I am a week over-due writing the update on the level 2 ultrasound. Things are crazy busy right now. I am back in school Monday and Wednesday nights, and I am trying to get ready to welcome Baby K into the world in 3 weeks. (EEEEKKKK!!!! THREE weeks people!)
Long story short, Baby K seems to be well. The ultrasound did show that he has what's called a hydrocele in his private area. But from what I've heard/read, this isn't too uncommon for little boys. It should either a)correct itself on its own, or b)it can be surgically corrected in the future. The main cause for concern is that his head is still measuring behind his body. Not too far behind, but small. Dr. R made me laugh to ease my concern. He said that usually when he looks at patients he thinks, "Dang, you've got a big head." So his theory is that Baby K comes from a small headed family. He feels this is all "precautionary" because I am still--even at 37 weeks--considered high risk.
However, with that said, I have another follow up ultrasound on FEB 3 at the same hospital. I am stoked that we get to take another peak at him (especially since the little booger keeps his hands in front of his face ALL THE TIME.)
As it stands right now, Baby K will be here on Feb 10 by c-section. (For those who are new to my blog, I can't have a natural birth because I severly fractured my pelvis when I was in high school. If I were to have a natural birth, I risk re-fracturing it during labor.) When we go back on Feb 3 for our final ultrasound, if he still hasn't grown, then he will be taken before Feb 10. Dr. R explained that if he wasn't growing well in-utero then our next best option was to get him out so he can be taken care of. As of last Monday, he only weighs 4lbs 14 oz...
So, even though it would be nice to have Baby K grace us with his presence early, the best thing is for him to bake just a bit longer.
Thank you all for your prayers and support over the past week and I covent your continued prayers for Baby K to grow!!!!!!!
Monday, January 19, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
A Miracle of Miracles....
I get an inspirational email every day and I wanted to share this with all of you. I couldn't help but plug in words here and there to describe Infertility. Try it. I hope this encourages all of you still waiting for your miracles....
A Miracle Of Miracles: Realizing An Impossible Dream
By: Saralee Perel
"So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem
improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become
inevitable." Christopher Reeve
Recently, for the first time in 5 years I simply went out back, put my
cane down, and started walking. I made it 42 yards.
Today I walked 5 miles.
My medical team had said this would be impossible. My brain could no
longer send the signals for walking because those nerves in my spinal
cord had been destroyed. Though certainly unintentional, my doctors
did take something very important away from me: hope.
A while back, a psychologist pal of mine urged me to try to help
myself. I was angry. I said, "They're four of Boston's leading
neurologists. They all said I'd never get any better."
"They could have all been wrong."
"They said there's nothing I can do! No rehabilitation. No physical
therapy. I'm not putting any effort into trying to walk and then be
miserable when I fail."
"Trying is never failure."
I'd get steaming mad at people like her. What did they know? They came
out in droves. I heard various things I should try: a soy-based diet,
massage, Yoga, acupuncture, positive thinking. All of these
well-meaning non-experts believed that traditional medical doctors do
not know everything about human potential.
However, there was a common denominator in my friends' advice. And
that was the word, "Try."
What made me finally try? The answer is simpler than I'd have ever
imagined. That day I tried walking on my own, I had simply said to
myself, "Why not?"
When I walk I have a Frankenstein-style gait. I get embarrassed so I
explain. I met a gal who said, "Stop excusing yourself. Walk proud!"
She's just one of the many who've taught me that if I open my heart to
acceptance, the world is filled with support teams.
I've also resolved to open my obstinate mind and really listen to
others, experts or not. This not only fosters my own sometimes-frail
belief in my abilities; it fosters faith in miracles.
One morning my husband, Bob, said there was a huge present for me in
our driveway. He had researched "bicycles for disabled people." It was
a 300 pound cycle for two. The seats were side by side. He could pedal
while I sat by him and enjoyed the outdoors again.
Um . . . did I mention it came assembled with a set of pedals for me too?
Now, hundreds of miles later, after exhaustive hours of pedaling along
beautiful bike trails, I only wish that we owned stock in Ben-Gay.
Bob needs a tube a day to keep up with me.
Last week he repeated, "There's a huge present in our driveway." He
led me outside. "Voila!" he said. "Oh no," I moaned. Bob dubbed it
"The One-Woman Dynamo Power Bike."
