Just winding down from a long day today. We arrived at CMH at 7:30 this morning for Kristen's CT scan. Everything seemed to take forever! They started with applying lidocaine to her arms and ankles (to numb possible sites for the IV) and ended up having to stick both of her little arms. Ouch! They did end up sedating her because they needed to slow her breathing for the best possible picture. We were with her while they put the IV in, but the nurse took her away for the sedation, contrast and scan. We had to wait about 45 minutes and got to see her again when she was waking up. Poor little baby was so groggy, but she did great. A radiologist confirmed that it was a good scan, but we won't know the results for a couple of days.
I fed her before we left Radiology at 10:30 (she hadn't been allowed to have any milk since 4:00 a.m.). She was hungry, but so sleepy! After some lunch and a quick stop to see Will's older sister, we headed home. The trip took an extra hour and a half. Kristen was hungry, but still sleepy, so she'd eat a little, then fall asleep and wake up an hour later hungry again. We stopped three times to feed her!
We're all glad to be back home from a very quick trip. Kristen went to bed about 10:00 tonight, which is early for her. She stayed up longer than her sisters or her daddy...we're all pretty tired. I'm going to sign off and head to bed myself. We should know something by noon on Friday...
2 months old - heading to CMH next week
Just a quick update today...Kristen is 2 months old! Her 2 month check up went well. She's up to 9 pounds (10th percentile) and is 21 3/4" long (25th percentile). She's been able to wear some of her 0-3 month clothes without completely drowning in them and we've graduated to size 1 diapers. (They have PLENTY of room, but the newborn diapers were getting a bit snug.)
She also had 2 shots this afternoon, so she's not exactly happy at the moment. Her sisters got suckers at the doctor's office, and Kristen got shots. I think she got the short end of that stick!
We leave next Tuesday (July 14th) for Children's Mercy in KC. Kristen will have a physical at 1:30, then return the next morning at 8:00 a.m. for her CT scan. We believe that the results will confirm that she is perfectly healthy! We pray that the confirmation will be a testimony of God's healing and that her story will make a difference in the lives of many. Please pray for a safe trip for us and that Kristen does well with the test preparation (she's only allowed to have Pedialyte--no milk--after 2:00 a.m. on the 15th). Thanks, and we'll keep you updated!
She also had 2 shots this afternoon, so she's not exactly happy at the moment. Her sisters got suckers at the doctor's office, and Kristen got shots. I think she got the short end of that stick!
We leave next Tuesday (July 14th) for Children's Mercy in KC. Kristen will have a physical at 1:30, then return the next morning at 8:00 a.m. for her CT scan. We believe that the results will confirm that she is perfectly healthy! We pray that the confirmation will be a testimony of God's healing and that her story will make a difference in the lives of many. Please pray for a safe trip for us and that Kristen does well with the test preparation (she's only allowed to have Pedialyte--no milk--after 2:00 a.m. on the 15th). Thanks, and we'll keep you updated!
6 weeks old!
Little Kristen is 6 weeks old today! We've been dealing with near-daily bouts of fussiness...not sure if it's just gas or a bit of colic. We do what we can to get through those times. Our church family prayed over her last night. She was very fussy during prayer time at the end of the service, arching her back and crying. Once hands were laid on her and the prayers started, an amazing calmness came over her. It was so cool to see!
The Zantac seems to be helping her reflux, and she's much more alert during the day. I love to watch her study her surroundings. Her big blue eyes focus in on a face (or the ceiling!). She watches intently and often makes her mouth into a perfect little "O". Every now and then, she'll let out a sweet cooing noise. What a joy to observe!
She's not sleeping through the night yet, but she's getting better about going back to sleep after eating in the middle of the night. She's also getting better about WHERE she sleeps...for a time it was pretty much only in someone's arms!
All in all, we're doing well. Emily changes diapers and loves to help with bath time. Gracie sings to Kristen a lot and likes to help dress her. They're such good big sisters!
The Zantac seems to be helping her reflux, and she's much more alert during the day. I love to watch her study her surroundings. Her big blue eyes focus in on a face (or the ceiling!). She watches intently and often makes her mouth into a perfect little "O". Every now and then, she'll let out a sweet cooing noise. What a joy to observe!
She's not sleeping through the night yet, but she's getting better about going back to sleep after eating in the middle of the night. She's also getting better about WHERE she sleeps...for a time it was pretty much only in someone's arms!
All in all, we're doing well. Emily changes diapers and loves to help with bath time. Gracie sings to Kristen a lot and likes to help dress her. They're such good big sisters!
1 month well check
Kristen had her 1 month well check this morning. She's up to 7 lbs. 8 oz. (she's gained 9 oz. in the last 2 weeks) and measures 20 1/2 inches long. She's at the 10th percentile for weight and 25th percentile for height. She's got some reflux, which causes her to gag occasionally. It's a little unnerving to witness because she can't seem to catch her breath when it happens, but it's apparently not uncommon for infants. Zantac should help with the discomfort.
