Memorial Day Weekend

It was an uneventful Memorial Day weekend in the hospital. Amanda is still getting over the sting of not getting to go home on Friday and slowly embracing the fact that this is her home until BGK arrives. The good news that came out of Friday's session was that they gave Amanda 'walking priveleges' so she no longer has to be pushed in a wheelchair to the outside fountain or to McDonald's to get the kids a milkshake (those are really the ONLY two places to go). The 33 week mark passed on Saturday so the time is moving along quickly.

The weekend echos are not quite as scheduled. It generally occurs whenever the on-call perinatologist or cardiologist arrives and calls the patients down rather than the weekdays when we generally go down at 7:30 or 8:30 everyday. We did learn today that the reason we didn't get to go home this weekend was not because anything had regressed in BGK, but that the doctor just wasn't comfortable sending us home until everything was perfect. If he isn't comfortable about us being discharged for home then we shouldn't be either.

Results continue to be about the same for BGK's heart rate. She is still holding primarily in a sinus 1:1 rhythm. Within the past few days the doctors have started to more closely monitor the amniotic fluid level around the baby because its on the border of being low. The doctor's are thinking it is most likely due to the medications. They have said that they consider anything above 8cm to be normal and for the past few days Amanda has been teetering right around the bottom of that normal level at 8 or 9 cm. Amanda has been drinking quite a bit more water to try and help the cause but at today's echo the level had dipped down to 6cm, so below that normal range and officially in the 'Low' range. They decided to back off of the beta blockers slightly to see if this helps with the fluid level go back up and we'll be watching closely the next day or two. From talking to multiple doctors it sounds like the fluid dropping below the 5cm mark will = time to make a move. Things were moving along pretty smoothly so we hope this doesn't throw a new wrinkle into plans.

The pediatric cardiologist visited Amanda's room today and it sounds like they are making the gameday plans for who/what/where will happen when its time to have BGK. Whereas things were moving along slowly and relatively smoothly, it appears that this fluid level drop has somewhat alerted them to make sure everything will be in place and ready.

Once again, thank you to everyone for the support. We truly appreciate it.

- Mark