Keepin the bun in the oven

One of the doctors just came in and sat with us for a while to talk and answer questions. It was the first time I felt like we weren't getting passed off.

In a nutshell, the answer to the question of how long we will be here is that Tree is the best incubator for the baby and as long as he can stay in there the better. Unless he or Tree is in danger, their goal is to stabilize the environment and keep her pregnant. He will be extracated when it becomes better for him or Tree that he is out.

Interesting bit of info: the amount of time he can stay in there now will double the amount of time taken off his stay after he's born. That is - if he can stay in Tree's belly for a week, he can leave the hospital about two weeks earlier. Rough figures, of course, but comforting just the same.

Terry

Bedside manner

Yesterday, when they told Tree that they were going to give her magnesium sulphate, Tree said that they should make anyone who administers the drug have to take it first to know what it feels like. I think that is a great idea - especially if the nurse or doctor doesn't show any empathy.

Maybe they should be monitored and reviewed and if they show empathy and genuine concern for the people they care for, then they don't have to, but if they treat the patients like a mass of tissue in a petri dish, then they have to be subjected to a series of procedures to keep them in touch with how the recipient feels.

And let's throw some tact classes in there too. For instance, don't tell a woman who is about to have a baby 10 weeeks prematurely that her doctor could have given her a medication that would have probably kept her from going early, but it would be absolutely no help now. Sounds like your advice - absolutely no help now, so why bring it up. Maybe she thought Tree didn't feel miserable enough yet.

Terry

Tree's night

Now on to the important stuff - how Tree's night went.

They have her on a magnesium drip which is helping keep the contractions down, but it is also making her nauseous. They give her stuff for the nausea, and it gives her a splitting headache.

The contractions were as close as 5 minutes apart last night, so they adjusted her meds to bring it more under control and she is now doing better.

They are going to take her in for an ultrasound soon to check and make sure the baby is OK. As soon as they can fit her in.

They also have given her steroids to help thee development of the baby's lungs since he is so premature. Boys have a rougher time being premature and the lungs are usually one of the big concerns.

The doc says if we can keep everything under control for at least 48 hours, the steroids will have a great effect on preparing the baby to be healthy.

Tree is sleeping now.

More as we know.

Thanks for all your concern, prayers, etc.

Terry

Not the first time...

For those of you who are not aware, this is not our first premie. Most of our kids have come early. Some have had no complications at all, some have had some issues that we have had to deal with, pray about, and overcome. We have been very blessed in our family. Our kids are all very strong and have faired very well. I have faith that this one, number 9, will be the same. It is in God's hands and he is always in control.

I better get some sleep.

I'll let you know more tomorrow.

Terry