All in all, Dr. Edmonds said Kristen is doing great! We'll go back to see her in a month for another well child check...right before we head back to Children's Mercy for the CT scan. Dr. Edmonds said the CT scan was nothing to be concerned about. It should be very quick to do, and they may not even have to sedate Kristen (I was concerned they would have to). We're so blessed to have a wonderful pediatrician's office here!
All in all, Dr. Edmonds said Kristen is doing great! We'll go back to see her in a month for another well child check...right before we head back to Children's Mercy for the CT scan. Dr. Edmonds said the CT scan was nothing to be concerned about. It should be very quick to do, and they may not even have to sedate Kristen (I was concerned they would have to). We're so blessed to have a wonderful pediatrician's office here!
2-week check-up
Kristen's visit with the pediatrician this morning went well. At 2 weeks of age, she's now back up to 1 ounce over her birth weight. (Emily was coaching her last night about "bulking up" for the big weigh-in this morning!) Dr. Edmonds checked her over and said she's "perfect."
Dr. said we could get Kristen out and about in another couple of weeks. It's hard not taking her out with us everywhere, but we know it's for the best. For now, Will and I will continue to take turns staying home with her on Sunday mornings and opt out of any large gatherings. Home visits are fine as long as visitors are healthy!
Dr. said we could get Kristen out and about in another couple of weeks. It's hard not taking her out with us everywhere, but we know it's for the best. For now, Will and I will continue to take turns staying home with her on Sunday mornings and opt out of any large gatherings. Home visits are fine as long as visitors are healthy!
Children's Mercy visit
It's late, but Kristen is sleeping soundly, and I wanted to leave an update about today's visit to Children's Mercy. (I'm afraid if I leave it until tomorrow, it might not get done!)
We met with Dr. Shawn St. Peter at CMH at 10:00 a.m. If Kristen requires surgery, he will be the one to do it. He walked us through the process (which would be thorascopic -- minimally invasive) and told us that he was 100% sure that the CCAM was still there.
After a quick bite of lunch in the cafeteria, we headed to Radiology for an ultrasound. They couldn't see it! We spoke with the head of Radiology who said that a CT scan was the only thing that could tell the entire story about whether or not the CCAM is still there. Kristen is too small right now to go through a CT scan. They have us scheduled for on one July 15th. The doctor said that if the CT scan is clear, then he'll just call it a misdiagnosis and we'll all be happy. We say he apparently doesn't know WHO we're dealing with!
We continue to believe that Kristen is perfectly healthy, thanks to God's healing touch. We can't medically prove it now, but 2 of the 3 tests they use to see them after birth have shown nothing of the CCAM. She's not had any shortness of breath or any kind of breathing issues at all. Praise God!
She was an absolute angel today at Children's Mercy. She slept the entire time we were there (and on the trip to and from), with the exception of a little crying during the ultrasound. She did well on the trip home to Great Bend as well. She fussed a little about an hour from home, but got over it quickly. That made the long trip a much easier one, for certain! Emily and Grace entertained themselves in the back of the van, and I was able to sleep a little, though I ended up reflecting a lot on the events of the past 9 days. They've certainly been eventful days!
We have so much to be grateful for...God has blessed us beyond what we could imagine. The people that He placed in our path every step of the way have been example after example of His care and His mercy. And the power of prayer is amazing. Not only is Kristen doing well, but I've not had much pain at all (once Kristen was here, anyway!). Now, I haven't had much sleep either, but that's to be expected!
Thanks to all those who have prayed and continue to pray for us. We'll be praying that the CT scan in July will prove the doctor wrong and be a testimony to the power of our amazing God. In the meantime, we'll be enjoying our sweet baby girl!
Love,
The Eckels 5
We met with Dr. Shawn St. Peter at CMH at 10:00 a.m. If Kristen requires surgery, he will be the one to do it. He walked us through the process (which would be thorascopic -- minimally invasive) and told us that he was 100% sure that the CCAM was still there.
After a quick bite of lunch in the cafeteria, we headed to Radiology for an ultrasound. They couldn't see it! We spoke with the head of Radiology who said that a CT scan was the only thing that could tell the entire story about whether or not the CCAM is still there. Kristen is too small right now to go through a CT scan. They have us scheduled for on one July 15th. The doctor said that if the CT scan is clear, then he'll just call it a misdiagnosis and we'll all be happy. We say he apparently doesn't know WHO we're dealing with!
We continue to believe that Kristen is perfectly healthy, thanks to God's healing touch. We can't medically prove it now, but 2 of the 3 tests they use to see them after birth have shown nothing of the CCAM. She's not had any shortness of breath or any kind of breathing issues at all. Praise God!
