It is much easier to update on facebook. If we aren't facebook friends, we should be! :) I probably won't be able to post a blog until I am home which will probably be Sunday.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Griffin is here!
Surprise! Apparently Griffin couldn't wait! I'll post the long story later but he arrived today at 4:32pm weighing 7lbs 8oz and measuring 19 3/4 inches. He is in the NICU due to fluid in his lungs but they aren't too worried. He is behaving like a 35w6d old is expected to act. He looks JUST like Cooper did on his birthday! :)
Keep the prayers coming, we are in the home stretch!
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Barely 4 sleeps away!
We had our final OB appointment last Thursday. Have I mentioned how much I love her?
I feel like she gets me and the choices I make and knows how to steer me in the right direction. She looked up at me during the appointment and said, "Man, Erin. We have really been through a lot!" We talked about Cooper and how we ELECTED to have a c-section instead of induction. She even told me how she was thinking about that week, the week where I cried for 7 days because another patient of hers this week is in the same boat I was then. She asked Dr. Knapp if it was okay to elect to just have a c-section, just as I did.
Above all, I trust her. And trust goes so much further than anything else in these situations.
So we are doing all the things we do at each appointment and when she has me lay back so she can measure and listen to Griffin's heart beat, not only do I measure 37 centimeters, but she also says that Griffin is between 7 and 8 POUNDS! Uh, a do what?! Remember, I am only 35 weeks and 1 day. At this rate, a 40 week Griffin would be close to 10 pounds. My, my God works in mysterious ways.
My response to her, "So I guess this is all happening the way it should." And she replied, "I would definitely say so."
Once again, we are quickly seeing the results of letting go and letting God.
She also said it doesn't look like a magnesium drip will be necessary nor will they begin my testing until at least Thursday. I will know more about that after my neurologist appointment on Monday, but at this point it is not on my reservation card for Griffin's birthday this Wednesday. (However, a 36 inch Brobee balloon, a Kuba Kuba Tres Leche cake and a big brother/birthday party will be!)
Wednesday! I can't believe its barely 4 sleeps away. I am so excited to meet Griffin, I have to remind myself that there are other issues to be dealt with as well. But I have found such success with letting go, I let go of all the thoughts surrounding seizures and tumors, as well. I am beyond confident everything is going to be okay. So there is no sense in worrying! Plus, being excited about Griffin and Cooper's party is much, much more fun.
I feel like she gets me and the choices I make and knows how to steer me in the right direction. She looked up at me during the appointment and said, "Man, Erin. We have really been through a lot!" We talked about Cooper and how we ELECTED to have a c-section instead of induction. She even told me how she was thinking about that week, the week where I cried for 7 days because another patient of hers this week is in the same boat I was then. She asked Dr. Knapp if it was okay to elect to just have a c-section, just as I did.
Above all, I trust her. And trust goes so much further than anything else in these situations.
So we are doing all the things we do at each appointment and when she has me lay back so she can measure and listen to Griffin's heart beat, not only do I measure 37 centimeters, but she also says that Griffin is between 7 and 8 POUNDS! Uh, a do what?! Remember, I am only 35 weeks and 1 day. At this rate, a 40 week Griffin would be close to 10 pounds. My, my God works in mysterious ways.
My response to her, "So I guess this is all happening the way it should." And she replied, "I would definitely say so."
Once again, we are quickly seeing the results of letting go and letting God.
She also said it doesn't look like a magnesium drip will be necessary nor will they begin my testing until at least Thursday. I will know more about that after my neurologist appointment on Monday, but at this point it is not on my reservation card for Griffin's birthday this Wednesday. (However, a 36 inch Brobee balloon, a Kuba Kuba Tres Leche cake and a big brother/birthday party will be!)
Friday, March 22, 2013
This crazy Rice life!
I wish I had kept better track of my labels throughout this crazy Rice life so it would be easier for newer readers to read the Respiratory Chronicles of Cooper. Maybe one day I will sort all of my posts. But that is highly unlikely. So I guess I can start with SparkNotes version. (Do people even know what those are anymore??)
Our first respiratory issue resulted in Cooper's very first hospital stay when he was 11 weeks old. We had no idea that was just the beginning. I already feel myself wanting to tell the whole story, detail by detail. Instead, I will sum it up.
