Updated News

The post below this one was written this morning and emailed out to some friends and family. I meant to post it on here but did not until now. I kind of got sidetracked. Besides the fact that I was hooked up to every monitor imaginable and had to stay still so they could continue to track the babies heart beat. She's a little wiggler and continued to move all about.

Oh and I don't know if I ever officially announced the name but we're naming her Avery Reynolds Ussery. Avery is a name that Jana helped me come up with during a brain storming session and I just fell in love with it. Thankfully Lee did too. We had such a hard time coming up with names. The Reynolds is his mother's maiden name. I think her name is beautiful.

I was on the monitors until appx. 1pm today. I saw the Perinatologist and he said once they got a good reading from her heartbeat they could remove that contraption from me. Dr. Thorpe said that my blood pressure is looking better today but most of that is due to the change up in the meds. They put me on the extended release Procardia, upped my Aldomet to 4x a day and I'm still on Toprol 2x a day.

He thought my original protein labs came back at 450 or so but he couldn't find those numbers in front of me. I know they didn't. They came back at 235 and I tried to assure him of that. He said he needs to look it up. My future is riding on those past baseline labs and what my 24 hour urine labs show tonight. I should be finished w/ the 24 hr urine around 2am. Then once those labs come back if they are significantly higher I'll still need to stay here. If they are around the same then he said I have a good chance of going on home by Monday at the latest.

So long as I stay on strict bedrest and continue to monitor my BP and take my meds like my life counts on it.

I am sure I can handle this. Although part of me thinks that staying here is easier just because I am going to be so tempted to do things around the house, etc. Mom is coming back down with the kids on Monday and will stay with us. I know she will make sure I'm on good bedrest.

I don't know if I can ever find the words or if my mom will ever understand how much she means to me. My dad too. I know this is not easy for her taking over with the kids but she's doing it because she loves me and them. I feel so guilty because I believe that I have messed up everyones lives for the time being and that I've been a huge burden on them. She assured me it's not.

So mom, I love you very much. During all of this pregnancy you have truly been my one and only constant rock. You have listened to me talk to you about all of the crazy aches and pains of this pregnancy and so much more. You have heard about labor and delivery until you probably want to scream. When I was so worried about a problem here or there you listened and shared your concerns with me. When they told us the uncertain news about Avery you were there for me. Through the tears that finally spilt out and the aniexty/slight depression I felt. You were ready to drop your plans to come just be with me through out all of it. I know I've not always been the best daughter and always been there for you. I hope as an adult I have grown and matured in ways that make up for things of my youth. You are truly my best friend in this world and for that I'm greatful. Even if you didn't put your whole life on hold for me or the kids you are still an amazing mom. I am blessed that God put you in my life as my mom. Thank you.

Whew... now there are tears down my face in this cold hospital room. That was a kind of personal expression but I want everyone to know how great my mom is. My dad isn't chopped liver or anything I just can take them one at a time. A tribute to my dad is due on another day.

So tomorrow I shall find out my future. To stay or not to stay. Either way I'll keep my appt. w/ Dr. Thorpe on Tuesday and they will do the follow up ultrasound for Avery's heart. I am curious to see if it has closed up any. I know that God has her in his hands and will do what is best for her and for us. She is such a beautiful baby to me even if I have not met her. She has already touched Jackson, Mackenzie, Lee's and my life. Healthy or sickly she will be welcomed into this world with open arms and so much love. On time, a few weeks early or way too early she will be perfect for us. (Can someone PLEASE remind me of this in a few years when I'm pulling my hair out of my head?)

Oh yeah, so I got my 2nd shot today of steroids. It is so that Avery's lungs will quickly develope in case she is born early. Typically they wait until right up until you delivery to give it to you but I think the insane BP yesterday my OB felt it was best to shot me up with it. So now I've had 3 shots total (one of those was my Rhogam since I'm O-), one blown vein and an IV that's closed off for now.

I finally turned on the TV this afternoon. I watched the Vandy/Georgia game. I just watched the Alabama/Ole Miss game and to be honest didn't catch the last few mins. I think AL must've won. I took a nap from 2-5. I really needed it. I also found time to read a book. You see these nice ladies donate books for patients to read. My nurse brought me a handful after telling her I love the James Patterson type books. Oh no, these old ladies who donate books gave those Harlequin trash romance novels. I found 1 in the stack that was a Christian love story. I read it in an hour. I told her to take the rest of the "trash" back.

I told Lee to stay at home today and catch up on rest. So it's just been me here the entire time. I cannot lie it's been lonely. I'm going to see if I can escape and walk around a bit. Perhaps to the cafeteria for something to drink or eat. I've been eating like a pig. I'm lonely and bored thus the long blog.

Please still keep us in your prayers. No one is out of the woods yet.