies room.  Thank you Annette and Debbie!!!  Christy Abell even came over and spent hours decorating our Christmas tree.  It is beautiful, and seeing how I spend a lot of time laying on the couch, I get to enjoy it often.  My wonderful in-laws have spent several days over the last few weeks helping with Brock and daily household chores.  We are so grateful they are willing to make the drive from Chattanooga to ease the burden on Brian.  Most of all thank you for your dedicated prayers.  We know that God hears all of us and is blessing these babies. 

My dear college friend, Ashlee, has set up a Care Calendar for us.  I will post the link below.  So many of you ask how you can help; we hope this provides some organization since I am struggling to stay on top of everything.  We are overwhelmed and so grateful for all of the care and generosity we have been shown.

CARE CALENDAR

http://www.CareCalendar.org/logon/94874
(Calendar ID : 94874, Security Code : 7373 )

Home Sweet Home

Brian, bringing good news.  Cassie is home!!!  One week after I took Cassie to the hospital to be checked to make sure everything was okay, I was able to bring her home.  Hopefully she will be here for at least six to eight weeks until she goes back for a planned delivery.  We have had enough excitement/scare to last a while.  I, of course, am thrilled Cassie is home for many obvious reasons, but Brock has definitely showed his excitement in ways that bring a smile to Cassie’s face. 

Cassie is on full bed rest, but at least she is in the comfort of her own home.  My parents are here and I hope that gives Cassie a couple of days of attention so she can develop a daily routine and doesn’t have to get up for every little thing.  The schedule that won’t change for Cassie is that she has to take her Procardia (to control contractions) every six hours.  Yes, this means she has to set an alarm to wake up at Midnight and 6am!  From Cassie’s experience of sleeping in the hospital, six hours of continuous sleep would still be a blessing.

Prayers are requested that Cassie adjusts well to being at home with no problems in the near future.  And I pray that Brock and I are good nurses and waiters.  We have four very important patients to take care of.

Thanks again for all of the prayers to help get the babies to stay put and healthy and Cassie back home. 

Special thank you to my hospital visitors and for the "non-hospital" food you brought. 

Thank you Debbie, Stephanie, Becky, Annette, Jaren, Shelby, Larry, and Clancy!

Sincerely,

Cassie

12/1/11 - Improvement

Brian again.  Yes, that means that Cassie is not quite back in extended typing shape.  The good news is that there is improvement since the last update.  Cassie is now in an antepartum room so she does not need 24 hour monitoring.  Twice each day nurses monitor Cassie for contractions and the babies’ heart rate.  There are signs of irritation but what we see on the monitor is normal for anyone carrying triplets.  The babies are doing well.  She has been taken off all iv drugs.  Cassie is excited about no longer being on the Magnesium Sulfate, putting an end to the achy and run-down feeling.  Doctors have Cassie on Procardia, an oral medication to help prevent contractions and an antibiotic.

Cassie is now able to get up to shower once per day, helping her feel that much more like things are getting back to normal, or at least the new normal for her. The unknown part for now is when she will go home.  Today her OB said she would like for her to stay through the weekend.  I think Cassie is just ready to be home so she can get a better, uninterrupted night’s sleep.  She is certain she can lie around just as well at home as she is doing in the hospital.  One of the motivations Cassie has to follow the doctors orders of “strict bed rest” when she comes home is because the doctor said that if she has to come back in the hospital for complications, she will most likely have to stay until the babies are delivered.

We greatly appreciate all of the inquiries, well wishes and prayers.  Please continue to pray for the growth and health of the boys…..and I guess the same would apply to Cassie for that matter.  Brock could use prayers as well as he seems to be acting like he is in need of more time with mommy and daddy.  His routine has been altered and as adults we don’t normally handle that well, so I guess I can’t fault a four year old much either.  Just talking about Brock can make me emotional so I can only imagine the effect three more is going to have on me.  I will love all the “guy stuff” multiplied by four, but that means four times the love and emotion too.  It is exciting to think about, but due to these recent events, I will no longer say that I can’t wait for them to be here.  I can wait because Cassie knows I need to do some more organizing.  Maybe for now I will say that I anticipate the babies’ arrival, but pray it is no time soon.

11/29/2011 Complications at 26 Weeks

This is Brian writing, so I know it will not be as eloquent, but I am stepping up under the circumstances.  Cassie will be 26 weeks tomorrow.  Monday afternoon we got a major scare and are still in the midst of it.  I was home from work and Cassie was lying down on the couch. She told me that she was having painful pressure and cramping.  She really didn’t want to call the doctor because she was certain she would make her come in.  To be safe, Cassie called and described her situation.  The nurse told her to come in to Baptist OB Triage.  Cassie was smart enough to pack a bag, thinking that by preparing for the worst, she would just be checked-out, everything would be fine and she would be sent home.  At the hospital the nurse starts to monitor Cassie’s contractions and the heartbeats of the boys.  She was contracting every 30-45 seconds.  The nurse said the contractions weren’t big, but caused by an irritated uterus. 

