DECORATIONS!
FOOD TABLE!
BE OUR GUEST!
CAKE TIME!
Thursday, June 16, 2016
Friday, June 10, 2016
June 10 through June 14
No one knew inducing labor could take so long! It's all a little blurry as to what happened when and how many times I asked for more pillows and how many sawdust cheeseburgers Dan ate, etc. Here is a stream of consciousness recap of what I remember over the course of those days in a hospital bed.
Checking in late Wednesday evening expecting to have a baby the next day and then i couldn't wear the nightgown i wanted to wear even though it was basically the same as the one they put me in who keeps a hugely pregnant woman in a birthing bed for 4 days the nurses and i became very well acquainted very quickly how can you not in that situation i didn't know what to expect and was crying first the nightgown then the iv then the monitors then kicking everyone out so i could cry to Dan and not be seen and be a big girl when the nurses came back i should really go back to the fetal health center and clue them in on how to prepare a mother for that part of the ordeal i ate a lot of ice chips and some really nice nurses let me have coffee and sprite and Popsicles they had to ordered from food services and took so long to get jello jello jello Dan had a little kitchen to retrieve snack and drinks in he was so made there wasn't a single real coke in that hospital remember the biscuits and gravy with a serving size for a 4 year old that was great the food wasn't awful for him but man did he enjoy the BBQ the day Lydia was born and i scarfed some tacos best tacos ever because i had hardly eaten in four days the bed sucked my hips hurt so bad and i think i ended up with about 12 plus pillows no kidding and once i was on the iv and swollen like a sausage i could hardly flip myself geez this is when i started watching Master Chef and drawing in my adult coloring books i also finished a book and part of another post it note pictures on the windows of the hospital building across the way there was tucan what do you mean the cervidil did nothing i'm not dialated and you're starting the pitocin
Oh it was a fun 4 days of waiting...wasn't it? Here is what I wrote last year:
We checked into hotel Children's Mercy at 8:00pm Wednesday, June 10. Nice room with a view and the world's most uncomfortable birthing bed. The doctor on call was kind enough to let me have soft foods on Thursday morning since I hadn't eaten since noon the day before. I ordered chicken noodle soup, mashed potatoes and gravy, and applesauce. Yummo! Inducing really begun around noon on Thursday, June 11. In the evening I had chicken broth, an orange jello cup and cherry popsicles. Luckily, I have a thing for orange jello and popsicles. The chicken broth tastes like the seasoning packet in Ramen noodles. It's divine, I'm serious. I love that stuff. Dan now expects us to save money for Lydia's college fund by my going on a Ramen Noodle diet.
I've been on Pitocin, very slowly upping the dose, since noon on June 11. We could go faster, but then we run the risk of stressing out Miss Lydia or me. Since Lydia will have after birth complications, we're taking things extremely slowly to keep everyone safe. It's a long, slow, boring process, but we're passing the time. I've almost finished one book, I'm playing a lot of solitaire, and we're watching substantial amounts of TV. Oh how I wish the Royals v. Cardinals series would start today.
Miss Lydia was definitely in no hurry to see the world and meet Mom and Dad. After many attempts to induce labor and achieve progress, we finally turned a corner on Saturday morning. Things were progressing, I got an epidural, slept through most of the night and at 3:00am it was go time. Lydia arrived at 3:49am. Night Owl or Early Bird? Only time will tell. She weighs 5 lbs 15 oz and is 20.25 inches long. She has a head full of brown hair that might be kind of curly. Lydia has the sweetest little feet and long fingers.
Checking in late Wednesday evening expecting to have a baby the next day and then i couldn't wear the nightgown i wanted to wear even though it was basically the same as the one they put me in who keeps a hugely pregnant woman in a birthing bed for 4 days the nurses and i became very well acquainted very quickly how can you not in that situation i didn't know what to expect and was crying first the nightgown then the iv then the monitors then kicking everyone out so i could cry to Dan and not be seen and be a big girl when the nurses came back i should really go back to the fetal health center and clue them in on how to prepare a mother for that part of the ordeal i ate a lot of ice chips and some really nice nurses let me have coffee and sprite and Popsicles they had to ordered from food services and took so long to get jello jello jello Dan had a little kitchen to retrieve snack and drinks in he was so made there wasn't a single real coke in that hospital remember the biscuits and gravy with a serving size for a 4 year old that was great the food wasn't awful for him but man did he enjoy the BBQ the day Lydia was born and i scarfed some tacos best tacos ever because i had hardly eaten in four days the bed sucked my hips hurt so bad and i think i ended up with about 12 plus pillows no kidding and once i was on the iv and swollen like a sausage i could hardly flip myself geez this is when i started watching Master Chef and drawing in my adult coloring books i also finished a book and part of another post it note pictures on the windows of the hospital building across the way there was tucan what do you mean the cervidil did nothing i'm not dialated and you're starting the pitocin
Oh it was a fun 4 days of waiting...wasn't it? Here is what I wrote last year:
We checked into hotel Children's Mercy at 8:00pm Wednesday, June 10. Nice room with a view and the world's most uncomfortable birthing bed. The doctor on call was kind enough to let me have soft foods on Thursday morning since I hadn't eaten since noon the day before. I ordered chicken noodle soup, mashed potatoes and gravy, and applesauce. Yummo! Inducing really begun around noon on Thursday, June 11. In the evening I had chicken broth, an orange jello cup and cherry popsicles. Luckily, I have a thing for orange jello and popsicles. The chicken broth tastes like the seasoning packet in Ramen noodles. It's divine, I'm serious. I love that stuff. Dan now expects us to save money for Lydia's college fund by my going on a Ramen Noodle diet.
