Good morning.
Missy and Tommy are fine. I am tired. I’ll be back at the hospital by 8amish tomorrow and Cassie is taking Shannon to school.
I left the hospital this morning at 3:17:22. I know this due to the photo I took of the monitor before I left.
Earlier today, Missy noticed her blood pressure rising. It continued throughout the day and by the evening our normal ways of lowering her blood pressure weren’t working. It hit 180/120 for two readings in a row and we called the service. The doctor on call said come in.
We got there at 9:14pm and Missy’s BP was down to normal. Whew. But … they wanted to monitor and administer steroids to Tommy … the steroids help the lungs grow in preparation for being born.
Monitoring and testing showed a pretty healthy Missy and Tommy.
The steroids are 2 shots in 24 hours, which means Missy will be in the hospital for two days .. at least.
We spent the early morning moving to labor and delivery and more monitoring.
They didn’t want to feed Missy until they consulted the perinatologist, but they finally relented. This was huge as it meant Tommy was probably not coming early this morning.
Bonus … the nurse attending to Missy went to FloValley, which is where Cassie goes.
How are we doing? We’re at peace with what is happening. We knew the day would come where we would be in the hospital, so we’re hoping for the best.
Love you all.
Details and Thoughts
Have an Outlet
Throughout your journey in the NICU, there’ll be times you need to bring down your brave front and just let raw feelings out. The following note is what I sent to my sister before I sent the above to my family. While my note to the family focused on the very positive outlook, I was stark with my sister. I was afraid, nervous and realizing our efforts to keep our baby growing inside were coming to an abrupt end.
Missy just woke up briefly and I went in to see her. Tommy is doing fine, but Missy’s BP is high. 179/97, so they have increased some of the medicine.
She is going back to bed now that the legs stopped.
The BP is worrisome. The perinatologist always goes with the mom when it comes to decisions on care.
Coincidence time … the woman who admitted Missy with Shannon is the same one that did it last night. Dr. More. The man who is caring for her today is the same one that delivered Shannon. Dr. Webb.
It’s happening all over again.
Cassie is here now and she asked me if Tommy is coming today. I told her I don’t know.
I do feel it’ll be soon as in tonight or tomorrow, though. I hope not.
I only sent this to you. Love you
My sister responded:
Patrick, I love you & I pray that Tommy has more time to grow inside Missy. I do not believe in coincidences, I firmly believe God places people in our path to comfort & reassure us.
Please keep me posted. Depending on how the day goes for Missy, I am going to come in town. I already have a place to stay:)
Love you!
Her response was immediate, assuring and calming. We hope you have someone in your life acting as the ballast during your storm.
There is one more detail about the above email that needs explanation. I say, “The perinatologist always goes with the mom when it comes to decisions on care.” Understand this is my opinion based on perinatologist care through four high risk pregnancies. They do a wonderful job balancing care, but will always put the mother’s health above the baby’s when the time comes for a decision.