Hospital Stay Journal Entry: Tuesday, February 17, 2009

30 weeks!!! We made our first big hurdle. YAHOO!! Dana my AM nurse surprised me with a scale this morning. I have to now start being weighed each week. And to my and everyone’s surprise I lost 3 lbs since I’ve been here. Dr Co came in and checked with me to make sure I was eating correctly and such. And I told her I was, I also told her what I’ve been eating too. So I’m to work on trying to gain at the least a pound this week (this is the first time in my life I’ve ever been told that). Today I also got really frustrated with skype while trying to connect with Jen at work. So after many, many attempts we both gave up. I was also visited in person by a male doctor (forgot his name) from Anesthesia, in person who read the radiology reports I got from Georgetown Hospital and agreed with the plan that Dr R and I had discussed and answered a few more questions I had. He was very nice. Got visited by Lindsey and Dylan, they brought a great memory book and a kick ass bottle of coconut cream rum from Jamaica for me and Dave. So nice of them, they are such good friends. Peggy came by tonight as well and brought dinner for both Dave and me and her as well. We enjoyed a nice dinner and she surprised me with a piece of chocolate cake for desert. Heather (my PM nurse) came in and said hello to everyone and put big smiley faces back on my white board about being 30 weeks. She’s such a great cheerleader for me. She is keeping me upbeat and motivated for sure. It was such a nice evening and a great end to the day.

Hospital Stay Journal Entry: Tuesday, February 17, 2009

30 weeks!!! We made our first big hurdle. YAHOO!! Dana my AM nurse surprised me with a scale this morning. I have to now start being weighed each week. And to my and everyone’s surprise I lost 3 lbs since I’ve been here. Dr Co came in and checked with me to make sure I was eating correctly and such. And I told her I was, I also told her what I’ve been eating too. So I’m to work on trying to gain at the least a pound this week (this is the first time in my life I’ve ever been told that). Today I also got really frustrated with skype while trying to connect with Jen at work. So after many, many attempts we both gave up. I was also visited in person by a male doctor (forgot his name) from Anesthesia, in person who read the radiology reports I got from Georgetown Hospital and agreed with the plan that Dr R and I had discussed and answered a few more questions I had. He was very nice. Got visited by Lindsey and Dylan, they brought a great memory book and a kick ass bottle of coconut cream rum from Jamaica for me and Dave. So nice of them, they are such good friends. Peggy came by tonight as well and brought dinner for both Dave and me and her as well. We enjoyed a nice dinner and she surprised me with a piece of chocolate cake for desert. Heather (my PM nurse) came in and said hello to everyone and put big smiley faces back on my white board about being 30 weeks. She’s such a great cheerleader for me. She is keeping me upbeat and motivated for sure. It was such a nice evening and a great end to the day.

Hospital Stay Journal Entry: Monday, February 16, 2009

Milena my AM nurse today got me up to do my vitals and give me my meds this morning. We waited until after breakfast to do the monitor. I got a call from Karin in Florida. She’s doing very well and her and Frank get to try again for baby number 2 in a few weeks (according to the doctor). I’m so happy for them. Dr Ca visited this morning, she was happy to see I was still here. It’s become kind of a corny joke now. LOL. I was on skype today with a friend, Amanda. She’s home recuperating from strep throat, icky. But it was so nice talking to her and seeing her dogs trying to figure out who was talking to her…LOL. Got a visit from Peg and Eric today; they brought goodies for me. Candy from BigIslandCandies.com (yep from Hawaii). OMG, they are so addictively good. Father Paul stopped by too. It’s always a hoot when he comes by. He told me he ordered his new Super Bowl Champions sweatshirt and that he couldn’t wait to get it. He didn’t stay too long because he had many people to visit. Later in the afternoon, I got a call from Dr R of Anesthesia. She got a med history of me and asked about my back surgeries and what the plan was going to be for delivery. She broke down the options for me and what she thought would be the best course of action. I agreed with her recommendations and she answered all the questions I had. Dave came by after work for a bit and I had Heather as my PM Nurse.