I've been on Pitocin, very slowly upping the dose, since noon on June 11. We could go faster, but then we run the risk of stressing out Miss Lydia or me. Since Lydia will have after birth complications, we're taking things extremely slowly to keep everyone safe. It's a long, slow, boring process, but we're passing the time. I've almost finished one book, I'm playing a lot of solitaire, and we're watching substantial amounts of TV. Oh how I wish the Royals v. Cardinals series would start today.
Miss Lydia was definitely in no hurry to see the world and meet Mom and Dad. After many attempts to induce labor and achieve progress, we finally turned a corner on Saturday morning. Things were progressing, I got an epidural, slept through most of the night and at 3:00am it was go time. Lydia arrived at 3:49am. Night Owl or Early Bird? Only time will tell. She weighs 5 lbs 15 oz and is 20.25 inches long. She has a head full of brown hair that might be kind of curly. Lydia has the sweetest little feet and long fingers.
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
Happy 1st Birthday Lydia Rose!
June 14, 2015
Time: 3:49am
Place: Children's Mercy Hospital
Height: 20.25 inches
Weight: 5lbs 5 oz
Comments: Night Owl or Early Bird? Only time will tell. She has a head full of brown hair that might be kind of curly. Lydia has the sweetest little feet and long fingers. Blue eyes.
June 14, 2016
Place: Happy at home
Height: 27.5 inches
Weight: 18 lbs
Comments: Night Owl that likes early evening naps and sleeps in until 8am. She has a head full of light brown, strawberry blond hair that is totally curly. Blue eyes.
Time: 3:49am
Place: Children's Mercy Hospital
Height: 20.25 inches
Weight: 5lbs 5 oz
Comments: Night Owl or Early Bird? Only time will tell. She has a head full of brown hair that might be kind of curly. Lydia has the sweetest little feet and long fingers. Blue eyes.
June 14, 2016
Place: Happy at home
Height: 27.5 inches
Weight: 18 lbs
Comments: Night Owl that likes early evening naps and sleeps in until 8am. She has a head full of light brown, strawberry blond hair that is totally curly. Blue eyes.
June 18th is fast approaching
June 18th was Lydia's due date. We almost made it. Dr. Bennett thought we'd miss it by a mile.
Last year on June 8th I wrote about having too much amniotic fluid, almost double what it should be. This worried the Fetal Health Center nurses and Dr. Bennett. Everyone was warning us and telling us what to do if Lydia came early. No fear, that little girl wasn't going anywhere.
It was a real fear though. Lydia need to be as big as possible so that her heart surgery could happen sooner rather than later. I was instructed to sit as much as possible, keep my feet up, have a lot of couch time, etc. So today was the day I stopped going to work. Instead I sat at home eating Jamoca Almond Fudge icecream sundaes and writing employee appraisals.
I was going to be induced on June 10th, but no one believed I'd make it.
Last year on June 8th I wrote about having too much amniotic fluid, almost double what it should be. This worried the Fetal Health Center nurses and Dr. Bennett. Everyone was warning us and telling us what to do if Lydia came early. No fear, that little girl wasn't going anywhere.
It was a real fear though. Lydia need to be as big as possible so that her heart surgery could happen sooner rather than later. I was instructed to sit as much as possible, keep my feet up, have a lot of couch time, etc. So today was the day I stopped going to work. Instead I sat at home eating Jamoca Almond Fudge icecream sundaes and writing employee appraisals.
I was going to be induced on June 10th, but no one believed I'd make it.
Saturday, June 4, 2016
Hugging Strangers in the Produce Aisle
I hugged a complete stranger in the produce section at HyVee this evening. Lydia and I were grocery shopping and getting some lemons when a lady approached us. She commented on Lydia's hair and told me how beautiful she is. Then, she asked if that was a trach. I was a little taken aback because most people either exit the conversation when they notice it or just don't mention it. I replied that it was a trach.
The stranger lady went on to ask questions about how old Lydia is and why she has it. We discussed her heart surgeries, gtube and airway issues. She then went on to tell me that her adult daughter has spina bifida and was close to getting a trach when she was a baby. Her daughter recently received her Masters Degree in Mathematics. She's very qualified for many jobs and isn't getting them. The stranger lady is afraid it's due to her wheel chair and what may look like very obvious ADA and FMLA issues to an employer.