Before the nurse did any other checks she told us that we would be staying the night at the hospital.  When she checked Cassie’s cervix she was able to tell that it was open and there was pressure.  This brought on the emotions.  Frustrated and scared were the first ones. We will love these boys beyond measure when they get here, but they do not need to arrive in this world for quite a few more weeks.  If I get to pick, a minimum of 6 weeks and we would be happy for 8 more weeks of cooking at this point.  Upon discovering the dilation, the nurse shifted into a faster gear and told Cassie about the wonders of Magnesium Sulfate and all the side effects it would have on her.  The point being, to calm everything down, relax the cervix and stop the contractions, but all the while putting Cassie through hot flashes, nausea and as discovered today, body aches.

From the monitors on the babies and then the ultrasound we were given some good news.  The babies’ heartbeats were good, they looked fine and Cassie’s cervix was still long.  By the way, don’t let all the terms fool you, I am just trying to repeat some of the things I have heard, and it may mean something to half the population. 

The good news that the babies didn’t seem too effected by everything going on helped us.  Around 7pm Monday night, Cassie had an IV for fluids, Magnesium Sulfate and had been given a steroid injection to help develop the boys’ lungs.  At this point I asked the next important question for Cassie….when can she eat.  The answer was more bad news….not while on the Magnesium.  As I am writing, she hasn’t had real food since 3pm Monday.  Yes, that is a very long time for anyone….especially a beautiful pregnant lady of triplets.  She has been given various other drugs like pepcid and raglan for heartburn and today they added antibiotics.

It has been an adventure but things do seem to be continually improving.  The same nurse has helped Cassie on the night shift last night and tonight and has been awesome.  Cassie was told she would get to stop the Magnesium and may be moved to a step-down room Wednesday.  Hoping and praying all goes well and that she gets to go home and rest soon.  Cassie said she is more than willing to just lay around at home just so she doesn’t have to be in the hospital with all the contraptions and to keep the boys cooking as long as possible.

Continue to pray for the babies and Cassie.  Specifically, that all the contractions and irritation will stop, allowing the babies to stay put, growing bigger and healthier as long as possible.  And don’t forget to pray for me and Brock, it is time to put our organizational, care-taker, home-manager skills to the test.  I pray that Brock is not adversely affected too much by all the changes now and in the future and I pray that I have the strength, energy, and knowledge to do what needs to be done for my family. No more time for procrastination.

11/17/2011 Dr. Appointment Update

Yesterday, I had an appointment with my regular OB and wanted to give you a brief update.  Currently, I see both a high risk OB and my regular OB, Dr. Haney, who delivered Brock, and will likely deliver these three boys.  Dr. Haney was encouraged by what she saw on the ultrasound report but was still cautiously optimistic.  She shared that these babies are viable at this point but we obviously do NOT want them to join the world just yet.  The longer they stay inside the better, up to 36 weeks.  After 36 weeks they have found that triplets no longer thrive in the womb, and they will deliver them if by a miracle they are still holding on.  Of course at that point I'm sure I will be begging to deliver.  Prior to looking at the ultrasound and talking to me, Dr. Haney had intentions of putting me on a more restricted bed rest schedule.  However, since things are going so well, she has allowed me to stay on my current "mortified bed rest" schedule,  resting two uninterrupted hours, on my side, each morning and afternoon.  She did encourage me to spend every two or three days doing nothing and laying around most of the day.  I know this sounds wonderful to all of you with busy schedules and I am trying to enjoy these quiet, relaxing moments, but I also long for the energy to be up preparing for the arrival of these little ones.  So how big am I?...Well maybe someday I will get the courage to post a picture.  To put it in prospective, I am 24 weeks and a normal 24 week pregnant women's uterus would measure 24 cm.  I currently measure 33 weeks.  This measurement has not changed in the last couple of weeks, likely because my little miracles are in line and are spreading out wider.  I honestly feel pretty good.  It would be great to have more energy but I know that is God's way of keeping me on the couch.  If I don't feel like getting up and going then I don't.  Thanks for all of your continued prayers.

24 Week Ultrasound

Today we were excited to see our three little guys.  Lots of good news!  All three babies are growing and everything looks great.  Two boys are head down and one is in the breach position. The approximate weight and percentiles of each baby are as follows:
  Baby A  1 lb 7 oz  52%
  Baby B  1 lb 5 oz  30%
  Baby C  1 lb 8 oz  67%
These percentiles are very encouraging since they are being compared to singleton babies and triplets are often smaller. We met a new doctor today, who was very encouraged by what she saw on the ultrasound, but like all my other doctors she is also realistic.  Just as we have been told several times, this doctor told us that I would likely spend some time in the hospital before delivery (attempting to keep the babies inside a little longer or to more closely monitor my health and the health of each baby).  She also shared with us that triplet babies often like to join the world between 28 and 32 weeks.  This is pretty scary since we are only four weeks away from 28 weeks.  Obviously, everything can change quickly so we will continue to have regular ultrasounds.  We hope to update this blog with each doctors visit and with specific prayer requests.