Hospital Stay Journal Entry: Sunday, February 15, 2009

My AM nurse, Quynh got me on the monitor early and I told her about the dinner Dave got me the night before. I couldn’t help it, I loved what he did for me. She thought it was so nice too. Dr Co came back this morning just like she said, she wasn’t here visiting me for very long because nothing was going on and me and baby are doing well. Not a very eventful day at all, just killing time surfing on the internet and such. Dave showed up later and we watched the Caps @ Florida game and the Caps Won and Ovechkin got a hattrick. I had 2 PM nurses tonight, Aicha and Mesue. Aicha told Dave and I that her daughter just LOVES the gift and she doesn’t put it down. We were both so excited she liked it.

Hospital Stay Journal Entry: Saturday, February 14, 2009

Saturday, February 14, 2009
Happy Valentines Day! Dana was my Nurse for the day today. Always big smiles and happy day with her. She’s really fun to talk to. Dr Co checked in on me this morning and was happy to hear everything was just fine and said she’d see me tomorrow too. Dave worked at home during the day getting the drywall stuff taken care of in the nursery, well at least the first part of it and Peggy was there to help (she’s so great). Justin was helping too getting all the stuff out of the room and in the basement storage room. Got visited by KIM and was able to give her the gift I got for her. She was touched by it. She’s my sis, I have to spoil her when I can. Then Sally (Dave’s Mom) came by to visit too. She brought some cut outfits for the baby; she’s getting excited for her grand-daughter. I also got a visit from Sherean; she was on her way down to the NICU to spend time with her son and to finally go home after 54 days of being here. She was so excited as I was for her too. She gave me her address and such so that we can get together after I finally have my little girl and get to go home. I can’t wait. She is so nice and her son is so cute. She said she’ll be coming by a lot because of her son having to stay until he gains more weight. I hope he gets to go home soon. Well, my husband is so wonderful. He brought me a surprise dinner. He got PF Chang’s and brought also dishes, silverware, tablecloth and battery operated candles. He’s so wonderful. He also got me a beautiful card and a dozen roses. I love my hubby; he’s so good to me. Then we sat back and watched the Caps @ TB and they won. My PM nurse Heather was so nice and only came in when she needed to, so that Dave and I could have a nice evening together.

Hospital Stay Journal Entry: Friday, February 13, 2009

I had Milena as my AM nurse again. Dr H came in and checked out my tummy. She also was pleased with the results from the ultrasound. She OK’d me for a shower today (yeaaaaaaaah), isn’t it sad how I’m so excited to be allowed to take a shower (since it’s far and few between). Was so nice, I felt like a new woman for sure. I worked a long amount of time today; work was having issues in getting on the customer website to report hours for our employees. So we had most of the day to get it done, and lucky for us we got it done in time. Later that evening, Got a visit from Sherri & Justin. Sherri brought me cake (BIG SMILE). Yummy, in my tummy. My PM Nurse, Rachel had no problems getting me on monitor tonight. We think it might be because the baby was asleep and not moving so much (thank goodness). The evening was nice and calm.

Hospital Stay Journal Entry: Thursday, February 12, 2009

AM nurse, Milena woke me up for my meds and vitals this morning, and told me the fantastic news; Sherean had her baby this morning. A baby boy, he’s so cute. Sherean made it to 34 weeks, yahoo for her!! Mom and baby are great. Now I’m the only anti-partum left in the hall. Dr W came by and informed me of how pleased she was to read the report from Dr V about the baby and her growth, and the new info about the cervix. It could help me stay in here longer, which is ideal. As the day went on… I started to get low (emotionally). My mom called and to cheer me up, she brought me lunch. YUMMY! It did cheer me up I have to say. But once I was alone again, the sad moody feelings came in again. Dave spends each evening here with me and I did my best to be as upbeat while he was here. I think I did well. Tenay (my PM Nurse) got me on the evening monitor with not problem and Dave enjoyed listening to the baby.

