Well it looks like we are possibly less than two weeks away from having Elysia! Doctor appts. have been great so far this week. We are still doing the amnio on Friday, August 10. From that, Dr. Campbell can tell how much of her lungs are developed. He said he is expecting to see that most of them are well developed enough to deliver on that Monday, the 13th. He did say that if he found they were not, he would be able to predict how much longer they needed and we would then change the delivery date. So I guess we kind of have to take it step by step til we know for sure after the amnio. He is predicting that she will be right at about 5 lbs. Ryan says "5 lbs, 3 oz." :-) We saw Dr. Cottrill today for the last time before delivery, and she was very encouraging. She expects Elyse's heart rate to stay steady in the 60's when she's born and not need any medicine. She is going to write a letter and send over all our information to the neonatologist at St. Joe this week so he will know to expect us and Elyse's heart situation. This, of course, was a big comfort to me since I'm being over obsessive that everyone there know what they're doing with her. :-)
Still amazed at all the answered prayers we've seen! Thank you and please, please, please, keep them coming in the next several weeks!
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Growing girl!
Elysia continues to be quite the growing girl! She weighed in today at 4 lbs, 2 oz. They are estimating that she will be between 5 and 6 lbs (probably closer to 5) when she is born. Not too small, but definitely a little preemie. Her heart rate was 64 today, again staying steady. It's so easy to take these good appointments for granted because we have had so many. But we praise God for every good thing we hear about our girl and feel so blessed by what He has done and continues to do in her as she grows. We go see Dr. Cottrill next week... I think for the last time before Elysia is born! I can't believe that... time is flying and she will be here before we know it!
After a weekend of car hunting, we have finally bought a "family car." It's a 2006 Saturn Ion and it's a really safe car... which was most important. Poor Ryan, having to give up a Mustang for the "family car"... what a trooper! He said my Celica will keep him young, though. :-) I think with the car purchase, we are officially "ready" to bring Elysia home in a few weeks when she arrives!
After a weekend of car hunting, we have finally bought a "family car." It's a 2006 Saturn Ion and it's a really safe car... which was most important. Poor Ryan, having to give up a Mustang for the "family car"... what a trooper! He said my Celica will keep him young, though. :-) I think with the car purchase, we are officially "ready" to bring Elysia home in a few weeks when she arrives!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
The Power of Prayer
Well, we are about 25 days away from welcoming little Elysia into our world. Every day that passes, I realize how good the Lord has been and continues to be. And I realize how lucky Ryan and I are to have such wonderful friends who have prayed for our baby and for us throughout this pregnancy. It's made all the difference in the world.
Today, we went to the doctor and we scheduled the amnio for Friday, August 10. Dr. Campbell was talking about how with heart block, the electrical impulses of the heart beat can't pass through at a normal rate, which makes it slower. He pointed out (and Dr. Cottrill did too on Tuesday) that although most of Elyse's electrical impulses pass through slower due to the block, some are acturally getting through the heart block at a normal rate, which he said was "great." And I'm going to quote what he said next... "your baby's heart block has actually improved more than most babies with heart block." WOW!! You could probably say this is because of the steroids and I'm sure that has helped some... BUT... I contribute it to the Lord and all the prayer that Elyse has gotten. We have had so much prayer support, I can't wait to tell her about all of it when she is older. I left the doctor's office almost in tears, thinking about what Dr. Campbell had said. I was just in awe of the Lord, His power, and the power of prayer that we have seen and we continue to see as we all pray.
Today, we went to the doctor and we scheduled the amnio for Friday, August 10. Dr. Campbell was talking about how with heart block, the electrical impulses of the heart beat can't pass through at a normal rate, which makes it slower. He pointed out (and Dr. Cottrill did too on Tuesday) that although most of Elyse's electrical impulses pass through slower due to the block, some are acturally getting through the heart block at a normal rate, which he said was "great." And I'm going to quote what he said next... "your baby's heart block has actually improved more than most babies with heart block." WOW!! You could probably say this is because of the steroids and I'm sure that has helped some... BUT... I contribute it to the Lord and all the prayer that Elyse has gotten. We have had so much prayer support, I can't wait to tell her about all of it when she is older. I left the doctor's office almost in tears, thinking about what Dr. Campbell had said. I was just in awe of the Lord, His power, and the power of prayer that we have seen and we continue to see as we all pray.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Monday, July 16, 2007
Doctor day
We went to the doctor today and got some answers to some questions. First of all, Elyse's heart rate was 64, so it is staying steady, which is great news. Dr. Campbell said that assuming things stay the same and we go to 37 weeks (I'm 33 weeks now), we are looking at delivering around the 13th or 14th of August. He said that they will need to do an amniocentisis probably on Friday, the 10th to make sure the lungs were well developed. That scared me so of course I asked if that was absolutely necessary. He said that when they have a baby with an "issue" like Elyse has with her heart, they try to eliminate the possibility of all other issues that could occur upon birth. If they do the amnio and see that the lungs are well developed, they eliminate the possibility of her having difficulty breathing and needing a ventilator when she is born. This makes sense and I trust Dr. Campbell's judgement so I guess the amnio will be done and then hopefully, the c-section a few days later.
