I just wanted to pop by Krista's blog to let everyone know that I have heard from Krista and she is doing OK.
Baby Cad.en is doing great and at his last doctor's appointment, he was up to 6.5 pounds!
Krista is taking things one day at a time. She is still recovering from her brain surgery and is doing her best to adjust. It could be three months before she feels like herself again.
I hope everyone can send her as many thoughts and well wishes as we can. I still can't imagine having brain surgery a week and a half after giving birth. I know that she is still somewhat limited as to what she can do and is doing her best to deal with things. We are all thinking of you, Krista and hope you will be back here soon.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
A Krista Update
Hi, it's Reality back again with an update.
This afternoon, I got a voice message that has left me with a wow feeling all day. The message was from Krista! It was such a relief to hear her voice. She was calling me to tell me she was home from the hospital, just two short days after brain surgery.
The wow feeling is coming from several places. One was the shock that the message was from Krista herself and not someone calling on her behalf. I am also amazed that she is at home two days after having brain surgery. That is just wow in itself. But, if anyone could do it, it would be Krista, after all, she has the most beautiful little boy at home. One of the other wow parts was just the whole situation my dear friend has had to face. I really hope that the worst is over and there is nothing left to do but follow up appointments so she can focus all of her energy on her precious son, Cad.en.
I called Krista back, and she sounded fantastic. I know she is still pretty sore from having her skull opened, but she is doing well.
I also got an email from her with some additional details. I will copy and paste some of what she has said. Krista, like me, is a closet blogger. Her family doesn't know she has a blog and can't exactly sit in the middle of everyone and post herself. She hopes to be back here herself in a few days.
Here are Krista's words:
"As I let you know by phone, I am home. Tired, still a little anxious, but overall not bad two days after brain surgery. It actually wasn't a tumour in the brain but on the dura matter surrounding the brain that put pressure on the cerebellum causing the headaches and motor control function. They think it was a menigioma (sp?). The doctors are hopeful that they got all the tumour and are very pleased with my recovery so far. I won't know much more details than that until I have a follow up MRI in 4 weeks."
Here are the words that have really sealed the deal on my wow feeling:
"What I do know is that my little boy probably helped to save my life. Usually these types of tumours grow asymptomatic until they hit the optic nerve and cause permanent loss of eyesight. By that time the surgery is up in the upper part of the brain and much more complicated. The hormones from pregnancy cause me to notice symptoms much earlier than I would likely have done otherwise."
Cad.en is a miracle in more ways than one.
Here is what the proud mommy had to say about her boy:
"By the way, today was Cad.en's two week check up (he is technically 2 weeks tomorrow) and he was over his birth weight by 1/2 ounce (5 -12 1/2). I was able to pump some before I went to surgery and he is getting a mixture of breast milk and formula and he is growing like a weed!"
Krista, I am so happy you are home, you have your son and you are well on your road to recovery. It was so good to hear your voice today. Kiss the baby from me and I will see you soon, my friend.
This afternoon, I got a voice message that has left me with a wow feeling all day. The message was from Krista! It was such a relief to hear her voice. She was calling me to tell me she was home from the hospital, just two short days after brain surgery.
The wow feeling is coming from several places. One was the shock that the message was from Krista herself and not someone calling on her behalf. I am also amazed that she is at home two days after having brain surgery. That is just wow in itself. But, if anyone could do it, it would be Krista, after all, she has the most beautiful little boy at home. One of the other wow parts was just the whole situation my dear friend has had to face. I really hope that the worst is over and there is nothing left to do but follow up appointments so she can focus all of her energy on her precious son, Cad.en.
I called Krista back, and she sounded fantastic. I know she is still pretty sore from having her skull opened, but she is doing well.
I also got an email from her with some additional details. I will copy and paste some of what she has said. Krista, like me, is a closet blogger. Her family doesn't know she has a blog and can't exactly sit in the middle of everyone and post herself. She hopes to be back here herself in a few days.
Here are Krista's words:
"As I let you know by phone, I am home. Tired, still a little anxious, but overall not bad two days after brain surgery. It actually wasn't a tumour in the brain but on the dura matter surrounding the brain that put pressure on the cerebellum causing the headaches and motor control function. They think it was a menigioma (sp?). The doctors are hopeful that they got all the tumour and are very pleased with my recovery so far. I won't know much more details than that until I have a follow up MRI in 4 weeks."
Here are the words that have really sealed the deal on my wow feeling:
"What I do know is that my little boy probably helped to save my life. Usually these types of tumours grow asymptomatic until they hit the optic nerve and cause permanent loss of eyesight. By that time the surgery is up in the upper part of the brain and much more complicated. The hormones from pregnancy cause me to notice symptoms much earlier than I would likely have done otherwise."
Cad.en is a miracle in more ways than one.