Cooper was diagnosed with Tracheomalacia based on symptoms by his pediatrician. Then, his ENT diagnosed Laryngomalacia and ruled out Tracheamalacia through a fiber-optic endoscope. Then, when the Laryngomalacia wasn't resolving itself as it should, Coop was referred to a pediatric pulmonary specialist where after many tests (including the scariest of all, a cystic fibrosis sweat test) Tracheamalacia was re-diagnosed. After recurrent pneumonia which resulted in 6 weeks of being admitted and discharged from St. Mary's last summer, a bronchioscope confirmed the Tracheamalacia as well as a foreign body trapped in the entrance to Coop's right lung, blocking 90% of the oxygen trying to get to his right lung and resulting in the inability to recover from pneumonia.
Phew! That was confusing. And that was the short story...
So since removing the foreign body and recovering from pneumonia, we have only had 1 additional case and about 1,000 colds (and this is an improvement!) Our treatment plan was 1 nebulizer of the highest dose of Pulmacort morning and night with 1 dose of Albuterol via nebulizer. Additional doses of Albuterol could be given every 4 hours to total 4 doses in one day, if necessary.
We have been hospital visit free since this past December. That is THREE months without an ER visit, not too shabby if you ask me! So our hope to figure out what the heck is going on with Cooper's lungs and trachea started to seem closer and closer. The medicine seemed to work but we just couldn't seem to kick the coughing and choking seemed to be happening more than we would like, not just on foods but on his own saliva, a few times, pulling over on the side of the road to get him out of his car seat.
This past Tuesday, we finally received a diagnosis. Based on his respiratory history, the current symptoms and the fact that Coop gets 1,000 colds and no one else in our house gets them, Cooper is thought to have... ASTHMA.
We figured this was in our future. We kind knew this was coming. And honestly, with our history, we are so glad it is something as simple as asthma.
We started a new medicine regiment, 2 inhalers (via spacer) of Qvar and Albuterol (2 puffs each) morning and night plus saline nose flushes and 1 spray on each side of Nasonex every night. This has turned our 25 minute medicine routine into a 6 minute routine. Coop is having a little bit of difficulty giving up the nebulizer (which is funny, since he HATED it before the introduction to inhalers) but I think it is because he can taste the medicine now.
Fast forward 72 hours and we all slept the ENTIRE night, no coughing, no stuffy nose, no breathing issues. This has probably happened less than the number I can count on my fingers. It was amazing. As much as I am not happy Cooper has asthma, it is so nice to finally have a plan in place that works. And I know Coop will get used to it eventually, but I am pretty excited about skipping the nebulizer treatments, not to mention not having to travel with all of that equipment. Plus, they say kids who have asthma early, grow out of it.
So after every test under the sun, we are finally somewhere. Cooper already seems a lot happier and we are all happier when we sleep. So glad to have this problem solved before Griffin comes. Now we can move on to all the other medical issues going on in our crazy Rice life!
Our first respiratory issue resulted in Cooper's very first hospital stay when he was 11 weeks old. We had no idea that was just the beginning. I already feel myself wanting to tell the whole story, detail by detail. Instead, I will sum it up.
Cooper was diagnosed with Tracheomalacia based on symptoms by his pediatrician. Then, his ENT diagnosed Laryngomalacia and ruled out Tracheamalacia through a fiber-optic endoscope. Then, when the Laryngomalacia wasn't resolving itself as it should, Coop was referred to a pediatric pulmonary specialist where after many tests (including the scariest of all, a cystic fibrosis sweat test) Tracheamalacia was re-diagnosed. After recurrent pneumonia which resulted in 6 weeks of being admitted and discharged from St. Mary's last summer, a bronchioscope confirmed the Tracheamalacia as well as a foreign body trapped in the entrance to Coop's right lung, blocking 90% of the oxygen trying to get to his right lung and resulting in the inability to recover from pneumonia.
Phew! That was confusing. And that was the short story...
So since removing the foreign body and recovering from pneumonia, we have only had 1 additional case and about 1,000 colds (and this is an improvement!) Our treatment plan was 1 nebulizer of the highest dose of Pulmacort morning and night with 1 dose of Albuterol via nebulizer. Additional doses of Albuterol could be given every 4 hours to total 4 doses in one day, if necessary.
We have been hospital visit free since this past December. That is THREE months without an ER visit, not too shabby if you ask me! So our hope to figure out what the heck is going on with Cooper's lungs and trachea started to seem closer and closer. The medicine seemed to work but we just couldn't seem to kick the coughing and choking seemed to be happening more than we would like, not just on foods but on his own saliva, a few times, pulling over on the side of the road to get him out of his car seat.
