The last blog update was from the night before I was released from the hospital. Before I left I was able to speak with the urologist and cardiac surgeon and got some good news. The urologist said that though he wouldn't know for sure until Sadie was born, he was fairly certain that her right kidney is not a multi-cystic kidney after all. He believes that it simply has a blockage. Which would mean that it wouldn't have to be removed and once unblocked, it may even be able to function! He said he wasn't yet concerned about the left kidney even though it seemed a bit larger than normal. The cardiac surgeon was very nice and realizing the task at hand seemed hopeful of its outcome. He said that he thought that the aortic coarctation and the hole in the ventricle wall could be fixed in one surgery and she shouldn't need any other procedures after that.
I was released Wednesday afternoon on bed rest. The doctors in UVA and Roanoke agreed that since UVA would be delivering Sadie and responsible for her upcoming care, that it would be best to continue to go to UVA for follow-up until Sadie had been stable for a couple of weeks. So... I will be going to Charlottesville twice a week for the next 2 weeks at least. If she continues to stay stable, they will consider allowing me to go to Roanoke for evaluation once a week and UVA once a week. The goal continues to be to do whatever necessary so that I may carry Sadie for as long as possible. She needs to grow stronger and so do her lungs. If there are any changes in the amniotic fluid or how her kidney is affecting the rest of her body, I will be readmitted and delivery may be necessary.
I was pretty exhausted when I got home Wednesday night, but I was so thrilled to see Isaiah and he was thrilled to see me. Thanks to my mother-in-law, I came home to a clean house and a meal a neighbor had brought by. That night I slept better than I had in over a week. Thursday seems like a blur, I think I slept most of the day.... I was so tired. Sean's mom did my laundry and Sean helped me repack my bag in case I was readmitted Friday. Friday morning my sweet friend Elzeline drove me 3 hours to Charlottesville and four hours back. On our way home, five miles from our exit, the interstate was closed and traffic was at a complete standstill for an hour. However, our trip there and back was such a blessed time. We enjoyed such wonderful fellowship that it didn't seem like we had been on the road for that long. Friday night (last night) my mother-in-law began the journey back home. I am so grateful for the week that she spent here caring for Isaiah and Sean while I was in the hospital. I just hope Isaiah didn't wear her out too much!
I have two appointments at UVA on Monday. Sean, Isaiah, and I are heading up there Sunday night, thanks to a gift a family member sent that will cover the cost of a hotel. (There is actually a hospitality house that Sean and I could stay in for $5 a night, but sadly, they don't allow children to stay. ) We, as well as the doctors, are still just taking things one day at a time. We know that I could have to be hospitalized or go into delivery anytime, so we are enjoying our time at home together. Bed rest at home is difficult, but Sean is so selfless and tries his hardest to do whatever necessary to help me rest. We have been so blessed by our church family offering to bring meals, visit, or care for Isaiah. Though it is humbling to have to be so dependent on others, there is no where else I would rather be. Our church is proving to live out the Gospel in our lives and truly act as the Bride of Christ. It is overwhelming to be so loved and cared for. We are beyond grateful. We know there is a long road ahead, but the Lord has been and will continue to be so faithful. Every day and week that I am able to carry Sadie, the better her chances will be. But as always, we don't look to statistics or chances, but to the Living God. He has made Himself so evident in this situation that we can't help but to trust in Him.
I was released Wednesday afternoon on bed rest. The doctors in UVA and Roanoke agreed that since UVA would be delivering Sadie and responsible for her upcoming care, that it would be best to continue to go to UVA for follow-up until Sadie had been stable for a couple of weeks. So... I will be going to Charlottesville twice a week for the next 2 weeks at least. If she continues to stay stable, they will consider allowing me to go to Roanoke for evaluation once a week and UVA once a week. The goal continues to be to do whatever necessary so that I may carry Sadie for as long as possible. She needs to grow stronger and so do her lungs. If there are any changes in the amniotic fluid or how her kidney is affecting the rest of her body, I will be readmitted and delivery may be necessary.
I was pretty exhausted when I got home Wednesday night, but I was so thrilled to see Isaiah and he was thrilled to see me. Thanks to my mother-in-law, I came home to a clean house and a meal a neighbor had brought by. That night I slept better than I had in over a week. Thursday seems like a blur, I think I slept most of the day.... I was so tired. Sean's mom did my laundry and Sean helped me repack my bag in case I was readmitted Friday. Friday morning my sweet friend Elzeline drove me 3 hours to Charlottesville and four hours back. On our way home, five miles from our exit, the interstate was closed and traffic was at a complete standstill for an hour. However, our trip there and back was such a blessed time. We enjoyed such wonderful fellowship that it didn't seem like we had been on the road for that long. Friday night (last night) my mother-in-law began the journey back home. I am so grateful for the week that she spent here caring for Isaiah and Sean while I was in the hospital. I just hope Isaiah didn't wear her out too much!
I have two appointments at UVA on Monday. Sean, Isaiah, and I are heading up there Sunday night, thanks to a gift a family member sent that will cover the cost of a hotel. (There is actually a hospitality house that Sean and I could stay in for $5 a night, but sadly, they don't allow children to stay. ) We, as well as the doctors, are still just taking things one day at a time. We know that I could have to be hospitalized or go into delivery anytime, so we are enjoying our time at home together. Bed rest at home is difficult, but Sean is so selfless and tries his hardest to do whatever necessary to help me rest. We have been so blessed by our church family offering to bring meals, visit, or care for Isaiah. Though it is humbling to have to be so dependent on others, there is no where else I would rather be. Our church is proving to live out the Gospel in our lives and truly act as the Bride of Christ. It is overwhelming to be so loved and cared for. We are beyond grateful. We know there is a long road ahead, but the Lord has been and will continue to be so faithful. Every day and week that I am able to carry Sadie, the better her chances will be. But as always, we don't look to statistics or chances, but to the Living God. He has made Himself so evident in this situation that we can't help but to trust in Him.
