July 9, 2008
All,
Team Beatrice is taking the night off from our regular email update. Have no fear, all is fine; daddy just can't keep his eyes open.
Also, because it looks like Team Beatrice may be playing multiple innings, we'll soon be transitioning to blog format. Will keep everyone posted.
Have a great night.
Team Beatrice.
July 8, 2008
All,
Team Beatrice had another quiet day today, so we'll keep it short tonight...
Beatrice started out the day with low blood pressure due to some dehydration. However, she perked right up after receiving a few magical drugs whose names her daddy can't possibly remember: Dopaphedrinazic, phenalagranazapine, LSD... I have no idea. Anyway, all was relatively well with the world when I visited her at lunch to read her a story (I highly recommend, "Guess How Much I Love You"), and Beatrice's mommy was similarly privileged to spend an hour with her this afternoon "supervising" diaper changes, x-rays, and temperature-taking.
The day ended with the elder members of Team Beatrice taking grandma out for a much-deserved, but nearly overlooked, birthday dinner. Sadly, Beatrice had plans for the evening and was unable to attend, but I stopped by the NICU afterwards to tell her about it. While talking to the nurses, I learned that Beatrice does not like to have her feet touched by anyone.
Also... in more mundane news... Team Beatrice has relocated its command center to our house, where we'll be until at least Sunday, when we're again eligible to stay in a family room at the hospital.
... and that's all for the evening. Our best to everyone,
Team Beatrice.
July 7, 2008
All,
I'm happy to report that Team Beatrice doesn't have to much report this evening. In the words of one doctor, Beatrice is now charting the course, and we're just seeing where she takes us. By making it this far, she has defied so many predictions and expectations that she's become a bit of a celebrity in the NICU. (No more nitric oxide, less oxygen demands, touch toleration, etc). Last night Ms. Beatrice opened her eyes and, if I didn't know better, I'd swear she looked right at me to say, "What's happenin', daddy-o?" However, Team Beatrice (medicinos and family alike) continue to be guarded in their long-term outlook. We still don't know enough to make any predictions.
And so we turn our attention to the taller members of Team Beatrice - the power forwards, if you will. Carol is recovering nicely, although tired from getting out of bed every three hours to pump milk. In general, the last two weeks have taken a toll on both of us, but we remain buoyed by the immense strength of our daughter and our friends. Both mommy and daddy are grateful for everyone's kind words and attention; much love to you all.
Will send more pictures ASAP.
Team Beatrice
July 6, 2008
All,
Just another brief update from Team Beatrice:
As of this afternoon, the medical members of Team Beatrice are very enthusiastic about Bea's short-term outlook. They've been able to dial down the NO2, oxygen, and ventilator settings. Most significantly, for me, is that she is now tolerating touch enough to let us help change her little diapers and take her temperature. (I don't think a father has ever been so excited to change a lousy diaper.)
So... Our next major goal is to get Bea to a week. By then, the Team Beatrice M.D.'s hope to have some idea about her chances over the longer term. Until then, I'll keep writing everyone with updates about the minutiae of our lives.
Team Beatrice (Carol, Ian, and Lil' Bea)
July 5, 2008
All,
Just a quick update on how Ms. Beatrice and her mommy are doing.
Beatrice: I'm happy to report that Little Bea is hangin' tough, and that the doctors were able to turn down the amount of oxygen they were giving her yesterday. However, as the hours and days go on, we are beginning to get a clearer picture of the formidable obstacles that she is up against. Will keep you posted as we know more.
Carol: I am also happy to report that Beatrice's mother is doing so well that we're getting kicked out of the post-partum unit and will be moving to a NICU family room for the next three nights. We live only a couple of miles away, but we're just not ready to be so far away from Bea. (Regardless of where we are staying, I look forward to sleeping in an actual bed again for first time in two weeks.)
Thanks again to everyone who has written and called. Your support has been invaluable during this time. With a little luck, we'll be ready to start returning more phone calls and seeing more people very soon.
Love to you all,
Team Beatrice
July 3, 2008
All,
The day has been exhilarating, confusing, profoundly sad, and then exhilarating again. Because of this, I am typing with my last ounce of strength, so please forgive me if I keep it short tonight.