This past Tuesday, we finally received a diagnosis. Based on his respiratory history, the current symptoms and the fact that Coop gets 1,000 colds and no one else in our house gets them, Cooper is thought to have... ASTHMA.
We figured this was in our future. We kind knew this was coming. And honestly, with our history, we are so glad it is something as simple as asthma.
We started a new medicine regiment, 2 inhalers (via spacer) of Qvar and Albuterol (2 puffs each) morning and night plus saline nose flushes and 1 spray on each side of Nasonex every night. This has turned our 25 minute medicine routine into a 6 minute routine. Coop is having a little bit of difficulty giving up the nebulizer (which is funny, since he HATED it before the introduction to inhalers) but I think it is because he can taste the medicine now.
Fast forward 72 hours and we all slept the ENTIRE night, no coughing, no stuffy nose, no breathing issues. This has probably happened less than the number I can count on my fingers. It was amazing. As much as I am not happy Cooper has asthma, it is so nice to finally have a plan in place that works. And I know Coop will get used to it eventually, but I am pretty excited about skipping the nebulizer treatments, not to mention not having to travel with all of that equipment. Plus, they say kids who have asthma early, grow out of it.
So after every test under the sun, we are finally somewhere. Cooper already seems a lot happier and we are all happier when we sleep. So glad to have this problem solved before Griffin comes. Now we can move on to all the other medical issues going on in our crazy Rice life!
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Mother's Helper Needed!
We recently posted that we had found a great mother's helper. Unfortunately, she backed out. I can't really blame her. Typically, qualified individuals aren't seeking an 8 week position and our situation is VERY unique. I have to trust that this too, God will be sure is taken care of, the answer will present itself, we just have to let go. I am going to be a little bit proactive and continue posting some ads though! :)
Here is what we are looking for:
We are seeking to hire a mother's helper for a temporary position. Dates: April 1-May 17, possibly longer, depending on how my maternity leave goes. Hours will be 7am-4 or 5pm. Some days will be shorter. Weekly pay is negotiable based on experience and education. Due to a recent medical diagnosis, I cannot drive. We will need help with our newborn (DOB: March 27, 2013; 4 weeks premature) and our 2.5 year old. Our 2.5 year old will need transportation to his preschool Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays. Our newborn and I will need transportation to doctor's appointments, as well. We would like someone who is incredibly reliable, loves children, and willing to help around the house as well as do activities with our older son Tuesdays and Thursdays when he is home from preschool. If interested, please contact me (1erinrice@gmail.com) to set up an interview.
If you are reading this and know someone, please feel free to share! Thanks your help!
Here is what we are looking for:
We are seeking to hire a mother's helper for a temporary position. Dates: April 1-May 17, possibly longer, depending on how my maternity leave goes. Hours will be 7am-4 or 5pm. Some days will be shorter. Weekly pay is negotiable based on experience and education. Due to a recent medical diagnosis, I cannot drive. We will need help with our newborn (DOB: March 27, 2013; 4 weeks premature) and our 2.5 year old. Our 2.5 year old will need transportation to his preschool Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays. Our newborn and I will need transportation to doctor's appointments, as well. We would like someone who is incredibly reliable, loves children, and willing to help around the house as well as do activities with our older son Tuesdays and Thursdays when he is home from preschool. If interested, please contact me (1erinrice@gmail.com) to set up an interview.
If you are reading this and know someone, please feel free to share! Thanks your help!
Monday, March 18, 2013
Thank You. All of You.
We are so thankful for all of the love, thoughts and prayers our little family has received over the last few weeks. We always knew we had a lot of people who cared for us, but scary situations definitely have a way of reminding us of all the people who keeps tabs and think about us often. It is refreshing and welcomed to be reminded of that.
I am a Facebook lover, always have been and always will be. Rick and I have both had many a friend over our years and Facebook's ability to keep us in contact with all those we have cared about is wonderful. Friends whom we talk to every day and those we don't but still care about enough to celebrate the happy times and to extend a warm thought through the tough ones, too.
So thank you. All of you. Whether we have known you for a few weeks or a few lifetimes, we are so thankful to have every single one of you in our life. We appreciate every prayer, positive thought and vibe you all have sent, and continue to send our way.