She was an absolute angel today at Children's Mercy. She slept the entire time we were there (and on the trip to and from), with the exception of a little crying during the ultrasound. She did well on the trip home to Great Bend as well. She fussed a little about an hour from home, but got over it quickly. That made the long trip a much easier one, for certain! Emily and Grace entertained themselves in the back of the van, and I was able to sleep a little, though I ended up reflecting a lot on the events of the past 9 days. They've certainly been eventful days!
We have so much to be grateful for...God has blessed us beyond what we could imagine. The people that He placed in our path every step of the way have been example after example of His care and His mercy. And the power of prayer is amazing. Not only is Kristen doing well, but I've not had much pain at all (once Kristen was here, anyway!). Now, I haven't had much sleep either, but that's to be expected!
Thanks to all those who have prayed and continue to pray for us. We'll be praying that the CT scan in July will prove the doctor wrong and be a testimony to the power of our amazing God. In the meantime, we'll be enjoying our sweet baby girl!
Love,
The Eckels 5
Details!
Kristen and I were discharged from the hospital this afternoon and are so glad to be at our "home away from home" in Lenexa! She's doing great and looks perfect to us! We will meet with a doctor at Children's Mercy on Tuesday. They're planning to do an ultrasound (and possibly at CT scan) at noon Tuesday to check things out. The chest x-ray they did right after birth showed nothing. They did another one on Friday morning and thought they saw a shadow, but are going to leave any further testing to Children's. We are believing that the mass is gone...that God has intervened in this sweet baby's life!
Will posted the big details in the last entry. I'll go into more now...so if you want to know more, keep reading!
My water broke Thursday morning at 4:30. We grabbed our stuff (still packed from the earlier false alarm) and headed out in the rain to the hospital. We got into one of the birthing rooms at 5:30, and just as the anesthesiologist was getting ready to scrub for the epidural, the nurse checked and said I was moving too fast...no epidural! They then prepared to move me into the delivery room (more equipment there than in the birthing room). About 3 pushes and Kristen arrived at 6:25. Thankfully, it was quick!
Kristen did great. Everything they checked was wonderful. The neonatologist called her "Super Girl" and said she looked perfect. The doctors and nurses at St. Luke's were amazing. So many of them rejoiced with us at the birth of our miracle and offered their prayers that things continue to go well. Our story seemed to go quickly through the hospital. We heard of connections to Great Bend more than once!
She spent her first 30 hours in the NICU, just as a precaution. They let her stay in the room with me after that. Thanks to coordination between Grama Eckels and our dear friend, Tammy, Emily and Grace were able to come up to meet their little sister Thursday evening. They were so excited! Since Kristen was still in the NICU, the girls had to scrub in before they could see her. I think they would have taken an entire bath in iodine if need be to get to see that baby! Thankfully, they only had to scrub up to their elbows for 3 minutes.
We'll stay in KC through Tuesday, then head back to Great Bend after the appointment at Children's Mercy. Thanks to all of you for your continued prayers and support. As I said earlier, we are believing we have received a miracle and pray that it is confirmed on Tuesday!
Much love,
Kim & family (which is now just a bit bigger!)
Will posted the big details in the last entry. I'll go into more now...so if you want to know more, keep reading!
My water broke Thursday morning at 4:30. We grabbed our stuff (still packed from the earlier false alarm) and headed out in the rain to the hospital. We got into one of the birthing rooms at 5:30, and just as the anesthesiologist was getting ready to scrub for the epidural, the nurse checked and said I was moving too fast...no epidural! They then prepared to move me into the delivery room (more equipment there than in the birthing room). About 3 pushes and Kristen arrived at 6:25. Thankfully, it was quick!
Kristen did great. Everything they checked was wonderful. The neonatologist called her "Super Girl" and said she looked perfect. The doctors and nurses at St. Luke's were amazing. So many of them rejoiced with us at the birth of our miracle and offered their prayers that things continue to go well. Our story seemed to go quickly through the hospital. We heard of connections to Great Bend more than once!
She spent her first 30 hours in the NICU, just as a precaution. They let her stay in the room with me after that. Thanks to coordination between Grama Eckels and our dear friend, Tammy, Emily and Grace were able to come up to meet their little sister Thursday evening. They were so excited! Since Kristen was still in the NICU, the girls had to scrub in before they could see her. I think they would have taken an entire bath in iodine if need be to get to see that baby! Thankfully, they only had to scrub up to their elbows for 3 minutes.
We'll stay in KC through Tuesday, then head back to Great Bend after the appointment at Children's Mercy. Thanks to all of you for your continued prayers and support. As I said earlier, we are believing we have received a miracle and pray that it is confirmed on Tuesday!
Much love,
Kim & family (which is now just a bit bigger!)
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