Hospital Stay # 2

Another update and it hasn’t been a week.  Yes, that means we have had another adventure besides the weekly appointment.  Yesterday Cassie called me while I was at work to let me know she was feeling worse than normal with pressure and contractions, and to give me a heads up that she may have to go to the hospital to make sure everything was okay. An hour or so later, she called to say things weren’t better and I should come get her.  Once at the hospital, Cassie was put through the usual tests; monitor the babies’ heartbeats and her contractions.  Monitoring the babies is an ordeal for the nurses.  They are not use to getting three heartbeats at a time so their machine isn’t set up for them to see all three on the same monitor.  They had to call in back up.  Cassie’s OB checked her out and everything is still looking like the babies are not ready arrive just yet, but her doctor wanted to keep her overnight.  By dinner time Cassie’s contractions were practically gone, so Cassie said she planned to come home the next day.

Unfortunately, the drugs designed to help stop her contractions, started an intense migraine. Come three o’clock in the morning, Cassie was throwing up in the bed.  Luckily she got better.  Her OB came in Friday morning and confirmed the obvious, that Cassie’s body was “done,” but since she was not in danger her goal is to make it two more weeks.  Funny thing is that when Cassie told me about her talk with the doctor I caught that the doctor said Cassie’s body was done, but from somewhere, I though Cassie said that the doctor told her she would like Cassie to make it a few more days.  I thought we were setting a delivery date and even shared that news with our parents.  After talking with Cassie again later when she was telling me what the high risk doctor said, I asked Cassie what happened to a few days.  Cassie was confused as she said she never mentioned setting a delivery date so soon.  I am sure I misunderstood, but maybe all of Cassie’s drugs hadn’t worn off and she had said it? J 

Cassie was quick to let me know that she was told she got to come home tonight.  Cassie is more uncomfortable than ever and twice as swollen as when she went in to the hospital.  We are all home now and whether it is a few days or two weeks, we will take what time we have to enjoy the three of us, until the other three arrive. 

Prayers:

1. Continued well being of the boys
2. Health and comfort of Cassie.  She does not feel well, but is willing to hold on a couple of weeks to benefit the babies.

Care Calendar Information

http://carecalendar.org/

Calendar ID:  94874

Security Code:  7373



Big Milestone...32 Weeks

Today is a very exciting day.  We have made it to 32 weeks.  Thank you for all of the prayers, we know that is why we have made it this far.  Feeling so blessed!  So many risks decrease at this point. The babies are estimated to be approaching four pounds and 16+ inches long.  So lets run the numbers for fun...that is about 12 pounds and 48 inches of babies in my large belly.  Funny to think about, and believe me I am starting to feel it.  With each day I become more uncomfortable and am beginning to wonder how much longer my body will hold up.  Yesterday, I went to see my OB for my weekly check-up.  It was the first time I didn't drive myself to my appointment.  My friend, Debbie, was kind enough to drive me and keep me company.  I promised myself and several others that I would be completely honest with Dr. Haney about my "aches and pains."  Like most people I am guilty of saying, "I feel great!" even when I am wondering how much more I can take.  The appointment began with a weight check (which I won't share because it is becoming depressing, I am seeing numbers I never thought were possible) and then the blood pressure check.  I was concerned about my blood pressure numbers because I am beginning to swell  (the benefit to this is that my wrinkles are filling in).  Thankfully my numbers were great.  Dr. Haney spend a good ten minutes stressing the importance of heading to the hospital if I felt any changes.  So much can change and take a turn for the worse at this point so she wanted to be sure I understood the importance of listening to my body.  Because of all of my discomfort and sudden swelling, my doctor felt it would be best if I went over to the hospital for monitoring.  After spending over five hours monitoring heart rates, contractions, blood work, and an ultrasound we were thankful to find that our boys are doing well and not showing signs of stress.  Home sweet home!!!  We had our bags packed just in case we needed to stay.  As wonderful as the nurses and staff are at Baptist Hospital ,there is no place like home.  Praying that I will be able to continue to "enjoy" my bed rest at home and not at the hospital. 

Please continue to pray for the babies.  Each day is a bonus and will help our babies spend less time in the NICU.

Many of you have requested belly pictures. My goal has always been to avoid pregnancy pictures, for the most part.  It is fun to have one or two to look back at but I don't need an entire album :).  However, I have reluctantly decided to post the growing belly for all to enjoy. 

31 Weeks

It's Brian. Yes, I am back, but not because of a hospital stay this time.  Cassie is just tired and doesn't feel like even sitting up long enough to type.  She has moments of getting really tight and even a few contractions from time to time. 
Now for the good news. Cassie and the boys have made it to 31 weeks and everything looks great.  Baby A is now 3 lbs 6 oz, Baby B is 3 lbs 11 oz and Baby C is also 3 lbs 11oz.  Of course as the babies get bigger, the possible range of their actual weight increases.  For Baby A it is plus or minus 8 oz, and Baby B and C are plus or minus 9 oz.
Our short term goal is one more week and from there we will take it one week or even day at a time.  Cassie's OB doctor did say that she would look at setting a date for delievery when she sees her next week. 
Please continue to pray for our family and every aspect of this blessed adventure.
We thank you so much for your prayers and for each of you who has helped us is so many ways during this time.

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Care Calendar Information

http://carecalendar.org/

Calendar ID:  94874

Security Code:  7373

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.