Thursday, November 27, 2008

27 November 2008- First of all, Happy Thanksgiving to all of our friends and family! It has been a busy couple of days but we have enjoyed the many visitors and look forward to more this weekend. We have been wrestling with a pretty important decision regarding the future. From the beginning we were told that somewhere around the 24-25 week mark, Kel would have to re-enter the hospital and stay for the duration of the pregnancy for 24hour monitoring. Well, 24 weeks falls right on Christmas Eve and as you can imagine Kel was not too excited about being admitted to a hospital then. So our family has thought and prayed and as long as there are no changes in the overall situation, Kel will be moving into St. Johns on January 2nd. Please pray that we make it that far, and that when the time comes the joys of the milestone will outdo the fears of hospital life. On a more positive note, while it can't be confirmed, it's quite possible Daddy felt his first kick while rubbing Mommy's belly last night. A small sign that the little fighter is using what little room she has. God bless all of you this holiday season and thank you so much for the continued support.

Monday, November 24, 2008

24 November 2008- We have just returned from our weekly trip to St. Johns and our baby continues to prove her stamina. The fluid levels have increased a bit more, the heartbeat is still in the normal range, and she was moving around a lot during the ultrasound. We have included some pictures from today's ultrasound and while they are really small you can easily see major features like the head and torso and those used to looking at them might see arms, legs, and even hands and feet. Doctors still like to remind us of the longshot but we continue to pray that our baby is one who can pull through. It was so fun to watch her move and stretch today and really gave Kel new energy to keep up her efforts of following doctors orders. Thank you to everyone who has been praying and please keep it up.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

22 November 2008- We've waited a few days to post an update acting on the philosophy that no news is good news. There aren't really any big changes in the situation other than as Kel continues to follow doctors orders and stay in bed, her body is slowly acting out. It had been small pains in her hips and back but now the pain has increased and moved to her shoulders, neck and other areas. She is doing a great job of fighting through the cramps and pains but since she is on strict bed rest a small change in laying position is really all that can be done. As for the pregnancy, unfortunately the fluid continues to leak but many visitors have said Kel looks more noticeably pregnant which we hope means the baby is continuing to grow and develop. Our new prayer requests are that the pains Kel has been experiencing will go away and that our doctors appointments coming up on Monday give us another week of hope. Going back to earlier prayer requests, we continue to pray for the baby's protection, that she stays safe from infection, and that Kel avoids going into labor. Thanks for all your support.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

18 November 2008- We are so thankful for the unwavering support of our friends and family. Kel has gotten many phone calls and emails about people coming to visit. Please feel free to come by any time, she loves to have guests. Only two requests: one that you just call first to warn the current Kel sitter that you are on the way so they can let you in, and two that you avoid coming any time you're feeling even a little under the weather. We are trying to avoid germs and infections at all cost. People have been afraid they are going to overwhelm us/her by coming uninvited, well this is your official invite. Also, there are a couple of new prayer requests from the home front. Kel is very used to being an active person on her feet most of the time. Her body is beginning to crave that activity. As the time passes she is beginning to get restless. She knows how long the road still is but now her unused muscles are getting achy. Her hips and back have specifically been bothering her and it is affecting her ability to rest at night. Also, please pray for our family as they go back and forth from our house on a fairly constant basis. This is very tough on them too.

Monday, November 17, 2008

17 November 2008- Kel just called from St. John's where the first of the tests are complete. The ultrasound looked good as the baby's heartbeat is still in the normal range. At this point she still appears to be free from infection and even though she continues to leak fluid, the level was up a bit from last week. She got to speak to the high risk specialist who explained the milestones we've already reached. Most women either deliver or succumb to infection within the first week of their water breaking prematurely. We have now passed that point. Of course we still have a long road ahead but doctors are now mapping out the plan to move ahead which is a great sign. The specialist also explained that while lung development has been a concern, it is possible the baby was able to develop enough before the break that it may not be an issue. While all of this seems to be good news doctors know the many risk still involved. Of course we will know more in the future. Keep praying.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

15 November 2008- We are so thankful for all of the thoughts and prayers that have poured in since we began this blog only 24 hours ago. We certainly feel the effects of such love and support. Today started out rough with the presence of more leaking fluid leading to a rollercoaster of emotions. We find comfort in knowing we are almost through another day with no fever, infection, or signs of labor. Kel has made multiple appointments for this coming Monday to test the progress and growth. We are now in prayer for a bit of good news during those appointments. These appointments will now come weekly and place Kel under a great deal of stress with blood tests and fluid measurements every week. Please continue to pray for the protection of our baby and that despite the adversity, she continues to develop on schedule.

Friday, November 14, 2008

14 November 2008- This is hopefully the first of many posts detailing our journey through the hardships we've been presented. If you haven't heard, Kel went to the Women's Evaluation Unit on Monday 10 November after it was suspected she was leaking Amniotic Fluid. Sadly, doctors were able to confirm that her water had broken sometime earlier. As most of you know she is only 18 weeks pregnant so this presents quite a problem. After prolonged lists of what could and is likely to go wrong, and after multiple tear sessions, we vowed to trust God and stay as positive as possible in the given situation. Kel stayed in the hospital for three days having had blood tests, multiple ultra sounds, and other medical procedures to determine the baby is still strong and holding on amidst the tough scenario. She will be on strict bed rest for the next seven weeks or so until the baby is viable and could be delivered if necessary. At that time we are told she will live at St. John's until the baby comes. If there is a positive to come from any of this, the 18 week ultra sound was able to determine that the baby appears to be a girl!!! We will update as soon and often as possible but until then we ask that you pray for a few specific things. First, that Kel's fluid begins to restore itself and continues to protect the baby. Second that her womb is able to avoid infection which would prove the end of the pregnancy. Lastly, that God provide strength to all of us as we push through this journey.