"Sweetheart? You know I can't bike on my own."
He laughed sweetly. "I know. And you can't walk either. Then why does
the pedometer I bought you have 74 miles on it?"
And so, I made a now often repeated declaration that I am praying
others will say to themselves as well. "Yes. I can."
Think I love my bike? You bet. Think I love Bob? Of course. Think I
love life again after cloistering myself in a self imposed no-can-do
closet? Goodness! You have to ask?
How do we find hope when hope seems impossible? Do we simply believe
in our hearts, our minds and our very souls that we can beat the odds?
Yes.
Christopher Reeve said, "When we have hope, we discover powers within
ourselves we may have never known. Once we choose hope, everything is
possible."
His immutable words still ring in my heart and I so hope they will in
everyone else's: "And you don't have to be a 'Superman' to do it."
Saralee Perel is an award-winning columnist, novelest, and retired
psychotherapist. Also, she is a contributor to Chicken Soup for the
Soul, Family Circle Magazine, the Dallas News and many other
publications. Her novel, "Raw Nerves" - A Cape Cod Comedic Thriller,
enjoys very favorable reviews, and can be purchased at Amazon.com (use
link above)
Saralee Perel, can be reached at sperel@saraleeperel.com.
Her web site: www.saraleeperel.com/
Copyright © 2008
A Miracle Of Miracles: Realizing An Impossible Dream
By: Saralee Perel
"So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem
improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become
inevitable." Christopher Reeve
Recently, for the first time in 5 years I simply went out back, put my
cane down, and started walking. I made it 42 yards.
Today I walked 5 miles.
My medical team had said this would be impossible. My brain could no
longer send the signals for walking because those nerves in my spinal
cord had been destroyed. Though certainly unintentional, my doctors
did take something very important away from me: hope.
A while back, a psychologist pal of mine urged me to try to help
myself. I was angry. I said, "They're four of Boston's leading
neurologists. They all said I'd never get any better."
"They could have all been wrong."
"They said there's nothing I can do! No rehabilitation. No physical
therapy. I'm not putting any effort into trying to walk and then be
miserable when I fail."
"Trying is never failure."
I'd get steaming mad at people like her. What did they know? They came
out in droves. I heard various things I should try: a soy-based diet,
massage, Yoga, acupuncture, positive thinking. All of these
well-meaning non-experts believed that traditional medical doctors do
not know everything about human potential.
However, there was a common denominator in my friends' advice. And
that was the word, "Try."
What made me finally try? The answer is simpler than I'd have ever
imagined. That day I tried walking on my own, I had simply said to
myself, "Why not?"
When I walk I have a Frankenstein-style gait. I get embarrassed so I
explain. I met a gal who said, "Stop excusing yourself. Walk proud!"
She's just one of the many who've taught me that if I open my heart to
acceptance, the world is filled with support teams.
I've also resolved to open my obstinate mind and really listen to
others, experts or not. This not only fosters my own sometimes-frail
belief in my abilities; it fosters faith in miracles.
One morning my husband, Bob, said there was a huge present for me in
our driveway. He had researched "bicycles for disabled people." It was
a 300 pound cycle for two. The seats were side by side. He could pedal
while I sat by him and enjoyed the outdoors again.
Um . . . did I mention it came assembled with a set of pedals for me too?
Now, hundreds of miles later, after exhaustive hours of pedaling along
beautiful bike trails, I only wish that we owned stock in Ben-Gay.
Bob needs a tube a day to keep up with me.
Last week he repeated, "There's a huge present in our driveway." He
led me outside. "Voila!" he said. "Oh no," I moaned. Bob dubbed it
"The One-Woman Dynamo Power Bike."
"Sweetheart? You know I can't bike on my own."
He laughed sweetly. "I know. And you can't walk either. Then why does
the pedometer I bought you have 74 miles on it?"
And so, I made a now often repeated declaration that I am praying
others will say to themselves as well. "Yes. I can."
Think I love my bike? You bet. Think I love Bob? Of course. Think I
love life again after cloistering myself in a self imposed no-can-do
closet? Goodness! You have to ask?