Here is what the proud mommy had to say about her boy:
"By the way, today was Cad.en's two week check up (he is technically 2 weeks tomorrow) and he was over his birth weight by 1/2 ounce (5 -12 1/2). I was able to pump some before I went to surgery and he is getting a mixture of breast milk and formula and he is growing like a weed!"
Krista, I am so happy you are home, you have your son and you are well on your road to recovery. It was so good to hear your voice today. Kiss the baby from me and I will see you soon, my friend.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
An Update.
I (My Reality) am back with an update.
Krista and her beautiful son went home early last week. As many of you know, Krista had to deliver her son early because of a medical condition that was unrelated to her pregnancy. I got an email from her today with the OK to update her blog.
During the last few weeks of Krista's pregnancy with Cad.en, she was experiencing debilitating headaches. At one point, they were thought to have been caused by an ear infection. Krista was having a problem being in the upright position, her vision was disturbed and she was in tremendous pain. Krista was hospitalized and was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
I do not have many details, but I will tell you all what I do know.
The tumour is at the base of her brain and from what Krista told me, it is on the lining of her brain. It does not appear to be malignant. Her team of neurologists think the tumour has been there for a few years, but the hormones in Krista's body because of her pregnancy had caused it to grow at an increased rate and make its presence known.
Krista is going back into the hospital tomorrow for the first of back-to-back operations to remove the tumour. She is expected to be in the hospital for about a week and she told me in an email today it could be 4-6 weeks before she is feeling well again. It is expected that Krista will make a complete recovery with very few side effects from the surgery and tumour.
As far as I know, baby Cad.en is doing great. I have seen pictures and he is absolutely adorable. He looks like both his Mommy and his Daddy.
I want to ask everyone to send Krista thoughts, prayers, love and everything you have got to help get her through this. She has a house full of people, parents, siblings, in-laws etc. to help her in her recovery. I know that her determination and her beautiful son will be what helps her bounce back as soon as she can.
I will update in a few days once I have an update from her family.
Krista and her beautiful son went home early last week. As many of you know, Krista had to deliver her son early because of a medical condition that was unrelated to her pregnancy. I got an email from her today with the OK to update her blog.
During the last few weeks of Krista's pregnancy with Cad.en, she was experiencing debilitating headaches. At one point, they were thought to have been caused by an ear infection. Krista was having a problem being in the upright position, her vision was disturbed and she was in tremendous pain. Krista was hospitalized and was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
I do not have many details, but I will tell you all what I do know.
The tumour is at the base of her brain and from what Krista told me, it is on the lining of her brain. It does not appear to be malignant. Her team of neurologists think the tumour has been there for a few years, but the hormones in Krista's body because of her pregnancy had caused it to grow at an increased rate and make its presence known.
Krista is going back into the hospital tomorrow for the first of back-to-back operations to remove the tumour. She is expected to be in the hospital for about a week and she told me in an email today it could be 4-6 weeks before she is feeling well again. It is expected that Krista will make a complete recovery with very few side effects from the surgery and tumour.
As far as I know, baby Cad.en is doing great. I have seen pictures and he is absolutely adorable. He looks like both his Mommy and his Daddy.
I want to ask everyone to send Krista thoughts, prayers, love and everything you have got to help get her through this. She has a house full of people, parents, siblings, in-laws etc. to help her in her recovery. I know that her determination and her beautiful son will be what helps her bounce back as soon as she can.
I will update in a few days once I have an update from her family.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Happy Birthday, Cad.en!
It is with great pleasure that I announce the birth of Krista & Rick's son, Cad.en Thom.as!
Cad.en was born this morning at 8:29 by C-section and weighed in at 5 pounds 12 ounces. He still hasn't been measured yet, so I can't tell you how long he is.
He is perfect in every way and nursing like a champ.
Krista is feeling good and is beyond happy to have her son in her arms.
(This has been posted by My Reality and I will be back with more news as I get it.)
Welcome to the world, Cad.en!
Cad.en was born this morning at 8:29 by C-section and weighed in at 5 pounds 12 ounces. He still hasn't been measured yet, so I can't tell you how long he is.
He is perfect in every way and nursing like a champ.
Krista is feeling good and is beyond happy to have her son in her arms.
(This has been posted by My Reality and I will be back with more news as I get it.)
Welcome to the world, Cad.en!
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
36 Weeks
Turns out the constant headaches are not just a pregnancy symptom that I must deal with but a result of the whopping ear infection I have in my left ear. Who knew? I never get ear infections. I knew I had not had one since I was an adult. I asked my mom, and she said I only had three as a child, the last of which was when I was 9!
Ironically, the reason I was born 3 weeks premature was because my mom was diagnosed with an ear infection at 36 weeks and given a week's worth of Amox (you know the rest, it is a very common antibiotic). She began to retain fluid and when at her next visit, 1 week later she had gained 7 lbs and was all squishy her doctor induced her.
I was also given 10 days worth of Amox. My ob said it is the safest antibiotic to take while pregnant and it is even safe to take while breastfeeding because such a small amount passes into your breast milk and it is the one antibiotic they will prescribe to infants if they get an infection. I don't think I will have the same reaction as my mom. Nothing else has followed her reproductively. She was super fertile and never had a problem getting pregnant. In fact, she had a problem not getting pregnant! And she developed mild HG and was sick for the whole 9 months of pregnancy, I was not! We'll see.. I'm not quite ready for little guy to make his appearance yet, I need to know he's ok and safe and 36 weeks just seems a little early.
I went and had professional maternity photo's done. I am please with many of them. So far I only have the printed copies. I will get a CD with the files on them in a few days and then I will share with you.
Yesterday's OB appointment went really well. No weight gain in the last two weeks but he was unconcerned for two reasons. One, because I had gained 5 lbs during my last visit, putting me over 20 lbs. And two, because he said with an undiagnosed ear infection I had probably lost my appetite and was not eating as much. My blood pressure was normal, 118 over 79 (up a little bit for me but still in the normal range), and my fundal height measurement was right on 36 inches.
He did the swab for strep B virus. I can't believe I am this close! Now if I could just get rid of this headache so I can start really enjoying this pregnancy again.
Ironically, the reason I was born 3 weeks premature was because my mom was diagnosed with an ear infection at 36 weeks and given a week's worth of Amox (you know the rest, it is a very common antibiotic). She began to retain fluid and when at her next visit, 1 week later she had gained 7 lbs and was all squishy her doctor induced her.
I was also given 10 days worth of Amox. My ob said it is the safest antibiotic to take while pregnant and it is even safe to take while breastfeeding because such a small amount passes into your breast milk and it is the one antibiotic they will prescribe to infants if they get an infection. I don't think I will have the same reaction as my mom. Nothing else has followed her reproductively. She was super fertile and never had a problem getting pregnant. In fact, she had a problem not getting pregnant! And she developed mild HG and was sick for the whole 9 months of pregnancy, I was not! We'll see.. I'm not quite ready for little guy to make his appearance yet, I need to know he's ok and safe and 36 weeks just seems a little early.
I went and had professional maternity photo's done. I am please with many of them. So far I only have the printed copies. I will get a CD with the files on them in a few days and then I will share with you.
Yesterday's OB appointment went really well. No weight gain in the last two weeks but he was unconcerned for two reasons. One, because I had gained 5 lbs during my last visit, putting me over 20 lbs. And two, because he said with an undiagnosed ear infection I had probably lost my appetite and was not eating as much. My blood pressure was normal, 118 over 79 (up a little bit for me but still in the normal range), and my fundal height measurement was right on 36 inches.
He did the swab for strep B virus. I can't believe I am this close! Now if I could just get rid of this headache so I can start really enjoying this pregnancy again.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Posting More
I have been told by my husband and my friend, Reality that I really need to update.
But really I feel so at a loss with this blog lately. You see, the only thing currently going on in my life is this baby. With only 4 weeks to go, I am working very little (soon to be not at all), and I do not have the energy or comfort level to do a lot else. I can't even weed my garden and I LOVE gardening. But seriously, I can't kneel because my knees are too lose, I can't bend over because physically that is impossible right now with this big, hard, round belly in the way. And the whole sitting on my butt idea sounded good but is not comfortable either.
I am just about to finish my 35th week. Life has gotten more uncomfortable this week with significantly more headaches (almost constant since Monday although the intensity rises and falls) and now with feet swelling if I stay on my feet for too long, stay up late, or sit upright without my feet up. I am not complaining. frankly I am still enjoying being pregnant, but it is more restrictive these days.
But really I feel so at a loss with this blog lately. You see, the only thing currently going on in my life is this baby. With only 4 weeks to go, I am working very little (soon to be not at all), and I do not have the energy or comfort level to do a lot else. I can't even weed my garden and I LOVE gardening. But seriously, I can't kneel because my knees are too lose, I can't bend over because physically that is impossible right now with this big, hard, round belly in the way. And the whole sitting on my butt idea sounded good but is not comfortable either.
I am just about to finish my 35th week. Life has gotten more uncomfortable this week with significantly more headaches (almost constant since Monday although the intensity rises and falls) and now with feet swelling if I stay on my feet for too long, stay up late, or sit upright without my feet up. I am not complaining. frankly I am still enjoying being pregnant, but it is more restrictive these days.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
34.5 weeks
Wow, I can't believe I have only 5.5 weeks left until my due date.
The baby's room is painted and the furniture should be set up on the weekend. I will post a picture when it is all done (but that won't be until the end of May when my Mom gets here with the quilt she has made).
