Details.
This is a post just to let you all know of the details of the next few weeks!
Our new induction date is July 3rd. We are going to try some natural ways of induction at home to see if we can get Rowan to come out naturally before that date. Please pray this works, as we want to have him come a bit sooner, as well as not wanting to go through a hospital induction process...(not very comfortable at all!)
At our last ultrasound Rowan was measuring at 40 weeks (we were only 36 weeks along!)....weighing a whopping 7.1 pounds. At every ultrasound we have had, we have asked if everything else in his little body looks normal and healthy and the answer is always: YES! Please continue to pray that there are no other complications with him....ie. lung problems, kidney problems, and other minor holes or leaks in his heart.
Jeremy and I were able to meet Dr. Ghandi, the surgeon who will be performing Rowans surgery. It was good to meet the man who will be fixing our son. He has done over 2500 of these surgeries. When looking at Rowans heart, the anatomy looks like it will be a bit less complicated surgery than expected, however it will still be open heart surgery and will still be a surgery to reconstruct his heart. Just a few minor things that might make it a little less complicated.
I will be induced using various methods of induction on July 3rd. We have a private birthing suite at BC Women's hospital. The birthing room is connected to a middle room called the Resuscitation Room where Rowan will be checked over and hopefully deemed stable, and we will be able to have him back for maybe 20 minutes before he will be transferred to PICU (Pediatric ICU). There he will be on several monitors till his surgery. PICU is where he will be recovering from his surgery until he is stable and can be moved to 3M...a pediatric floor.
There are only two people allowed around Rowans bedside in PICU. We ask that if you are going to come visit us that you please call one of us first. You will not be able to see him or us if you have a cold or have been living/working closely around someone who has had one. PICU is very particular on cleanliness and now allowing germs in. They could be fatal to some of the children there. So with that said, please understand that if you do come, to be healthy. Before entering the unit you need to wash your hands. We will also ask that you do not touch him when you come...as he will be hooked up to all sorts of machines and will be in critical condition. When Rowan is transferred up to 3M the same washing and sick rules apply, however you might be able to be a bit closer and stay a bit longer as he will be in less critical condition.
Jeremy and I will be hopefully staying at Easter Seal House, or at a location with the Family Residency Program...both within a few minutes of the hospital. We will be at the hospital most of the time, but will need to eat meals and take showers and sleep. They are predicting anywhere from 10-30 days spent in hospital for Rowan.
Once Rowan comes home, we will be able to have visitors. Once again the same washing and sick rules apply. Please do not come over if you are sick, have sick kids, have been around sick people a lot, etc. Also we will ask that you wash your hands as you come into our home...we don't mean to be such neat freaks but it can mean sickness or health for our son. Thank you in advance for your cooperation in doing this with us!
We aren't really out of the woods in terms of Rowans health, until the second surgery (at or around 6 months of age.) After that, we will be able to resume a semi normal life, seeing friends and having play dates and just being normal again. Please understand what we are going through and know that as we would love to see you and do activities with you, its not always going to be possible.
We really do thank all of you for all your support and love over the last few months, and for the next few months to come. We need you guys. Our friends and family are the backbone to who we are right now, holding us up and helping us along! We so appreciate you and all you have done and will do to help us during this journey!
With love and affection,
Lori, Jeremy & Rowan
Our new induction date is July 3rd. We are going to try some natural ways of induction at home to see if we can get Rowan to come out naturally before that date. Please pray this works, as we want to have him come a bit sooner, as well as not wanting to go through a hospital induction process...(not very comfortable at all!)
At our last ultrasound Rowan was measuring at 40 weeks (we were only 36 weeks along!)....weighing a whopping 7.1 pounds. At every ultrasound we have had, we have asked if everything else in his little body looks normal and healthy and the answer is always: YES! Please continue to pray that there are no other complications with him....ie. lung problems, kidney problems, and other minor holes or leaks in his heart.
Jeremy and I were able to meet Dr. Ghandi, the surgeon who will be performing Rowans surgery. It was good to meet the man who will be fixing our son. He has done over 2500 of these surgeries. When looking at Rowans heart, the anatomy looks like it will be a bit less complicated surgery than expected, however it will still be open heart surgery and will still be a surgery to reconstruct his heart. Just a few minor things that might make it a little less complicated.