Our beautiful daughter is hanging on. At 11:00am this morning, nearly 24 hours after Beatrice was brought into the world, we were told that our daughter had taken a turn for the worse and that she was experiencing a slow decline and that only one more thing left to try. With this in our minds, we met with our family and counselors to prepare for the inevitable.
However, I am happy to report that the final option, nitric oxide (oddly enough) was enough to keep Beatrice with us long enough for her daddy and mommy to get to know her and tell her that she will always be loved. In fact, Carol and I were able to read "Runaway Bunny" to her before turning in for the night (although I missed the entire story because cried through the whole thing; somebody needs to tell me how it ends).
Beatrice's prognosis is still very, very grim. She is absorbing oxygen much more efficiently with the nitric, but the ventilator is still working very hard for her and her chest cavity (but not her heart) continues to fill with fluid. Health-wise, our only consolation is that the doctor's are doing their best to keep her pain-free.
In the end, if Beatrice passes this evening, or tomorrow, or the next day, we'll have invaluable memories to keep us going when things get difficult.
Additionally, I am happy to report that Beatrice's mother has been making a great recovery.
That's all I can muster this evening. My best to everyone and thank you for all of the great responses.
Ian (on behalf of Ian, Carol, and Beatrice Adams)
P.S.: I'll send a picture just as soon as I get a chance to go home for a moment or two.
July 3, 2008
All,
Just wanted to let everyone know that we're still here in the hospital, but don't have much to report. Carol is slowly feeling a little better, and may be mobile enough soon to head upstairs to see Beatrice. In the meantime, I've been dropping in on Beatrice as much as I can to read to her and tell her how much mommy and daddy love her.
Will let you know if, or when, we get any news. The doctors are are in the middle of a 72-hour "full court press", after which time they will assess her chances.
Ian
July 2, 2008
All,
My apologies to some of you for whom this is the first email you've received from us, as some names didn't survive the cutting and pasting process for the first email (Find first two emails, below; and, as always, feel free to forward this email to the multitude of friends whose email addresses don't appear here due to my negligence and/or Outlook ignorance.)
This morning's c-section went as well as was hoped, and Beatrice Margaret Adams was born at 11:45am after having some fluid drained while in utero. The doctors were able to put a breathing tube down her throat and then immediately took her to the NICU where she is being ventilated and examined. We have not been briefed by the NICU doctors, but it was expected that she would survive at least 48 hours on the ventilator, so we are a long way from being out of the woods.
Carol is now recovering, in more pain and slightly worse for wear than the average c-section patient, but nevertheless very, very strong. There is no end to ways that she impresses me. With a little luck, Carol will soon be lucid enough to see Beatrice and talk to the neonatal doctors about what to expect.
So that's where we are. Oh, almost forgot... Ms. Beatrice Adams is currently 4lb 13oz. Some of that weight may be due to swelling, but she is the most beautiful baby I have ever seen.
Ian
Hello again, everyone,
As of this afternoon at 5pm, the latest news is that Carol will undergo a c-section sometime tomorrow morning. We finally concluded, after another ultrasound and extensive consultation with our doctors, that this is the best course of action.
Thank you all for being so supportive; and I apologize for not returning nearly enough of your wonderful emails and phone calls. I just ask that you think of us tomorrow morning.
I'll send another update when information becomes available.
Ian
All,
Team Beatrice is taking the night off from our regular email update. Have no fear, all is fine; daddy just can't keep his eyes open.
Also, because it looks like Team Beatrice may be playing multiple innings, we'll soon be transitioning to blog format. Will keep everyone posted.
Have a great night.
Team Beatrice.
July 8, 2008
All,
Team Beatrice had another quiet day today, so we'll keep it short tonight...
Beatrice started out the day with low blood pressure due to some dehydration. However, she perked right up after receiving a few magical drugs whose names her daddy can't possibly remember: Dopaphedrinazic, phenalagranazapine, LSD... I have no idea. Anyway, all was relatively well with the world when I visited her at lunch to read her a story (I highly recommend, "Guess How Much I Love You"), and Beatrice's mommy was similarly privileged to spend an hour with her this afternoon "supervising" diaper changes, x-rays, and temperature-taking.