The stranger lady asked if I am taking care of myself and finding time for me. I replied that I think I am, some weeks more than others. She told me to remember to do that because it's what is best for Lydia. I will be a better mother to her if I remember me now and then. She wished us well, tickled Lydia's toe and gave me a hug. I found myself embracing this lady in front of the lemons like she was my longtime friend or family. It was a weird awkward hug. It was a real hug. It felt completely right.
I really believe that everything happens for a reason, that we don't meet people by chance and that we are only given what we can handle. This is a perfect example of all that. I may never see her again. I don't know her name. I just know that she will think of me and Lydia and I will think of her and not forget our hug.
The stranger lady went on to ask questions about how old Lydia is and why she has it. We discussed her heart surgeries, gtube and airway issues. She then went on to tell me that her adult daughter has spina bifida and was close to getting a trach when she was a baby. Her daughter recently received her Masters Degree in Mathematics. She's very qualified for many jobs and isn't getting them. The stranger lady is afraid it's due to her wheel chair and what may look like very obvious ADA and FMLA issues to an employer.
The stranger lady asked if I am taking care of myself and finding time for me. I replied that I think I am, some weeks more than others. She told me to remember to do that because it's what is best for Lydia. I will be a better mother to her if I remember me now and then. She wished us well, tickled Lydia's toe and gave me a hug. I found myself embracing this lady in front of the lemons like she was my longtime friend or family. It was a weird awkward hug. It was a real hug. It felt completely right.
I really believe that everything happens for a reason, that we don't meet people by chance and that we are only given what we can handle. This is a perfect example of all that. I may never see her again. I don't know her name. I just know that she will think of me and Lydia and I will think of her and not forget our hug.
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
A Quick Update
I'm working on collecting all the things for the blended diet to begin. Her feeding pump malfunctioned this morning so that expedited getting the new pump today. I've been working with CMH Home Health and our BCBS Case Manager to see if we rent to own the pumps and can get the new one through insurance. The alternative is to purchase it for $800 to $1200. Please come through for us BCBS!
I was put in touch with and met the kindest lady the other day that gave us 2 cases of Compleat Pediatric - that's what we'll use as the base of her blends. This is a mom with a 2 1/2 year old that has a trach and gtube. I didn't know how good it would feel to just jump in and start talking to a stranger about things in common. She knows! She gets it! We stood in her front hallway for close to 30 minutes just chatting away about trach life.
Just waiting on the Blendtec. The super fancy blender that is going to blend the heck out of whatever we put in it. Vegetables - pulverized! Fruit -pulverized! Meat - pulverized! Real food blends will help with so much. It can help with tastes and smells. It can help with secretions and mucus, therefor spit ups. It can help with poop...can't everything? We talk poop a lot.
Her cap trials are going well. She can wear the Passy Muir Valve all day with no problems. She can wear the cap for 30 to 60 minutes at a time, a couple times a day. Once Lydia can wear that all day we will schedule a sleep study at CMH. If she can wear the cap overnight and keep her 02 levels above 92 o 94, we're golden. From what I understand, she'll then go home and wear the cap overnight to continue to monitor her 02.
Then, it's gone! Goodbye trach! Her ENT doc thinks by the end of the summer and has already put in the order for the sleep study so we won't have a hard time scheduling it. EEK! No nurses. No living room bedroom. No crazy emergency bag. No ER visits - at least not for that! No nurses. No nurses. Shoot. Daycare searching here we come. If you happen to know an in home daycare provider near us in Olathe or near the library the will take kids with g-tubes and blends, give me a holler...cause you all just happen to know those people. Ugh. YAY! No Trach!
Monday, May 23, 2016
Hey, remember our ER visit from Monday?
Repeat last night at 8:00pm. Geesh. When Lydia's trach comes out she shows no distress and her O2 saturations are 95-100%. She's totally fine. So, when it happens and we don't notice because of her cheek chub, her stoma starts to close and we can't get a trach back in.
I called 911, about 4 firemen and a paramedic come in the house, followed by the 2 paramedics on the ambulance. Get our stuff, grab some pjs and all of Lydia's trachs...we have a collection of about 6 now, make that 8 after this morning. We ride in the ambulance and check into the ER. Dan followed behind us and could probably see our funny faces the whole way there. ER docs can't get the trach in. ENT comes to the rescue and puts the trach in. Sends us on our way. Home by 11:45pm.
We cancelled night nursing since we knew we'd be getting home late. We tried to go to sleep around 12:30am and woke up all through the night. Lydia was sound asleep every time. Just another Riggs family slumber party!
This morning we had an ENT follow up with Dr. Shah that was scheduled during our ER visit on Monday. Lydia's stoma looked great, nothing like last night - it had definitely been closing and the trach out awhile. She put in a Pediatric Bivona 3.0 instead of the NEO Bivona 3.0. This is a longer trach that goes a tiny bit further into her trachea. We also got the cap today, which Lydia is to wear for an hour if tolerated and increase by an hour each day. We need to work up to wearing it all day long. Then we can talk about sleep studies!
I'm a walking zombie today. Coffee. Diet Coke. Repeat.
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