Surprising isn't it? Will Leslie is planning to stay in the hospital untill Monday which is when her mom will arrive. She also has a couple doctor appointments scheduled here at the hospital, so this should work out well.
I am planning to go home tonight to catch up on household chores. Rylee will be spending these last night with my brother Chris' family (tonight) and probably my parents tomorrow night.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
22 weeks today.
Today marks 22 weeks. Leslie has no fever, and the pain has seemed to lessened. There were no blood test scheduled today, so I don't have any technical data to share.
We are happy about our good fortune this morning. What a ride this week has been (literally and figuratively). Sunday we started our drive. Tuesday we made it home. Wednesday Leslie had a fever and went into the hospital. Today, we are back to our base line.
The doctor just came in to say that if Leslie would like to go back home, she could. We would need to check temps and look for any pain or "flu-like" symptoms. OR, Leslie is welcome to stay in the hospital. That is today's decision...
Leslie's wearing her "Super Saturday Socks"
Friday, July 4, 2008
Still here...
Today went by fairly quickly. My parents came by with Rylee (and lunch) followed by my brother Chris and sister-in-law Jamie. Later in the day we sat around watching TV. Brian and Tara Hayden brought us our anniversary dinner which came from Brendan's Restaurant and Pub. I would have liked to take Leslie out for a proper meal, but we made due.
The report on Leslie is basically the same from this morning. No fever, but she has some pain. We will spend the night in the hospital again and see what the morning brings. More tomorrow.
The report on Leslie is basically the same from this morning. No fever, but she has some pain. We will spend the night in the hospital again and see what the morning brings. More tomorrow.
Leslie's Status
Today's report:
First the good news:
First the good news:
- Fever is at 98°
- WBC is at 7
- C-Reactive Protein test was 64 which is very high. This is similar to the WBC test in that it reveals potential infection and inflammation. The result could be high because of the membrane being ruptured.
- Some "pain" around her uterus which might indicate the beginning of infection. However, Leslie felt this begin after she sneezed last night. She has had similar "pains" after sneezing with previous pregnancies.
- Spirits are pretty low right now.
10 years
Happy Anniversary to us! 10 years ago on a HOT Saturday in Salem, IL, Leslie and I were married. Seems like yesterday...
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Still at the hospital
Leslie is resting comfortably at the hospital. It's been a very hard day emotionally as we have had a couple not so encouraging consultations with doctors.
Right now Leslie's fever is very low (99°) and she is not having any pain other than a headache which is most likely from not sleeping well and stress. We are hopeful that something other than an infection caused the fever.
The plan is to stay in the hospital for now and see if there are any more signs of infection. We need 2 more weeks to have an opportunity for a positive outcome.
My parents will be bringing dinner and Rylee to the hospital shortly. It will be good for mom and daughter to share some time together.
Thanks for your thoughts and prayers!
Right now Leslie's fever is very low (99°) and she is not having any pain other than a headache which is most likely from not sleeping well and stress. We are hopeful that something other than an infection caused the fever.
The plan is to stay in the hospital for now and see if there are any more signs of infection. We need 2 more weeks to have an opportunity for a positive outcome.
My parents will be bringing dinner and Rylee to the hospital shortly. It will be good for mom and daughter to share some time together.
Thanks for your thoughts and prayers!
Back to the hospital last night
Before I get into what happened last night, first a quick recap on some of the immediate dangers to Leslie.
When we arrived at the hospital, we expected the worst. Leslie's examination found no pain around the uterus, however she did have a 100.3° temperature. The doctor felt that she was most likely in the beginning stages of Chorio, but decided to hold off on any further actions until Leslie's white blood cell (WBC) count came back. (For WBC counts - the higher the number, the more likely there is an infection). In Denver, her WBC was at 13 which is considered "normal" for pregnant women. Last night Leslie's WBC came back at 12. Her doctor was expecting something higher than 16 for Chorio.
So we spent the night in the hospital last night. Leslie slept fairly well all in all. This morning they ran another WBC which came back at 9! Her temperature is down to 98.5°. We're not sure why she had a fever last night. We suspect it is either Chorio starting to make its presence known, or she had a "bug". We pray it's the latter.
This morning (after Leslie Depaola dropped off coffee - thank you!) we had a consult with a Neonatologist. While he was forthright in saying that at 24 weeks his medical opinion was that we are in a bad position for success, he did have hope. He mentioned several instances of survival after everyone expected the worst.
Bottom line, we are in a tough spot for sure. We are aware of the odds and the likely outcome. But until that time we are staying the course and praying for the best. The road continues on...
I'm not sure if we are going home today. I suspect Leslie may be here for the remainder of the pregnancy. We are meeting with a MFM doctor later today, so we will have more details then. Check back for more details.
- Labor - the baby is just too young at 21 weeks. We need 24 weeks for a 50/50 chance.
