Hospital Day 7

Well as you can tell once again it's day 7 and we are still at the hospital. Cicely has been getting better and most importantly feeling better every day. Especially yesterday it was more apparent that she is getting stronger and back to her normal self. Unfortunately, all of the problems that came up the preeclampsia seem to be lingering on.

Tests & Rest

Yesterday afternoon Cicely had to do more testing. The main test was an echo cardiogram that they ordered earlier in the day. The results came back around 5 o'clock and the cardiologist came in and went over them with us in detail. Thankfully her heart, heart valves and everything related look perfect. They still can't understand why she is having so many problems with her blood pressure because she is so healthy and fit.

It's a crazy thing the way things tend to work out. She has had zero complications with the pregnancy other than the annoying and nagging indigestion, but otherwise totally fine. She had a little swelling in her feet, which is normal towards the end of pregnancy. We never would've thought she would be in the hospital for 7 long days after going into labor.

I feel so bad for her for so many reasons. For example; her left arm has been stuck so many times to draw blood that it looks like she was beat up with the needle. Then her forearms and hands have had to deal with several IVs which are no fun either. The blood pressure cuff has even left a bruise on her arm from checking her blood pressure so often. I am sure she is ready in every way to get out of there. I know I am ready to bring my girls home. I want baby Zoey to meet her big brother Oggy and for Oggy to sniff and get to know her. I want to bring my Cizzle home where she belongs, to more easily and comfortably be able to rest and recuperate.

"D" Is For Discharged

Today the biggest thing on our to-do list is that they give us the green light for Cicely and baby Zoey to be discharged. As much as I want them home I am glad that they were able to stay a few extra days so we would not have to start this pain -n-the-ass process over again if her symptoms came back after leaving the hospital and then required an emergency room visit.

The biggest worry on my mind once we are discharged is that without the constant monitoring we won't necessarily know how her blood pressure is doing. I am wondering how they will have us

monitor that?

Maybe they will send us home with some sort of blood-pressure monitoring device or give us information on a good one to purchase. That way we can easily keep track of it and then report back to the doctor when she has to go see her again. My assumption would be that she will have to go see her sooner than normal because of these issues.

I also worry that Cicely may have to take medication for a couple weeks up to a couple months or maybe even for the rest of her life for her blood pressure now. Not that this is a bad thing necessarily, it's just that she is not one to take medicine daily very well. She has always been fit and healthy as I mentioned that she has never needed any sort of medicine other than the occasional multivitamin and related. So it's going to be a hard routine for her to get into. I will

help her in every way that I can.

Roller Coaster

So overall I will say that this pregnancy has been amazing but the labor and delivery portion of it was one hell of a roller coaster ride for us both. Even though I was not in the driver seat so-to-speak, as Cicely was, it still scared the crap out of me dealing with all of the information I was hearing and being told.

Everything from them letting me know that my wife may have problems with seizures if they can't keep her blood pressure in a satisfactory zone. Or worse explaining to me that her blood pressure is too high and bringing it down too fast may cause her to essentially "bottom out" which is not something anyone wants to hear. My assumption is that they meant "flat line" but I never asked for the definition of their term "bottoming out". Would you? I had no interest in knowing. The only thing I knew is that I wanted her to get past it.

Thankfully everyone was on their toes and we were surrounded by a great group of doctors, nurses, specialist and everyone in between. We only had a couple nurses on the graveyard shift that I did not care for and would have liked to never see again. Thankfully I never had to see them again.

Bathed And Refreshed

So yesterday evening before I left for the night I finally convinced Cicely to take a nice long hot shower with her lavender soap that we brought from home. It's amazing what a hot shower can do for you and I just could not get her to understand it. I know that she probably felt gross and just did not want to deal with it but I knew it would help her.

Initially it was like pulling teeth to get her to do it. But in the end I am happy because I know she was totally refreshed once she was in the shower, came out clean and renewed.

Plus while she was in the shower her mom, myself and the nurse on that shift all redid her room for her. We freshened all of the sheets, pillowcases, bedding and everything in-between that we could. I left her with a bunch of clean warm towels and a nice fuzzy and comfy robe from home. So when she got out of the shower not only was she fresh and renewed but so was everything around her. I think it made her feel really nice and I could see her spirits were lifted. I hope it helped her sleep through the night as well.

Binky

We have never really known when to provide kiddo with a pacifier. You hear everything from never give them one to give them one when they want it and then everything in between. Just like everything kid related, we are finding that there is no "right answer" or "perfect answer" for that matter. What I have come to learn in only a few short days is that the "right answer" is what works for your kiddo.

So yesterday afternoon Zoey was not too happy because she could not fall asleep with all of the people coming in and out of the room. All she wanted was to be on the breast again. She was not interested in eating and had eaten a good amount about an hour earlier she just wanted to be able to suckle and feel comforted.

Going off of our amazing nurses suggestion I went ahead and grabbed the Binky that I had connected to my backpack and a Binky holder and gave it a try. Initially Zoey wanted nothing to do with it because it was not a familiar shape, taste or smell. 

I waited a minute so she did not feel like we were forcing her and after a second attempt whatta you know? She kept it in her mouth and managed to sleep for about 2 or 3 hours occasionally suckling on it here and there as she slept. It was so awesome to see her enjoying it so much and looking so content.

Today's Plan

Well all that said my plan for today is probably pretty obvious. I stayed at home last night because my back and shoulders were and still are killing me from sleeping on that cot at the hospital. I did not want to leave Cicely and baby but she agreed that it was important for me to get a good nights sleep at least one night.

I did sleep pretty good and I'm now planning to hop in the shower, clean-up real quick and head back over to the hospital. The goal for today? To get my girls home!

Photo: Giant stork balloon that Cicely's family brought up to the room the first day in the hospital. The thing is massive, but very much appreciated! Thanks Guys!!