Friday, June 10, 2011

Andrew is one week old today!

We have come a long way. Andrew celebrates his one week birthday today. He is definitely a strong little man. We have had some ups and downs but I'm happy to report mostly ups this week.  Some of the most positive ups has been that Andrew is still moving his toes/feet and emptying his bladder. Those are two things that spina bifida can effect. The doctors said it is still too soon to tell if that will be permanent but it is still good news.

It is crazy to think of everything that has happened in the three short months since we found out he has spina bifida.  Sitting here watching him in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is such an intense feeling. I really miss being pregnant and having him close to me at all times but I love being able to see him. Being a NICU mom is definitely hard. Not being able to hold and feed your baby or take him home with you when you leave at night doesn't feel natural. I have drawn a lot of strength from the other moms and dads that are here. It is good to be surrounded by people going through the same thing. You also are surrounded by little tiny babies that are fighting to be here and I can feel their strength. I'm so grateful that Andrew is here and he is a week old so I'm not complaining. I'm just adjusting to this new life. I split our journey up in four parts. The spina bifida diagnosis, the surgery, NICU and when he gets to come home so we are over half way there!

With all the excitement last week I didn't get time to blog about the night Andrew was born. On Thursday night (6/2) my husband and I were watching Glee which was part of our nightly routine. I started to feel a little feverish. I asked the nurse to take my temperature because I didn't feel right. My temperature came back normal but in my heart I knew this was probably the night Andrew was coming. I went to the bathroom and there was a lot of blood. They tried to stop the bleeding but then I started to have contractions. As soon as they saw the contractions I was prepped for surgery. It all happened within minutes. I was scared  and crying because  I knew 27 weeks wasn't as far as they wanted me to be. The doctor grabbed my face and looked at me straight in the eyes and said "Your body is no longer safe for Andrew. He will be better off out here." After she said that I was ready. At 11:20 pm I went into surgery and Andrew was born at 12:21 am. When he came out he was crying. It was the greatest sound in the world. He also tried to grab the sheet in between me and my belly. He came out fighting. Unfortunately because there was some damage done from the first surgery my c-section was over four hours long and I didn't get out of surgery until 3:30 am. My husband made sure I was okay and went down to the NICU to be with Andrew. So that is the story of how he got here. He is the most beautiful little bean and everything we went through together was so worth it.


                                            "Our Little Fighter"

8 comments:

  1. He is so amazing!! I'm glad to hear he is doing well. I'm surprised they won't let you stay the night in the NICU. I know they did with Madi, though they weren't thrilled about it. Keep on fighting, little Andrew!!

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  2. Thinking about you guys! Reminds me so much of my own story!
    Colleen

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  3. thanks for the update Kelly. I am glad that Andrew has had a good first week. I can only imagine how hard life in the NICU is. We are sending prayers of strength and calm for all of you. I hope that you will be able to hold him more and more and the days go on. I am one week out from the surgery and doing well. I am having a little less pain each day and am just trying to keep my mind occupied while on bed rest. We are still staying with a host family (who have been amazing) and waiting for a bed to open up at Ronald McDonald. Have you all gotten into to Ronald's yet? Hope that things continue to go well for Andrew and that you all are staying sane in the NICU.

    Sarah

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  4. Stay strong guys...its the best thing you can do...I know that from everything we went through with Darin. Are you in Philly now? We all will be thinking of you.

    Jen Fox

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  5. Thanks girls! I don't know what I would do without the support of people that have been in a similar situation. It makes you know you aren't alone with it.

    Sarah- I'm so glad you are doing well! Yes we did get in! You will really like it here. It is more like a hotel then I expected. They also have restaurants that come in and make food each night. We really like it.

    Jamie-Thank you for all your comments. Your support has helped so much! There are beds in an area at the NICU but you have to sign up for them. We are at the Ronald McDonald house right down the block.

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  6. I am new to following your story... I think I found you through Jami, but I want to enourage you... NICU is HARD, but you CAN and WILL get through it and the next step of the journey will be there waiting. Work through it, enjoy as much as you can of it, and know that each chaptr is different :)

    I too had a premie SB boy and I can NOT believe that he will be 11 in a few short weeks, yet I remember NICU like it was yesterday!

    We have added Andrew and your family to our prayer wall....

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  7. I am sending prayers. your words bring back those NICU days of our 28 weekers and that was two years ago. the littlest ones--they come out fighting!! NICU is hard and wearing but you will find strength inspired by the love of your son, strength that you never knew was there. Blessings,
    Holli

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  8. Hi Kelly - what a beautiful beautiful baby boy you guys have! I am praying for all of you and especially little Andrew! Hang in there!!!
    Heather

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