Yesterday began the twice weekly visits to the doc. They do non stress tests twice a week and an amniotic fluid level check once a week. That's combined with the anemia ultrasound checks every two weeks and growth ultrasounds every month. How about those high risk docs?!
Results from yesterday? They said he looked so normal that his results could be posted in a textbook.
I'm grateful that we have gotten this far with him. I remember Claire's docs offering me a lot of testing and monitoring once we got to 32 weeks. I was really unhappy with that - there are a lot of things that can happen BEFORE 32 weeks... And of course we didn't ever get to that wonderfully famous 32 weeks testing with her... It makes me sad. Like she was not looked after as well, and she suffered for it.
I was also reminded of her suffering last week when we realized my son had caught Fifth's Disease...a fairly common childhood virus that is not harmful to him, but can kill a baby in utero. Fifth's Disease was the first thing docs in the ER questioned me about when they saw how hydropic Claire was.... The effects of this virus can cause decrease in bone marrow, anemia, then fetal hydrops. I read about it and it was like reading about exactly what happened to Claire. Granted, the virus or bacteria that killed her was NOT the human parvo virus (Fifth's Disease). She was tested for it and results were negative. It was just ridiculously ironic that such a virus with such potential came into my home with this baby. My kids have never had Fifth's Disease.
I had blood drawn last Friday to see if I have been infected. The good news is that even if so, at 30 weeks, it's highly unlikely that it would hurt the baby that much. It's younger babies that are susceptible to it's deadly side effects.
Tomorrow is Claire's birth and death day. I want to do some type of service... I thought that if every year we do some service in her name, think of all the good her life will accomplish. Because she lived, others will benefit. But I have NO creativity in pregnancy... have no ideas what to do! Any thoughts?
Any other suggestions about what to do for her birthday? My daughter wants to write her a message and do a balloon release. I may make her a cake, though the thought of her not being able to make a mess with it makes me cry, so I may just skip that all together. My kids don't need to see me crying...
Any other ideas?
11 comments:
I know there is a group that donates new outfits and blankets to the hospital for those that don't have anything to take the baby home in. Maybe you could call the hospital and donate something like that?
I hope you have a blessed day today, Kelly! I'm sure it will be a tough day for you and your family. I thought of a few ideas...You could plant a tree or roses or something, make a donation somewhere in Claire's name, set up a memorial fund at the hospital for friends and family to donate to. I've also heard of families sending a flower arrangement or booties, etc to the hospital to be given to the next mom experiencing a loss. Just a few ideas.
Glad Trey is getting such fantastic care!
Happy birthday to your sweet daughter. I hope you feel her near, today. You look great and I am glad that the days and hours are ticking by for you. It never does come soon enough!
Hi Kelly, your sweet Claire will always be remembered. But I have no ideas on what to do, i'm not very creative. Your friends ideas sound really great.
You look so pretty and that picture of you and your daughter is precious. Do you have a name picked out? Congratulations! Ale
Ok, I just read your other post. Trey is a really cool name. We have always liked that name:)
Happy Birthday to Claire! That's a great thing, your idea to serve others in your beautiful daughter's name every year. Jenn has some wonderful ideas. If I think of anything else for next year, I'll let you know.
I was thinking of you and your sweet angle all day yesterday! I had a thought yesterday of a service project. You could call it "cookies for Clair" and put together a bake sale, getting all your friends to either donate baked goods and have one big bake sale, or have one on there own, and those who are out of town could possibly have a bake sale in there area, and then put the money together and give it to a family that has suffered the loss of a baby due to hydrops (for there medical bills, funeral expenses ect) in Clair's name. Its a very raw idea, and probably could use some tweaking, but I just thought I'd through it out there as an idea. I hope all is well with you today, and I'm glad to hear your DR. apt. went so well!
Kelly,
I love the idea of writing a letter to claire and sending off on a balloon!! that is awesome!! you certainly are an amazing strong person and i envy you for that! baby claire & baby Jackson are always on my mind! i cant wait to meet trey and hold that precious joy in my arms!! lots of love, lex
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