Hospital Stay Journal Entry: Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Woke up exactly at 8 am thanks to the good ol’ construction. My AM nurse, Emily was amazing. I at first thought no one believed me about the noise from the construction in my room. Well, when Emily was trying to hook me up for my morning monitoring session…we could barely hear the baby’s heartbeat on the machine due to all of the banging and drilling. It was just absurd. Once we were able to keep me on the monitor for a good 30 minutes, she told me that I WAS changing rooms today and that if I’m going to be here for a considerable amount longer then I deserve a much more quiet room. She said she’d get to work on that. Dr. H came in as well and told me that they were going to call Dr M’s office to schedule and ultrasound (my impression was for Tomorrow) and to my surprise, I was picked up an hour later to go down. Well, Dr V (Dr M’s partner in his practice) did my ultrasound today. She was so nice, I had never met her before that day. She measured the baby for an updated (estimated) weight. Baby is now 3lbs 2oz. Talk about a growing spurt…WOW. It was fantastic news. Then she was able to get a few face photos of the baby with the regular ultrasound. It was so incredible. Then they measured all of the stuff going on in my cervix again to check for any changes. Well, to our surprise we did find something. Apparently I was having a contraction during the measuring…because we watched things dilate and then close. Yep that’s what I said…CLOSE! But then it opened again. Dr V asked me… “are you having a contraction??” My reply to her was “not that I know of, or can feel.” It’s not every day that you can make a doctor go “Wow”. And she told me I have a “dynamic” cervix, because of what it was doing. After everything was done, I walked to the bathroom and was met by another expectant mom being brought in to see Dr V as well… I looked at her, she looked at me and we both knew who we were the moment we saw each other. It was Sherean from the unit (the other anti-partum in my hallway, she’s been here for over 50 days so far). We hugged and said how nice it was to finally meet one another. I let her go in for her stuff and went back upstairs. Well I got back to my room; to find out they were ready for me to change rooms. YAHOO!! I was moved down from room 330 to room 338. A much more cozy feeling room too. Dave came home from work early to help with changing rooms. He got me all settled in too. We got to watch the Caps @ NYR and lose in the SO…oh well. Dave also brought something in for the nurse I had the other night, Aicha (who’s daughter went to see the show at KC) and lucky for us...she was my nurse this night too. We were able to give her the opening night gift for the show to her daughter (a stuffed animal with a bandana with the name of the show on it). Aicha was so excited and couldn’t wait to get home and give it to her daughter. Minus the Caps loss, it was a nice evening.

Hospital Stay Journal Entry: Tuesday, February 10, 2009

My AM nurse Emily woke me up today with my medicine. Dr Co came in for the routine daily visit and I discussed the option of having a massage from the Teal Center, and she said “No”  and it is because it could bring on full blown labor. We don’t want that so I’ll have to wait until later. Grrrr. Oh well. But got visited by the Eucharistic Minister from St. Ann’s, Father Paul came over later too. But later Peggy stopped by, it was very nice to see her. All of my friends have been so great. My PM nurse Karen was really nice and was good in keeping up with my meds. Got some more good sleep, until all the Dr’s came in at o dark thirty (the next morning).

Hospital Stay Journal Entry: Monday, February 9, 2009

My AM nurse, Milena, woke me up with more medicine this morning and got me on the monitor early. Dr Ca came in and she said she had a nice weekend and asked me about the night before (pressure and such) and asked if I felt anything since, but the answer was No. I worked in the AM hours of the day, using skype I can talk to people at work and get things done. It felt really good to do that, it is certainly a nice distraction from my everyday life in this one room. Matt and Sue came to visit this evening. It was so nice to see them. Also, this evening was the first episode of Caps “Red Line”, the Fanatic portion featuring Goat. It was great, I cannot wait to see our episode. My PM nurse tonight was Aicha, she is so nice and sweet. She told us (after learning that Dave works at the Kennedy Center) that the previous week her daughter went with her class to see a show there, and it was one of Dave’s show. She was so excited to hear that too. Slept well minus getting woke up for vitals and different doctors visiting in the early AM hours of the next day.

