Update #4

Baby Jake Update #4- 27 weeks

by Erin Castellano on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at 1:51pm

 

So today we had an "unscheduled" visit to Loma Linda. I have been having some contractions after meals and have been very uncomfortable. I called the doctor yesterday and they had me come in this morning. I was given Prozardia to take when these occur in hopes that it makes me a little more comfortable. Our radiologist came to us and stated that she was a little concerned about what she had seen on the last ultrasound. She went home after our last appointment and researched the "fluid-like" cysts she saw in Jake's abdomen. She was concerned that it may actually be urine backing up into him, thinking the tumor is blocking him from being able to urinate. She did another ultrasound to check it out and saw that everything inside looked pretty much the same. My amniotic fluid levels were also normal, which means he is urinating normally. (We had no idea that amniotic fluid was actually his urine. Weird.) She did not seem concerned with anything and said she would see us for our ultrasound next week. Afterward we finally met with the NeoNatoligist in NICU. This meeting was by far the most productive meeting we have had thus far at Loma Linda. The doctor sat down with us and went over everything we basically already knew. She answered any and all of our questions and was very open with us about what she knew and what she didn't know. We talked a little about Jake's surgery and that it would probably take place a few days after he is born. He may have a front and rear incision, depending on all of the scans that are conducted and when decisions with surgeons are made with how they want to go about removing his tumor. We discussed rules and expectations at what is available to us after Jake is born regarding his care and the part we play in his recovery. We were told to be prepared that Jake will probably be on a ventilator after he is born, if not after surgery for sure. He will be given medication for the pain and sometimes babies stop working on breathing on their own due to the medications. He will be hooked up to a ton of wires and tubes, which is good to prepare ourselves for, as best we can. We then got to go to the other side of the 3rd floor and had the main tour of the NICU. She started by taking us into the c-section room. Showing me where I will be, where Jake will go immediately after my c-section, and where Steven will be for it all. Steven will be right at my side for the c-section and afterward he will be with Jake the entire time he is monitored and treated. Once he is delivered, he will be taken into the NICU, which consists of 14 rooms, all in one large room. The babies are in large incubators with staff all over the place. Each baby has around the clock, 4 doctors and nurses monitoring them at all times. Parents are the only ones allowed back to see them and spend time with them, which is highly encouraged. They encourage immediate skin to skin and nursing, as soon as that is possible. The NICU is equip with breast pumps and private rooms to do so. They seem to have everything at your fingertips and everyone was so friendly as if it were one big family. Steven and I felt so at ease there and confident in Jake's care. We also saw the rooms I will recover in. They are large rooms with one bed, a large window seat, couch and table and chairs. They are welcoming and inviting and so private. They are down the hall from the NICU, so I will be close to Jake. Made us feel so good knowing Steven did not need to leave and could stay with us until we get into the Ronald McDonald House. The only downside is that no one under the age of 18 is permitted in the NICU. Not even siblings. It will be some time before Jake and Bryce can meet and I will have to travel downstairs to see Bryce while I am staying in the hospital.
Overall, a ton of great information and I feel like I know what to expect now. I am looking forward to our care there.