Baby Watch 2010: Update and Day 6

Ok, this my attempt to keep whoever reads this blog updated on Rachel's condition and to keep a record of events so we can laugh when we look back on this tough time. I hope to keep this updated daily but don't expect it! It should be indicative that we've been at the hospital 6 days and I am just now making the 1st post. Thanks and Gig'em!

-Mark


Last Tuesday, Rachel was admitted to the Baylor-Grapevine Hospital (Grapevine, TX) and diagnosed with Pre-Term Labor (She is currently at 28 weeks and full term is considered 37-40 weeks). The doctors’ discovered she was having subtle contractions and also noticed her cervix decreased from an acceptable level to 1.9cm. We were told the contractions were the reason why her cervix shortened. She was given a terbutaline shot which quickly, but temporarily, but an end to her contractions. Wednesday evening, she was given an ultrasound which found her cervix shortened another 0.5cm to 1.4cm. Subsequently, she was placed on Procardia, every 6 hours, to help keep her contractions under control throughout the day. Not much happened Thursday other than early morning and late evening contractions which were put to rest with terbutaline shots. Friday morning Rachel was woken up at 7am to undergo another ultrasound. Unlike the previous one, this procedure brought as good news because it showed Rachel’s cervix had regained the 0.5cm she lost between Tuesday and Wednesday. Although 1.9cm is still considered extremely thin, it was nice to hear her cervix stopped thinning and maybe, just maybe became stabilized (we won’t know for sure until later). Saturday and Sunday were mostly uneventful. All I (we) do is watch Rachel sleep, eat, take off/ put on her “boots”, monitor her contractions, cringe when she has to get a shot to quell them, make her laugh, and refill her water bottle.

Rachel’s parents came into town this weekend from Odessa to help take care of their little princess. The visit also gave me a chance to rest because her Dad volunteered for night duty and forced me to go home. Her mom, against my wishes, cleaned most of the house and did ALL of the laundry. I just can’t say “Thank You” enough for all their help this weekend. I guess it goes to show you how wonderful it is to have family around in your time of need.

Special thanks are in order for my Dad and Donna, Cindy, Leah, my brother Bryan and his girlfriend Mari, and Rachel’s friend Rebecca. Dad, Donna, and Aunt Cindy were kind enough to grace ourselves with their presence Wednesday’s evening. Dad kept Rachel in good spirits by making jokes at my expense. Leah not only visited Rachel twice this week but also brought Rachel a bouquet of white roses, fresh bananas and cherries, Muffin tops (Random Seinfeld memory: “Only to Tops to You!!”), comfy pajamas, bath lotions, and books to read and listen. Bryan and Mari delivered a couple of movies for Rachel to enjoy on their visit. One was The Messenger starring Woody Harrelson and the other was season one of HBO’s The Tudors. Rachel wasn’t in the mode to watch the depressing The Messenger but she wanted to give The Tudors a try. After 15 minutes and 3 or 4 gratuitous sex scenes she told me to turn it off because she didn’t want the nurses to think we were watching porn. It’s the thought that counts Bro! Mari, the neonatologist, was patient enough to answer all of Rachel’s questions and dig up some info on the doctor’s responsible for Rachel’s care at the hospital. Rebecca gave us two bags stuffed with mom approved (Guy un-approved) gifts such as pajamas, chocolate candies (I like the Reese’s Pieces), two handfuls of DVDs, bathroom goodies and a lot of other stuff I can’t recall. Basically, she gave us too much but we both really appreciate it! Both Rachel and I are overwhelmed with all of the gifts, love and support that our friends and family have been showering us with lately.

Day 6:
Rachel awoke to contractions and a terbutaline shot at 2am! That’s not the best way to start anyone’s day unless you’re a heroin addict. Thankfully as of this post (3pm) she hasn’t had any contractions since. Earlier today we were treated by a visit from Lewis, Leah, Joe, Camelle, and Christina. For some reason, Joe, a freshman in HS, admitted he was a Tech fan which almost caused Rachel to contract. I hope, in due time, he will see the errors of his ways. We also had to say good-bye to Rachel’s parents who had to return to West Texas. It won’t be a long good-bye for her mother because she will be returning next week. I’ll promise to keep the house clean until then. More to follow!