Hospital Journal Entry: Sunday, February 8, 2009

Woke up rather early to a new AM nurse (whom I shall not name, because I didn’t like her too much), she didn’t even know how to properly put me on the monitor and made me feel a little uncomfortable. I think she might be new, and she barely even came in to check on me..in fact I don’t think she ever did. She only came in when she had a purpose. Dr M came and checked on me earlier before visitors arrived. Today was the original date of my baby shower. But because I’m here in the hospital, we had to cancel it. So instead, I decided to have immediate family and a few close friends come spend the afternoon here with me for a mini-sprinkle. Elyssa, my Mom, Diane, my sister Jen, Aunt Karen, Aunt Fran, Dave’s mom Sally, Karen King were all there to help celebrate the afternoon. Everyone was so nice and brought some really wonderful things that I know we will use. I can’t wait to see everything after the nursery is set up. I was a very over stimulating day for sure. So tired again after everything. Stephanie was my PM nurse again. She made sure I remained in bed and staying calm after all of the excitement of the day. Justin came by when Dave was here. It is always so nice to see him. Later after everyone left I got on skype with Josie, I love talking to her. I miss her so much and wish she lived closer. Sadly I did have a problem later in the evening. I had some major pressure going on in my pelvis. Stephanie called the resident on duty and they put me on the monitor for an additional hour and did an exam to make sure nothing was wrong. Thank goodness everything was ok, they believe the baby might’ve shifted lower creating the pressure I felt and maybe even a contraction or two. But all was OK. After that I finally fell asleep. Such a long but wonderful day. I thank everyone for making it that way. I will certainly never forget it. But Dave and I decided because we couldn’t have the original baby shower that we will hold a welcome home and meet the baby party at our house, when we get organized after we both (baby especially) get home. I can’t wait.

Hospital Journal Entry: Saturday, February 7, 2009

Got to have Dana as my RN for the day, that always makes me smile. She always seems to make me smile as she enters my room. Dr M came to check in on me, she is filling in for my OB office this weekend. Before the hockey game I got visited by Sam, Sherri and Justin; they were in their hockey jerseys (that made me happy to see). I really miss going to the phone booth to see the Caps play. Later in the afternoon Rosemary and Richard came to visit, they were out in Alexandria enjoying the beautiful day and stopped by to check up on Me here and see Dave too. Then I got a surprise visit from Theresa and Alex. I was so happy to see them, they look great and still glowing their newlywed glow. I was so worn out after everyone left, I took a little nap and my PM nurse Stephanie got me up to give me my PM medication and put me on the monitor. The Caps won vs the Panthers, yahoo!! I also spent some time on skype with my Mom, Aunt Karen (that was fun) and my belly buddy from the baby message boards I belong to in the evening.. I’m so glad I got more family members on skype, it’s such an easy way to keep in touch with everyone. I need to save the rest of my energy for tomorrow. I turned in earlier than normal.

Hospital Journal Entry: Saturday, February 7, 2009

Got to have Dana as my RN for the day, that always makes me smile. She always seems to make me smile as she enters my room. Dr M came to check in on me, she is filling in for my OB office this weekend. Before the hockey game I got visited by Sam, Sherri and Justin; they were in their hockey jerseys (that made me happy to see). I really miss going to the phone booth to see the Caps play. Later in the afternoon Rosemary and Richard came to visit, they were out in Alexandria enjoying the beautiful day and stopped by to check up on Me here and see Dave too. Then I got a surprise visit from Theresa and Alex. I was so happy to see them, they look great and still glowing their newlywed glow. I was so worn out after everyone left, I took a little nap and my PM nurse Stephanie got me up to give me my PM medication and put me on the monitor. The Caps won vs the Panthers, yahoo!! I also spent some time on skype with my Mom, Aunt Karen (that was fun) and my belly buddy from the baby message boards I belong to in the evening.. I’m so glad I got more family members on skype, it’s such an easy way to keep in touch with everyone. I need to save the rest of my energy for tomorrow. I turned in earlier than normal.