With that said, we have decided to limit hospital visitors next week to our immediate family, parents and siblings only. We recognize there are many people who are as excited as we are to meet our sweet Griffin but at this time, we really have no idea what is to come after delivery. We hope that you will respect our decision and trust that as soon as we are home and up for visitors, we will welcome all who wish to visit with open arms.
I am a Facebook lover, always have been and always will be. Rick and I have both had many a friend over our years and Facebook's ability to keep us in contact with all those we have cared about is wonderful. Friends whom we talk to every day and those we don't but still care about enough to celebrate the happy times and to extend a warm thought through the tough ones, too.
So thank you. All of you. Whether we have known you for a few weeks or a few lifetimes, we are so thankful to have every single one of you in our life. We appreciate every prayer, positive thought and vibe you all have sent, and continue to send our way.
With that said, we have decided to limit hospital visitors next week to our immediate family, parents and siblings only. We recognize there are many people who are as excited as we are to meet our sweet Griffin but at this time, we really have no idea what is to come after delivery. We hope that you will respect our decision and trust that as soon as we are home and up for visitors, we will welcome all who wish to visit with open arms.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
a little bit of this and a little bit of that.
We interviewed a nanny yesterday. We had exchanged about 20 emails back and forth so I was pretty sure she was a good candidate and was open to this temporary position since I do have plans of returning to work.
It was really weird. I have interviewed probably 50 teachers at my school but interviewing a nanny to care for my 2 son's and I in our home was a really strange thing.
I suppose mother's helper would be a better job title. I am going to be there and since I can't drive or be left alone with Griffin at this point in my diagnosis, hiring someone seemed like the only choice.
We met at the park so we could talk without interruption. (Coop has a tendency to pull every single toy out that he owns when someone new is around.) She is super sweet. Coop took to her very well; by the end of the interview, Coop was dragging her around to each play set. It was sweet. He even asked if she could come over and play!
So we talked for about 45 minutes and decided she was a good fit. That is one thing to check off our list of Grif preparations. Who knows, maybe we will fall in love with her and she could come work at our school.
In other news, we had a wonderful time at our buddy Cullen's first birthday party. Cullen has overcome so much in his short life and we were very happy to be able to celebrate with him. Coop played with some of his friend's at school and by the end was soaked in sweat and exhausted.
The VCU game was on so we drove straight to my mom's house to watch the second half. On the way there, Coop discovered a piece of chocolate in his goody bag, which neither Rick or I realized and when I turned to see why he was so quiet, this is what I saw.
A month ago, I would have pissed. I would've been upset at the mess of his clothes and car seat, etc. Don't get me wrong, I am all about making a mess but there is a way to control a messy environment and this wasn't it.
I suppose brain tumors have a way of changing one's perspective because all I could do was laugh. Both Rick and I just laughed in astonishment the rest of the way to T-ma's.
Needless to say, I was thankful for extra underwear. He went straight to the bath when we got to T-ma's and borrowed a t-shirt since we didn't have any extra clothes. He needed a bath from all the fun at Cullen's birthday anyway! Plus everything is worth it with a VCU win!
It was really weird. I have interviewed probably 50 teachers at my school but interviewing a nanny to care for my 2 son's and I in our home was a really strange thing.
I suppose mother's helper would be a better job title. I am going to be there and since I can't drive or be left alone with Griffin at this point in my diagnosis, hiring someone seemed like the only choice.
We met at the park so we could talk without interruption. (Coop has a tendency to pull every single toy out that he owns when someone new is around.) She is super sweet. Coop took to her very well; by the end of the interview, Coop was dragging her around to each play set. It was sweet. He even asked if she could come over and play!
So we talked for about 45 minutes and decided she was a good fit. That is one thing to check off our list of Grif preparations. Who knows, maybe we will fall in love with her and she could come work at our school.
In other news, we had a wonderful time at our buddy Cullen's first birthday party. Cullen has overcome so much in his short life and we were very happy to be able to celebrate with him. Coop played with some of his friend's at school and by the end was soaked in sweat and exhausted.
I suppose brain tumors have a way of changing one's perspective because all I could do was laugh. Both Rick and I just laughed in astonishment the rest of the way to T-ma's.
Needless to say, I was thankful for extra underwear. He went straight to the bath when we got to T-ma's and borrowed a t-shirt since we didn't have any extra clothes. He needed a bath from all the fun at Cullen's birthday anyway! Plus everything is worth it with a VCU win!
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| Pre/post chocolate mess! |
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| I guess he wasn't a fan of the t-shirt! |
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