He's Heeeeerrrrre!!!!!!!
He's a month early, pretty darn tiny....but what he may lack in size he more than makes up for in cuteness.
Here's a run-down of what happened. Yes, it's a little long, but believe me, I cut plenty of stuff out to try and keep it "short."
I was at a regularly scheduled doctor's appointment on April 14th when my doctor voiced her concern over my high blood pressure readings, headache and swelling. She wanted me to head up to maternity triage for observation and some blood tests. I called Ben and told him to come to the hospital, but at first he thought I was joking. He soon realized that I was quite serious and he was on his way.
My blood pressure remained high, so my doctor admitted me for 24 hours of observation...better to be safe than sorry. Cameron's fetal heart rate was strong and steady...so we were only somewhat concerned. A diagnosis of preeclampsia was confirmed and my doctor told me I'd be in the hospital until delivery. I was only 36 weeks and they wanted to try to get me to 37 before inducing labor...so I was on complete bed rest. I felt good the first several days there...or as good as one can feel in the hospital on total bed rest worried about her baby could expect to feel. Cameron was monitored regularly and always looked great, my blood pressure on the other
hand never did.
On Monday, April 20th my doctor decided it was time to induce labor...things weren't improving for me and it was the best choice for my health and for Cameron's. I was started on a couple of different medications including magnesium. I'd heard being on magnesium was pretty harsh with all of its side effects...and found out for myself just how harsh. After almost 24 hours with no progress, it was time for a c-section.
At 6:31 PM on Tuesday, April 21st Cameron Michael Murray made his early, but welcomed debut. A team of doctors from the NICU were on hand for him, and though he got off to a slow start, he was completely healthy at 6 lbs and 1 ounce. He stayed up in the NICU for 4 hours of observation and was then released. I finally got to take a good look at him (or at least a foggy, magnesium and demerol induced look) around 10:30 PM.
Ben and I were still a little shocked that he was actually here...but even more shocked that his hair wasn't blonde!
I expected to be in the hospital 3 or 4 days...pretty typical after a c-section, not to mention the preeclampsia. My blood pressure was expected to remain pretty high for a few weeks or longer...but delivery of the baby is actually the cure for preeclampsia, so I was already much better. The magnesium was out of my system...my I.V. was finally out and I felt free...well, sort of. I was very prepared and very excited when I was told I'd be released on Saturday, but things got a little "interesting" that Friday night...let's say A LOT more "interesting."
Ben had stayed to have dinner with me in my room, but was going back home to take care of Maggie, our dog. I had started to settle into my bed to go to sleep when I suddenly couldn't breathe. Thank goodness Ben came back into the room one more time to say goodnight because he found me rolling around on my bed and gasping for air. I remember the nurse coming in, then another nurse, then an oxygen mask, but much of it was a blur. I kept my eyes closed and just tried to breathe...I just couldn't catch my breath. I did hear things like: CAT scan, chest x-ray and EKG and that wasn't helping me breathe any easier. I knew it was serious (not that the whole not being able to breathe thing wasn't a clue) and I was really scared.
I only half remember all of the tests...I mostly remember the CAT scan because as you're being conveyed through the machine you're told "don't move, don't breathe" a couple of times so a clear scan can be taken and holding my breath for even 5 seconds was probably one of the hardest things I've ever done. I was back in my room, still on oxygen, when some doctor came in to see me. He said the good news was that they didn't find a blood clot...but that there was fluid on my lungs and another EKG was ordered to ensure no damage had been done to my heart. I couldn't believe things had turned so quickly. I'd felt a heaviness in my chest a few times over the last couple of days and I had trouble breathing...but I figured it was all part of the preeclampsia and when I reported it to the nurses and doctors, they seemed to agree.
On top of all that drama, I had vein drama. Let me explain...the nurses had been having some trouble getting a good vein for a couple of days for all the blood tests that were being done. I can't even tell you how many times I heard "I blew a vein!" or "I've never not been able to get a vein!" So for someone with a slight fear of needles, it was my worst nightmare...but to be honest, at some point I became sort of numb to it. More than one nurse called me a human pin cushion and once or twice a "specialist" had to be paged to try and get a vein. Once they were about to try a vein in my foot...but fortunately one of those "specialist" got lucky. I counted at least 24 needle sticks in both arms...here's a couple of pictures.
Looks like crime scene photos...I know.
Anyway...on Saturday instead of being released from the hospital I had the pleasure of a thorocentisis, a fun procedure where they stick a needle in your back and drain fluid from your lungs. Ben held my hand through it and broke the tension a little when he commented that the fluid looked like Miller Lite. They took about 25 ounces out of my right lung and said there was even more on my left lung and I may need to have the procedure done on the other lung the next day. Great.
The good news was that I felt better almost immediately, I could breathe again. The EKG that soon followed showed no permanent damage to my heart and after trying a couple of different blood pressure medicines and finding the right one as well as some medicine to help me get rid of all the extra fluid in my body...another thorocentisis was not required.
The even better news was that after Cameron had to stay overnight in the NICU on Saturday after dropping almost 10% of his birth weight, he was once again released. He was also having some trouble keeping his oxygen saturation up during a couple of feedings and during a car seat test the hospital does. This is very common in preemies and as he grows stronger and bigger and his neck muscles keep developing he'll be fine. Until then, he has a car "bed" instead of a car seat for 4-6 weeks until he can pass their car seat test.
So, FINALLY, on Monday April 27th Cameron and I got to go home together. It was such a relief to be out of there with my baby boy! I'll be on blood pressure medication until my B.P. goes back to normal, that could be 2 weeks or longer, but my doctor thinks it's only a matter of time.
My parents have spent the week with us helping out, and though I'll still be recovering for awhile, I already feel 100% better (relatively speaking). Cameron is such a good boy! Ben and I feel so lucky and are looking forward to all the wonderful things yet to come.
"Man...all this talk about needle sticks, CAT scans
and high blood pressure is giving me a headache!"
I'm thinking of writing a book about my experiences...I think I'll title it:
