Thursday, June 30, 2011

Ultrasound - June 30th

Sticky had an ultrasound this morning and everything was status quo again - yay!  He was pretty quiet during the ultrasound, but he's been moving a lot this afternoon.  I guess he was sleepy.  Sadly, his kidneys are approaching 12 cm!  It is just amazing to me that such a small baby can have such giant kidneys. 

However, the perinatologist seemed optimistic about his lung maturation and thinks the major problem will be his kidneys not leaving room for the lungs to expand.  The good news is there are ways to fix the kidney problems, but no way to fix a lung maturation problem.  As always, thank you for all the continued prayers and/or positive thoughts.  They mean SOOO much!

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

ECHO - June 28th

Sticky had an echocardiogram this morning and everything was status quo!  He seems to be smoothly sailing towards the finish line now.  They also checked his arteries in one side of his lungs and they looked normal.  This doesn't necessarily tell us about his lung function at birth, but I'll take it!  They couldn't check the other side because he was being too wiggly. We only have one more ECHO before his delivery!  The cardiologist said she'll be there when he is born and that he'll be surrounded  by lots of doctors.  This makes me very happy!

Other than that, his head is right at the top of my belly so I can see and feel him bopping up and down.  It's pretty adorable. 

Thank you for all of your continued prayers and/or positive thoughts!

Monday, June 27, 2011

Ultrasound - June 27th

Sticky had an ultrasound this morning and everything was status quo!  He practiced breathing and moved around enough (I think he was a bit sleepy though). 

In other news, I have been talking to other kidney moms about what to expect at birth and have been getting some great advice and shared experiences.  I have to admit that I'm very anxious about giving birth and then Sticky being immediately whisked away to the NICU and having to wait hours to see him!  After hearing from the other moms who have been through it, I feel much better (or at least more prepared as to what to expect!) 

Thank you for your continued prayers and/or positive thoughts.  We appreciate them more than you know!

Friday, June 24, 2011

Ultrasound - June 24

Sticky was a very good boy today!  Despite being 9AM on a Friday, Sticky practiced breathing and moved around.  He didn't even need the magic buzzing device.  I was very proud of him!

In other news, yesterday I found out that the nephrologist I had been working with will be on vacation when Sticky is born.  This stressed me out a little bit!  She called me this morning and was VERY nice.  She assured me that her partner is very capable and would get all of her notes on Sticky's case.  She also reiterated that all decisions regarding Sticky will be a team effort and that Sticky is ultimately in charge.  I felt much better after our conversation.  Sometimes it's just hard for me (Mrs. Planner) to deal with so much uncertainty!

Thank you so much for your continued prayers and/or positive thoughts.  We cannot thank you enough!

Have a great weekend.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Let the countdown begin!

I just heard from my doctor's office and Sticky's c-section is scheduled for July 20th at 9:30 AM.

We effectively lost sweet Baby Pher on July 20th, 2010, so I take it as a good sign. We're going to turn a very sad day into a very good day!  Also, the 20th is a good date in my family.  My brother, my cousin and I were all born on the 20th of the month.  And my paternal grandfather's birthday (who is in heaven watching over Sticky) was July 20th! 

So, Sticky you just stay put until your scheduled arrival date.

Thank you for all of your continued prayers and/or positive thoughts.  Sticky will be here in less than a month!

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Ultrasound - June 21st

I think Jon is Sticky's good luck charm!  Jon was able to go to the appointment today and Sticky was a breathing machine. As soon as the tech touched the wand to him he was already practicing breathing.  He's such a good boy!

They did a growth measurement today and his weight estimate was 9lbs and 7oz!  Obviously this is inflated because of his huge belly, but he's definitely not a petite flower.  I guess this explains why I'm so sore!

The doctor warned us that with a baby this big, my body might think it's full term so I need to be aware of any pre-term labor signs.  Other than that, we are status quo!  They are planning to schedule my c-section later today, so I should have a tentative birthday date soon.  

Thank you so much for all of your continued prayers and/or positive thoughts for Sticky Bean!  We really appreciate them! 

Friday, June 17, 2011

Ultrasound - June 17, 2011

Sticky has his usual ultrasound this morning.  He was moving all around, but did not practice breathing.  Fortunately the doctor decided that we did not have to go to the hospital for a repeat ultrasound this time (yay for saving $250!!)  She said to just keep count of his movements this weekend and call if Sticky seems to be less active. 

Please keep Sticky in your thoughts and prayers - thanks!  Have a great weekend.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

What it means to be loved

One of my students emailed me today to say that she is still praying for Sticky Bean.  She also included a link to a song she heard that made her think of us.  I wanted to share it with you all.  Very sweet!

What it Means to be Loved

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Ultrasound - June 14th, 2011

Sticky had his regular ultrasound today.  Jon and I gave him a pep talk about practicing breathing and it seemed to work!  He was practicing quite a bit during the session.  However, I think Sticky was so busy practicing breathing that he forgot to dance around very much.  The ultrasound tech got enough movement, but encouraged me to keep track of his movements every day.  Sticky should move at least 10 times in an hour. 

Thank you for your continued prayers and/or positive thoughts!! 

Monday, June 13, 2011

Sticky is officially spoiled!

It was really good news that we didn't have to be admitted to the hospital on Friday night, because Sticky had a very exciting weekend.  He had TWO showers thrown in his honor!  Saturday he was surrounded by wonderful ladies at a shower hosted by my sweet friends, Margie and Alexis.  It was an afternoon filled with yummy cake, fun games and lots of ooh'ing and aah'ing over adorable baby gifts!  Here are some pictures.

How big is the belly?

Adorable toy handmade (!) by Jessica

Very cute (and yummy) punch

Baby word scramble

But Sticky's weekend did not stop here!  My mom hosted a shower in Sticky's honor back home in NC.  Sadly, Sticky isn't allowed to travel, so we were only there in spirit.  However, we got some great pictures of the festivities!  
Everyone got a "Sticky" bun

Sticky's beautiful grandmothers!

Sticky's handsome grandpas (working too hard to notice the camera!)

Glowing Symmes Ladies

Sticky's Sweet Aunts



Needless to say, Sticky feels SOOO loved by all of his wonderful friends and family.  We are so thankful for all the support we have gotten through this journey so far - it really helps us get through each day. So thank you again for all of your positive thoughts and prayers - they mean so much.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Sticky Practiced Breathing!

Sticky and I had a nice long visit to the hospital tonight, but he passed all of his tests with flying colors!  He had a fetal non-stress test and the nurse said his output was "beautiful!" Then he had an ultrasound and got his normal 6 out of 8 points (obviously, still no fluid, so we lose 2 points for that).  However, he was moving all around and practiced breathing.  So thank you very much for your positive thoughts and/or prayers - they worked!  I'm now at home with Jon and the pups.  We are hoping not to go back to the hospital for at least 5 or 6 weeks.

Disappointing ultrasound - June 10, 2011

Sticky wouldn't practice breathing this morning.  Usually a little stimulation from the buzzer gets him to breath right away, but not this time.  She even buzzed him twice!  So with no breathing and no amniotic fluid I have a Biophysical Profile of 4 out of 8 (not good).  I have to go to the hospital tonight for another ultrasound to check for breathing.  I'm very worried he won't practice and they'll want to deliver me!  Fingers crossed that he was just sleepy this morning.

Thank you for your continued prayers and/or positive thoughts.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Tampa Bay Walk for PKD - October 1, 2011

I just created a Team Sticky Bean for the Tampa Bay Walk for PKD!  This walk raises money for support and research of PKD.  I am really excited to participate and hope I will be walking with Sticky in his stroller!

If any of you Tampa Bay locals are interested in joining my team, the team page can be accessed at http://www.pkdcure.org/stickybean

If you click on "My Team" you can then click on "Join This Team!"  The more the merrier!

The event is Saturday, October 1, 2011
Registration begins at 10AM and the 1.5 mile walk begins at 11:00.  The walk will be at Fort De Soto Park.


Fetal ECHO - June 9, 2011

Thank you for your good thoughts to me and Sticky.  The appointment went well (although it was 1.5 hours of scanning!) His heart seems stable, which is great news.  Function is good, no fluid to make a fuss over and just slightly enlarged.  They didn't see any ascites (fluid in the abdomen) either, so that's good news.  He still has the scalp edema, but they aren't worried about it.  They were a bit shocked by how big his kidneys are (they really do look impressive on the ultrasound).  All the cardiology ladies are so sweet and supportive and really cheering for Sticky, so I actually enjoy my appointments there! 

Apparently Sticky has a big head - it was measuring at 35 weeks!  When I told Jon he said his whole family has a big head and that his hats would "swallow" a normal person's  head, ha!  Apparently my dad has a big head too and in high school they couldn't find a football helmet big enough for him.  Considering that a lot of PKD moms worry about their baby's head being too small, I'll take a big head any day!  They got a weight estimate and it was over 7 lbs!!  Of course, a large chunk of this is due to those enormous kidneys, but we've surpassed the 6lb needed to dialysis, so I'm happy about that!

Thank you SOO much for the continued prayers and/or positive thoughts!! 

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Ultrasound - June 7, 2011

Everything is status quo.  Sticky was a really good boy today and practiced breathing as soon as the ultrasound tech started scanning!  As usual, he was moving all around and his umbilical blood flow looked good.  Also, she could see his bladder, which always surprises me.  She said he must keep recycling the little bit of fluid that's in there. 

This week I have another ECHO and ultrasound.  Next week I have my usual two ultrasounds, plus I will meeting the the urologist.

Thank you for your continued prayers and/or positive thoughts.  Sticky feels the love!

Friday, June 3, 2011

Sticky Update

Sticky had his two ultrasounds this week and everything was pretty much the same (which we love to hear!)  His kidneys are now measuring 10 cm each, eeek!  However, he is moving all around and practicing breathing.  Today he had the hiccups during the ultrasound and it was super cute.

On Tuesday the doctor talked a little bit about Sticky's nephrectomy and how a urologist at All Children's would be the one to do it.  So, today I asked the nurse for the urologist's information and scheduled a consult with him for June 15th.  Apparently I'm becoming known as the patient who asks a lot of questions, but I don't care!  I want to have ALL the information that I can.  Jon joked that I would coordinate the surgery if they let me :-)

Other than that, my glucose levels and blood pressure levels are excellent, so I'm feeling good about Sticky staying put until week 37 or 38.

Thank you for the continued prayers and/or positive thoughts.  We appreciate them!