The day ended with the elder members of Team Beatrice taking grandma out for a much-deserved, but nearly overlooked, birthday dinner. Sadly, Beatrice had plans for the evening and was unable to attend, but I stopped by the NICU afterwards to tell her about it. While talking to the nurses, I learned that Beatrice does not like to have her feet touched by anyone.
Also... in more mundane news... Team Beatrice has relocated its command center to our house, where we'll be until at least Sunday, when we're again eligible to stay in a family room at the hospital.
... and that's all for the evening. Our best to everyone,
Team Beatrice.
July 7, 2008
All,
I'm happy to report that Team Beatrice doesn't have to much report this evening. In the words of one doctor, Beatrice is now charting the course, and we're just seeing where she takes us. By making it this far, she has defied so many predictions and expectations that she's become a bit of a celebrity in the NICU. (No more nitric oxide, less oxygen demands, touch toleration, etc). Last night Ms. Beatrice opened her eyes and, if I didn't know better, I'd swear she looked right at me to say, "What's happenin', daddy-o?" However, Team Beatrice (medicinos and family alike) continue to be guarded in their long-term outlook. We still don't know enough to make any predictions.
And so we turn our attention to the taller members of Team Beatrice - the power forwards, if you will. Carol is recovering nicely, although tired from getting out of bed every three hours to pump milk. In general, the last two weeks have taken a toll on both of us, but we remain buoyed by the immense strength of our daughter and our friends. Both mommy and daddy are grateful for everyone's kind words and attention; much love to you all.
Will send more pictures ASAP.
Team Beatrice
July 6, 2008
All,
Just another brief update from Team Beatrice:
As of this afternoon, the medical members of Team Beatrice are very enthusiastic about Bea's short-term outlook. They've been able to dial down the NO2, oxygen, and ventilator settings. Most significantly, for me, is that she is now tolerating touch enough to let us help change her little diapers and take her temperature. (I don't think a father has ever been so excited to change a lousy diaper.)
So... Our next major goal is to get Bea to a week. By then, the Team Beatrice M.D.'s hope to have some idea about her chances over the longer term. Until then, I'll keep writing everyone with updates about the minutiae of our lives.
Team Beatrice (Carol, Ian, and Lil' Bea)
July 5, 2008
All,
Just a quick update on how Ms. Beatrice and her mommy are doing.
Beatrice: I'm happy to report that Little Bea is hangin' tough, and that the doctors were able to turn down the amount of oxygen they were giving her yesterday. However, as the hours and days go on, we are beginning to get a clearer picture of the formidable obstacles that she is up against. Will keep you posted as we know more.
Carol: I am also happy to report that Beatrice's mother is doing so well that we're getting kicked out of the post-partum unit and will be moving to a NICU family room for the next three nights. We live only a couple of miles away, but we're just not ready to be so far away from Bea. (Regardless of where we are staying, I look forward to sleeping in an actual bed again for first time in two weeks.)
Thanks again to everyone who has written and called. Your support has been invaluable during this time. With a little luck, we'll be ready to start returning more phone calls and seeing more people very soon.
Love to you all,
Team Beatrice
July 3, 2008
All,
The day has been exhilarating, confusing, profoundly sad, and then exhilarating again. Because of this, I am typing with my last ounce of strength, so please forgive me if I keep it short tonight.
Our beautiful daughter is hanging on. At 11:00am this morning, nearly 24 hours after Beatrice was brought into the world, we were told that our daughter had taken a turn for the worse and that she was experiencing a slow decline and that only one more thing left to try. With this in our minds, we met with our family and counselors to prepare for the inevitable.
However, I am happy to report that the final option, nitric oxide (oddly enough) was enough to keep Beatrice with us long enough for her daddy and mommy to get to know her and tell her that she will always be loved. In fact, Carol and I were able to read "Runaway Bunny" to her before turning in for the night (although I missed the entire story because cried through the whole thing; somebody needs to tell me how it ends).