Hospital Journal Entry: Friday, February 6, 2009

I woke up to seeing my nurse Milena bringing my morning medication. Dr H came in early as well to check up on me to see how I was feeling. I was fine with no issues other than the bad news from the day before at the ultrasound. Dr H was so nice and listened to my fears and answered my questions too. I felt a bit better after she left. The day went by pretty quick. I installed a webcam on my computer and uploaded skype software and talked to Race, Jen and my Mom online during the day and evening hours. But I also got visits during the day, my Mom came over (that’s when I told her about skype and how to install her webcam). I also got a visit from a Eucharistic Minister from St. Ann’s and Kirsten came by later in the evening when Dave was already here. It was so good to see her, it has been since May (the wedding). Stephanie my evening nurse kept me on time with my meds because my cough was getting really bad. But thankfully with the lack of sleep from the night before I was able to sleep tonight.

Hospital Journal Entry: Thursday, Feb 5, 2009

My day nurse is Dana today…she had a student with her for part of the day. Dr W came in and told me that I would be called on sometime during the day for my follow up ultrasound and that she would come back later to talk to me about the results. I was really nice, I must admit, to leave the room just to go downstairs for a little bit. However, I only got more upsetting news. My cervix was observed as being completely effaced and starting to dilate even more (up to as much as 3cm). The amniotic sac is now funneling up against the actual cervical opening, which puts me at an even more risk for early rupture. I held it together as best as I could to get back upstairs. I just wanted to go back to my room afterwards and curl up. I called Dave in tears and told him the news. He came right over to be with me. Dr W came in before he got there and pretty much told me what I already knew, that I had an insufficient cervix and that my bed rest is more important than ever. On a happier note..got visited by Colleen and she looks fantastic. She’s a week ahead of me in her pregnancy (she’s having a boy, her third). My evening RN, Grace was great in giving me space and just coming in for medicine and getting my vitals. I had a low emotional evening as a result from the ultrasound. Had a difficult time staying asleep.

Hospital Journal Entry: Wednesday, Feb 4, 2009

I got a new AM nurse named Dana, she is topping the charts so far as my favorite nurse since being admitted. I discovered she can sing and she told me she was on youtube singing the national anthem at the GMU graduation from last spring (08). Such a beautiful voice..WOW. I proceeded to tell her that she needed to audition for singing the Anthem at Capitals games…she would be so much better than that girl who won last year (she’s not so good). Dr. H came in to check on me and told me how happy she was that I passed my 3 hour glucose test. And was pleased that I was still there (and had not delivered yet). She also told me I could take another shower and just to be sure to use the shower chair (I really cherish taking a shower, its amazing how just that kind of a simple thing can make you feel so great). I got visited by Kim (it was so great to see her, it had been since the wedding), Sally stopped by and brought more gifts (she’s really getting into shopping for the baby…it’s so cool), Father Paul stopped by and talked with me for a while (it is always so great to spend time and talk to him) and Justin hung out for a bit (he always seems to make me laugh, which I am grateful for). I got Rachel again as my evening nurse, it’s nice to have people as my nurse that I’m getting to know. Because knowing them make it easier to call on them when I need them without feeling like a pain.

Hospital Journal Entry: Feb 3, 2009

Was woke up early by my AM nurse Quynh and the lab to get my fasting glucose level and then to start my 3 hours glucose test. Got to drink the lemon lime flavored glucose drink this time, with my blood being taken once each hour for 3 hours afterwards. OMG, the first person who came to take my blood was awesome…the second one wasn’t so bad, the third one was AWFUL and bruised me badly but the first person came back for the final draw and apologized for the previous one. I passed the glucose test (YIPPEE!!) and that means I will have no dietary restrictions…bring on the food…LOL. Dr. Co came in to tell me again that I passed the test and to check up on me. I got a visit from a Eucharistic Minister from our church, we talked for a bit and prayed together and that was about it. My father came over in the evening and spent a few hours with me. Me and the RN conspired so my dad could hear the baby’s heartbeat on the monitor, because he’s never heard it before. He was so happy. He left and Dave showed up after work in time for the Caps @ NJ game (which they won). My evening nurse Rachel introduced herself..I discovered by talking to her…that her and her fiancé are getting married in May down in Key West. She’s so excited. Dave and I were giving her advice on Maui. Was another easy night to sleep. The glucose test proved to make me feel icky again, but not so bad this time (probably because I was still feeling awful from the test the day before).