- Infection - Chorioamnionitis (AKA Chorio). This is a an infection that cannot be treated by antibiotics once it sets in. It's a very dangerous situation which requires immediate action, which is to deliver the baby. Chorio usually begins with a spiking fever, pain, etc. At 100.4°, we have been instructed to go to hospital.
When we arrived at the hospital, we expected the worst. Leslie's examination found no pain around the uterus, however she did have a 100.3° temperature. The doctor felt that she was most likely in the beginning stages of Chorio, but decided to hold off on any further actions until Leslie's white blood cell (WBC) count came back. (For WBC counts - the higher the number, the more likely there is an infection). In Denver, her WBC was at 13 which is considered "normal" for pregnant women. Last night Leslie's WBC came back at 12. Her doctor was expecting something higher than 16 for Chorio.
So we spent the night in the hospital last night. Leslie slept fairly well all in all. This morning they ran another WBC which came back at 9! Her temperature is down to 98.5°. We're not sure why she had a fever last night. We suspect it is either Chorio starting to make its presence known, or she had a "bug". We pray it's the latter.
This morning (after Leslie Depaola dropped off coffee - thank you!) we had a consult with a Neonatologist. While he was forthright in saying that at 24 weeks his medical opinion was that we are in a bad position for success, he did have hope. He mentioned several instances of survival after everyone expected the worst.
Bottom line, we are in a tough spot for sure. We are aware of the odds and the likely outcome. But until that time we are staying the course and praying for the best. The road continues on...
I'm not sure if we are going home today. I suspect Leslie may be here for the remainder of the pregnancy. We are meeting with a MFM doctor later today, so we will have more details then. Check back for more details.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Update from Dr Appt
We heard a strong fetal heartbeat. No signs of infection, etc. Also, the doctor thinks Leslie may not have PUPPPs. Since she was on so many antibiotics she might have killed off the "good" bacteria allowing fungus to grow on her skin. This would be good new (weird I know) because it can be treated. With PUPPPs, there is no treatment and it's miserable.
Leslie's doctors are located next to the hospital she will be delivering at, so we will likely go visit with a MFM doctor (maternal fetal medicine) and NICU doctor. This will be another long day.
Leslie's doctors are located next to the hospital she will be delivering at, so we will likely go visit with a MFM doctor (maternal fetal medicine) and NICU doctor. This will be another long day.
First night at home
It's good to be home! Rylee was would leave Leslie's side. Our wonderful neighbors and friends are all pitching in to help, and food is a plenty. Not to mention my parents having already been watching Rylee since this adventure began!
All I can say is that the house was loud from the cats expressing their joy of having Leslie home. Then again (being that they are cats), perhaps they were expressing their displeasure for having "their home" invaded by humans again. I'll stick with the former.
This morning we will be going to Leslie's normal doctor office for a check up. I expect we will be back home around 1 PM. However, when Leslie last spoke to this particular doctor, she mentioned for Leslie to "bring a packed bag". That was early last week, and everything we have learned since then leads me to believe Week 24 (July 19th) is when they will admit Leslie. I mention this only so that should I report that Leslie is being admitted, you know why.
OK, I think the coffee is ready. I could use a cup... :-)
All I can say is that the house was loud from the cats expressing their joy of having Leslie home. Then again (being that they are cats), perhaps they were expressing their displeasure for having "their home" invaded by humans again. I'll stick with the former.
This morning we will be going to Leslie's normal doctor office for a check up. I expect we will be back home around 1 PM. However, when Leslie last spoke to this particular doctor, she mentioned for Leslie to "bring a packed bag". That was early last week, and everything we have learned since then leads me to believe Week 24 (July 19th) is when they will admit Leslie. I mention this only so that should I report that Leslie is being admitted, you know why.
OK, I think the coffee is ready. I could use a cup... :-)
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Returned the car
Monday, June 30, 2008
Busch Stadium Panorama
I took a couple pictures from our hotel room and stitched them together using a tool from CleVR.com.
To see the complete picture, click here.
To see the complete picture, click here.
We're in St. Louis
After having breakfast in KC, we made the 4 hour drive across Missouri to Saint Louis. Today was a shorter drive, but it felt longer. Our hotel room windows face Busch Stadium were the Cardinals are playing the NY Mets tonight. I think we'll order some pop corn and hot dogs for dinner tonight.
Tomorrow we will drive to Louisville in time to have a doctor's visit in the afternoon. For now, Leslie is in bed - shocking I know ;-)
Tomorrow we will drive to Louisville in time to have a doctor's visit in the afternoon. For now, Leslie is in bed - shocking I know ;-)
Sunday, June 29, 2008
We made it. KC
We are in Kansas City now. Leslie is back in a real bed. Time for room service. Now where is that menu...
Updates via twitter
I'll be using Twitter for the rest of the trip for minor "where's" Leslie updates for the rest of the trip. They are on the right of this web page.
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