I will be induced using various methods of induction on July 3rd. We have a private birthing suite at BC Women's hospital. The birthing room is connected to a middle room called the Resuscitation Room where Rowan will be checked over and hopefully deemed stable, and we will be able to have him back for maybe 20 minutes before he will be transferred to PICU (Pediatric ICU). There he will be on several monitors till his surgery. PICU is where he will be recovering from his surgery until he is stable and can be moved to 3M...a pediatric floor.
There are only two people allowed around Rowans bedside in PICU. We ask that if you are going to come visit us that you please call one of us first. You will not be able to see him or us if you have a cold or have been living/working closely around someone who has had one. PICU is very particular on cleanliness and now allowing germs in. They could be fatal to some of the children there. So with that said, please understand that if you do come, to be healthy. Before entering the unit you need to wash your hands. We will also ask that you do not touch him when you come...as he will be hooked up to all sorts of machines and will be in critical condition. When Rowan is transferred up to 3M the same washing and sick rules apply, however you might be able to be a bit closer and stay a bit longer as he will be in less critical condition.
Jeremy and I will be hopefully staying at Easter Seal House, or at a location with the Family Residency Program...both within a few minutes of the hospital. We will be at the hospital most of the time, but will need to eat meals and take showers and sleep. They are predicting anywhere from 10-30 days spent in hospital for Rowan.
Once Rowan comes home, we will be able to have visitors. Once again the same washing and sick rules apply. Please do not come over if you are sick, have sick kids, have been around sick people a lot, etc. Also we will ask that you wash your hands as you come into our home...we don't mean to be such neat freaks but it can mean sickness or health for our son. Thank you in advance for your cooperation in doing this with us!
We aren't really out of the woods in terms of Rowans health, until the second surgery (at or around 6 months of age.) After that, we will be able to resume a semi normal life, seeing friends and having play dates and just being normal again. Please understand what we are going through and know that as we would love to see you and do activities with you, its not always going to be possible.
We really do thank all of you for all your support and love over the last few months, and for the next few months to come. We need you guys. Our friends and family are the backbone to who we are right now, holding us up and helping us along! We so appreciate you and all you have done and will do to help us during this journey!
With love and affection,
Lori, Jeremy & Rowan
Hi Lori,
ReplyDeleteReading your new blog entries brings back so many memories. Just explaining to people that it doesn't matter that you just washed your hands before you left home isn't enough. "You have touched your keys, door knobs, car wheel etc. since then". All our friends just wash their hands automatically after entering our house now. They call us when they think a friend is coming to their birthday party but believe that person might have a cold etc.
I too had many problems during my pregnancies, diabetes, insane pain, not being able to walk, used crutches, needed help in and out of bed. Would wake up screaming in pain. Crying so hard my husband would ask me if he should call 911.
At my second pregnancy I had to be induced, because my body was not handling it any longer. I didn't find it problematic at all. But as they say, every birth is different, and both of mine where very different. The one with the induction was the easier one actually.
With Mattias I also gave birth in the room you explain, and we were not able to hold Mattias after as he was rushed directly to ICU, and we got to see him first 4,5 hours later.
Feel free to show/print some pictures from my blog if you feel the need to prepare your family for the ICU visits up front.
You are in my mind and in my prayers every single day. And I look forward to one day know you even better. And maybe one day our sons can play together :o)
Wishing you all the best and a healthy delivery!
Love from Hege
This is a great post Lori, very necessary. I totally understand and I'm sure everyone will as well. Sounds like your friend Hege is a great support and resource for you, that is so awesome.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to hold Rowan but will patiently wait for my turn : )
Lori
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to you, your husband and your little boy who is about to go through the fight of his life. I wish you all the best in the days, weeks and months to come. I will be praying for you and your family for strength to get trough this tough time.
I saw your photos on Mikaela Ruth's blog and followed a link here. I'm praying for you guys and for Rowan (standing on James 5:16). Know that you are loved and appreciated by many, and that One loves y'all infinitely more than everyone else :)
ReplyDeleteVince