Hospital Journal Entry: Monday, February 2, 2009

Was woke up early by my AM nurse Tricia who gave me my 1 hour glucose test….which I found out that I ultimately failed. When Dr. Ca came in to tell me, she thinks it was because of the steroid shots for the baby. But they would repeat the test on Tuesday but it would be the 3 hours one. Yucky. I got to take a shower and clean up a bit, which always makes me feel better. But around mid afternoon the construction in the next wing (that so happened to be on the other side of my room wall) was sooooooo loud (at least 7 people banging on walls and such with sledgehammers) and about 2 hours after the banging began an awful chemical smell and burnt electric smell was all down our hallway in overwhelming in my room. I had to call the nurse to get some deodorant like spray to make my room smell better, because I was feeling nauseous all day (due to the excessive glucose in my system). Once I felt a little better I called the coordinator of the birthing class and cancelled our enrollment and asked for a refund. They had no problem in processing that. (yeah $$$ back). My evening nurse was Loren, she recommended due to my long day to take some ambien so I would be rested enough to tackle my 3 hours glucose test in the morning. So I did that and was out like a light.

Hospital Journal Entry: Sunday February 1, 2009

Today started out in kind of a blur. My day nurse, Joyce came in to give me my antibiotic. She went to flush the line and all of the saline came right back out, meaning my IV site was blown and had to get a new one. Well they called the IV team (or person on duty) to come and start a new line. Sadly the girl who came over couldn’t successfully get a new one started and as a result really bruised my right hand. It was swollen, painful and very dark in color. I had to use ice packs to keep the pain and swelling down. But it was also a day with a Caps game at 12:30 and the Super Bowl later that night. Dr. W checked up on me and also said that there was no need for an IV anymore (phew). I also found out that I wasn’t the only person on the hallway that was a long term. Another woman named Sherean is here too, she has been here since Christmas Eve when her water broke. She sent me her business card with her phone number to her room. She’s so nice, it’s nice to know I’m not alone here.
Father Paul came by to give me communion and talk a bit. He was wearing his Steelers sweatshirt too, that gave us all a good laugh. Jim and Sally took Dave to get some lunch and then visited with me for a while. My Mom and Aunt Karen stopped by, so did Sarah Kate . Everyone brought little bags of stuff to keep me occupied and to ease my sugar cravings. It was so nice. Elyssa stopped by later too so we could re-plan arrangements for what was supposed to be my shower. Because we have to cancel it. So it was decided on just a small get together of immediate family and a couple of family friends to come by and hang out for an afternoon here at the hospital with me. The Caps won versus the Senators and Pittsburgh won the Super Bowl. For the second shift that night BJ was my early evening nurse and Danielle was my evening nurse. I had a contraction or two that night…they think it was due to all of the visitors and such, but nothing really came of it. I just got my medicine and went to sleep.

Hospital Journal Entry: Saturday, January 31, 2009

Woke up feeling like a million bucks. Some solid rest really helped. My day nurse was Rachna. Always greeting me with a smile, this was so nice. Dr W came in to check up on me to see how things were going. She told me I could take a shower (YAHOO) and that I could continue doing so every other day. Such good news, couldn’t wait. Dave brought me over some toiletries and nice shampoo/conditioner. But it was what he brought in addition to that, is what touched my heart. He brought a few stuffed animals that mean a lot to me, the Caps car flag to hang up for some hockey décor and he brought a picture from the mantle of us on our honeymoon, for a few touches of home. I finally decided to clean up a bit. I spent a good amount of time just washing my hair and after I got cleaned up and finished, I felt so recharged and refreshed. Dave and I watched the 12:30pm start of the Caps vs. Red Wings and it was amazing to see the Caps beat the reigning Stanley Cup Champions.
Just a routine day after that, of antibiotics (every 4 hours, via IV) and getting monitored like usual. Dr W came in for a minute or two to check in on me, she’s so great and I’m always so happy to see her. My evening nurse came on duty and I got to meet the great and wonderful Kathie. She’s so cool. She reminds me of a person I used to work with at PWH. Had a difficult time getting restful sleep, slept very lightly and woke up more times than I cared to count.