He also talked a bit about the medicine I was on now and how he didn't want to take me off of it, which I completely understand. I had asked him if he contributed her steady heart rate to the medicine and told him I was a little worried about what would happen when she was born if she was no longer exposed to it. He said that he really couldn't say that he contributed the steady heart rate to the medicine alone but he thought it definitely helped because we did see such a good increase. I contribute a small bit to the medicine, but a HUGE part to God and answered prayers. :-)
As far as what would happen after she is not exposed to the medicine, he told me to understand that there is a lot more that can be done when a baby is born as far as treatments rather than what can be done at this point in utero through me. Again, understandable.
Oh, and how can I forget to tell all about how SHE was today... she weighs 3 lbs, 13, oz. Dr. Campbell said she is lacking in growth by about a week and half but it is not a big deal. He said she will just be a little preemie, probably. :-)
So, overall, another good doctor day, with two more to go this week. We see him again Thursday and Dr. Cottrill tomorrow. PLEASE keep praying for Elyse as these next few weeks are crucial in her development. We pray that her heart will stay strong and healthy and her lungs will continue to develop quickly so she'll be all ready for birth in four weeks.
He also talked a bit about the medicine I was on now and how he didn't want to take me off of it, which I completely understand. I had asked him if he contributed her steady heart rate to the medicine and told him I was a little worried about what would happen when she was born if she was no longer exposed to it. He said that he really couldn't say that he contributed the steady heart rate to the medicine alone but he thought it definitely helped because we did see such a good increase. I contribute a small bit to the medicine, but a HUGE part to God and answered prayers. :-)
As far as what would happen after she is not exposed to the medicine, he told me to understand that there is a lot more that can be done when a baby is born as far as treatments rather than what can be done at this point in utero through me. Again, understandable.
Oh, and how can I forget to tell all about how SHE was today... she weighs 3 lbs, 13, oz. Dr. Campbell said she is lacking in growth by about a week and half but it is not a big deal. He said she will just be a little preemie, probably. :-)
So, overall, another good doctor day, with two more to go this week. We see him again Thursday and Dr. Cottrill tomorrow. PLEASE keep praying for Elyse as these next few weeks are crucial in her development. We pray that her heart will stay strong and healthy and her lungs will continue to develop quickly so she'll be all ready for birth in four weeks.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Big news....
I am an aunt! My sister Amanda had their baby boy, Blake Walker yesterday evening. She was in labor for almost 36 hours but he finally arrived and he is absolutely perfect! He was 7 lbs, 2 oz, a great size. After being put on oxygen overnight from swallowing fluid, he is now off and she and Brad are able to hold him, finally! It was such an exciting day. Does this make us ready for Elysia??... more than ever! I know that nobody wants their summer to end but the next few weeks can't go quick enough for me! :-)
Now, I just have to stay worry-free as we approach the delivery in the next few weeks... I got a little worked up yesterday seeing how all the nurses were so involved in the delivery and care of Blake. It got me thinking about how all the nurses will need to know all the specifics about Elysia and her heart block so they can properly care for her when she arrives. Being a baby of 1-2% that is born with heart block, she is a unique case and requires unique care. ;-) I'm sure Dr. Campbell will make sure everyone knows the situation. I know, I am a nervous mom already... goes to show I still need all your prayer too. :-)
Now, I just have to stay worry-free as we approach the delivery in the next few weeks... I got a little worked up yesterday seeing how all the nurses were so involved in the delivery and care of Blake. It got me thinking about how all the nurses will need to know all the specifics about Elysia and her heart block so they can properly care for her when she arrives. Being a baby of 1-2% that is born with heart block, she is a unique case and requires unique care. ;-) I'm sure Dr. Campbell will make sure everyone knows the situation. I know, I am a nervous mom already... goes to show I still need all your prayer too. :-)
Friday, July 13, 2007
No news is good news
Our doctor appointments went very well this week. We got no new news, which is good news. Elyse's heart rate is still staying very steady. Every time we go, they say how much hair she has. They will measure her again next week to see how much she has grown. At the moment, she is pushing on my ribcage so I'm pretty sure she's growing some! :-) Keep praying for her please!
By the way, we are selling a 1999 white Mustang if anyone is interested or knows anyone who is. It has 90000 miles but is in PERFECT condition and has been "babied" for the past 3 years. It has a great title and there have not been any problems with it. It has tinted windows, power everything, and custom 19+ inch wheels. Asking price is $8000. Email me if you are interested!
By the way, we are selling a 1999 white Mustang if anyone is interested or knows anyone who is. It has 90000 miles but is in PERFECT condition and has been "babied" for the past 3 years. It has a great title and there have not been any problems with it. It has tinted windows, power everything, and custom 19+ inch wheels. Asking price is $8000. Email me if you are interested!
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Welcome to our blog!
Why did I just now think of creating a blog? This is such an easy way for all of you to be in touch with us and know about what is going on with Elysia. I just sent out an email today with the latest from our doctor appointments. I will be updating on here very often if you are interested. :-) In the meantime... please keep praying for our girl... and welcome to our blog!
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