Hospital Chronicles

Update - Shauna gave birth to little William Patrick last night around 9:30. He is 2lbs 3 oz, 14inches long. The staff here are miracle workers and William is stable. Mommy is doing well, although quite exhausted. William will be in the NICU until due date of mid September. Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers (and modern technology) that have kept this little life going. It is an amazing time we live in. Updates soon Hi everybody....I might rename my blog "the hospital chronicles," since they tell me I'm going to be here for awhile.

I did end up having two complete blood transfusions. I had lost a little over ten percent of my blood volume. I continue to bleed but at a slower pace. My blood pressure is low and they are considering doing another transfusion. After an episode of contractions yesterday they put through my IV, Magnesium, which helps all the muscles to relax (ie: the uteris) and this is shown to provide considerable neurological protection for pre-mature babies. This wasn't the most fun. It makes you hot, lethargic, and since all of your muscles are relaxed your eye muscles can't focus, so it's like I needed glasses again. There is a separation of the water sack from the uterine wall where a clot has formed and they found a large hematoma or blood clot above the water sack. Why they have formed? They don't know.

One day last week my mom brought only the little ones.....


Which is a good thing because they are monkeys!!!!!!!!!!!


Summer and my mom.......


Summer saying "please" because she wants to sit up on the bed with me.


Tumsy girl again with mommy.


Kirk brought the big kids for popcorn and game night.......


One of our favorite family games is "Monopoly Deal.". It's so fun!!!!!!!!!!!


Reece wins a lot, it drives his older sister and brother nuts.


Even though Summer can't talk much, she managed to "talk" my mom into letting her play with her phone....silly grandma.


JUNE 5th, MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Have you ever spent your birthday in the hospital? Me neither until now.


My favorite nurse Wendy said, "well at least your not spending your birthday in jail.". And I thought, "yes Wendy, thank you, now I feel almost grateful to be here on my birthday-thank you for that change in perspective. Nothing like looking on the bright side. :)


I got lots of flowers and cards, visitors and phone calls. Some sweet older sisters from the church brought these homegrown sweatpeas from their garden. Also, my best friend Marie dedicated a blog post to me on my birthday. That was a fun surprise. Her blog is called Feeding Five.


My mom brought all the kids and she surprised me with a homemade German Chocolate Cheesecake! Mom, I love you so much.


After we ate we played Yatzi, another game my kids love.



From above...........


The kids love going to the labor and delivery kitchen where they have these cute little cans of soda.


Later that night for my birthday, my husband Kirk brought Thai food for dinner.


It was so good!!!!!


Huh? Why is Kirk in the hospital? He's not really, he's just pretending to be as he cracked a tooth in half and after getting some serious dental work, he thought he might try to convince the nurses to give him some meds. Too bad, all he got was a nap. While he slept I sat at the edge of the bed and my mom polished my toe nails. Thank you mom-I love you.


I'm trying to capture the sweet moments, but these are hard times. I try to stay positive. We have had family council with the kids letting them know that we are living through a trial right now, we have to pull together, unite if you will, even more than usual. But that is easier said than done as kids go here and there and their routines are thrown around a bit. And they are uncertain of when their mom will be home, or whether she's all right really.The hardest thing about being here is that I'm not with my kids, not directly influencing them and I miss my little baby girl terribly.

They don't know why I'm bleeding, they never do. While I don't think I am going to have a premature baby (I'm only 26 weeks) I don't know.

Tonight I am thankful for my mom, she has come to live with us for now and it's not easy. I'm thankful to my mother and father in law who never cease to amaze me with their energy and willingness to help. My dad has my two oldest sons and he has taken them camping for the next two days. My husband for trying to hold down the fort at home with my mom. And I can always count on him to come cuddle in my hospital bed with me. And all of my friends who have taken the kids for play time, pool visits, library time and on and on. I feel blessed to have each and everyone of you in my life....I will keep you all posted. Love,

Shauna