Thursday, November 1, 2012

And The News Improves...

Yup, we are still here.  All of us!  It has been a hectic few weeks, but we survived (thanks, in large part, to all of the prayers, meals, and support we have received from friends and family.)

Today I am 22 weeks and 4 days along - a mere nine days from when I went into labor with Samuel.  I have had contractions intermittently since coming home from Little Rock, but have tried my VERY best not to dwell on them since doing so only seems to make them worse.

Michael's mother is living with us while I spend my days on strict bedrest   What?  Didn't know that Michael's parents were in from Zimbabwe?  That's because I had planned to write a really sweet post about their arrival and how much Samuel has enjoyed them.  For now I will just tell you that the timing of their advent was surely God's perfect plan.  They were here barely two weeks before my mother-in-law graciously stepped in to assume all of the parenting duties that I am no longer able to fulfill.  AND she does the housework.  AND she cooks.  AND she puts up with me (which is no small feat!)  Sweet lady huh?

This week we have enjoyed a respite from the contractions.  I haven't had one since Monday!  I can't tell you how good that feels (physically and mentally.)  In addition to this wonderful reprieve, we were given some excellent news today.

When we went into Labor and Delivery two weeks ago, they measured my cervical length at a meager 1.8cm.  That was down from a consistent measurement of 2.8cm.  With such a drastic change, and hours of steady contractions graphed, the doctor had every reason to believe that I was in active labor.  He told us a few days later that he had thought delivery was imminent.

Today, I stopped in my local OB's office to make sure everything was stable enough for a trip to Little Rock in a few days.  A quick ultrasound gave us the best news we have had in weeks.  My dwindling cervical length was actually not dwindling at all!  It measured a beautiful 2.8cm - exactly what I have been measuring since Week 16!  We will have that confirmed by my doctor in Little Rock soon, but we all felt confident celebrating the news at the clinic today (doctor and ultrasound tech included!)

So what does that mean?  It means that although I'm having contractions, they don't seem to be changing my cervix.  It means Annalee is a lot safer in there than everyone had thought!

What is the plan now?  Now I head to Little Rock for bedrest.  Since we are approaching viability, I need to be close to the medical facilities that can best handle extremely premature babies (if, heaven forbid, it comes to that.)  I will be placed in "CAMP", a hotel that houses women who have complicated pregnancies, to be monitored closely over the following weeks.

We still really need your prayers.  The next few weeks are going to be especially hard for us, being so far apart from each other during such a scary chapter in our lives.  I would like nothing more than to be distracted from any contractions and hours of bedrest by Samuel's toddler antics, but I know leaving is the best choice for our little girl.  Of course, we also need your continued prayers for fifteen more weeks of contraction-free days!

Thank you so much for all of the sweet messages, comments, calls, and texts.  I have read every single one of them, I promise!

And because no post is complete without a few photos:

Michael, Samuel, and Gramps 

"Cheese!" 

Michael and I enjoyed a night out before all of this began. 

Don't let that face fool you...he's up to no good!

We didn't do much for Halloween this year, but we did manage to carve a pumpkin.  Samuel kept saying, "I don't like it!" and "Dirty hands!" (preemie sensory issue or personality quirk?)  Needless to say, he left the pumpkin mess to the adults.

Cute huh?  Michael did a good job!

Samuel had a great time yelling, "HAPPY HALLOWEEN!" from our front porch.  I was THRILLED when his yell was heard by trick-or-treaters a block from our house!  That paralyzed vocal cord doesn't seem to be holding him back!




14 comments:

  1. It makes my heart so happy to read this!!! Continuing to pray!

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  2. So glad to hear that things are going better for you guys. I'm praying for you! Also, if Samuel retains his grossed-out-by-pumpkin-guts stance you might want to grab him a "funkin" when he's old enough to carve one.... Foam pumpkin that you can carve like a real one, but with no pumpkin guts! I saw them at Hobby Lobby and decided that someone, somewhere was a genius.

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  3. So glad that you received good news! I'll continue to think of and pray for you.

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  4. ugh! beautiful!! Read with great smiles and even greater hopes for many more contraction free weeks!!

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  5. Thank you for taking the time to update. I followed a link to your blog some time ago asking for prayers and have been checking in each day since. As the Mum of a premmie I completely understand just how much each day counts. May God guide the Doctors to help you deliver a big, bouncing baby girl in months from now. God Bless from Australia.

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  6. I'm so glad to hear these good news! I was checking your blog all the time waiting for them. Wish you peaceful but distractful days in Little Rock:) You'll met many friends there. It's always hard to be apart of your family, but this time is well worth it. Stay strong and positive, we'll be praying for you!

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  7. My heart is super happy for you! Prayers continue!!! For many more contraction free weeks to come!

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  8. Oh my what a relief to hear from you. Thank God that Annalee is still cooking and you are fine Sarah! Still in my prayers

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  9. I found your blog from another one -- I am farther along than you but also on bed rest after having contractions, so I'll be thinking of you as I have this enforced rest as well:)

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  10. Relieved and happy to hear this news. Will continue to pray.

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  11. Awesome news!! I was cleaning up before and thought to myself i had to check the blog cause i had a feeling you updated. I am just a stranger who found you on youtube but you are in my thoughts and prayers all the time.

    I got scary news in the beginning of my pregnancy and felt like i was walking on eggshells for quite a while. I am now 33 weeks and everything is going well. Its so scary but try your best to distract yourself. Day by day, week by week.

    Sending positive thoughts!!

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  12. So glad to hear this update. My prayers will continue for all of you!

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  13. Awesome news! You will be in my thoughts and prayers in the coming weeks. Hang in there... I know it's going to be difficult having to be far from your family! ):

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  14. So very happy to hear the news! Thinking of your family often!
    Prayers from Palestine, Texas
    Lynsey Linderman

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