At my last doctors apt I had gained a whopping 5 lbs in 2 weeks. That brought my grand total to 21 lbs at 34 weeks. Doctor was very happy, he had wanted a minimum of 25 lbs. My blood pressure was 120 over 69 and the baby's heartbeat was great.
Last Friday I had a girls night with Reality. It was really very fun. I was worried because she has been through so much recently and I didn't want my big ass belly to hurt her in any way. But she insisted it wouldn't and I love her for that. I am glad that some bloggers see pregnancy after infertility differently than fertile pregnancy. I certainly feel it is different. I know any pregnancy can hurt. I know that no matter who gets pregnant it is easy to think "why isn't it my turn". That is normal. When you want something so bad, it is hard to see someone else get it. But I can't be one of those women who get pregnant after infertility and forget. Yes, it has gotten easier, the pain isn't as sharp and the fact that I am pregnant automatically makes it worth it. But I can still remember, I can still understand what the struggle felt like. Anyway... Reality made me feel like one of the girls, she was able to vent about things and I loved that she could still talk to me about it. And... we laughed. Oh did we laugh. We walked around in the lovely night weather and talked about the internet, and blogging, and bloggers and old boyfriends and old lovers and..... boy did we laugh and have fun. I haven't had that much fun in a while. Hey Reality... want to do it again soon?
So... I was tagged by Artblog to do a meme. Since she only tagged me recently I will happily comply. Sometimes by the time I realize that I have been tagged the meme is long since over and I have missed it!
I Am
I am the Atlantic ocean, the salt spray air and the wind blowing through your hair.
I am natural and honest and forthright and sometimes way too naive.
I am most at home climbing on rocks, or mountains or in a field of wild grasses and flowers.
I am a pretender in a suit, armed with knowledge and a false sense of confidence.
I am extremely empathetic but sometimes a terrible listener (I talk too much).
I am loyal and protective and terrible at staying in touch.
I am touchy and affectionate and crave intimacy.
I am a mixture that confuses even me.
I like this meme so I am going to tag others.
I want to know how you would describe yourself:
Reality
Hopeful Mother
Ms. C
Mony at Mrs. Negative
I didn't want to tag some others because they are going through things that seem too important to disturb with game playing. But if you are reading this blog and want to play along consider yourself tagged. Or email me and I will add your name to the list.
The baby's room is painted and the furniture should be set up on the weekend. I will post a picture when it is all done (but that won't be until the end of May when my Mom gets here with the quilt she has made).
At my last doctors apt I had gained a whopping 5 lbs in 2 weeks. That brought my grand total to 21 lbs at 34 weeks. Doctor was very happy, he had wanted a minimum of 25 lbs. My blood pressure was 120 over 69 and the baby's heartbeat was great.
Last Friday I had a girls night with Reality. It was really very fun. I was worried because she has been through so much recently and I didn't want my big ass belly to hurt her in any way. But she insisted it wouldn't and I love her for that. I am glad that some bloggers see pregnancy after infertility differently than fertile pregnancy. I certainly feel it is different. I know any pregnancy can hurt. I know that no matter who gets pregnant it is easy to think "why isn't it my turn". That is normal. When you want something so bad, it is hard to see someone else get it. But I can't be one of those women who get pregnant after infertility and forget. Yes, it has gotten easier, the pain isn't as sharp and the fact that I am pregnant automatically makes it worth it. But I can still remember, I can still understand what the struggle felt like. Anyway... Reality made me feel like one of the girls, she was able to vent about things and I loved that she could still talk to me about it. And... we laughed. Oh did we laugh. We walked around in the lovely night weather and talked about the internet, and blogging, and bloggers and old boyfriends and old lovers and..... boy did we laugh and have fun. I haven't had that much fun in a while. Hey Reality... want to do it again soon?
So... I was tagged by Artblog to do a meme. Since she only tagged me recently I will happily comply. Sometimes by the time I realize that I have been tagged the meme is long since over and I have missed it!
I Am
I am the Atlantic ocean, the salt spray air and the wind blowing through your hair.
I am natural and honest and forthright and sometimes way too naive.
I am most at home climbing on rocks, or mountains or in a field of wild grasses and flowers.
I am a pretender in a suit, armed with knowledge and a false sense of confidence.
I am extremely empathetic but sometimes a terrible listener (I talk too much).
I am loyal and protective and terrible at staying in touch.
I am touchy and affectionate and crave intimacy.
I am a mixture that confuses even me.
I like this meme so I am going to tag others.
I want to know how you would describe yourself:
Reality
Hopeful Mother
Ms. C
Mony at Mrs. Negative
I didn't want to tag some others because they are going through things that seem too important to disturb with game playing. But if you are reading this blog and want to play along consider yourself tagged. Or email me and I will add your name to the list.
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