Beatrice's prognosis is still very, very grim. She is absorbing oxygen much more efficiently with the nitric, but the ventilator is still working very hard for her and her chest cavity (but not her heart) continues to fill with fluid. Health-wise, our only consolation is that the doctor's are doing their best to keep her pain-free.
In the end, if Beatrice passes this evening, or tomorrow, or the next day, we'll have invaluable memories to keep us going when things get difficult.
Additionally, I am happy to report that Beatrice's mother has been making a great recovery.
That's all I can muster this evening. My best to everyone and thank you for all of the great responses.
Ian (on behalf of Ian, Carol, and Beatrice Adams)
P.S.: I'll send a picture just as soon as I get a chance to go home for a moment or two.
July 3, 2008
All,
Just wanted to let everyone know that we're still here in the hospital, but don't have much to report. Carol is slowly feeling a little better, and may be mobile enough soon to head upstairs to see Beatrice. In the meantime, I've been dropping in on Beatrice as much as I can to read to her and tell her how much mommy and daddy love her.
Will let you know if, or when, we get any news. The doctors are are in the middle of a 72-hour "full court press", after which time they will assess her chances.
Ian
July 2, 2008
All,
My apologies to some of you for whom this is the first email you've received from us, as some names didn't survive the cutting and pasting process for the first email (Find first two emails, below; and, as always, feel free to forward this email to the multitude of friends whose email addresses don't appear here due to my negligence and/or Outlook ignorance.)
This morning's c-section went as well as was hoped, and Beatrice Margaret Adams was born at 11:45am after having some fluid drained while in utero. The doctors were able to put a breathing tube down her throat and then immediately took her to the NICU where she is being ventilated and examined. We have not been briefed by the NICU doctors, but it was expected that she would survive at least 48 hours on the ventilator, so we are a long way from being out of the woods.
Carol is now recovering, in more pain and slightly worse for wear than the average c-section patient, but nevertheless very, very strong. There is no end to ways that she impresses me. With a little luck, Carol will soon be lucid enough to see Beatrice and talk to the neonatal doctors about what to expect.
So that's where we are. Oh, almost forgot... Ms. Beatrice Adams is currently 4lb 13oz. Some of that weight may be due to swelling, but she is the most beautiful baby I have ever seen.
Ian
Hello again, everyone,
As of this afternoon at 5pm, the latest news is that Carol will undergo a c-section sometime tomorrow morning. We finally concluded, after another ultrasound and extensive consultation with our doctors, that this is the best course of action.
Thank you all for being so supportive; and I apologize for not returning nearly enough of your wonderful emails and phone calls. I just ask that you think of us tomorrow morning.
I'll send another update when information becomes available.
Ian
Ladies & Gentlemen,
Sorry for the email blast everyone. We needed to start a mailing list to update our friends of the latest news. The list of people that I've neglected to include in the recipient list is probably long and distinguished, so please forward to anyone who may be interested or concerned. (I sometimes fail to add even close correspondents to my contact list...)
For those we have not seen or spoken to recently, the news is this:
Since last Tuesday, Carol has been in the hospital for close monitoring after a routine ultrasound found fetal hydrops in the 28th week of pregnancy. The doctors give the baby a very slim chance of survival, and they are not entirely sure if more time in utero is helpful in this situation. Either way, the doctors don't expect the baby to tolerate more than another week or two in the womb.
That's the clinical diagnosis. Please forgive me for resorting to vague technical language. I am struggling to use the most appropriate, and least tragic, pronouns when describing our situation; hence, I occasionally resort to awkward phrasing, such as "hydrops in the 28th week of pregnancy."
Anyway, we don't know what the immediate next step will be or when it will happen. The nurses hook Carol up to a monitor four times a day for an hour at a time. If the heart rate indicates signs of distress, a c-section will be performed right away. In the meantime, we're weighing our options and trying to get as much information as possible before committing to a course of action.
On the positive side, we are receiving great medical care and lots of support from our friends. FYI: We're in room 502 of the antepartum unit of Swedish Hospital in Seattle.
Will keep everyone posted as things happen.
Ian
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