How do we find hope when hope seems impossible? Do we simply believe
in our hearts, our minds and our very souls that we can beat the odds?
Yes.
Christopher Reeve said, "When we have hope, we discover powers within
ourselves we may have never known. Once we choose hope, everything is
possible."
His immutable words still ring in my heart and I so hope they will in
everyone else's: "And you don't have to be a 'Superman' to do it."
Saralee Perel is an award-winning columnist, novelest, and retired
psychotherapist. Also, she is a contributor to Chicken Soup for the
Soul, Family Circle Magazine, the Dallas News and many other
publications. Her novel, "Raw Nerves" - A Cape Cod Comedic Thriller,
enjoys very favorable reviews, and can be purchased at Amazon.com (use
link above)
Saralee Perel, can be reached at sperel@saraleeperel.com.
Her web site: www.saraleeperel.com/
Copyright © 2008
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Dr. Appt update...
Hello All!
I had my doctor's appt on Monday which entailed (what I thought would be) my last ultrasound. Baby K weighs in at approximately 5lbs. His heart rate is good and he is measuring right on target. However, his head is measuring around a week behind his body. Ideally if I were having a natural birth, this would = less pain. However, my c-section is scheduled for Feb 10, so I would prefer his entire body be measuring on the same week. Also, it appears that there is some fluid around my little boy's private area which has caused some swelling. Dr. R almost laughed when he told me there would be no denying that he's a boy. (It's okay to laugh. I did. Not really something a mother wants to hear about her baby boy.) I was a little caught off guard, but overall okay....UNTIL....
I was told I needed to have another ultrasound at a Fetal Care Center just to be certain that my doctor hasn't missed anything. No big deal. I was also encouraged to have an amniocenteses--which totally freaked me out. I will not consent to that at this point in my pregnancy. I know it's a risky procedure, and to me and K, it doesn't matter if something is chromosomally wrong with Baby K. It never would have mattered. We love him.
I also seem to be losing weight. I actually haven't gained any weight in the past 8 weeks. From my appointment 2 weeks ago until Monday, I somehow managed to lose 4 lbs. This makes my overall weight gain 23 lbs.
So, my next regular appointment is Monday at 9 am. Then I am off to the Fetal Care Center 2 hrs away from my home at 1 pm to take one last look at Baby K before he makes his grand entrance. I can't believe he'll be here in 5 weeks!!!!!!
We are praying that all of this means nothing and that Baby K is as healthy as can be. I'll keep you all updated as soon as I know more. In the mean time, my first of 3 baby showers is at work this Friday. I am so excited!!!! It's going to be a busy month for us!
I had my doctor's appt on Monday which entailed (what I thought would be) my last ultrasound. Baby K weighs in at approximately 5lbs. His heart rate is good and he is measuring right on target. However, his head is measuring around a week behind his body. Ideally if I were having a natural birth, this would = less pain. However, my c-section is scheduled for Feb 10, so I would prefer his entire body be measuring on the same week. Also, it appears that there is some fluid around my little boy's private area which has caused some swelling. Dr. R almost laughed when he told me there would be no denying that he's a boy. (It's okay to laugh. I did. Not really something a mother wants to hear about her baby boy.) I was a little caught off guard, but overall okay....UNTIL....
I was told I needed to have another ultrasound at a Fetal Care Center just to be certain that my doctor hasn't missed anything. No big deal. I was also encouraged to have an amniocenteses--which totally freaked me out. I will not consent to that at this point in my pregnancy. I know it's a risky procedure, and to me and K, it doesn't matter if something is chromosomally wrong with Baby K. It never would have mattered. We love him.
I also seem to be losing weight. I actually haven't gained any weight in the past 8 weeks. From my appointment 2 weeks ago until Monday, I somehow managed to lose 4 lbs. This makes my overall weight gain 23 lbs.
So, my next regular appointment is Monday at 9 am. Then I am off to the Fetal Care Center 2 hrs away from my home at 1 pm to take one last look at Baby K before he makes his grand entrance. I can't believe he'll be here in 5 weeks!!!!!!
We are praying that all of this means nothing and that Baby K is as healthy as can be. I'll keep you all updated as soon as I know more. In the mean time, my first of 3 baby showers is at work this Friday. I am so excited!!!! It's going to be a busy month for us!
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