Our Prayer Request
(Many of you have asked how you can help.  We humbly ask for prayers.  We strongly believe in the power of prayer it has given us peace and comfort so many times in the past.)


1.  Babies will continue to grow and develop at a healthy rate
2.  Cassie's body will continue to provide an ideal home for the babies

Our Story / Our Testimony

We know that many of you are reading this blog to keep up with our triplet pregnancy, but we wanted to give the back story to the current craziness for anyone who doesn’t know.  Many of you will understandably want to skip ahead to our pregnancy updates. 

Brian and I would consider ourselves planners.  We like the predictable and are most comfortable when things are moving along the way WE have it planned.  Thankfully God has a better plan for our lives and we have been fortunate to have a front row seat to see His amazing plan play out.  Just as He promises it ISN’T always the easy road to trust in Him, however, He is always working for the good of those that love and serve Him. 

Approximately two years after we were married we decided that it was time to add to our family.  Things didn’t play out exactly like we had planned.  After trying to conceive for over a year we were referred to the specialists at Nashville Fertility.  Many, many, many tests and a surgery later it was discovered that I have stage 4 endometriosis (a painful, chronic disease that affects at least 6.3 million women and girls in the U.S.).  I can’t speak for Brian but this was a relief to me.  It explained so many things and gave us a place to start.  I personally like to know what I am dealing with.  I am not a fan of the unknown, so if I know what the “problem” is I can work on finding a solution.  We tried some less invasive procedures before realizing that in vitro fertilization (IVF) was our best option.  After several months of consideration and prayer we decided to move forward with our first cycle of IVF.  This is not an easy process and takes a toll on both the husband and wife emotionally, physically, and obviously financially.  Brian and I were so fortunate to have so many friends and family praying for us.  There was a real sense of peace about what we were doing.  We had a very successful first cycle and have our four year old son Brock to show for it.  At that time we were able to freeze 20+ embryos (an almost unheard of number). 

Around the time Brock turned two I began to feel like I was ready to go through the IVF process again.  Since it worked so well for us the first time we were confident it would work again.  This time around we once again transferred two embryos.  We felt like we really wanted to surprise people with a pregnancy so we shared the process with very few and hoped we would have exciting news to share with our families.  Our second cycle didn’t work and we mourned that loss.  We were heartbroken but soon felt a peace about it and were able to enjoy our family of three. 

Approximately a year later I told Brian I was ready to try again.  This time we told most of our family and friends and asked for them to shower us with prayers.  After transferring two embryos we received exciting news that we were indeed pregnant.  This excitement was short lived and on my first day back to school after summer break I received the results of my second blood test…we were no longer pregnant.  This would be called a chemical pregnancy because it was lost so early but we felt the pain of the loss just the same.  I can't believe how much you can feel God's comfort and peace when you feel the saddest. 

Once again it took me about nine months to feel ready to give IVF another try.  Brian has always been very supportive and has allowed me to really decide when we should try again.  Without his continued love and support I would have never been able to make it through these challenging years.  Before this cycle started I really felt, in my heart, that this was the last time.  I had a peace about it (as I always did, even in the failed cycles).  I was completely comfortable being the mom of one child or even considering adoption down the road if this IVF round was not successful.  My body was telling me that I physically and emotionally could not continue with more cycles after this one.  In the spring of 2011 we began the process of what I believed to be our fourth and final in vitro transfer.  As we prepared we discussed with our doctor the idea of transferring three embryos instead of two.  She agreed and we proceeded.  As with two of my previous cycles, I also had a weekly acupuncture appointment with an amazing acupuncturist.  He was not only sticking me with needles but he was also an advisor in many ways.  During one session I asked him what he thought about transferring three embryos this time.  His response, “Well, would you want zero babies or three babies?”  At the time it wasn’t even a question…I wanted a baby and if they came in threes I would take it.  God heard me loud and clear and 11 days after transfer we received the news that we were indeed pregnant.  Feeling a little gun shy from our last cycle we only shared the news with our parents and waited to tell our friends and extended family.  After our second positive pregnancy test on July 4^th we shared the exciting news with our friends and family.  At seven weeks we returned to have our first ultrasound.  We were thrilled to get our first look at the little girl or guy growing inside of me.  Because of some bleeding we were also preparing ourselves for the worst.  I stretched back on the table closed my eyes and began to pray that everything was okay and that our little one was still growing strong. Brian on the other hand was leaning in watching the screen intently.  He later shared that he very quickly saw that there were two little sacks; which was a total shock to him since he was convinced that there was only one baby.  I finally began to open my eyes and look towards the screen when the ultrasound technician said, “Congratulations, you have three babies!”  Brian's smile expanded and I began to cry and shake a little, not because she said THREE but because everything was okay.  I felt such a sense of relief!  As minutes passed and we got a good look at our little guys reality might have started to sink in but mostly we were thrilled to be blessed in such a huge way. 

So here we are 23 weeks into our pregnancy with triplet boys and believe me, reality has hit us, but we are still feeling the enormous gift that God has given us.  We are thankful for this twisted journey that has not only brought us closer to each other but we have always felt the arms of Christ securely surrounding us!