Posts filed under 'Health'
Actually, it’s not that bad, really. It’s just a little tough getting used to sleeping in 2 to 3 hour blocks, in between feedings (Mom’s job) and diaper changes (Dad’s job).
Anna’s doing very well. She started off with a little jaundice, but it looks like that’s starting to clear up all on its own. Her head was also very sore initially from the whole birthing ordeal, but that’s looking better with every passing hour. She’s nursing well, sleeping lots, and pooping with adequate frequency. (Sorry, but I guess it’s things like that that you start obsessing about when you’re a dad). Overall, she seems like a fairly content little kid so far — though naturally we’re waiting for the other shoe to drop!
Tara’s doing well also. We spent Saturday night back in the hospital emergency room because by that point Tara had had a splitting headache for more than 48 hours straight. We left with no clear diagnosis beyond probable dehydration and anemia, so she’s been slamming the iron supplements and drinking gallons of water. Right now she’s avoiding the Percocet they gave us, for obvious reasons. Things seem to be getting better, but even so the pain hasn’t cleared up entirely, so we’ll be paying close attention.
Max seems a little nervous, and maybe even a little depressed, but he’s generally handling the invasion well. Meanwhile, Grandma Debbie’s been doing a bang-up job of helping us through all this — cooking, cleaning, and offering some great advice and perspective on the situation.
More photos to come soon!
March 20th, 2006
We went for our last doctor’s visit today around noon, and the doctor said things are looking good: We’re planning to induce around 7:30am tomorrow.
We’re both terribly excited and nervous all at the same time. In any case, it’s good news to know that we’re in the home stretch.
I’ll try to send an update or two to the blog via email, and of course we’ll be calling a whole bunch of folks with news when things happen.
Wish us luck!
March 14th, 2006
Yesterday’s ultrasound showed no problems whatsoever. Fluid levels are fine, baby’s heart and other organs look fine, and the size of various parts is on track. We also got to see her practice breathing. Yes, “her” — I’d say the odds are now around 95% or more in favor of the baby being a girl.
Basically, we’ve been cleared for launch. Now it’s just a question of when the little girl will decide to come out of the hot tub.
March 10th, 2006
So today is our due date. But as yet there’s still no baby.
For the past couple of weeks Tara’s been feeling an occasional contraction every so often, but nothing consistent. At our doctor’s appointment on Tuesday evening, the doctor said the baby seemed fine, but she thought that Tara’s fluid level might be a little low. So we’re heading in for an ultrasound this morning. Most likely everthing will be perfectly fine, but if not, the doctor said she’d probably want to induce today. We’ll let everyone know!
And if nothing happens soon, the doctor’s planning an induction for the middle of next week. Beware the Ides of March.
March 9th, 2006
My cousin Dean was able to post an update about our nephew Ben on the Steadman family blog last night. Unfortunately, all our worst fears have come true: The MRI results show that Ben’s tumor has doubled in size compared to what we saw in December and is significantly impacting his motor skills on his right side. They’ll be talking more with Ben’s doctors today to discuss their options.
Why this is happening to a kind, intelligent, and sensitive six year-old boy is beyond my understanding, and beyond my willingness to understand.
We love you Ben, Madie, Melinda, and Dean. You are the bravest people we know.
March 7th, 2006
Unfortunately, there’s not much in the way of good news on the home front at this point. Tara and I spent a relatively mellow weekend together sleeping in, taking walks (or, as Tara puts it, “putting gravity to use”), reading Dr. Spock, and wishing we had a baby already.
Meanwhile, there’s less-than-fantastic news from Kansas: Tara’s grandmonther fell and fractured her pelvis. Breaking a pelvis is much better than breaking a hip, or so I’m told, but it still means several days in the hospital and quite a lot of pain. Grandma seems to be doing well despite it all, and she’s already giving the nurses trouble.
There’s also terrible news that our little nephew Ben is showing symptoms again. We had dinner with my cousin and his family yesterday, and it did seem that Ben was having trouble keeping his balance. Though Tara and I knew this day would come, we never thought it would be so soon, and it’s crushing news. Ben’s off to the hospital for an MRI tomorrow, and depending on the outcome he and his family are considering flying to Germany soon to take part in a clinical trial that’s showing some promise.
Grandma Winnie and dearest little Ben, know that you’re in our prayers. And to our baby we say: Come out and play. ‘Cause we all could use some good news.
March 6th, 2006
Yesterday was Tara’s last day of work at the Museum. This is a Good Thing since she’s been just exhausted lately and being able to take the occasional nap during the day will hopefully make her a much happier camper.
We had another checkup at the doctor’s yesterday as well, and things actually seem to be moving along toward the finish line. On Thursday we’ll be exactly one week away from our due date (March 9th), but the doctor was hinting she might see us before then!
March 1st, 2006
Our little nephew Ben Steadman and his family have just left to start their Make-A-Wish vacation in sunny San Diego. As some of you probably know, last fall Ben was diagnosed with diffuse pontine glioma - an inoperable tumor in his brain stem. Since that time he’s undergone radiation treatment and is currently doing exceptionally well. Ben and his sister have been looking forward to the trip out to San Diego’s Wild Animal Park, Legoland, and Sea World for a long time, and the Make-A-Wish folks have done a fantastic job of bringing everything together and making it possible for Ben and more than twenty other members of our family to forget their cares for a while and frolic in southern California. While they’re there they’ll also celebrate birthdays for my cousin Dean and Ben’s sister Madeline.
For our part, all we can do is be a little bit jealous, since we’re close enough to our due date that travelling far from home is no longer a great idea. But we’re with everyone in spirit, and hope that Ben and Madie and everyone else has a fantastic time!
February 12th, 2006
For those who don’t know, we’re planning on having the baby at Avista Hospital in Louisville. That’s about a half an hour’s drive south of Longmont if you travel along Highway US-287. Here’re are the directions provided by the hospital’s website, and here’s are some links to maps, so just pick your favorite maps site.
Maps: Yahoo! Maps or MapQuest or Google Maps
February 11th, 2006
So we’re nearing the end of things, and very much at the point where being pregnant is no longer much fun. Well, add to that a vicious head and chest cold, and you’ve got one very unhappy wife. Tara’s been sick as a dog for the past few days, and I’ve managed to catch the bug myself. Blech. So here’s the comeback to everyone who told us being pregnant in the winter was so much better than having to deal with the “awful” heat and humidity during the summer?
February 6th, 2006
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